Subsidy aids pet owners with spaying, neutering

The Lawrence Humane Society this month is pushing for area residents to have their pets spayed or neutered and to use the shelter’s spay and neuter subsidy fund.

The shelter has given out $5,000 this month  compared to $500 to $1,200 in a typical month  to people who otherwise could not afford to have their pets spayed or neutered, said Midge Grinstead, executive director of the shelter.

The shelter is giving a free large Glory Days pizza to anyone who has their pet spayed or neutered and also donates money to the fund or pays to have a shelter animal spayed or neutered.

The shelter’s month of activities coincides with Spay Day USA 2002, an awareness campaign started by the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Above, Lawrence Humane Society operations manager Stacy Hoobler holds a chow-retriever-akita mix puppy named Oliver at the shelter. Tuesday was Spay Day, where the shelter offers a subsidy to those who have their pets spayed or neutered.

Philanthropy: Student science fair needs volunteers

About 50 volunteers are needed to help with the Douglas County Science Fair March 5-8 at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 21st Street and Harper Avenue.

Jeanne Hetherington, volunteer coordinator, said about 400 students in grades K-12 participate in the fair.

Volunteers can set up tables, help with paperwork, assist students in preparing their experiments and monitor exhibits during public viewing times.

In addition, judges are needed.

“They don’t have to be Einsteins. We’re dealing with K-12 experiments,” she said.

The science fair is sponsored in conjunction with the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department.

Those interested in volunteering can call Hetherington, 842-3619; Dave Nordlund, 842-0746, or Duane Peterson, 832-7940.

Crime: Eavesdropping trial to begin March 13 in Franklin County

Ottawa  A Lawrence man is scheduled to be tried next month in Franklin County District Court for videotaping women in a restaurant rest room.

A trial on 13 misdemeanor counts of eavesdropping for Darrin A. Votaw, 31, is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. March 13. He was arraigned Monday on the charges and has pleaded innocent. He is free on $5,000 bond.

Votaw was arrested Feb. 19 after Ottawa Police searched G. Willikers Bar and Deli, 306 S. Main, in downtown Ottawa. Votaw was described by police as a part-owner of the business.

Votaw initially was charged with nine counts of eavesdropping; four additional counts were filed this week.

Courts: Stepfather’s trial scheduled in case related to fatal DUI

A Merriam man will be tried June 12 for allegedly providing liquor to his underage stepson who later killed a woman while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Lawrence H. Rieke, 53, is charged in Douglas County District Court with six counts of providing liquor to Sean Scott, then 16, on Sept. 16, 2000.

That night, while driving eastbound on Kansas Highway 10, Scott collided with a westbound vehicle driven by Felicia Bland, 39, Lawrence. Bland was killed. The accident occurred near DeSoto.

Last summer in Johnson County District Court, Scott was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading no contest to involuntary manslaughter. Testimony and statements in court implicated Rieke of providing drinks to Scott while they were at The Wheel Cafe, 507 W. 14th St.