State senator arrested on suspicion of DUI

Topeka — The vice chairman of the state Senate’s judiciary committee has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

Sen. Edward Pugh, R-Wamego, was arrested Friday night after being involved in a noninjury accident in downtown Topeka.

He was booked into the Shawnee County Jail in connection with driving under the influence, unsafe backing of his vehicle and lack of owner liability insurance. Pugh later was released on a $1,000 surety bond.

Police wouldn’t say whether Pugh consented to a breathalyzer test.

Pugh, a lawyer with Pugh and Pugh Attorneys in Wamego and owner of a livestock ranch, was elected to the Senate in 1998.

Pugh is scheduled to appear Monday in Topeka Municipal Court.

Entertainment: Open acoustic-music jam attracts players weekly

“Good Golly, Miss Molly,” turned into “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On,” which turned into “Blue Suede Shoes,” which turned into “Johnny B. Goode.”

This kind of thing tends to happen at a community jam session.

About 20 people — including Craig Sachen of Oskaloosa, above — formed a circle at Aimee’s Coffee House, 1025-A Mass., Saturday afternoon for a weekly acoustic-music jam.

About 10 people strummed guitars. Others played banjos, fiddles, a flute, mandolins, a stand-up bass, a ukulele, maracas and a drum.

The jam, which strikes up every Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., is organized by Americana Music Academy, a nonprofit music school at 1419 Mass.

Water resources: State geological survey to measure western wells

Scientists from the Kansas Geological Survey will hit the road next week to test levels in western Kansas wells.

The water specialists are working with the division of water resources of the Kansas Department of Agriculture to measure more than 1,200 wells.

Water managers and agencies will use the data to understand water-use trends and groundwater levels in the state. Lenders and real estate agents will use the information to determine land values.

Crews will begin measuring wells Monday and Tuesday in northwest Kansas, working their way south to near Syracuse, Garden City and Liberal. They’ll complete measurements next weekend near Dodge City.