Flight diverted after suspicious wire found

Wichita  An America West flight from Washington D.C. to Phoenix was diverted to Wichita after a “suspicious wire” was found in the plane’s bathroom, an airport spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman, LaTricia Harper, said 130 passengers were evacuated from the plane and were staying in the public safety building at Mid-Continent Airport. The plane, an Airbus A319, was not brought to the terminal, she said.

The Wichita Police bomb squad and the Explosive Ordinance Division from McConnell Air Force Base were inspecting the plane at 10:50 p.m.

“They are going to take as long as they need to take to make sure they know that aircraft is completely clean,” Harper said.

The plane landed at 6:45 p.m. Harper said she did not know how the wire was discovered, or what it looked like.

KU students plan march

A group of Kansas University students is planning a march to show support for higher education funding on April 18 at the state Capitol in Topeka.

The noon march will include students from other state universities. Students also plan to attend the Kansas Board of Regents meeting at 11 a.m. to protest large tuition increases.

KU students plan to carpool from the parking lot of Community Mercantile Co-op, 901 Iowa, at 10 a.m. April 18. They also are planning an organization meeting at 2 p.m. April 14 at the Kansas Union.

For more information, call 842-3118.