Police investigate robbery at apartment
A Lawrence man was robbed Thursday when he returned about 3:45 p.m. to his apartment in the 2000 block of Heatherwood Drive.
The 25-year-old man found two men in his apartment, one armed with a pistol, Lawrence Police said. The suspects took the victim's wallet containing about $50 and a laptop computer valued at $1,800.
The robbers ordered the man into a bedroom and told him to shut the door, police said. The suspects then left.
Police said the apartment door had been left unlocked, allowing the suspects to gain entry.
The suspects are described as black males. One appeared to be a juvenile and was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, the victim told police. The second suspect appeared to be 18 or 19 years old and was 6 feet tall, police were told.
Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers hot line at 843-8477 (TIPS). Callers remain anonymous, and caller identification is not used. A $100 reward may be offered.
Suspect pleads guilty in wire fraud case
Kansas City, Kan. A Gardner man pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud in which three Kansas City area residents and one Wichita resident were bilked of more more than $285,000.
Harold V. Matney Jr., 59, will be sentenced April 15 by U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Van Bebber. Matney faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and an order to pay restitution.
Matney was indicted May 9, 2001, for allegedly using the mail service and interstate phone lines as part of fraudulent investment schemes, causing the loss of retirement savings and equity in the victims' homes.
Court documents revealed Matney promised monthly income and high rates of return to get the victims to liquidate retirement accounts or take out mortgages on their homes. The money then was used by Matney to keep other schemes afloat or for personal expenses.
Sentencing continued again in minister case
A sentencing hearing for a Lawrence minister convicted of sex crimes was continued again Thursday because the judge was sick.
Garland Hall, 46, was to appear before Douglas County District Court Judge Robert Fairchild to be sentenced for attempted aggravated sodomy and sexual battery. Because Fairchild was ill, the hearing was continued to 2 p.m. Thursday.
Hall is a former assistant pastor at Ninth Street Baptist Church and former associate pastor at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kan. He also is a former employee of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.
Magazine features Lawrence B&B, shopping, dining spots
Lawrence is featured in the February/March issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine.
Magazine staff members Stephanie Barken, who graduated in 1972 from the KU School of Fine Arts, and Nancy Yount wrote about their trip to Lawrence last year to watch the Kansas University-Texas men's basketball game.
They mention shopping at The Casbah and Weaver's Department Store, eating at Teller's restaurant and Joe's Bakery and staying at the Halcyon House Bed and Breakfast.
In addition to the magazine, Engelbreit has a show on Home & Garden TV. Home & Garden TV is shown on Sunflower Broadband channel 45.
KU student groups organize lunches to discuss tuition
Kansas University student organizations have organized brownbag lunch discussions to get student input on proposed tuition increases.
The Student Senate and Student Legislative Awareness Board play host to the discussions, which will be Tuesdays and Fridays in February. The first is 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday in Alcove D, on the third floor of the Kansas Union. Another will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in Alcove A.
Students also will be distributing fliers explaining the tuition issue to those entering Allen Fieldhouse for today's men's basketball game against Missouri.
Ottawa DMV office to move
The Kansas Division of Motor Vehicles Driver's License office in Ottawa is moving a few blocks down from its present location.
Starting Tuesday, the office will be located at the Franklin County Annex, 1418-1428 Main St., Suite 8, instead of the National Guard Armory on West 17th Street.
The office telephone number will remain the same: (785) 242-2521. Office hours will still be from 7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Surveys in Baldwin seek feedback on city services
Baldwin city officials want to hear what the community thinks about electrical, water and other city services.
Recently, the city mailed out a customer service satisfaction survey to 1,500 households.
Council member Todd Cohen said the city wants to use the survey as a tool to set priorities and goals and to develop an economic plan. He said the survey includes questions about services provided by the city or vendors, such as trash, cable, telephone, police, fire, water, sewer and electricity.
The survey includes questions about city officials, where people shop and work and if they have Internet access. Cohen said the city is trying to develop a Web site to improve communication with the residents.
Two Baker University professors are helping with the survey at no cost. Tim Buzzell drafted the survey, and Bob Fraga will compile and present the data.
Deadline to complete the survey is Thursday. Cohen said the city will release the results in the spring.
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