Man pleads guilty to robbery

A Casper man pleaded guilty today to charges he robbed an Evansville convenience store at gunpoint in June.

Christopher Meeks, 22, is charged with aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

Meeks' attorney, Patrick LeBrun, told District Court Judge David Park that his client would plead guilty to both counts if the sentences would run concurrently.

Another defendant in the case, teenager Andy Jacob Jolley, pleaded guilty in August to holding up the Curtis Street Loaf 'N Jug store early in the morning of June 19.

After the plea, Park ordered a presentence investigation for Meeks who remains in the Natrona County Detention Center on $75,000 bond.

Firefighters compete in Combat Challenge

Members of the combat challenge team for Casper Fire-EMS will compete in the world championships beginning Tuesday in Las Vegas, according to a release. The event is scheduled to conclude on Friday.

In addition to an overall competition, the team will also participate in tandem events.

The team qualified for the finals by finishing second at a recent event in Akron, Ohio.

Team members include Jenn Holt, Chad Denton, Micah Rush, Tye Herron, Bill Bohman, Jim Maddox and Jeff Carroll.

The combat challenge is based on a test that initially developed to help firefighters maintain peak physical conditioning. The competitions attract teams from all over the world.

EPA honors Casper facility

The Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded city officials with its National Clean Water Act Award for 2008, according to a release.

The city won a first-place award for pretreatment program excellence. It was singled for its remarkable success at preventing grease overflows from local restaurants and its industrial waste program, which specifically deals with the residue generated from car washes, auto repair shops, and other industrial businesses.

Ali Bhutto is the city's pretreatment coordinator and was presented with the award at Tuesday's city council meeting.

"This work is not easy, and it's not glamorous, but it is extremely important," said David Hill, public utilities director.

College offers course in Office

Casper College will offer a new, two-day continuing education class on Microsoft Office 2007 from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, according to a release.

The class will provide an overview of Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

The cost for "Upgrading to Microsoft Office 2007" is $58 per person, and requires a textbook and a jump drive. Both can be purchased from the Casper College bookstore.

For more information or to register, call (307) 268-2206.

School board schedules retreat

The Natrona County School District Board of Trustees will meet for a retreat from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4, in the Sun Room at the Casper Petroleum Club, according to a release.

Discussion topics will include board and superintendent goals.