Travel: New turnpike service area to celebrate grand opening

Turnpike and government officials on Friday will celebrate the grand opening of a new service area that opened this week about five miles east of the East Topeka interchange on the Kansas Turnpike.

The 10:30 a.m. ceremony will include remarks from Gov. Bill Graves, Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer and turnpike representatives.

The new area combines food and fuel facilities traditionally housed in separate buildings into one 17,297-square-foot structure. Instead of just one restaurant and a gasoline station, it contains a Hardee’s, Taco Bueno, Bresler’s Ice Cream, gourmet coffee shop, pizza place and convenience store that sells Conoco fuel.

The new service area also contains a business communication center with direct Internet access, dial-up capabilities, fax, copier and laptop hookups.

The service area is located on the north side of the highway and is accessible by over-the-road entrance and exit ramps.

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Courts: Suspect in kidnapping may enter plea agreement

One of two men charged with breaking into a Lawrence home and holding a couple against their wills may enter into a plea agreement and testify against his alleged accomplice.

At the request of the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, District Judge Mike Malone Wednesday delayed preliminary hearings for suspects Timothy J. James, 40, Lawrence, and Michael L. Johnson, 34, Kansas City, Mo.

Assistant Dist. Atty. Ruth Ritthaler asked for the delay because negotiations were taking place with Johnson and his attorney, Jim George.

Malone rescheduled the hearings for 9 a.m. June 19.

James and Johnson are charged with two counts of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and false impersonation of a police officer.

The District Attorney’s Office has released few details about the incident that allegedly occurred Jan. 15, 2000. During an earlier hearing, Johnson said he had been acting as a bounty hunter.

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Medicine: KU professor joins panel of Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

A professor at the Kansas University Medical Center has been named to a national committee of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

Arthur Dick, professor of neurology and director of the MDA clinic at the Med Center, will serve on MDA’s newly formed, 19-member Clinical Services Advisory Committee. The committee’s goal is to monitor, maintain and enhance the quality of clinical care at MDA’s 230 outpatient clinics.

Julie Slack, MDA health care services coordinator in Johnson County, also will serve on the committee.

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Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.26 at several locations in the city, including Citgo at Ninth and Iowa streets, Conoco at Sixth Street and Crestline Drive, and Citgo, Total and Conoco on North Second Street.

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.