Saturday night storm causes power outages

About 4,000 customers in the Lawrence area were without power after a storm blew through the city Saturday night.

Gina Penzig, a spokeswoman with Westar Energy, said crews had restored power to about 2,200 customers by 11:30 p.m. and were working to restore electricity to the remaining 1,800 customers.

“Crews are out working to troubleshoot problems and get the power restored to all of our customers,” Penzig said, “and they’ll be out the rest of tonight and into tomorrow if that’s what’s needed.”

Penzig couldn’t pinpoint all of the affected areas, but police dispatch reports and calls Saturday night to the Journal-World indicated that one of the affected areas was on the west side of Iowa Street from Sixth Street south to Ninth Street.

The storm blew into the city after 9 p.m.

It was unclear the extent of damage from the storm, but a car was struck by a falling tree near 10th and Alabama streets.

Federal funds, fireworks on tap for commission

Homeland security funding and fireworks display regulations will be up for discussion beginning at 8 :30 a.m. Monday, when the Douglas County Commission meets.

The meeting will be in the commission chambers on the second floor of the Douglas County Courthouse, 11th and Massachusetts streets.

Commissioners also will take up the following matters:

• Consider approval of the sale of land at East Hills Business Park to Amarr Garage Door Inc.
• Consider approval of a contract for pavement markings.

Wichita State student crowned Miss Kansas

A Wichita State University student whose parents live in Lawrence is Miss Kansas 2004.

Miss Wheat Capital Megan Bushell, 21, won the crown Saturday night in Pratt.

Megan, the daughter of Donald and Barbara Bushell, Lawrence, is studying entrepreneurship and music business at Wichita State University.

She was a preliminary winner in the swimsuit competition and talent competition earlier last week.

With the title, she now will represent the Sunflower State in the Miss America pageant in September.