Gingerbread house sales to benefit fund-raiser

A fantasy world of gingerbread and graham cracker houses will again highlight this weekend’s annual fund-raiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Douglas County.

More than 100 locally created gingerbread and graham cracker houses will be set up between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday in the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Mass.

Above, visitors study houses shown in the 2001 auction.

The public will be able to view the houses Friday through Tuesday’s Gingerbread Festival Auction-Dress-up event. The event, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature music, cocktails, appetizers and an auction.

The gingerbread and graham cracker houses can be viewed from: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Welfare: SRS to detail its plans to deal with budget cuts

State welfare officials are expected to unveil plans today for cutting $26.6 million from the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services budget.

Via telephonic speaker system, SRS Secretary Janet Schalansky’s announcement will be aired live at 3 p.m. at the Lawrence-area SRS Office, 1901 Del.

Last week, Gov. Bill Graves directed dozens of state agencies to begin cutting their draws on the state general fund by 3.9 percent as part of an effort to close a $312 million gap in the budget.

Courts: Shooting suspect pleads to possession charge

A 19-year-old man accused of shooting a Lawrence woman likely to testify against him in a federal drug trial pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possessing crack cocaine with intent to sell.

Antonio Floyd admitted having 60.4 grams of crack cocaine in his pocket on Aug. 19 when he was stopped by Lawrence Police. He also admitted he sold drugs.

Floyd, who lived at 1724 W. 24th St., could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years or a maximum of life in federal prison without parole. His sentencing is set for March 3.

Floyd remains charged in Douglas County District Court with attempted first-degree murder, sexual battery and criminal possession of a firearm.

According to police reports, Floyd on Nov. 5 allegedly entered a 31-year-old woman’s house on Haskell Avenue, then shot her three times in the head and chest, leaving her for dead.

‘River City Weekly’: Author shares thoughts on U.S. international ties

Best-selling author Robert Kaplan joins host Greg Hurd this week to talk about his book “Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos” on “River City Weekly.” Kaplan surveyed philosophers, historians and thinkers in posing his critique of modern American international relations.

Bill Snead premieres his new segment on the show, “Snapshots with Snead,” as he interviews Virginia Proctor. She is undergoing “bee” therapy for multiple sclerosis.

“River City Weekly” airs on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 and premieres at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays with encore showings at 7:30 weeknights and 9 a.m. Saturdays.