Hey, Answer Girl -

Last summer I saw law enforcement giving out tickets for jumping off the cliffs into the water at Alcova Lake. My 67-year-old father did it when he was a kid, and I've done it, as well as my kids. Since when is this activity illegal and what law does it all of a sudden break?

- David from Casper

According to Natrona County Sheriff Mark Benton, jumping doesn't break any specific laws, but it does break Natrona County park rules. That's why you can be ticketed for it.

The park begins where the canyon is at the beginning of the lake, so as long as you're outside of park boundaries, you technically can jump from the cliffs and into the water without being cited. But Benton says that's not a great idea. After all, rules are rules for a reason, and the don't-jump-from cliffs one makes sense from a safety standpoint.

Benton said his office has received several drowning calls over the years because people hit the water hard and it knocks the wind out of them. And when you're in water, not being able to catch your breath as you surface can be a problem.

"It's just a bad idea," Benton said.

Hey, Answer Girl -

My wife told me she recently heard that the original Penney's store is located in Kemmerer. The store was called "The Golden Rule Store." I don't know why, but I'm sure the AG can uncover the details!

- Greg in Casper

James Cash Penney - the original J.C. Penney himself - did open his first store in Kemmerer in 1902. Born in Missouri but eventually wanting to be near the mountains, Penney had been working at a couple of stores called "Golden Rule Store" in Colorado and was offered a partnership in opening one in Kemmerer.

Penney decided not only to call his store "The Golden Rule Store" but also to adhere to the golden rule in his business practices. He'd charge the fairest price possible for high-quality items. At a time when most places charged different prices for the same items to people of different economic standings, Penney charged everyone the same amount for merchandise in his store.

He vowed to "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you." A simple but solid business practice. And, apparently, it worked.

By 1913, he'd completely taken over the company, and it was incorporated under the name J.C. Penney, as we know it today.

Now, 106 years after the original store opened, officials say the company is still adhering to its golden rule policies.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616 or megan.lee@trib.com

Ask Answer Girl

Answer Girl tackles questions about Casper, the universe and everything else. Submit your questions by email to megan.lee@trib.com, or call Megan Lee at 266-0616. You can also write to Answer Girl, Box 80, 170 Star Lane, Casper, WY, 82602.

Answer Girl tackles questions about Casper, the universe and everything else. Submit your questions by email to megan.lee@trib.com, or call Megan Lee at 266-0616. You can also write to Answer Girl, Box 80, 170 Star Lane, Casper, WY, 82602.]]->