Free chiropractic services offered for fund-raiser

A Lawrence chiropractor hopes his patients will “Have a Heart” today and donate money to children with sickness or mental and physical disabilities.

The Chiropractic Experience, 2449 Iowa, Suite R, is offering its services from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. today in exchange for donations to Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center, a nonprofit Oklahoma City organization dedicated to treating sick and disabled children using natural, drug-free chiropractic care.

People who participate in the benefit, called Have-a-Heart Day, will sign a heart and post it on the office’s wall. All proceeds will be sent to Oklahaven.

New patients can have their spine checked, including exam and X-rays, for a donation of $20. Existing patients can get treatment for $10.

Music, prize drawings and refreshments also will be provided.

Suspect in abuse case found not competent to stand trial

A Lawrence man on Wednesday was found incompetent to stand trial on several charges alleging sexual abuse of children.

Douglas County District Court Judge Paula Martin made her ruling based on a mental examination by Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center that concluded the 22-year-old was not able to help with his defense.

The suspect was charged Jan. 11 with four counts of aggravated sodomy against children and for assault on a law enforcement officer. On Feb. 5 he was charged with two more counts alleging aggravated sodomy, also against children.

No other information about the victims or the circumstances of the alleged incidents has been released. The Journal-World generally doesn’t publish the names of sex crime suspects until they have been convicted.

Martin ordered another mental examination to determine if the suspect has the ability to become competent for trial.

Gospel concert to honor Langston Hughes’ life, career

A gospel concert honoring the life and career of Langston Hughes will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke A.M.E. Church, 900 N.Y.

The concert will feature the choirs and soloists from St. Luke A.M.E. Church, Calvary Church of God in Christ and St. James A.M.E. Church. As a child, Hughes attended both the St. Luke and St. James churches.

Students from Free State High School and Lawrence High School will read poetry written by Hughes.

The free concert, which is expected to last about 1 1/2 hours, is open to the public.

Federal assistance available for victims of storm damage

Kansas residents put out of work as a result of the recent severe ice storm may be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Individuals in Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Leavenworth and 31 other counties could qualify for the assistance made available since President Bush declared the area affected by the storm a federal disaster area.

Qualified individuals include self-employed persons, farm workers and others not eligible under regular unemployment insurance. Also eligible are individuals who are unable to work because of injuries suffered during the disaster; those whose workplace was inaccessible or closed because of the disaster; those who were required to evacuate their workplace; and those who have become the breadwinner for a household because the head of household died as a result of the disaster.

Individuals may apply until March 13. To determine eligibility, call the Kansas Department of Human Resources’ Unemployment Insurance toll free number, (800) 292-6333.