Burlington

Nuclear power plant shuts down for refueling

The Wolf Creek nuclear power plant near Burlington has been shut down for refueling operations that will last more than a month.

About one-third of the plant’s 193 uranium fuel assemblies will be replaced and numerous maintenance functions will be conducted, officials said in a news release Saturday.

“Refueling outages are extensive undertakings,” said Britt McKinney, Wolf Creek Site vice president. “Preparations for this outage began in the summer of 2002, after completion of our last refueling and maintenance outage.”

The outage is expected to last at least 36 days. Plant officials said the outages — conducted every 18 months — were scheduled for the spring and fall when electricity demand was typically low.

The plant’s major owners are Westar Energy Inc. and Great Plains Energy.

Leavenworth

Attack at prison proves fatal for inmate

An inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth has died from injuries suffered during an attack.

The victim was identified as Russell E. Hamilton, 47, who was serving 28 to 90 years for kidnapping and 27 months for escaping from confinement. He was attacked about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

He was taken to a hospital outside the prison where he died a short time later.