Government: Roberts to lead panel on homeland security

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., was appointed chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

The committee was formed in 1999, with Roberts serving as the first chairman. He became ranking member after the majority switch in 2001. The subcommittee aims to clarify the Defense Department’s role in homeland security.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is tailoring a military force that can both defeat threats overseas and assist states and local authorities in responding to threats at home,” Roberts said.

Roberts is also chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Traffic: Paseo Bridge reopens

Kansas City, Mo. — A bridge that is a main entry point to downtown Kansas City has reopened after being shut down 10 days for repairs.

The Paseo Bridge reopened early Saturday evening. Crews had worked nearly round-the-clock since Jan. 22 to remove and replace links at all four corners of the structure.

The bridge was closed after a metal plate fractured and caused a gap between the bridge deck. Traffic had been routed over other bridges leading into the city.

The bridge carries an average of 94,000 vehicles a day. Repairs are expected to cost around $500,000.

History: Black leader honored at Statehouse program

Topeka — The Kansas African-American Affairs Commission will present a program and luncheon titled “Black History Celebration: Velda Duette Day at the Capitol” to recognize the 77th anniversary of Black History Month and honor the late Duette. The program will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Statehouse’s second floor.

The program will feature speeches and music from the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church Choir.

Duette was executive secretary for the Kansas Legislature for 15 years, a member of the Democratic National Committee and vice chairman of the Kansas Democratic Party from 1993 to 1999. She died in May 2002.

Activism: Wetlands advocates map trafficway opposition

The list includes a Web site, bumper stickers, yard signs, field trips and a benefit concert.

These are all publicity-generating ideas tossed around Saturday at the third meeting of Save the Wetlands, a group that opposes the plan to build the South Lawrence Trafficway through the Haskell-Baker Wetlands.

Above, group coordinators Cheryl Roth, left, and Don Phipps listen to comments during the meeting at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

About 18 people attended.

Group member Mike Caron said trafficway opponents couldn’t afford to relax, even though the state’s new transportation secretary, Deb Miller, announced last month she wouldn’t release money to finish the trafficway until any lawsuits related to the case were resolved.

Caron urged group members to use the delay to get organized.

American Indians consider the wetlands to be sacred, and others view the area as an ecological treasure. Proponents say the roadway is a necessity for a growing city.