Local briefs

Remembrances benefit Lawrence Humane Society

Trish McWilliams, Lawrence, found a permanent way to remember her cats Daisy and Goblin.

“They were just two stray cats that we took in,” she said. “They died earlier this year.”

McWilliams was one of several people who stopped Saturday at the Lawrence Humane Society to draw, paint or stamp a tile in memory and tribute to pets and pet lovers.

Laura Meyer, president of the animal shelter’s board of directors, said the “Miles of Tiles” event will raise money for the shelter’s new addition, which is intended to house a minimum of 72 dogs and cats. A donation of $25 per tile was suggested. She said about 100 tiles have been placed on the wall in the shelter’s lobby.

Meyer said people also can decorate the tiles at the next scheduled events, March 10 and April 13.

Brain Teaser: Hughes quiz, Day 11

This is one in a series of questions to test your knowledge on Langston Hughes, as part of the celebration of his 100th birthday. A new question will appear each day through Feb. 14. Each day’s answer will be posted at langstonhughes.ljworld.com.

11) What schools in Lawrence did Langston Hughes attend?

Answer to Saturday’s question: None of the above. Hotels, restaurants and the Presbyterian Church all were closed to blacks.

Consumer protection: Attorney general studies post-storm price-gouging

Kansas Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall is investigating reports of price-gouging by companies that may be taking advantage of the recent ice storm.

Consumers have called the Attorney General’s Office to report alleged overcharges on hotel rooms, generators, electrical contracting and other goods and services, officials said.

Those who think they are a victim of price-gouging related to the storm can call the Consumer Protection Division at (800) 432-2310.

Salute: Police, fire, EMS groups to lead St. Pat’s parade

Representatives from Douglas County’s emergency and law enforcement departments will help lead the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year.

“We wanted to honor our local fire and police departments, and we decided to do that by making them grand marshals,” said Julie Love, a parade committee member.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical, Kansas University Public Safety, township fire departments and fire and police departments in Baldwin and Eudora have been asked to participate. Jim Saladin, firefighter of the year for 2001, will represent Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical, and Nathan Jamison, firefighter of 2001, will represent Wakarusa Township.

The parade, a benefit this year for the Douglas County Infant Toddler Coordinating Council, starts at 2 p.m. March 17 on Massachusetts Street downtown.

Franklin county: Pomona teen-ager killed in accident near Ottawa

A rural Pomona teen-age girl was killed Friday night in a one-vehicle accident about 6 miles northwest of Ottawa.

Franklin County Sheriff Craig Davis said Codi R. Soper, 15, was driving home after a school dance before midnight Friday when she apparently swerved to miss a fallen tree limb lying in the road. The accident happened within 3 miles of her home.

Davis said Soper was westbound on Pawnee Road in a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am, lost control of the vehicle and went off the north side of the road through a fence. The sheriff said Soper was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle as it rolled over. Soper was pronounced dead at the scene by the Franklin County coroner.