Wildlife: KU biologist helps set record for most bird species seen

A Kansas University biologist was among a team of bird-watchers who set a new single-day record for species sighted in Kansas.

Mark Robbins, collection manager at the KU Natural History Museum, was among a group that viewed 225 species of birds May 13. The previous state record was 210 in 2000, set by another team that included Robbins.

Robbins; Roger McNeill, a Kansas City, Mo., resident who works for Sprint; and Mike Rader of Wilson, who works for Kansas Parks and Wildlife, logged 596 miles to record the species.

Their day started just after midnight west of Topeka and included stops at Fort Leavenworth, Clinton Lake and the Baker Wetlands.

The event was part of the museum’s annual Bird-A-Thon, in which bird-watchers gather pledges for each bird they spot. The money goes to scholarships for KU ornithology students.

Government: City seeks public comment on next year’s budget

Have an idea about how the city of Lawrence should spend its money?

The Lawrence City Commission will listen to public comment on the budget during its regular meeting at 6:45 p.m. June 4 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.

In addition, the dates for two budget-related study sessions have been changed.

The sessions now will be June 12 for review of the city’s capital improvement plan and July 3 for consideration of the city manager’s proposed budget. Both meetings will start at 9 a.m. at City Hall.

County: Jail escapee was about to lose work privileges

A man who escaped from the Douglas County Jail last month may have been about to lose his work-release privileges.

According to court documents, Vernon D. Folks, 29, Eudora, failed to show up for a job at Vertis Advertising on April 6 and 9.

On March 28 he went to work, but another person was placed in his position for the day and Folks was sent home. The court document doesn’t give a further explanation about that date.

A report in Folks’ court file says jailers do not know where he spent his time those three days.

Folks escaped the morning of April 13 from the jail through a remote-controlled door used by work-release prisoners. Folks was not supposed to be working that day, Douglas County Sheriff’s officers said.

He was arrested May 10 in Checotah, Okla.

Gasoline prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.26 at several Lawrence stations.

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.