Free fans available for needy residents

Westar Energy is donating more than 700 fans to social service agencies in its service territory to help those without air conditioning or means of staying cool this summer.

Needy Douglas County residents can apply for a fan by calling or dropping by Douglas County ECKAN, 1600 Haskell Ave., 841-3357, or the Salvation Army, 946 N.H., 843-4188. Westar representatives will deliver fans at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to ECKAN and at 11 a.m. Tuesday to the Salvation Army.

Westar and the American Red Cross offer these tips to stay cool and healthy in hot weather:

Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and wear a hat or use an umbrella.

Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Eat small, frequent meals. Avoid foods high in protein.

Avoid strenuous outdoor activity; stay indoors as much as possible.

South Park pool closes for repairs for a week

The South Park wading pool will be closed for a week starting 7 p.m. Tuesday to repair flaking paint.

“We want to repair the pool surface as early in the season as possible,” said Jimmy Gibbs, the city’s aquatics supervisor. “Our goal is to ensure that the quality of the swimming experience is not compromised.”

Earlier this year, new paint was applied to the pool surface as a part of routine maintenance. Gibbs said the surface might have been incorrectly prepared or there might have been a defect in the paint.

The pool is to reopen July 9.

Deputy finds inmate dead; suicide expected as cause

Olathe Authorities believe a 39-year-old man found dead Saturday in a Johnson County Jail cell likely committed suicide.

At about 10:40 a.m., during a routine cell check, a deputy found David Tomey hanging by an undershirt, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said. Efforts to revive Tomey were unsuccessful.

He had been in custody since September 2001 on charges of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and criminal sodomy, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was awaiting sentencing on those charges. His bond was set at $500,000.