Fire & Medical station dedicates sculpture

A massive artwork both modern and medieval was dedicated Saturday at Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Station No. 2, 2128 Harper St.

The highly symbolic Halcyon Screen used chain mail, steel and glass to depict the relationship between communities and their firefighters and medics.

Although designed before Sept. 11 by Rockhill and Associates, those involved said the project’s message was one that had become increasingly prevalent after the terrorist attack.

“It’s very different,” said artist and Kansas University architecture professor Dan Rockhill. “It’s not traditional by any means. But we think it’s quite suitable.”

The project, which cost $30,000, was funded by the Percent for Art program. Under the program, capital improvement funds are set aside for art projects in new city construction and major renovations.

Safety: Today is peak date for deer-auto accidents

Today is Deer D-Day for Kansas motorists.

Nov. 17 is traditionally the peak date for deer-automobile accidents. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, in the past decade, an average of 700 deer-vehicle collisions have occurred on Nov. 17. Annually, more than 10,000 collisions are deer-related.

So what’s special about Nov. 17?

Deer rutting season, when deer tend to be particularly active, runs from November to December. Also, deer tend to widen their foraging range as they build up their fat reserves for the winter.

KDOT is encouraging drivers to be watchful of deer, especially at dawn and dusk and near wooded or green areas.

Kansas University: HOPE winner named

Bozenna Pasik-Duncan, right, jumped for joy Saturday when she learned that she had won this year’s Kansas University HOPE Award, or Honor for an Outstanding Progressive Educator. The announcement was made during halftime of the KU-Oklahoma State football game. Pasik-Duncan is a professor of mathematics and information and telecommunication technology.

The finalists for the award were Kerry Benson, journalism lecturer; Malcolm Gibson, journalism professor and general manager of the University Daily Kansan; Stephen Ilardi, assistant professor of psychology; Thomas Lewin, associate professor of history; C.R. “Rick” Snyder, professor of psychology; and Nona Tollefson, professor of education.

Each year, senior class members select the winner by ballot and interviews. The winner receives a monetary award and recognition on a permanent plaque displayed in the Kansas Union.

World: Russian judges to visit Kansas law schools

Six Russian judges will visit Lawrence Monday as part of a three-city examination of the state’s legal system.

The judges will spend Monday morning touring Kansas University School of Law and hearing presentations on legal aid and defense attorneys. In the afternoon, they’ll be in Douglas County District Court to watch cases in progress.

On succeeding days, they’ll also tour Washburn Law School in Topeka and attend hearings in the Kansas Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan.

The visit is part of a high-level legal exchange sponsored by the Library of Congress’ Open World Program.