Lawrence Journal-World 08-25-12

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GULF COAST ON EDGE

GLAD TO BE BACK

Isaac poses threat from La. to Fla. Nation 6A

There’s no place like Kansas for Taylor Sports 1B

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Douglas Co. projects high in KDOT study

‘If the drought goes on ...’

By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo

ON A DRIED-UP LAKE BED, WILD SUNFLOWERS frame a heron and a family boating on Clinton Lake Monday. The Kansas Water Office has estimated that John Redmond Reservoir, a federal reservoir near Burlington, will be at only 5 percent of its capacity by Nov. 1 if no rain falls in the interim. Lakes near Lawrence are faring better. Both Clinton and Perry lakes are expected to be at about 80 percent of their normal capacity by Nov. 1.

Diminishing reservoir levels raise nuclear plant and other concerns By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com

Come to find out, it is not just farmers and folks who have dry yards that root for rain. The owners of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant are rooting hard as well. A new report from the Kansas Water Office projects a key federal reservoir

used in helping cool the nuclear power plant near Burlington will be almost dry by Nov. 1, if current weather patterns persist. Wolf Creek officials said the dwindling water levels at nearby John Redmond Reservoir pose no safety risk, but they could make it difficult for the plant to operate if the drought continues for many months.

“Just like with about everything at a nuclear plant, we have plans in place to deal with that type of situation,” said Jenny Hageman, a spokeswoman with Wolf Creek. Officials with the Kansas Water Office estimated John Redmond Reservoir, a 1950s-era federal reservoir just outside of Burlington, was at about 75 percent of

its normal capacity as of Aug. 1. But by Nov. 1, the office projects the 9,400 acre lake will be at only 5 percent of its capacity. In other words, the lake will be 95 percent dry. Earl Lewis, assistant director for the Kansas Water Office, said the projecPlease see WATER, page 5A

A $22 million commuter bus line on Interstate 70, a toll lane for Kansas Highway 10, and an expansion for part of the South Lawrence Trafficway are all recommended projects in a state study that looks at transportation needs for the next 20 to 30 years. Leaders with the Kansas Department of Transportation on Monday briefed local officials about its new 5-County Regional Transportation Study, and noted public transit options are getting a serious look. “The idea of a transit route on I-70 looks promising,” said Jim Tobaben, a state-hired consultant for the study. “We know there are a lot of commuters on that route heading both east and west from Lawrence.” KDOT officials already have agreed to conduct a more detailed study of possible options for a commuter bus line that would travel from Topeka to Lawrence to Kansas City via Interstate 70. The 5-County plan estimates it would cost Please see KDOT, page 2A

Felon in KU tickets case argues for less prison time By George Diepenbrock gdiepenbrock@ljworld.com

Student design for KU police cars a winner By Andy Hyland ahyland@ljworld.com

When George Ressler decided to come up with a new look for the new Dodge Chargers at the Kansas University Office of Public Safety, he went for something serious and a little intimidating, but friendly and approachable, too. “Kind of like the Jayhawk,” said Ressler, a 2011 KU design graduate who is now working for a design research firm in Columbus, Ohio. The design, which used elements from Ressler and his fellow student Andrew Meier, of Olathe, won the colleges and universities category in Law and Order Magazine’s 2012 International Police Vehicle Design Contest. KU Public Safety has used the design

for its fleet since August 2011. Ralph Oliver, chief of KU Public Safety, said the department approached Jeremy Shellhorn, associate professor of design, in 2011 and asked if his students would be interested in submitting some design proposals. “The designs we saw kind of were a cross between traditional black and white and NASCAR,” said Oliver. The eventual design features the official KU crimson and blue colors and a Jayhawk on each side. The contest’s judges apparently

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Low: 62

Today’s forecast, page 8A

liked the effect. “The blue swatch highlights the car nicely,” read a comment from the judges in the magazine. “It is different than the traditional black-and-white, adding the blue and red outline.” The contest featured 17 other entries in the colleges and universities category. Ressler said that he appreciated the recognition. “I really just wanted it to look fresh and represent the brand, which is KU,” he said. “It’s way overdone just to be black and white and boring.”

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The imprisoned former head of Kansas University’s Williams Fund alleges that he’s entitled to a shorter prison sentence because he claims federal prosecutors did not honor terms of his plea agreement in the case. Rodney Dale Jones, 43, filed a motion on Aug. 23 from prison in El Reno, Okla., asking a judge to vacate, set aside or correct his sentence. U.S. District Judge Jones Wesley Brown in March 2011 sentenced Jones to serve 46 months for his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a scheme to steal more than $2 million worth of KU football and basketball tickets and distribute them to brokers and others. Four former athletics employees and one consultant were sentenced to prison. “The government failed to adhere to their commitment to file a (request for lesser sentence) in exchange for the defendant’s Please see TICKETS, page 2A

Capitol costs increase

Vol.154/No.241 24 pages

State leaders add another $12.4 million to the ever-increasing price tag for the Statehouse renovation project — now pegged at approximately $332 million. Page 3A

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