Topeka

Senators recognized for perfect voting record

State Sens. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, and Bob Lyon, R-Leavenworth, were recognized by Senate President Dave Kerr for achieving perfect voting attendance record during the 2003 legislative session.

Buhler serves on the Assessment and Taxation Committee, Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, Joint State Building Construction Committee, and Elections and Local Governments Committee. He represents the 2nd District, which includes the Lawrence area.

Lyon is a member of the Federal and State Affairs Committee, Transportation Committee, Joint Legislative Educational Planning Committee and the Utilities Committee. He represents the 3rd District, which covers Jefferson and part of Leavenworth counties.

TOPEKA

Birds with West Nile found in seven counties

West Nile virus has been confirmed in birds in seven more Kansas counties.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Friday it had confirmed the disease in Clay, Franklin, Gray, Johnson, Reno, Riley and Russell counties.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Kansas this year, the department said. Last year, 22 human cases were confirmed in Kansas, with no deaths. All but two of Kansas’ 105 counties reported cases of West Nile last year in either humans, horses, birds or mosquitoes.

SUGAR CREEK, Mo.

Fishermen find caiman in Missouri River

A couple of fisherman were just looking for catfish in the Missouri River near Kansas City when they saw something looking back at them.

The something turned out to be a caiman, and after eating the bait off their fishing hooks, it crawled out of the water onto the river bank near where they were standing.

A caiman is a small South American crocodile similar to an alligator, said Nick Laposha, district supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

“If it’s an alligator, then it’s in our jurisdiction,” Laposha said, “but it’s a caiman. It’s not a native species. Alligators are federally protected.”

After several hours of trying to capture the caiman, Sugar Creek police officers killed it as a potential threat.

DERBY

Memorial ceremony planned for Marine

The city of Derby will hold a memorial ceremony next week in honor of Marine Pfc. Ryan Cox, who was killed in Iraq last month.

“We feel the pain Ryan’s family feels, and we want to share our love for Ryan and the grief his family now must endure,” said Derby City Manager Mark Schroeder. “We want the Cox family to know they are not alone.”

Cox died June 15 from an accidental gun discharge of another Marine’s weapon near the city of Najaf. Cox, 19, was a graduate of Derby High School.

The ceremony is planned at 10 a.m. Wednesday outside Derby City Hall. It will include a Marine color guard and a gun salute.

The city is also designating Wednesday as Ryan Cox Day.

WICHITA

Mayor seeks audit after discrimination claims

Mayor Carlos Mayans is asking city staff to do a performance audit of the city’s relationship with minority and female contractors in the wake of charges of institutional racism.

The mayor said his request was sparked by recent KAKE-TV reports that raised questions about racism and discrimination at the decision-making levels of City Hall.

Mayans said he sent his request to City Manager Chris Cherches and will seek support for the audit from council members.

KAKE’s report captured city employee Ernie Garcia’s voice on tape alleging high-ranking city officials were racists. He reportedly said the city officials were discriminating against business owners and under pressure following media reports about poor oversight of city-funded programs.