• ¢
  Pump patrol tracks down lowest prices in Lawrence

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.56 a gallon at Citgo at West Ninth and Iowa streets, above.

If you find a lower price, please call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name of the business, the address and the price. Or go to www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol message board.

State: Insurance customers sought for credit survey

Kansas consumers who have seen changes in their insurance rates in the past year are being invited to participate in a survey by the Kansas Insurance Department.

The survey is the only one of its kind that will measure the effects of credit-based insurance scoring. Sandy Praeger, state insurance commissioner, asked the Legislature for authority to regulate credit scoring, in which insurers increase or decrease premiums based on a customer’s credit history.

“Right now, there’s no regulatory authority over this practice — and Kansas consumers deserve to know how their rates are determined,” Praeger said. “This survey should shine some much-needed light on the matter.”

To participate, visit the department’s Web site at www.ksinsurance.org, or by call (800) 432-2484.

Junction City: 2nd defendant convicted in machete attack

A second defendant was convicted Friday of abducting a University of Nebraska-Kearney student from a Salina truck stop and attacking him with a machete.

Kevin Risby, 19, of Junction City pleaded no contest in Geary County District Court to one count each of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and arson. Sentencing is March 14.

Prosecutors said that Risby and two other teens abducted former Salina resident Michael Streeter, 21, beat him, hacked him with the machete and ran over him with his own vehicle. He was left for dead but managed to survive.

John Yates, 19, was sentenced in October to more than 41 years in prison. A third defendant, James Rowell, is scheduled to stand trial March 5.