Topeka

West Nile cases top 50

Four new West Nile virus cases were confirmed Monday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. That brings this year’s total to 53, with one death. In 2002, there were 22 cases and no deaths.

The latest cases are a 36-year-old in Dickinson County; a 75-year-old in Sedgwick County; a 66-year-old in Shawnee County; and a 76-year-old in Marion County.

The KDHE counts only serious cases, ones in which victims develop encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, or meningitis, a swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.

Wichita

Winter wheat seeding about halfway finished

Kansas farmers have seeded 45 percent of their 2004 winter wheat crop, Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday.

About 17 percent of the wheat crop has now emerged, the agency said in its weekly crop update.

Fair weather also has speeded harvest of other crops:

• About 56 percent of the corn has been harvested.
• Half of the state’s grain sorghum crop is now mature, and 17 percent of it has been harvested.
• Seven percent of soybean acres have been harvested.

Committee seeks input on new building codes

Public input on proposed new building codes is sought at a meeting tonight at City Hall.

A 15-member code review committee will take comment from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Lawrence City Commission chambers, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

The committee is considering two sets of codes: one developed by the International Code Council and the other by the National Fire Protection Assn.

Tonight’s input will help the committee make a code recommendation to the City Commission.

People who can’t attend the meeting may send written comment by Nov. 1 to Barry Walthall, codes enforcement manager, P.O. Box 708, Lawrence 66044. Comments also can be e-mailed to bwalthall@ci.lawrence.ks.us.