Schools: Superintendent addresses district financial resources

Lawrence schools Supt. Randy Weseman appeared Monday morning before the Kansas Board of Education to explain how the district was adapting to shortfalls in the state budget.

Weseman discussed details of the nearly $5 million in spending cuts and fee increases Lawrence officials negotiated to fill the gap the state’s budget woes created for the Lawrence district.

He said board members wanted to know what resources the Lawrence district would need to meet academic goals.

He told board members they could help districts throughout the state communicate better with one another about effective policies and push for funding to provide adequate teacher salaries and technology improvements.

Crime: Police arrest suspect for spitting on officer

Lawrence Police arrested a 29-year-old Lawrence man early Monday after he spit on an officer.

Police responded about 12:20 a.m. Monday to reports of a fight in the 100 block of East Eighth Street, Police Lt. David Cobb said. When they arrived, two brothers were engaged in a public street fight.

The men became belligerent, and as an officer was arresting one of them for disorderly conduct, the man spit in the officer’s face, Cobb said.

The man was booked into Douglas County Jail on suspicion of battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct. He was released Monday on a $2,000 recognizance bond.

Investigation: Osage County Sheriff seeks information on rampage

A Berryton man fired a gun at passing vehicles and then at Osage County Sheriff’s deputies Saturday before turning a gun on himself, law enforcement officials say.

Daniel Schuette, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene Saturday night.

About 9:10 p.m. Saturday, motorists on U.S. Highway 56 reported that a vehicle was striking other vehicles near Paulen Road, about 3 miles west of Overbrook, Osage County Sheriff’s Investigator Laurie Dunn said. Schuette struck two vehicles, and a third vehicle drove into the ditch, Dunn said.

Schuette then turned north onto Berryton Road and became stuck in the ditch. Dunn said Schuette then began shooting at motorists, striking two vehicles, which left the area. None of the motorists was reported injured.

When officers arrived, Schuette fired at them before turning the gun on himself, Dunn said. None of the officers was injured, and none returned fire, Dunn said.

Investigators are attempting to piece together the events leading up to Schuette’s death. Anyone who saw him prior to 9:10 p.m. Saturday is asked to contact Dunn at (785) 828-3121 or Osage County Crime Stoppers at (877)-OSCRIME.

Courts: New trial scheduled in Baldwin shooting

The second jury trial for a Baldwin man accused of firing gunshots at his neighbor’s boyfriend is set for Wednesday.

Stephen Meeker, 34, appeared Monday afternoon in Douglas County District Court with his attorney, Jim Rumsey, who advised District Judge Jack Murphy that the defense was ready to go to trial at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

A Douglas County jury in April was unable to reach a verdict after six days of deliberation in the case against 34-year-old Stephen Meeker, who is charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault and attempted aggravated battery.

The charges stemmed from a neighborhood dispute in October 2001, during which Meeker allegedly fired shots at Steven Swafford, 31, Lawrence, who was struck three times with bullets from a 9 mm Ruger pistol.

Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.30 at several stations.

If you find a lower price, call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price.