Area briefs

Federal judges push back congressional filing deadline

A three-judge panel has pushed back the filing deadline for Kansas’ congressional candidates so the federal court can hear a challenge to the state’s new congressional redistricting plan.

The three judges on Friday decided to delay the filing deadline to 5 p.m. July 9, pushing it back from the previous June 24 deadline. The primary is set for Aug. 6.

Kansas Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Topeka over the law redrawing the state’s four U.S. House districts.

GOP chairman predicts support for local school taxes

The chairman of the Kansas Republican Party expects all four GOP gubernatorial candidates to support letting school districts impose local education taxes rather than waiting on lawmakers to pass a tax increase.

“I think you’ll hear it from all the Republicans that are running,” GOP Chairman Mark Parkinson said last week during the taping of “On The Record,” a news program produced by Kansas public television stations.

The program, which also features state Democratic Party Chairman Tom Sawyer, airs at 12:30 p.m. Sunday on KTWU Channel 11 in Topeka.

Parkinson said the issue of whether to give school districts more leeway in raising taxes would provide a clear distinction between the GOP candidates and state Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Johnson County opens Kill Creek Park lake

Looking for a weekend get-away that’s not too far away?

A swimming beach and marina at Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s new Kill Creek Park near DeSoto are open on weekends during the summer.

The developed portion of the 850-acre park includes a 26.5-acre lake with a swimming beach, bathhouse and marina all open to the public for the first time this summer.

The beach is open from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission for children 12 and under and adults over 50 is $3 for Johnson County residents or $3.50 for nonresidents. Cost for adults is $4 for Johnson County residents or $4.50 for nonresidents.

The marina is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and offers canoes, pedal boats and two-person sailboats.

No fishing is allowed this year at the park so that fish populations can become established.

The park’s entrance is near 116th and Homestead Lane.

For more information, call (913) 831-3355, Ext. 1266.

Transplant assistance fund accepting aid applications

Topeka The Transplant Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from Kansas residents seeking financial aid for life-saving organ transplants.

Applicants may receive money for anti-rejection medication, hospital and dental bills and living and transportation expenses associated with the transplant.

Call the Topeka Community Foundation, (785) 272-4804 to request an application or get more information. The deadline for applying is July 31.