Briefly

Committee supports fees for wireless E911 service

Kansans would be charged another 50 cents a month for using a wireless phone under a compromise bill designed to boost 911 emergency service across the state.

The bill, tentatively supported by a six-legislator conference committee, would impose monthly fees to enable “enhanced 911” service for wireless phones. Such service allows emergency dispatchers to pinpoint the locations of calls received.

All Kansas counties would be required to have such services in place by July 1, 2008.

There would be two monthly fees to be imposed beginning July 1:

  • 25 cents, with proceeds used by all counties to finance E911 equipment and operations.
  • 25 cents, to finance grants to pay counties for one-time equipment upgrades.

Committee members still need to work out how the fees would appear on customers’ monthly bills before forwarding the bill for consideration.

Crime

Gunshot investigation leads to drug arrest

Police arrested a 21-year-old Lawrence man early Wednesday after responding to a call of shots being fired into the air at Colony Woods apartments.

Police stopped a car about 3:30 a.m. at 23rd Street and Learnard Avenue after receiving a description of a car seen leaving the apartments, 1301 W. 24th St. They found four men in the car, one of whom had live ammunition and crack cocaine, said Sgt. Mike Pattrick, a Lawrence Police spokesman.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine with intent to sell, failure to pay a drug tax and a weapons violation, Pattrick said. Jail records showed he was released Wednesday on his own recognizance.

Police had not recovered a gun Wednesday, Pattrick said.

Suspects in drug cases often are not formally charged until the confiscated substances are tested by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Online

Political veteran to begin blog at ljworld.com

Former state welfare secretary Robert Harder has started posting short commentaries on the Journal-World’s Web site.

“My hope is to provide some commentary on critical issues that may, in turn, cause people to think and at some point, enter into a dialogue,” Harder said.

Harder, 74, has spent more than 40 years either in or on the edges of state government, including as a member of the House of Representatives, secretary of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and secretary at the Department of Health and Environment.

An ordained minister, he is a volunteer lobbyist for the United Methodist Church of Kansas and active in the Big Tent Coalition, which advocates for disabled people.

His column, “Caring Matters,” is at http://blogs.ljworld.com/caring.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found Lawrence-area gasoline prices as low as $1.62 at Site, 946 E. 23rd St.

If you find a lower price, report it to Pump Patrol at 832-7154.