State fines restaurants for code violations

Two Lawrence restaurants have been fined by the state — one for health-code violations, and the other for operating without a license.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a $1,000 fine against Jade Mongolian Barbeque, 1511 W. 23rd St., for health code violations and a $500 fine against Scarlet Orchid, 2223 La., for operating without a food-service license.

According to the department, during visits to Jade April 27 and May 18, inspectors found violations including raw meat being stored above ready-to-eat food in a walk-in refrigerator and food kept on the buffet at temperatures higher than allowed.

The department also alleges Scarlet Orchid operated without a license between May 5 and June 3.

The department publicizes information about its fines in an effort to get restaurants to comply with its rules.

Courts

Probate case involving homicide victim delayed

A hearing in a civil case related to the unsolved death of a Douglas County woman has been postponed.

Family members of Carmin Ross, 40, were scheduled to be in court Monday in Manhattan in a dispute about who will have control of the money Ross left to her preschool-aged daughter. The hearing has been rescheduled for Aug. 31.

Ross’ parents, of Lapel, Ind., don’t want her ex-husband, Kansas State University English professor Thomas E. Murray, to have oversight of the money. They’ve said in court records that there “appear to be unanswered questions about whether Tom perpetrated Carmin’s murder.”

No one has been charged in the case, and Murray has said an attorney has advised him not to talk to the media.

Ross’ body was found Nov. 14 inside her home northwest of Lawrence on East 1150 Road. Authorities haven’t released the cause of death, but there are indications she may have been stabbed.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.

Health

Three counties added to West Nile Virus list

The list of Kansas counties with confirmed cases of West Nile Virus rose to nine this week.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said it found the virus in two birds in Pratt County, two birds in Reno County and a mosquito pool in Wallace County.

Previously the virus had been found in birds in Barton, Harvey, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee and Wilson counties.

The virus is carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitoes. The mosquitoes bite the infected birds, then spread the virus to horses and people.

The state is asking Kansans who find dead birds to call the toll-free West Nile Virus Information Line at (877) 228-2287.

Technology

Grant helps Kansas groups connect to Web

Kan-ed, the technology networking initiative for Kansas, has announced grants of up to $4,000 under its broadband subsidy program. The awards will go to 365 school districts, universities, libraries and hospitals in 99 counties in early August.

Broadband Subsidy Program Grants, a total of $770,000, were awarded based on completeness of application, relationship of the application to the Kan-ed mission and the date of submission.

The purpose of the program is to help grant recipients upgrade to high-speed Internet access.

Gasoline Prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.77 a gallon at several locations around Lawrence.

If you find a lower price, call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.