Two file for seat now held by Adkins

A Kansas University Endowment Association trustee announced his candidacy Thursday for the 7th District seat in the Kansas Senate.

“I’ve very economic-development driven, and I think we need to get a new school finance formula in place as soon as possible,” said David Wysong, 55.

Wysong, an investor who lives in Mission Hills, described himself as a “classic moderate Republican.” He is seeking the seat now held by Sen. David Adkins, R-Leawood, who announced this week he would not seek re-election.

Wysong is a former chairman of the Kansas Republican Party and of the Johnson County Commission. He is a member of the KU First fund-raising campaign’s steering committee.

Conservative Republican Dwight Sutherland also has filed to run for the 7th District seat. He, too, lives in Mission Hills.

The primary election is set for Aug. 3. The 7th District is in northeast Johnson County.

Police called after owner loses control of bulldog

Several police officers wrestled a 150-pound bulldog Thursday night after it dragged its owner down the alley by his shoe.

Police responded about 7:30 p.m. to the 700 block of Connecticut Street after a neighbor saw that the owner had lost control of the dog.

The dog’s other owner, a Lawrence woman, attempted to free the man from the dog’s bite and was nipped in the hand, said Lawrence Police Sgt. Craig Shanks.

Neither of the owners received treatment.

“I think if the dog had wanted to attack them and hurt them, it would have done a much better job,” Shanks said. “I’m no expert, but I’ve never seen a dog that big.”

The Lawrence Humane Society removed the dog. The owners probably will sign the dog over to the Humane Society today, Shanks said.

Weekend Topeka festival to honor jazz legend

A jazz festival this weekend in Topeka marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of tenor saxophone great Coleman Hawkins and features several musicians with ties to Lawrence.

The ninth annual Coleman Hawkins Neighborhood Festival will be today through Sunday at Gage Center Shopping Plaza at the intersection of Huntoon Street and Gage Boulevard. Hawkins once lived in Topeka.

Dan Kozak, the saxophonist who performs regularly at Seventh and Massachusetts streets in Lawrence, is one of the event’s organizers and will be performing all three days. Harry Miller, a pianist from Lawrence, will perform at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Harry Miller Quartet.

Other performers include Kansas City artists Mike Metheny, Angela Hagenbach, and The Scamps.

The event begins at 6 p.m. today with a jam at Bullfrogs Live, 4115 SW Huntoon St. Musicians will perform roughly from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

A full schedule is available online at www.hawkfest.org.

The cost of the event is “write-your-own-ticket donations,” according to an announcement.

48 lottery winners to see NASCAR races

The Kansas Lottery is sending 48 winners to the NASCAR Craftsmen Trucks, IndyCar Series July 3 and 4 at the Kansas Speedway.

Area winners are Sandra Miller, Tecumseh, and Sharon Smith and Michael Berghamp, both of Bonner Springs. The 48 were selected out of 370,000 participants in a special lottery offering.

Each winner will receive a package that includes two tickets for the Saturday and Sunday races, hotel accommodations and $300 in cash.

The next speedway drawing will be Aug. 27.

KUMC programs open to minority students

The Kansas University School of Medicine will conduct programs this summer aimed at increasing the number of doctors from under-represented communities.

The Health Careers Pathways Programs are designed for black, Hispanic, American Indian and Southeast Asian high school and college students, as well as those from rural areas.

The programs run from Sunday to July 30, with classes in Lawrence and at the Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. Participants will observe surgery, autopsies, patient care and lab research. They also will learn about applying to medical school.

For more information, visit www2.kumc.edu/oced/index.html.

Eudora prosecutor files for district attorney

Lawrence attorney and Eudora city prosecutor Charles Branson has formally filed to run for Douglas County district attorney.

Branson, a Democrat, delivered his official paperwork Tuesday to the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office. He was accompanied by his wife and two children.

Branson faces Martin Miller, a Lawrence defense attorney, in the Democratic primary. The incumbent, Republican Christine Kenney, is seeking a third term.

Branson’s campaign platform includes plans to start a consumer-protection office and improve services for crime victims and witnesses.