Area Briefs

Septic waste issue remains unresolved

The Lawrence Wastewater Treatment Plant will not be expanded anytime soon to accommodate septic waste from the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.

That was the word the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board received this week in a letter from Craig Weinaug, county administrator.

The board had written a letter to the county in the hopes that a city-county solution could be reached. In 2001, the amount of septic waste applied to land more than doubled after the city hiked rates for treatment at the wastewater plant.

“Basically, we’re no further forward with coming up with a solution,” said Bert Rowell, chairman of the health board.

Kay Kent, director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, said the board was looking for a long-term solution.

“We need to be sure we have an ongoing way to dispose of the amount of septage that is generated,” she said.

3rd District candidate opens campaign office

Adam Taff, Republican challenger for the 3rd Congressional District seat now held by Democrat Dennis Moore, today will open his “Overland Park Command Post.”

The post, at 10376 Mastin, will open for business at 9:30 a.m. today. There will be a reception for friends and supporters from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Taff, a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and Benedictine College in Atchison, was in the Navy and now is a pilot for United Air Lines. He is also in the Navy Reserves.