Townships, cities eligible for storm-expense aid

Governments on the line for more than $250,000 in storm-related expenses are about to be bailed out by the federal government.

Seven townships and the cities of Lawrence and Eudora are eligible to apply for disaster aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program, the agency announced Monday.

Governments will receive reimbursement for 75 percent of qualifying expenditures resulting from storms that moved through the area Aug. 27-30.

Qualifying expenses include overtime wages for emergency personnel and rock replacement on rural roads. Townships making applications for reimbursement are Clinton, Kanwaka, Lecompton, Marion, Palmyra, Wakarusa and Willow Springs.

Kansas University

Fraternity’s suspension extended to 2007

A Kansas University fraternity has been suspended through Sept. 1, 2007, because of a hazing incident reported last spring, university officials announced.

The suspension comes after an investigation by Kappa Alpha Psi’s international headquarters. A separate KU investigation had suspended the fraternity on campus through 2006. But Laura Cripple, program director for fraternity and sorority life, said KU would honor the 2007 date for the suspension.

Todd Cohen, a KU spokesman, said privacy concerns kept him from detailing the incident, but he said no one was injured and no police report was filed.

Higher education

University commended for work with Japan

The Center for East Asian Studies at Kansas University has received one of 150 awards granted by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commemorate 150 years of U.S.-Japan relations.

The Foreign Minister’s Commendation award was presented by Takao Shibata, consul general of Japan in Kansas City, Mo., during a reception Tuesday afternoon at The Outlook, Chancellor Robert Hemenway’s residence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the 150 awards in March. They are going to U.S. residents and organizations, as well as Japanese residents, involved in fields including business, politics and education.

In presenting the award, the consul general also cited KU’s department of East Asian languages and cultures, East Asian library and other KU programs involving Japan.

Schools

Debate teams place high in tournaments

The Lawrence and Free State high school debate teams started the season with high finishes at area tournaments.

LHS students took second place at the Blue Valley North High School tournament. Ariel George, Rahul Gogineni, Caitlin Shanks and Julia Szabo placed in the experienced division, while Sydney Seratte, Kate Mather, Michael Drumm, Anthony Frei, Brandon Schwager and Nolan Kappleman won medals for LHS in the novice division. Free State debaters Jing Li, Supriya Ghorpade, Holly Maygers, Kate Kisner, Chris Puckett, Alex Vetter, Bryce Baringer, Nathan Babb, Sally Konzem, Brian Leatherwood, Sindra Schuler and Ashley Sakumura also won medals.

At Paola High School last weekend, Liz Lembeck, Hannah Robinson, Carol Liang and Nastassia Weber won medals for Free State.

Both schools will compete this weekend in a tournament at Olathe North High School.