Motorcyclist airlifted after 4-vehicle wreck

A Lawrence man riding a motorcycle was among two people who suffered injuries in a four-vehicle accident Thursday morning north of Lawrence on U.S. Highway 24-40, the Kansas Highway Patrol said.

John D. Hinman, 47, was transported by Lifestar helicopter to Kansas University Medical Center. Hospital officials Thursday night declined to confirm he was at the hospital.

The patrol said Tahirih G. Mullen, 43, Leavenworth, also was injured. Mullen was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released.

State troopers said the accident occurred about 7:30 a.m. near U.S. 24-40 and East 1500 Road.

A 2001 International truck driven by Craig L. Cook, 45, St. Joseph, Mo., and a 1998 Subaru driven by Mullen were stopped in the westbound lane of 24-40, waiting to turn south on East 1500 Road when the accident occurred.

A 1997 Chevrolet pickup driven by James H. Wallace, 45, Leavenworth, struck Mullen’s car from the rear, causing it to lurch forward and strike Cook’s truck. Then, the back of Mullen’s car swerved into the eastbound lane, striking Hinman’s motorcycle. Neither Wallace nor Cook were injured.

Above, Kansas Highway Patrol troopers look over the scene of the accident.

Celebration

Local church to mark 139th anniversary

St. James AME Church will celebrate its 139th anniversary Sunday.

“Coming Back Together in the Name of Jesus” is the theme of the celebration. The church is at Seventh and Elm streets.

The Rev. Verdell Taylor, pastor of St. Luke AME Church, 900 N.Y., will speak during the 3:30 p.m. Sunday program. Members, friends and guests are asked to wear appropriate period attire as a tribute to those who started the church.

There will be a fish-fry fund-raiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 at St. James AME. The meal will feature fish, spaghetti, cole slaw and dessert. Dinners will cost $7. Meals will be available for dine-in, carryout and delivery.

For more information about the anniversary celebration or the fish fry, contact the church at 843-3088.

Technology

Grants to improve distance learning

Kan-ed, Kansas’ technology networking initiative, has awarded about $3 million to 150 Kansas K-12 schools, colleges, libraries and hospitals in 74 counties statewide to upgrade distance learning capabilities.

The schools received awards of as much as $25,000 through Kan-ed’s Enhancing Technology Grant program.

“This type of funding support and technology has real-world application and impact,” said Brad Williams, the Kansas Board of Regents director of information technology.

Recognition

Historical online site receives merit award

A Web site focusing on territorial Kansas will receive an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History.

A joint collaboration of the Kansas State Historical Society and Kansas University, the Web site, www.territorialkansasonline.org, showcases items regarding the settling of Kansas during slavery debates.

The site was created through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.