West Nile virus fever strikes 2 more Kansans

Two more cases of West Nile virus fever have been confirmed in Kansas, state health officials said Thursday.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said a 33-year-old from Sedgwick County and a 12-year-old from Seward County were the latest to be diagnosed with the fever, which involves milder symptoms than the full-blown virus.

Human cases were previously announced in Johnson, Sedgwick, Wyandotte, Morris and Barton counties.

The virus now has been confirmed in birds and horses in 32 Kansas counties, including Atchison, Douglas, Franklin and Johnson counties.

“Since we are in the most active part of the West Nile Virus season, Kansans should be taking precautions such as using insect repellent with DEET and draining standing water where possible to reduce the breeding grounds of mosquitoes,” said Gail Hansen, acting state epidemiologist.

Politics

Congressional candidate to speak at convention

Kris Kobach, Republican nominee for Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, has been selected to give a speech at the Republican National Convention.

Kobach will speak Monday, but the exact time of the speech has not been set.

Kobach is trying to unseat three-term Rep. Dennis Moore in the 3rd District in the November general election. Moore is the only Democrat in Kansas’ congressional delegation.

The 3rd District includes the portion of Lawrence east of Iowa Street, the rest of eastern Douglas County and all of Johnson and Wyandotte counties.

Homecoming

Cosby agrees to appear for KU homecoming

Bill Cosby has accepted an offer from Kansas University to perform at homecoming this fall.

Cosby will perform a comedy routine the evening of Oct. 5, said Sarah Lathrop, a Phoenix junior and member of the Homecoming Committee.

The performance probably will be at Allen Fieldhouse, she said, but the venue has not been confirmed. Time and ticket prices haven’t been set, either, but Lathrop said she expected details to be completed in the next two weeks.

Homecoming week is Oct. 2-9. Officials hope Cosby will herald the return of bringing big-name entertainers to campus for the event, which has featured Sonny and Cher, B.B. King and Bob Hope in the past.

Gasoline Prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.84 a gallon at Presto Phillips 66, 602 W. Ninth St. If you find a lower price, call Pump Patrol at 832-7154.