Pedestrian injured in hit-and-run accident

A pedestrian was injured early Saturday in a hit-and-run accident at 13th and Tennessee streets, Lawrence Police said.

The victim, Shannon Porter, 32, Lawrence, was taken by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and then by Life Star helicopter to KU Med, Kansas City, Kan. Hospital officials Saturday afternoon said he was in good condition.

About 2:30 a.m. Porter was in the crosswalk at the intersection when he was struck by a southbound gray Jeep Cherokee, Police Sgt. Dave Hubbel said. Witnesses told police Porter was thrown over the hood by the impact, Hubbel said. The jeep slowed down but then continued on, witnesses reported.

Cause of fatal fire officially undetermined

Eudora — Authorities have concluded their investigation into a fatal house fire without determining a specific cause.

An investigation, however, indicated the fire at 901 Ash St. probably was accidental and that an unidentified ignition source may have set fire to combustibles stored in the house, Eudora Fire Chief Spencer McCabe said.

Police and fire officials Saturday were still waiting for confirmation of the fire victim’s identity. The body found in the house was that of a petite, elderly black woman, they said.

The occupant of the house was known to be Naomi Kidd, who neighbors say was an elderly black woman. Medical and dental records are being examined for possible matches, police and fire officials said.

Passenger injured in turnpike wreck

A Russell man was in serious condition Saturday evening at a Topeka hospital after the car he was riding in was hit by a woman who appeared to be evading police.

James Line, 77, was the passenger in a car rear-ended by Holly Catalogne, 35, Topeka, near mile-marker 190, according to the Kansas Turnpike Authority. Both vehicles were westbound.

Line’s wife, Cheryl Line, 74, was driving the car and was not seriously injured in the incident that occurred at 3:21 p.m.

A turnpike official said police were attempting to stop Catalogne for speeding, but she had not immediately pulled over.

Turnpike authorities said late Saturday that the incident was under investigation and no charges had been filed.

Police search for suspect in rape, kidnapping

The victim of a kidnapping and rape that occurred in Hutchinson escaped early Saturday morning, but law enforcement officials still are looking for the suspect.

The victim escaped about 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the Kansas City area. The kidnapping and rape occurred Friday.

The Hutchinson Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation have identified the suspect as James Craig Strader, a 27-year-old white male with short, reddish-blond hair. He is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds.

Strader was formerly of Gardner and may be driving a mid-1980s light blue Honda Accord. He is believed to be armed with a knife and is considered dangerous.

Anyone with information is urged to call Hutchinson Police at (620) 694-2834 or the KBI at (800) KS-CRIME.

Fish kill in wetlands part of ‘SNL’ spoof

The ever-controversial Baker Wetlands got some national recognition Saturday when the area was mentioned on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

Comedian Jimmy Fallon mentioned the recent fish kill in the wetlands on the show’s pseudo-newscast featuring Fallon and Tina Fey.

The punch line? President Bush is using the 270 dead fish as a reason to go to war.