South Park pool reopens

The South Park Wading Pool reopened Thursday.

“Little kids are back swimming,” said Lisa Patterson, city spokeswoman.

The pool was closed earlier this month for repainting.

There is no admission charge for visitors to the pool, and it is open to children 6 and under in the company of an adult. Regular hours are 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

The facility will close for the season Aug. 17.

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Higher education: Engineering professor named dean of Utah State’s college

The chairman of Kansas University’s electrical engineering and computer science department has become dean of the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

H. Scott Hinton, who was at KU since 1999, started his new post last week.

Hinton will oversee 1,800 students and 90 faculty members in five departments. KU’s School of Engineering has about 2,312 students and 100 faculty members in seven departments.

Hinton is a native of Lehi, Utah. He replaces A. Bruce Bishop, who retired after 20 years in the position.

Sam Shanmugan, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, will serve as interim chairman of the KU department until a permanent replacement is selected.

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Elections: Governor endorses Praeger for insurance commissioner

Topeka Gov. Bill Graves on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Sandy Praeger of Lawrence in the Republican Party primary for insurance commissioner.

Praeger faces Bryan Riley of Wichita and David Powell of El Dorado in the Aug. 6 primary.

Riley has announced that by a two-to-one margin, he has received the backing of Republicans on the House Insurance Committee.

Praeger is vice president of the Senate and chairwoman of the Senate committee that deals with insurance matters. Riley owns a business that sells long-term care insurance, and Powell is an insurance agent and financial planner.

Also Thursday, Graves endorsed Sen. David Adkins, of Leawood, in the Republican race for attorney general.

Graves declined to make an endorsement in the Republican governor’s race, saying, “I’ve got a lot of friends in the primary and I think it would just be appropriate to let the voters sort this one out.”

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Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.30 at Quick Stop, 1000 W. 23rd St.

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.