Diesel spill closes part of I-35 near Olathe

Motorists using northbound Interstate 35 in Olathe got an unexpected surprise Friday afternoon: a closed road.

A tractor-trailer that jackknifed spilled 125 gallons of diesel fuel, prompting closure of the interstate’s northbound lanes for 90 minutes during the mid-afternoon.

Above, a driver holds up a sign for other motorists indicating what was causing the delay.

Election 2003: Voter registration books to close at 5 p.m Monday

Monday is the last day to register if you are going to vote in the April 1 general election.

U.S. citizens 18 and older who are residents of Douglas County can register until 5 p.m. at the Douglas County Clerk’s Office, County Clerk Patty Jaimes said.

There are other several sites in Lawrence and Douglas County where you can register. At the county clerk’s Web site (www.douglascounty.com /Clerk/votingdivision.asp) you can find a list of them. You can also download a registration form.

Advance voting for the election began Wednesday, Jaimes said. It continues until noon March 31.

City and school board races dot the April 1 ballot across Douglas County. Also, Lawrence school board patrons will decide the fate of a proposed $59 million bond issue.

Police: Deputies to patrol for impaired drivers

If you are going to drink green beer Monday while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, don’t drive. Douglas County Sheriff’s officers will be out in force watching for you.

From 11 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday, an additional six sheriff’s deputies will be on duty conducting saturation patrols throughout the county, Lt. Kathy Tate said. Patrols will be watching for impaired drivers.

“Our office asks everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day safely and responsibly,” Tate said.

Use of additional officers for periodic saturation patrols are paid for in part with grants from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Shawnee County: Voters can bring charges against former treasurer

Topeka — People upset that former Shawnee County Treasurer Rita Cline won’t face criminal charges over allegations she misused nearly $22,000 in county money have the power to call a grand jury, County Commission Chairman Vic Miller said.

Cline resigned Monday, a day before a court hearing on whether she should be suspended from office. At the close of Thursday’s regularly scheduled commission meeting, Miller said he had heard from a number of people who thought it was wrong that no criminal charges were being brought against Cline.

Rick Eckert explained that a grand jury could be called if a petition is submitted bearing the signatures of 1,356 registered Shawnee County voters.