Lobbyist considers run for school board

Craig Grant, a longtime lobbyist for the state teachers’ union, is expected to announce his candidacy for a position on the Lawrence school board next week.

“I’ve not officially filed,” said Grant, 59. “But I’ve named a campaign treasurer.” His treasurer is Dave Adams, president at Emprise Bank.

Grant, who lives in Lawrence, for 22 years was chief lobbyist and political director at the Topeka-based Kansas-National Education Assn. He retired in 2003.

“Having worked in education my entire adult life, I think I have some experience when it comes to bringing diverse groups together to make decisions,” Grant said. “I can build bridges.”

Three of the school board’s seven at-large positions will be on the April 5 general election ballot. Incumbents Leni Salkind and Austin Turney have said they will not seek re-election. Incumbent Linda Robinson has not announced her intentions. No other candidates have announced plans to run.

The filing deadline is Jan. 25. If more than six candidates file, there will be a primary election March 1.

Sewer district

KDHE fines Leavenworth County

Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials issued a $15,420 fine and administrative order against the Leavenworth County Commission for violating the wastewater permit for a county sewer district.

The county commission violated terms of the permit associated with Leavenworth County Sewer District 7 — also known as Cedar Lake Estates. Cedar Lake Estates was to have been shut down by Oct. 1 and its wastewater directed to the Basehor Wastewater Treatment facility.

Having failed to meet that date, the Leavenworth County Commission now must pay the civil penalty, abandon the Cedar Lake Estates treatment facility and direct the wastewater to the city of Basehor no later than Feb. 1.

The order and penalty are subject to appeal to KDHE.

Court

Suspect charged in sex assault case

A 27-year-old Lawrence man was charged Monday in Douglas County District Court with aggravated burglary and aggravated sexual battery.

The arrest came after police investigated a sexual assault reported by a woman in a western Lawrence apartment complex.

The 28-year-old woman said she awoke shortly after 1 a.m. Monday to find a man inappropriately touching her. The woman’s 5-year-old son was sleeping in the same room. The woman turned on the lights and the man left her apartment, according to police reports.

Officers later arrested the suspect at an apartment complex. During a hearing Monday afternoon the suspect was charged and his bond was set at $20,000.

It is the policy of the Journal-World to not report the name of a suspect in a sexual assault case unless there has been a conviction.

Gasoline Prices

Patrol seeks fuel deals

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.66 a gallon at several locations across Lawrence.

If you find a lower price, please call 832-7154.