KDOT to mark 75 years

Topeka — The Kansas Department of Transportation will commemorate its 75th anniversary this year.

In 1929, then-Gov. Clyde Reed signed into law a bill that made the state responsible for a state highway system. The legislation was necessary for Kansas to continue to receive federal highway funding.

For 12 years prior to the legislation, local governments were in charge of highway construction and design, which sometimes led to inconsistent planning.

Conservation

City offers vouchers for energy-saving light bulbs

The city of Lawrence’s Division of Waste Reduction and Recycling is giving away vouchers good for a $4 discount on energy-saving light bulbs.

“The old Thomas Edison-style light bulb just isn’t energy efficient; 90 percent of the electricity it uses is lost in heat,” said Diana Sjogren, a waste reduction and recycling specialist with the city. “Compact fluorescent light bulbs screw into the same socket, generate the same amount of light, use 30 percent less energy and last 10 times longer.”

But they’re more expensive, which is why the vouchers — good at Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, Westlake Ace Hardware, Hy-Vee Food & Drug Stores, Wal-Mart and Home Depot locations — are being offered.

Limited one per household, vouchers are available by calling the recycling office, 832-3030, or sending an e-mail to recycling@ci.lawrence.ks.us.

Community service

Student reads Spanish for Audio-Reader

Kansas University graduate Natalie Spiess of Overland Park honed her Spanish speaking skills last semester in front of a radio audience.

Spiess spent much of her free time in the fall semester reading Dos Mundos, a Spanish-English weekly newspaper serving the Kansas City area, aloud for Audio-Reader Network.

After taking Spanish for three years in high school and four semesters in college, Spiess said she was ready to be the voice of Dos Mundos for blind and visually-impaired readers using the audio newspaper service provided by KU.

Noting the rising Hispanic population in the United States, Spiess said she planned to continue working with Spanish-speaking individuals.

Spiess graduated in December with degrees in sociology and art, and she plans to study abroad in Spain.