Free flu shots planned

The Casper-Natrona County Health Department will provide free seasonal flu vaccinations Saturday in an exercise to test the department's ability to respond quickly to a major disease outbreak or exposure, according to a news release.

The emergency plans would allow the department to quickly distribute vaccinations or oral medications to a majority of residents.

The free vaccinations will be offered to anyone 18 and over from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th St., and the Natrona County Fairgrounds Industrial Building.

Medicare recipients will only be vaccinated at the senior center and must present their Medicare cards. Pneumonia vaccinations will not be available during the exercise.

Get rid of old meds

The Wyoming Medical Center and University of Wyoming pharmacy students will be at the Saturday flu clinics (see above) to collect expired and unwanted medications and dispose of them safely.

The RX Roundup event will be at the Casper Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Throwing old medicine into the garbage, flushing it down the toilet or pouring it down the drain can damage the water supply, according to a news release from the Wyoming Medical Center.

All prescription and over-the-counter medicine will be accepted including inhalers, ointments and liquids. No sharps products will be accepted.

There will be prizes awarded for the oldest prescription, oldest over-the-counter product, and most products.

For information contact Shauna VanderLinden at 577-2536.

Eagles get new nests

The Bureau of Land Management Casper office recently installed two artificial nesting structures along the North Platte River between Casper and Alcova, according to a news release.

The structures will provide nesting habitat for both the bald eagle and osprey. Conservation projects like this have assisted in the recovery of the bald eagle, which was recently removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Installation of these nesting structures was done in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Western Area Power Administration, and the Davis/Boston Limited Partnership.

Other wildlife projects planned in the future along the North Platte River include the installation of several bat roosting boxes, cottonwood pole plantings and the development of interpretive wildlife viewing opportunities.

For information contact Jim Wright, BLM wildlife biologist at 261-7600.

Ski coach to enter hall of fame

Casper ski coach Jim Miller will be inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame on Oct. 26.

Miller is a two-time Olympian ('68 Grenoble and '72 Sapporo) who teaches special education at Kelly Walsh High School, coaches cross-country running at KW and co-coaches Nordic ski for both Natrona County and Kelly Walsh high schools, according to a news release from the school district.

He has led the Casper program to seven state titles, including 75 All-State skiers. He also was named Special Sports Coach of the Year by the Wyoming Coaches' Association.