KDHE reports 2 more deaths from swine flu

Two more Kansas deaths associated with the H1N1 virus were reported Thursday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

KDHE said a 34-year-old man from the Topeka area whose death was reported Monday and a 58-year-old woman from southwest Kansas whose death was reported Wednesday both were infected with the H1N1 virus. The woman had underlying health conditions that put her at greater risk for complications from influenza, KDHE said; the man did not.

Sixteen people in Kansas have died after being infected with H1N1.

_ Karen Shideler

Park bleacher theft suspect arrested

A 31-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Schweiter Park, suspected of removing bench seats from bleachers.

A person in the area of 900 South Chautauqua reported a "suspicious character" at the park at about 4:45 p.m., Capt. Darrell Atteberry said.

The caller reported that the man was unscrewing bench seats from the bleachers.

Officers responding to the call found and arrested the man, who was also wanted on a couple of warrants.

"He was taking the bleachers so he could later sell them for scrap," Atteberry said.

Several parks have been hit by thieves over recent months, he said.

"As metal prices go up, so do the number of thefts," Atteberry said.

—Stan Finger

Information sought in Dollar General arson

Wichita fire investigators are seeking help from the public as they try to solve the cause of an arson that damaged a Dollar General Store in west Wichita last month.

The fire was reported at 515 S. Dugan shortly before 5:25 p.m., authorities said. Fire investigators want to talk to anyone who may have been in the store just before the fire was discovered.

Anyone with information on this or any other arson fire can contact the fire investigation unit at 316-268-4585.

—Stan Finger

Food drive features roses for pantry items

A food drive that gives donors free roses in exchange for pantry items starts this weekend at Wichita florist shops.

Rio Roses will give six free roses to anyone who donates six food pantry items or donates $6 to the Kansas Food Bank. Participating florists and dates:

* Today through Sunday at Susan's, 4737 E. Douglas

* Saturday and Sunday at Dean's Designs, 3555 E. Douglas

* Nov. 14 and 15 at Brown's Botanicals, 7722 W. Maple

* Monday through Nov. 30 at the gift shops at Via Christi Regional Medical Centers St. Francis and St. Joseph campuses.

—Annie Calovich

JROTC to host Veterans Day parade, ceremony

Junior ROTC members at Wichita high schools and middle schools will celebrate Veterans Day with a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday in downtown Wichita and a ceremony Tuesday at Century II featuring more than 2,100 cadets marching in formation.

For a list of Veterans Day events, see Page 2B .

—Lori Yount