Travel: Short detour to reroute Kansas Turnpike near Topeka

For the next week, motorists traveling the Kansas Turnpike near Topeka will take a short detour because of construction work.

The westbound stretch of highway just west of the East Topeka interchange is closed. Motorists traveling west on I-470 to South Topeka exit or Emporia and Wichita will exit the turnpike at the east interchange.

They will then follow a short, signed detour before re-entering the turnpike to continue southbound.

Plans call for replacing about a quarter of a mile of two-lane pavement on I-470. Workers will be on the project 24 hours a day and it is expected to last seven days, depending on the weather, Kansas Turnpike Assn. officials said.

Turnpike users can listen to the Travel Advisory Radio at 1610 AM and check the traffic alert section of the KTA Web site, www.ksturnpike.com, for additional information.

____________

Judiciary: New Kansas U.S. Attorney to be officially sworn in

Wichita Eric Melgren will formally be sworn in Friday as the U.S. attorney for Kansas during a ceremony in the U.S. District Courthouse.

Kansas Republicans U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback and U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt will be speakers during the ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. Federal Judge John Lungstrum will administer the oath.

Melgren, who has been in private law practice for the past 15 years, was nominated to the U.S. attorney’s position by President Bush. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate.

Melgren replaces Jim Flory, Lawrence, who had the position on an interim basis for about a year.

____________

Death: Osawatomie resident killed in scuffle with officers

Greeley An Osawatomie man was shot and killed after a scuffle with law officers near a grain elevator in eastern Kansas, authorities said Wednesday.

Roger W. Lee, 39, and another man were approaching anhydrous ammonia tanks near the elevator Tuesday night when they were confronted by the Greeley city marshal and an Anderson County reserve deputy, said Kyle Smith, an agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in Topeka.

A scuffle occurred and Lee was shot and killed, Smith said. The other man was taken into custody, along with two juveniles who were discovered leaving the scene, he said.

Smith said the officers had been placed on administrative leave while the KBI and Anderson County authorities investigate. An autopsy on Lee’s body was to be performed in Topeka.

Anhydrous ammonia is a fertilizer that is a key ingredient in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Fertilizer tanks have been a frequent target for thefts statewide, Smith said.

Greeley is located about 60 miles southeast of Topeka.

____________

Gasoline prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.27 at Citgo, Ninth and Iowa streets.

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.

Or go to www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol message board.