Public service

State’s oldest lawmaker tenders his resignation

Topeka — The oldest member of the Kansas Legislature made his resignation official Friday.

U.L. “Rip” Gooch, 80, D-Wichita, was first elected to the state Senate in 1992 and was re-elected in 1996 and 2000.

A replacement for him will be chosen by Democratic precinct officials in his district on Jan. 10, two days before the start of the legislative session.

Last month, Gooch announced his intention to leave office, saying he was frustrated with the Legislature’s failure to solve problems. He said he planned to continue being a community activist.

Gooch, an airplane pilot and flight instructor, was a member of the first class of the Black Aviation Hall of Fame, which opened in 2001 in Memphis, Tenn.

Crime

Court refuses evaluation before molester sentence

A judge has denied a request for a pre-sentencing mental evaluation of a Lawrence man convicted of molesting three young children.

The defense attorney for David E. Guthrie, 29, requested last month that Douglas County District Court Judge Paula Martin appoint an expert to give Guthrie a sex-offender evaluation prior to sentencing at a cost of $1,000 to the state. The purpose of the evaluation, attorney Jim George wrote, would be to determine if Guthrie needed mental-health treatment as part of his sentence.

Martin denied the request. According to George’s motion, Martin also found at a prior hearing there was no evidence Guthrie needed mental-health treatment.

Guthrie pleaded no contest in November to molesting three young children, all of whom are acquaintances. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday.

Parking

City to adjust meters to reflect new rates

New prices to park at metered spaces in downtown Lawrence are now in effect. But, it will be awhile before you actually have to cough up the extra change.

City officials said Friday they weren’t sure when the downtown parking meters would be adjusted for the new rates. But when they are, two hours of parking time will cost 50 cents. For now, and until the meters are adjusted, a quarter buys 90 minutes.

Parking tickets will remain $2, but if you get five or more within 30 days, the fine will jump from $15 to $50. City officials said the change was meant to push long-term parkers to the parking garages, opening more spots along Massachusetts Street for downtown shoppers.

The City Commission approved the rate increase in September 2003. The increased funds will go toward downtown improvements.