Relay for Life gets head start

Preparation for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life kicked off Tuesday night in Lawrence.

Organizers and relay teams already set to participate in the society’s major fund-raising event gathered at Abe & Jake’s Landing to celebrate the beginning of the event’s eighth annual season in Lawrence. The relay will be June 7-8 at Haskell Indian Nations University.

So far, 50 or 60 teams of eight- to-15 people have registered for the 24-hour-long relay, said Tina Yates, society volunteer.

Last year’s local relay raised a little more than $100,000, Yates said.

For more information, call relay coordinator Maggie York at 832-0957.

Accident: Driver of tractor-trailer killed when train hits rig

Ottawa  Franklin County Sheriff’s officers are investigating why the driver of a tractor-trailer pulled his rig in front of a train early Tuesday, resulting in his death.

The victim was identified as Gregorio A. Rodriguez, 44, Topeka. He was thrown from the truck and killed instantly, officers said. The truck’s cab was destroyed by fire.

Sheriff’s officers were called shortly after 7 a.m. to the railroad intersection on Ohio Terrace just south of Shawnee Road, southwest of Le Loup.

Rodriguez was southbound on Ohio Terrace and was struck by a westbound Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway train, officers said.

Witnesses said Rodriguez stopped at the train crossing and may have seen an eastbound train approaching. The train was far enough away to allow Rodriguez to cross the tracks, but he was then struck by a westbound train on a second set of tracks, Sheriff Craig Davis said.

Elections: Secretary of state to speak to Lawrence chamber

Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh will be the speaker at the April meeting of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

Thornburgh will discuss the Florida elections results, the Kansas election process and other issues.

The meeting will be at noon Wednesday at the chamber office. The event is free and open to chamber members or guests of chamber members. Participants should bring bring a sack lunch.

To confirm attendance and help plan for seating, call the chamber office, 865-4411.

Kansas University: Two students receive national Udall scholarships

Two Kansas University students will receive Morris K. Udall Scholarships for the 2002-2003 school year.

The $5,000 scholarships were established by Congress in 1992 to attract students into careers in environmental public policy, health care or tribal public policy. Since 1998, eight KU students have earned the awards.

There were 80 scholarships awarded nationally this year. KU’s winners were:

 Nicole Hipp, St. Louis, Mo., a senior majoring in architecture. Her career goal is to establish an architectural design firm that focuses on sustainable design for residential and community use.

 Shane McCall, Kansas City, Mo., a senior majoring in environmental science and sociology. His career goal is to teach environmental sociology at a research university.

Gasoline prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.32 at the Conoco at Sixth Street and Crestline Drive and the Citgo stations at Ninth and Iowa streets and at 920 N. Second St.

If you find a lower price, please call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price. Or go to www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol board.