Four students from KU seek Udall scholarships

Kansas University officials have selected four students to compete for $5,000 Morris K. Udall scholarships.

The nominees will compete for 80 scholarships given nationally. Eight KU students have won Udall scholarships since 1998.

Udall scholarships go to juniors and seniors planning a career in fields related to the environment and for American Indian and Alaska natives seeking careers in health care or tribal policy.

KU’s nominees are Amy Hammontree, an Overland Park sophomore majoring in environmental studies and biology; Laura Adams, a Topeka sophomore majoring in chemical engineering; Nicole M. Hipp, a St. Louis junior majoring in architecture, and Courtney J. Miller, a Portland, Ore., junior majoring in architecture.

Veterans groups sell signs backing troops

Lawrence veterans organizations are selling signs proclaiming support for American troops in the Persian Gulf.

The signs went on sale Tuesday for $3 at American Legion Post No. 14, 3408 W. Sixth St., and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 138 Ala.

The signs — the size of a political yard sign — say “Support our Troops” and have a background with the figures of three soldiers on it. The price of the signs covers the costs of having them made, said Don Dalquest, Legion commander.

“We just want to get the word out to support the troops,” Dalquest said.

Baldwin Police seek tips on missing equipment

A group of aluminum-hungry bandits appears to be on the loose in Baldwin.

Police Chief Mike McKenna is asking for help from anyone who has information about a series of equipment and machinery thefts, two of which involved large amounts of aluminum.

Thursday, someone took a spool of aluminum electrical cable weighing at least 500 pounds from a storage lot at Sixth and High streets. The spool, worth $1,300, belonged to the city.

Earlier in the week, 12 aluminum aircraft wheels disappeared from Hay Machinery Co., 1602 High St. Also missing is a set of tools from Vinland Enterprises, 1701 High St., and a trailer and two large riding mowers from Heritage Tractor, 915 Industrial Park Road.

Anyone with information should call Baldwin Police at (785) 594-3850 or Crime Stoppers at 843-TIPS (8477). Callers to Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Minivan hits bus of Baldwin students

It turned out to be a rough bus ride home Tuesday for two dozen students in the Baldwin School District. The bus was stopped on U.S. Highway 59 a half-mile north of the Franklin-Douglas County line when it was struck from behind by a minivan driven by a 49-year-old Princeton woman, a Douglas County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman said.

Lt. Kathy Tate said the bus driver and 24 children on board were not hurt. The driver of the minivan, whose name was not released late Tuesday, was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The bus was northbound when it stopped at 54 E. 1250 Road and had its stop arm extended and warning lights flashing when it was struck by the minivan at 3:51 p.m.