Accident sends two from KU to hospitals

A Kansas University student was air-lifted late Wednesday to a Kansas City hospital after a traffic accident near the main KU campus.

Lawrence Police reported that the 19-year-old student was driving his car south on Iowa Street when it rammed the rear of a touring bus making a left turn onto University Drive.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical personnel had to use extrication equipment to remove the driver from the car. He then was taken by air ambulance to KU Med in Kansas City, Kan.

Another 19-year-old student who was a passenger in the car was taken by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Sgt. Susan Hadl said police still were investigating the accident and did not know the extent of the injuries. Police were not releasing names of those involved until their families could be notified.

The bus driver, who was alone on the bus, was not injured, Hadl said.

Police blocked off a portion of Iowa Street while investigating the accident and to allow the air ambulance to land, Hadl said.

Raffle to raise money for foster children

The Douglas County Children of Friends in Foster Care Foundation is offering a raffle to help area foster children.

Tickets are being sold for a Dec. 16 prize drawing. The grand prize is one registration for the Richard Petty Driving School Ride-Along Program at the Kansas Speedway near Kansas City, Kan.

Each ticket is $1. To get a ticket, call one of the following people: Bobbie Kearney, 832-3736; Erin Bailey, 331-4200; Gina Meier-Hummel, 331-4200; Tiffany Hessler-Droge, 832-3883; Shelly Wise, 832-3771; Susan Gile, 832-3754.

The tickets also will be sold in front of Wal-Mart at 31st and Iowa from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.

Retired engineer seeks PraegerâÂÂs Senate seat

Richard Rodewald wants to move into Sandy PraegerâÂÂs seat in the Kansas Senate.

Now all he needs is to find someone to nominate him, then defeat two established candidates to take over once Praeger is sworn in next year as Kansas insurance commissioner.

âÂÂIf Lawrence wants anything when everybodyâÂÂs fighting for their little piece of pie, theyâÂÂll need to put somebody up there that has the respect of the other senators,â said Rodewald, who has lobbied at the Statehouse and fought tax appraisals before the Kansas Supreme Court. âÂÂAnd thatâÂÂs what I have.âÂÂ

Rodewald, a retired General Motors engineer who lives south of Eudora, lost to Praeger in the 2000 Republican primary.

State Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, and real estate executive Mark Buhler, a former Douglas County commissioner, are considered front runners for the remaining two years in the seat that will become vacant with PraegerâÂÂs resignation Jan. 12.

County Republican leaders are expected to meet the first week in December to choose PraegerâÂÂs replacement.

Depression screenings offered this weekend

The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center will offer free, confidential screenings for depression, manic depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Praise Temple Church of God In Christ, 315 E. Seventh St.

For more information, call Bert Nash, 843-9192.

Ottawa University stages âÂÂ’Laramie ProjectâÂÂ

Ottawa Ãi¿½” A play that gives an account of the kidnapping, beating and death of Matthew Shepard will be presented this week by Ottawa University Theatre.

âÂÂThe Laramie Projectâ is based on more than 200 interviews with the people of Laramie, Wyo., in the aftermath of the slaying of the gay college student.

The play shows at 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at the University Administration Building Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students. For reservations, call the OU Theatre Box Office at (785) 242-5200, Ext. 5037.

Cleaners collecting coats for needy

As cold weather approaches, Scotch Industries will collect coats for those in need in its sixth annual Scotch Share the Warmth program. Coats for children and extra-large adult sizes are especially needed.

Coats or blankets may be dropped off at any Lawrence or Topeka Scotch location. Scotch will clean the coats and work with the Salvation Army to distribute them.

Groups interested in collecting coats can call Scott Shmalberg, president of Scotch Industries in Lawrence, at 843-0064. The last day to drop off coats is Saturday.

Kansas law enforcers watch for seat belt use

Until Dec. 2, Kansas law enforcement agencies will increase enforcement and public awareness of seat belt and child safety seat laws.

The program, called Kansas Clicks, will coordinate the Kansas Highway Patrol with local agencies to target drivers not securing children in safety seats. The KDOT Safety Belt Education Office also will coordinate child passenger safety training and educate Kansans about seat belt safety.

Law enforcement agencies also will crack down on drunken driving during this period with sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols.