New cases bring West Nile total to 26

Topeka — State health officials confirmed three more cases of West Nile virus in humans Wednesday, bringing the total to 26 for 2003.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the new cases struck a 38-year-old in Harvey County, a 52-year-old in Trego County and an 83-year-old in Stafford County.

Kansas keeps track of only the most severe cases of West Nile virus. KDHE said it was likely that many other people in the state were infected by the virus, but the cases were mild and the victims didn’t realize they were ill.

Kansas has recorded one West Nile death this year — John Hogoboom, 93, of El Dorado, who died Aug. 10. Last year, Kansas reported 22 human cases of West Nile with no fatalities.

Health officials expect cases to increase because West Nile virus season peaks in August and September.

The virus was first detected in Kansas this year in May among mosquito populations in Crawford County. It has since spread to horses, birds and humans.

Tractor-trailer wreck closes Interstate 70

Topeka — A section of Interstate 70 was closed for more than six hours after a tractor-trailer overturned in a construction zone and spilled its load of onions, authorities said.

The accident happened about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday when the driver cut to the wrong side of a line of construction cones and drove into the center median. He overcorrected and flipped the rig, the Kansas Highway Patrol said.

The truck’s driver was treated and released from a Topeka hospital.

The road was reopened to westbound traffic about 6 a.m. Wednesday, said Kansas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kim Stitch.

Radio comedy troupe plans season opener

Kansas Public Radio’s comedy troupe Right Between the Ears will open its season at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Kansas City’s Union Station.

All tickets are $15 and are available at the Union Station box office or by calling (816) 460-2020.

The show will be broadcast live on all Kansas Public Radio stations and online at http://kpr.ku.edu.

The troupe includes two Kansas University alumni, Kip Niven and Rick Tamblyn.

The troupe won a 2003 Silver Microphone award for best audio program. They also have won a Gold World Medal for best on-air personality and a Silver World Medal for best writing at the New York Festivals.