Supreme Court justice has kidney removed

Kansas Supreme Court Justice Robert Gernon, of Lawrence, is recovering at home after having a kidney removed, court spokesman Ron Keefover said.

Keefover said Gernon, 61, had the operation Nov. 24, but did not say why. He expected Gernon to return to work after the first of the year.

The seven-member court is deliberating several major cases, including consideration of a lower court decision that declared the Kansas school finance system unconstitutional. Retired Justice Edward Larson is taking Gernon’s place on the court during the December session.

County

Historical society elects new board

The Douglas County Historical Society has a new board of directors.

The new board members, who were elected last month, will oversee the Watkins Community Museum of History and will serve through 2005.

The new officers and board members are John Simmons, chairman; Pennie von Achen, vice chairwoman; Bob Piller, treasurer; and Napoleon Crews, secretary.

The Administrative Committee includes the officers, plus Charles Derby, Phillip Humphrey and Clenece Hills. The other board members are Dennis Dailey, Phil Godwin, Bennett Griffin, Martha Harris, Stan Hernly, Ralph King, Jim Martin, Bill Myers, Steve Sublett, Barbara Waggoner and Lynne Zollner.

Department of Justice

Law enforcement receives grants

Sixty local law enforcement agencies in the state will receive funding from the 2005 Federal Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.

The grant is providing the state $259,407, which will be distributed among the 60 agencies. The group includes Kansas University’s Center for Research Inc., which will receive $6,307.

The Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council awarded the funds, which assist local law enforcement agencies in reducing crime and improving public safety. Funds this year will purchase equipment to enhance officer safety when responding to crimes.

The U.S. Department of Justice provides the funds for the grant.

NAACP elects officers

Members of the Lawrence chapter of the NAACP on Thursday elected new officers for the next two years.

Sonya Johnson will take over for current president Janis Cobbs. The other new officers are Darrell Henderson, first vice president; Donna Bell, second vice president; Ursula Minor, third vice president; Bessie Walker, secretary; Al Ballard, treasurer; and Dawn Downing, assistant to the treasurer and secretary.

The new officers will be installed at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Gallery Room of the Lawrence Public Library.

Juniors can win $5,000 in NEH essay contest

High school juniors can win up to $5,000 for writing an essay on totalitarianism and the United States.

The deadline for entries is April 15.

First prize is $5,000. Five finalists will each receive $1,000.

“The Idea of America” essay contest is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information and to find the specific question students must answer in their essays, visit www.wethepeople.gov/essay.