KU student contracts bacterial meningitis

Kansas University is taking routine precautions after a student living in Pearson Scholarship Hall contracted bacterial meningitis, officials said.

Andrew Marso, 22, a senior from St. Cloud, Minn., is being treated at University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., said Dr. Myra Strother, chief of staff at Watkins Student Health Center. She said Marso was in the intensive care unit but was stable and talking.

Wednesday night, Strother and Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department officials were at Pearson talking to other students about the case. Strother said efforts were under way to identify anyone who might have come in close contact with the student.

She described close contact as when saliva is exchanged, as from sharing toothbrushes or drinking from the same glass.

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infection of the bloodstream and lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include fever, headache, vomiting or a rash.

Government

Early tax deadline nears

The tax bite comes early this year, and Douglas County Treasurer Pat Wells doesn’t want anyone getting gobbled up by interest and penalties.

Second-half payments on 2003 taxes for real estate and personal property — including boats, jet skis and business equipment — are due May 10 to the Treasurer’s Office. That’s because the state moved up its usual June 20 deadline to help balance its own books, adding to confusion for taxpayers.

“I’m worried,” Wells said. “I want to let people know this is coming up.”

Payments may be made:

• 8 a.m to 5 p.m. weekdays at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass.
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 2108 W. 27th St., Suite I.
• 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at Dillons, 3000 W. Sixth St.

Payments also may be deposited in the brown drop box in the parking lot south of the courthouse or made online at www.douglas-county.com.

Internet

Attorney general to join online chat

Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline will respond to questions in an online chat this afternoon on the Journal-World’s Web site, www.ljworld.com.

Kline will begin fielding questions in the online discussion at 2:45 p.m. Participants can submit a question early or join the chat live.

Kline, a Republican and former state legislator, was elected to a four-year term in 2002.

Crime

Police find suspects in shoplifting probe

Two Lawrence women are suspected of stealing dozens of items from two retail stores.

Sunday, while investigating some thefts from Kohl’s Department Store, 3240 Iowa, police recovered two sacks of clothing belonging to the store at a residence in the 1900 block of West 31st Street, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said. The items were valued at $573.

Police also recovered items they determined had been taken from Hastings Books, Music & Video, 1900 W. 23rd St. Those items included DVDs, video games and T-shirts valued at $521.

Charges are pending against the women, and they were not arrested.

Gasoline Prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found Lawrence gasoline prices as low as $1.70 at Presta Phillips 66, 602 W. Ninth St., the Zarco 66 at Sixth and Florida streets, and Citgo, 2005 W. Ninth St.

If you find a lower price, call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.