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SATURDAY • JUNE 25 • 2011
‘It’s so important to keep our traditions going’
Abortion clinic denied state license ———
Decision on other 2 providers still to come By John Hanna Associated Press Writer
“It does my heart good that here in Lawrence we can keep our traditions alive,” said LaShane Starr, who works with Fiesta Folklorica, a youth dance group in the area. “In Mexican culture celebrations are a big part of it. It’s so important to keep our traditions going.” While children threw confetti-filled eggs and others mingled, the evening’s major draw had people lining up down the block. For many, it was all about the food.
TOPEKA — One of three abortion providers in Kansas appeared likely to close after being denied a state license to continue terminating pregnancies at its Kansas City-area clinic, and abortion rights supporters feared Friday that the anti-abortion governor’s administration will reject licenses for the other two. The state enacted a law earlier this year establishing a special licensing process for abortion providers, and they must either get licenses or stop offering the procedure on July 1. Backers of the law argue it protects patients from substandard care, but critics believe the real goal is to make Kansas the first state without an abortion clinic. A lawyer for the Aid for Women clinic in Kansas City, Kan., said Friday that it received a Kansas Gov. Sam notice that its application for a Brownback license had been denied by the strongly opposes Kansas Department of Health and Environment without an inspec- abortion. tion. Attorney Cheryl Pilate said the clinic was looking at its legal options but would have to close, at least temporarily. The clinic received its notice on the same day the leader of a regional Planned Parenthood chapter said inspectors who spent two days at its Overland Park clinic found it will comply with all new regulations. An inspection of the third provider is scheduled for Wednesday. All three are in the
Please see FIESTA, page 2A
Please see CLINIC, page 2A
Kevin Anderson/Journal-World Photos
DON AND LAURA STULL DANCE TO TRADITIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC during St. John’s Mexican Fiesta on Friday at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1234 Ky. The annual event with lots of food and entertainment will continue through tonight. BELOW, Kristen Hinshaw, left, and Casey Wallace feast on cotton candy during the Fiesta.
Fiesta celebrates Mexican food, culture By Joe Preiner jpreiner@ljworld.com
Fue una noche perfecta Friday for the annual St. John’s Mexican Fiesta in Lawrence. Hundreds of residents turned out at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1234 Ky., to take part in the festivities, which included traditional dancing, live music and, of course, authentic Mexican food. The two-day event, started in 1981, celebrates Mexican-American heritage through the people’s faith, music and community.
Adjusting to 75 mph may take a little time By Mark Fagan mfagan@ljworld.com
Boosting speed limits on more than 800 miles of state and federal highways to 75 mph likely will reduce the number of tickets issued, at least during the next few months, the Kansas Highway Patrol says. But don’t expect drivers to stay off the accelerators for long. “Based on our experience in the past, when the speed limit is increased we see a time period of adjustment where traffic actually is mov-
ing slower than the posted limit,” said Technical Trooper Mark Engholm, a patrol spokesman. “It’s their comfort level. “We’ll have to wait six months, maybe a year, to see what effect this has. It’s new territory. We’ll see what happens.” The clock starts ticking on Thursday, when crews from the Kansas Department of Transportation begin riveting 276 metal plates — each featuring a fresh new “75” — onto existing 70 mph signs along 583 miles of state and federal highways being adjusted.
The Kansas Turnpike Authority, meanwhile, will begin affixing new 5s over 0s that same day on 90 signs along a 224-mile stretch of the turnpike, from the Oklahoma border all the way to the Kansas Highway 7 interchange at Bonner Springs. The stretch includes about seven miles cutting through the Lawrence area, carrying an average of more than 28,000 vehicles per day. Michael Johnston, the turnpike’s CEO, doesn’t expect driver speeds to increase dramatically, but the authority is conducted speed
Please see SPEED, page 2A
Look ahead to June 30. Imagine you’re cruising along the Kansas Turnpike at 75 mph — just like the new speed limit sign off the shoulder says — but you recall that the law allowing drivers to go 75 mph won’t be taking effect until the next day. Can I get a ticket? Relax and get your eyes back on the road. “We’re going to use common sense, and use discretion,” said Technical Trooper Mark Engholm, a spokesman for the Kansas Highway Patrol, which will
be enforcing the new limits. “We’re not going to enforce a speed limit that’s not posted.” Maintenance crews will be out installing new signs before the law takes effect, he said, and troopers are being advised to take that into account during their enforcement efforts. The advance installations are intended to ensure that all signs will be in place for travelers during the busy holiday weekend. “We’ll work with the public to make sure roads are safe,” Engholm said.
Freedoms exhibit set to open
A NEW $200,000 history exhibit will be unveiled July 2 in the refurbished Carnegie Library building at Ninth and Vermont streets. The exhibit highlights how the region has shaped America’s freedoms.
By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
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Today’s forecast, page 10A
For history lovers, this might even be better than Independence Day fireworks. Leaders of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area are planning a July 2 event that will unveil and dedicate a new $200,000 history exhibit in the refurbished Carnegie Library building downtown. “It has been a really big project, and we’re thrilled to be at this point,” said Judy Billings, director of the organization that
oversees the heritage area. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 2, members of the public can be among the first to see a new exhibit that highlights how the region has shaped America’s freedoms. The exhibit includes pieces about the tensions in Missouri and Kansas that led up to the Civil War, about Langston Hughes and other minorities that struggled for civil rights, about the landmark desegregation case Brown vs. Board of Education and several other events.
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studies now at a handful of sites along the turnpike. Studies will be repeated this fall to provide comparison data about drivers’ comfort levels. Johnston, for one, figures the so-called “85th percentile” speed — the speed at which 85 percent of drivers are traveling at or below — might rise by 2 or 3 miles per hour in areas with the new 75 mph limit. That’s the speed, according to engineers, that drivers feel comfortable traveling.
‘Common sense’ to guide enforcement
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Please see EXHIBIT, page 2A
GO SEE IT The exhibit — along with a smaller one focusing on the Kansas-Nebraska Act — will be open on a regular basis. Plans call for the exhibit space in the Carnegie Library building at Ninth and Vermont streets to be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. There will be no admission to view the exhibits.
COMING SUNDAY We detail the effect that Small Business Administration loans have had in Lawrence.
Vol.153/No.176 28 pages
Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org