Staples opens store

Staples will hold the grand opening of its first Casper store today at noon, according to a press release. The store is located at 4160 E. 2nd St.

Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters will be presented with a $1,500 donation from the Staples Foundation for Learning.

Staples had sales of $16.1 billion in 2005, according to the company's Web site. It is headquartered in Boston and operates more than 1,800 office superstores in 21 countries.

It also serves customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses.

Honors breakfasts slated

The Natrona County High School Parent Teacher Student Association is again sponsoring NCHS honor roll breakfasts, according to a press release.

The breakfasts will recognize achievement for the first semester and will be at the following times: sophomores today a 9:30 a.m., juniors Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and seniors Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 9:30 a.m.

All three breakfasts will be held in the NCHS West Cafeteria. Students are reminded to bring the letter inviting them to the breakfast. There will be a drawing for prizes and the letters are the only way to be entered.

Passenger numbers rise at NCIA

The total number of passengers at Natrona County International Airport increased by 5.1 percent in January compared to January 2006, according to a press release.

"While we're happy to see an increase in our passenger numbers, we are by no means satisfied," airport manager Glenn Januska said. "We will continue to aggressively seek additional seats in our market and upgrade equipment."

Airport operations also increased by 3.2 percent in January. The jump was attributed mostly to an increase in commercial airline flights and general aviation activity.

CAEDA backs budget plan

The Casper Area Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors has voted to support the governor's proposed budget of $55.7 million for the Business Ready Communities grant program.

A press release said the $55.7 million is needed for the remainder of the biennium. Following the State Land and Investment Board meeting on Feb. 8, the Business Ready Community program had only $19,215 left for the rest of the biennium.

Buckle Up Kids offers car seat inspections

To conclude its training of child passenger safety technicians, the Buckle Up Kids program, as part of Safe Kids Wyoming, will provide free car seat inspections from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Natrona County Fire Protection District at 2800 Pheasant Drive.

Technicians will also train parents to install and adjust car seats properly.

According to the Safe Kids USA Web site, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of children under 14 years of age and a properly installed car seat or booster seat reduces the risk of death by 54 percent to 71 percent depending on the age of the child.

Also, about 70 percent of all child passenger restraints are used incorrectly.