Dole Institute director speaks today in D.C.

Richard Norton Smith, director of the Dole Institute of Politics at Kansas University, will speak today at the White House and a National Press Club event.

Smith, pictured above with Gov. Bill Graves in an October meeting, will give the keynote speech on how historians judge presidents, part of the White House Lecture Series. About 60 top White House staff members are expected to attend.

This evening, he’ll speak at a National Press Club roast of Brian Lamb, C-SPAN founder at CEO. Lamb is this year’s recipient of the club’s Fourth Estate Award, given to an individual who has achieved distinction for a lifetime of contributions to American journalism. Lamb spoke Sept. 17 at the Lied Center as the inaugural speaker in the Dole Forum lecture series.

Fatality: Lawrence resident dies from accident injuries

A Lawrence man injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this month in Wabaunsee County died Tuesday at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center, Topeka.

Clyde A. Little, 42, lost control of a 1986 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle he was driving, said Wabaunsee Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Gollner. The accident occurred about 5 p.m. Nov. 10 on Kansas Highway 4, just west of the entrance to the Lake Wabaunsee dam.

The motorcycle struck at least one tree, Gollner said. Little was not wearing a helmet.

Schools: Gas pipe rupture empties East Heights

East Heights School students and staff were evacuated Tuesday after a crew fixing a water line accidentally hit a natural gas pipe.

Everyone in the building at 1430 Haskell Ave. was moved to the nearby Lawrence Boys and Girls Club as a safety precaution, said Julie Boyle, the district’s communications director.

Repairs to the gas line were completed in about 45 minutes, allowing students and staff to return to the elementary school. No one was injured.

Boyle said a note would be sent home with East Heights students to explain what happened.

Education: DeSoto schools’ chief to retire at year’s end

DeSoto – The superintendent of DeSoto schools will retire at the end of the school year.

Marilyn Layman, the district’s chief executive for 13 years, will retire at the end of her 38th year in education. The Kansas University graduate headed the district as it rapidly expanded enrollment from 1,200 students in 1990 to more than 4,100 now.

Since 1995, Layman has been involved in nine bond issue proposals with passage of six of them to fund new facilities.

“I find this decision most difficult,” she said. “I owe my family – especially my husband, Earl – some good years.”

In the DeSoto district, she was a principal, director of curriculum, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

The DeSoto school board will meet Dec. 2 to discuss options for replacing the superintendent.