Great Western closes store

Great Western Automotive Group has closed its Casper store, but the decision might not be irrevocable.

"Nothing's really, I would say, permanent at this point," Marketing Director John McCoy said. "We're kind of waiting and watching to see some of the market conditions and how things go."

McCoy said the Casper location was closed because it wasn't generating enough revenue. An outlet in Rapid City also was closed. Great Western still has Wyoming operations in Rock Springs and Gillette, he added.

McCoy said most people affected by the Casper closure were afforded opportunities in other markets.

Forum looks at wind energy

The Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments will host a forum to discuss wind energy development on state lands and compatibility with existing surface uses from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday at Casper College's Sharon Nichols Auditorium.

Representatives from the mineral industry, wind energy developers and OSLI will wind energy development issues and how any conflicts may be mitigated.

The public is invited and there is no cost to attend.For more information, call the Office of State Lands and Investments at 307-777-8510 or visit slf-web.state.wy.us.

Library, teens celebrate Rowling

The Natrona County Public Library will host a party for teens to celebrate the birthday of author J.K. Rowling at 5 p.m. on Friday in the library's Crawford Room.

Teens can dress up as their favorite character from the Harry Potter series and play games with friends as a finale to the summer reading program, "Express Yourself @ Your Library!"

For more information, visit www.natronacountylibrary.org or call 577-READ ext 101.

Health dept, NCSD offer vaccinations

The Casper-Natrona County Health Department and school nurses in Natrona County School District are offering vaccinations for seventh-graders at school buildings.

All incoming seventh-graders are required to receive a tetanus booster and a Hepatitis B vaccine. Other recommended vaccines for these students also will be available, including menigococcal, Hepatitis A, and Human Papilloma Virus. The cost for each vaccination is $12.

Upcoming clinics dates, times and sites include:

* 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Centennial Junior High

* 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 14 at CY Junior High

* 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Frontier Middle School.

Incoming seventh-graders may attend any of the clinics; they do not have to attend the clinic at their own school.

In addition, a walk-in clinic for all childhood immunizations will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 11 at the health department.

Any child receiving vaccines at any of the locations must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian and must present an immunization record.

District hosts exchange student open house

Suzanne Sandoval, international exchange coordinator for the EF Foundation for Foreign Study, will host an open house from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday to provide Natrona County community members with information about hosting exchange students.

For more information, contact Sandoval at 577-2190.