Third horse confirmed to have West Nile virus

Hutchinson  West Nile virus has now been confirmed in three horses in Kansas, and state health officials said Wednesday that three dead birds had also tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Bonnie Rush, a professor of equine internal medicine at Kansas State University, said Wednesday that a horse from Rice County has tested positive for West Nile virus. The horse is in stable condition and probably will recover.

The dead birds were found in Sedgwick, McPherson and Republic counties.

The first Kansas case of West Nile virus was confirmed on Aug. 8 in a horse in Cowley County. That horse died of the infection Aug. 7.

Many cities and counties have looked into aggressive spraying as a preventative measure, although Lawrence and Douglas County officials said they were not.

West Nile virus is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites another animal or human.

Education

State board OKs request for school funding boost

Topeka  On the eve of expected cuts in state spending, the State Board of Education approved Wednesday a request for $372 million in new funding for elementary and secondary schools.

The 8-2 vote advances a request to the governor and Legislature for an increase in the base state aid for students, as well as additional funding for at-risk students and health insurance.

Despite the cuts expected to be announced today, state board members felt their request  a 16 percent boost from current levels  was necessary to meet their goals.

Communications

Journal-World editors earn national awards

Two Lawrence-Journal World editors have won awards in the 2002 National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest.

Jan Biles, arts-features editor, received a first place in the special series category for “Holding on to Hope,” a series of stories about a Lawrence woman with epilepsy and the technology being developed to alleviate her seizures.

Biles also received a first place in the category of lifestyle/entertainment pages, and an honorable mention in the category of health/science writing.

Ann Gardner, editorial page editor, received a second place for editorials in a daily newspaper.

In addition, Lawrence resident Carol Francis received an honorable mention for speech writing.

Planning

City invites comments on 23rd Street corridor

The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Office will take public comment today on the final draft of the Kansas Highway 10/23rd Street corridor access management study.

A meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at South Park Recreation Center, 1141 Mass., with the plan overview, a discussion of financial constraints and presentation of corridor segment map recommendations.

The draft, along with the recommendations, is available online at www.lawrenceplanning.org.

Gasoline Prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.36.9 at Sam’s Food Mart, 1910 Haskell Ave. If you find a lower price, call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price. Or visit the Pump Patrol message board at www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline

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