Lawmakers visiting agencies across state

Members of legislative budget committees, including state Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, have been touring central and western Kansas to visit many of the agencies whose budgets they oversee.

“I enjoy the opportunity to see firsthand where Kansas tax dollars are being spent,” said Ballard, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

During the five-day tour, lawmakers are visiting agencies and state parks in Manhattan, Salina, Hays, Russell, Great Bend, Larned, Garden City, Dodge City, Hutchinson, Yoder, Cheney and Wichita.

Crime

Methamphetamine lab found near junior high

Lawrence Police uncovered a possible methamphetamine lab, less than a block from a junior high school.

Members of the drug enforcement unit armed with a warrant last week searched a home in the 900 block of Madeline Lane. The home is near West Junior High School, 2700 Harvard Road.

Officers seized suspected meth and the equipment used in a meth lab, as well as cocaine and marijuana, according to a police report made public Wednesday.

An environmental company was called in to clean up the hazardous materials found.

Police say the two residents at the home, a 26-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, are under investigation for possible drug charges.

Higher education

Chemistry professor gets interim post at KU

George Wilson, professor of chemistry, has been named interim associate vice provost for research at Kansas University.

Wilson will temporarily replace Jim Roberts, who took over as interim vice provost for research when Robert Barnhill accepted a position with the National Science Foundation last month. KU officials expect to have a permanent replacement for Barnhill sometime next year.

Wilson, who has taught at KU since 1987, will oversee Lawrence campus research centers and institutes, research space and investments.

His own research has led to the development of an implantable sensor for glucose that continuously monitors risk in diabetic patients.

Postal service

Mail deadlines here for holiday presents

Folks sending Christmas gifts overseas need to get busy if their packages are going by surface mail.

The U.S. Postal Service said surface parcels bound for Africa should be mailed by today and those for the Middle East by Oct. 23 to arrive by the holiday.

Oct. 30 is the deadline for surface parcels to Asia and the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.

Surface parcels to Central and South America should be on their way by Nov. 1, and Nov. 7 is the recommended date for sending them to the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe.

For letters, cards and parcels traveling by air, the Christmas deadline is Dec. 8 for Africa and Central and South America and Dec. 15 for the rest of the world.

Parcel post bound for military APO and FPO addresses should be sent by Nov. 13.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.49 at Amoco, 914 Iowa; Citgo, 2005 W. Ninth St.; and Dillons, 3000 W. Sixth St. If you find a lower price, call 832-7154.