Topeka

Peace activists organize at Brownback’s office

A group of Topeka peace activists called Monday for the return of U.S. troops from Iraq and a greater role for the United Nations in the Middle Eastern country.

Members of the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice called the U.S. war in Iraq an embarrassment and failure of U.S. policy that has cost billions of dollars and countless lives.

About a dozen members of the organization held a rally outside the Topeka offices of Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, whose office was given a copy of the statement.

Roy Lacoursiere, a Topeka physician, said the United States’ policy in Iraq was a failure and that troops should be brought home in months, not years.

In addition, he said, the war’s expense was diverting funds from domestic programs, such as health care and education, while compromising the nation’s ability to adequately respond to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Members are planning a statewide rally July 10 on the south steps of the Statehouse in Topeka.

Emporia

Grant to help develop recreational trails

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy Inc. has received a $20,000 grant to help develop the Flint Hills and Landon Nature trails. The grant is from the Forrest C. Lattner Foundation, based in Delray Beach, Fla.

The 116-mile Flint Hills Trail follows the Santa Fe National Historic Trail between Herington and Osawatomie. The 38-mile Landon Nature Trail links Topeka with the Flint Hills Trail at Lomax, west of Pomona. Both are part of the American Discovery Trail, the nation’s first coast-to-coast trail.

Work on the trails will be done by volunteers and will include bridge improvements, fencing and a surface of crushed limestone. The conservancy is based out of Emporia and has more than 150 members.

Kansas City, Mo.

Radio broadcasters name new officials

The president of the Kansas Associated Press Broadcasters for 2004-05 is Jeff Bell of KKOW-AM, Pittsburg. Bell has been news director of the southeast Kansas station for two years.

Elected vice president Saturday at the annual APB meeting in Kansas City was Greg Akagi of WIBW AM-FM, Topeka.

Outgoing president Cathy Dawes of KMAN-AM, Manhattan, was elected to serve on the APB board in the coming year. Also remaining on the board is Jeff O’Dell, KVOE-AM, Emporia. Newly elected board members are Liz Montano, WIBW, and Andrew Mahoney, KIUL-AM, Garden City.