Roads: Ottawa driver injured in one-car accident

Ottawa – An Ottawa woman was ejected from her car and pinned underneath it Friday night on Interstate 35 in Franklin County.

Tasha M. Kneller, 33, was taken by Life Star helicopter to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., where she was in critical condition Saturday.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, about 8:15 p.m. Kneller lost control of the 1987 Pontiac she was driving southbound on Interstate 35 10 miles northeast of Ottawa.

The car struck a construction zone sign in the median and crossed into the northbound lanes, the patrol report said. The car overturned at least two times, ejecting Kneller. She was found pinned beneath the car, the report said.

Kneller was not wearing a seat belt.

Festival: Nativities on display through Christmas

More than 200 examples of the holy family are on display during the next few weeks at Centenary United Methodist Church.

The 160-member church, 245 N. Fourth St., is staging its eighth annual Festival of the Nativities, and the representations of the scene of Jesus’ birth can be viewed through Christmas.

The festival is free and open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. today, as well as Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22.

The nativity scenes are from around the world.

State government: Two Lawrence residents join Insurance staff

Kansas State Insurance Commissioner-elect Sandy Praeger appointed staff members who will join her when she takes office Jan. 13. Among them are two Lawrence residents.

Jerry Wells will serve as special counsel to Praeger. He is the former executive director of the Koch Crime Institute and a former Douglas County district attorney. Scott Holeman was named communications director. He holds a similar position with the Kansas speaker of the House.

Praeger also appointed Robert Tomlinson, Roeland Park, assistant insurance commissioner; John Campbell, Topeka, chief legal counsel; Neil Woerman, Topeka, director of information technology; and Karen Rippel, Topeka, assistant to the commissioner.

Holiday: Kwanzaa event planned

Topeka – The Kansas African-American Affairs Commission plans a Kwanzaa program at 6 p.m. Dec. 27 at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Maner Conference Center in Topeka.

Kwanzaa creator Maulana Karenga will be the featured speaker.

The event is free, but space is limited and registration by Dec. 18 is required. For more information or to register, call (785) 296-4874.