Construction now in session

Recent destruction at the Statehouse is making way the construction of a visitors’ center.

Richard Kern, site supervisor for Lardner Monument in Topeka, chisels loose stone from the north steps of the Statehouse Friday. The steps are being removed to ready the site for the forthcoming visitors’ center.

Chris Tschirhart, an associate with J. Dunn Construction, said the removal was about half complete and should be completed within the next two or three weeks.

The steps will be replaced after crews finish the new center, Tschirhart said.

Auto accident : Baldwin driver injured in early-morning crash

One man was taken by air ambulance to a Kansas City, Kan., hospital after a one-vehicle accident early Friday in the 1100 block of Lawrence Avenue.

Aaron Schwerman, 22, Beloit, was in fair condition Friday afternoon at KU Med, a spokesman said. The accident occurred shortly before 2 a.m., Lawrence Police said.

According to Lawrence Police, Schwerman was the driver of a 1995 Camaro Z-28 that went out of control while southbound at a high rate of speed on Lawrence Avenue. The car struck a tree, a guard rail and a concrete wall, police said.

A passenger, Joshua T. Goodpasture, 22, Baldwin, declined medical treatment, police said.

Officers are still investigating the accident, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said. He said alcohol had not been ruled out as a possible factor.

Religion: Senator changes religion

Washington Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., has become a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Brownback had belonged to the United Methodist Church. His spokesman, Erik Hotmire, confirmed Friday that Brownback had converted.

“It’s a personal decision,” Hotmire said, declining to further discuss the matter.

The Catholic World News service issued news of Brownback’s conversion recently, saying the ceremony took place June 28 at the Catholic Information Center in Washington.

The service said Brownback’s sponsor was Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

Crime: Unidentified suspect shot by Finney County deputy

Garden City A Finney County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man Friday morning, authorities said.

Neither the victim’s nor the deputy’s names were released.

Sheriff Kevin Bascue said his office and Garden City Police were investigating the shooting, which happened about 1:15 a.m. Friday after authorities were called to investigate a car accident.

Deputies found a vehicle lodged in a mobile home, but the driver had fled the scene, Bascue said.

Bascue said deputies began to question a man about the accident, but he fled. Deputies tried to apprehend him, but a confrontation ensued. During that confrontation, another man emerged on the scene. That man was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy.

Bascue did not provide additional details about the confrontation, including whether the man was armed.

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.