Skating rink readied in park near downtown

After several consecutive days of freezing weather, the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department is preparing the ice-skating area at the north end of Buford M. Watson Jr. Park, Sixth and Kentucky streets.

Park officials said ice skating would be available beginning the first part of next week. Skating is free and open to the public.

Skaters are asked to cooperate in staying off the ice until it is ready. Cold weather is necessary in providing a 3- to 4-inch thick base of ice for safe skating. As of Friday, officials said, ice was only an inch thick and needed more time to harden.

For more information on the skating area, call 832-3450.

Highways

Troopers seek to educate drivers on safety law

Hutchinson — Years after state lawmakers passed a law intended to protect emergency workers on Kansas roads, many people still don’t know about it, officials say.

“The message needs to be out there a lot stronger,” said Trooper David Corp, law enforcement liaison with the Kansas Department of Transportation Bureau of Traffic Safety. “The potential is there for a lot of danger if motorists don’t obey it.”

A 2000 law known as the “Goodheart Law” requires drivers on multilane highways to slow down and change lanes if possible when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights. On two-lane highways, motorists are prohibited from passing within 100 feet of a stopped emergency vehicle.

Violators could face a $180 ticket and court costs.

“They are educated about the law once they have the ticket in hand,” Corp said, “but we need to get the message out there before that.”

Kansas University

KJHK announces new executive student staff

Kansas University’s student-run radio station, KJHK 90.7 FM announced its spring semester executive staff.

Brent Stevens, Maize senior, is moving from public relations director to station manager. Carlos Centeno, a senior from Caracas, Venezuela, will take Stevens’ old job under a new title, communications director.

Others at the station include technology director Peter Berard, Overland Park senior; program director Josh Powers, Kansas City, Mo., senior; news director Kevin MacDonald, Shawnee, junior; sports director Kevin Flaherty, Lenexa senior; music director Chris Shively, Kansas City, Mo., senior; development director Jenni Wilson, Emporia senior; production director Matt Beat, Augusta senior; promotions director Catherine McGivney, New York graduate student; live events director Meredith Vacek, Lawrence senior; and Internet director Alan Wong, Topeka senior.