Surplus vehicle sale opens to general public

Topeka — Thirty-one vehicles were sold for a total of $111,840 during the first day of the state’s car sale, officials said.

The state is getting rid of hundreds of state-owned vehicles that have been deemed underutilized. Thursday was the first day of the sale to the general public.

The vehicles range from compact, midsize and full-size cars to trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans. A variety of makes, models and price ranges are available. All vehicles are sold as is, and prices are not negotiable. The sale is scheduled to end Feb. 19.

To view a list of vehicles for sale, visit www.da.state.ks.us and click on “State Vehicle Sale.”

Directions to the temporary sale lot at Forbes Field also can be found on the Web site. For more information, call (785) 296-8070.

Atchison

School sex allegation leads to priest’s removal

A Catholic priest who assisted in the library of a college prep school in northeast Kansas was removed from his duties after a review board determined he had been involved in sexual misconduct with a former boarding student in the 1960s.

The accusation against the Rev. Camillius Wurtz was made by a former boarding student at the Maur Hill-Mount Academy. The letter was addressed to Abbott Barnabas Senecal, superior of St. Benedict’s Abbey, with which the school is affiliated.

Wurtz has been a member of the abbey since 1947 and a staff member at the school during most of his 51 years of priesthood. According to a press release by the school, Wurtz will now live in the abbey.

The review board said Wurtz’s behavior amounted to sexual misconduct with a minor and recommended his removal from duties at the school.

“Although no other complaints have been made about Father Camillius’ behavior, I do not justify what appears to have occurred in the 1960s,” Senecal said.

Senecal said the incident was not reported to school or abbey officials when it happened in the 1960s.

Lectures

Animal rights activists at city library today

Two lectures and book signings today at the Lawrence Public Library will highlight different aspects of human relations with animals.

Brenda Davis will present “The Ultimate Diet for Preventing Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes and Obesity,” from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the library, 707 Vt. Davis is author of “Becoming Vegetarian” and “Becoming Vegan.”

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Anthony Marr will discuss activism and his new book, “Omni-Science and the Human Destiny.” He has led three rural India tiger-saving expeditions and conducted undercover operations in urban areas to catch smugglers and traders in endangered-species products.

Free snacks will be available. Animal Outreach of Kansas is sponsoring the event.