Herpetological study set at reservoir

There’s a reptile hunt this weekend in western Kansas.

The Kansas Herpetological Society is playing host to a fall field trip at Webster Reservoir, about 40 miles north of Hays. Starting this morning, campers will assist state herpetologists counting lizards, turtles, snakes and frogs there.

The society conducts at least two of these field trips each year and uses the counts to gauge the health of the state’s reptile and amphibian populations. Reptile populations are particularly sensitive to environmental changes, so population decreases often indicate environmental damage.

“Healthy populations of both of these species, and other turtles, reptiles and amphibians, can indicate healthy land and water to a landowner,” said Washburn University herpetologist Joseph Collins. “These are certainly animals worth preserving for their beneficial partnerships with humans.”

Exit from moving pickup fatal to mother, 21

Kansas City, Mo. — Police said a woman died after leaping from the passenger side of a moving pickup truck when she became upset with the driver, who was giving her a ride home from a party.

Police said the 21-year-old woman may have been drinking alcohol Thursday night. Her 3-year-old and 18-month-old children were in the truck when she jumped as it traveled on Holmes Road at Missouri Highway 150.