Topeka

Salina senator named affairs panel chairman

A Salina Republican became chairman Monday of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, which handles abortion, gambling and liquor issues.

Pete Brungardt’s appointment was made by a Senate GOP leadership committee. He replaces former Sen. Nancey Harrington, R-Goddard, who resigned from the Senate for health reasons.

She opposed both Sunday liquor sales and expanded gambling.

Brungardt is a 56-year-old optometrist serving his first Senate term.

Lawrence

Engineering conference registration opens

Registration has opened for next year’s Environmental Engineering Conference at Kansas University.

The conference, which will be Feb. 4 at the Lawrence Holidome, will include a presentation on water security by Jonathan Herrmann, deputy director of the National Center for Homeland Security Research with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Registration information is available by calling 864-5823, e-mailing kuce@ku.edu or visiting www.kuce.org/programs/eec.

The conference is sponsored by KU Continuing Education and the department of civil, environmental and architectural engineering.

Topeka

Credit counseling group sets open house

Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. plans an open house, including a tour and presentation, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Thursday at its Topeka office, 1195 S.W. Buchanan St.

The open house is designed to give information about programs the group offers.

The presentation is free, but reservations are requested by calling (800) 383-0217, ext. 312.

Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. is a nonprofit agency that provides counseling and education on budgeting, credit, foreclosure, debt repayment, tenant-landlord issues and home ownership.

Its Lawrence office is at 2518 Ridge Court. It also has offices in Manhattan and Emporia.

For more information, see www.hcci-ks.org.