Relay for Life to honor cancer survivors, victims

Several thousand luminaries will line the track tonight at Haskell Indian Nation University’s football stadium symbols of cancer survivors and those whose lives the disease has snuffed out.

Relay for Life, an annual event that raises money for American Cancer Society research, begins at 7 p.m. with opening ceremonies during which organizers will announce donation totals and introduce local cancer survivors, a few of whom will share their stories.

At 9:30 p.m., luminaries will be lighted and the names of the people the luminaries represent will be read.

At least one member of each relay team will be walking around the track from the time the event starts until it ends at 7 a.m. Saturday.

“The relay is supposed to reflect a cancer victim’s journey,” planning committee member Tina Yates said. “The reason we stay up all night is to show that cancer never sleeps.”

The event, which is open to the public, raised more than $100,000 last year.

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Crime: District attorney reviewing KBI information about priest

Information passed on by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation about a priest who once worked in Lawrence is being reviewed by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

The Rev. Dennis Schmitz, 41, worked at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at Kansas University until last year. He recruited college-age men as candidates for the priesthood.

The KBI has been conducting an investigation into Schmitz concerning allegations that he improperly touched a minor. Besides Douglas County, the KBI gave information for review to the Nemaha County attorney.

KBI spokesman Kyle Smith said information had been given to Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney early this week. Kenney said Thursday she was still reviewing the information and didn’t know when she would decide whether charges were necessary.

Neither Kenney nor the KBI would talk about the information.

“If there is something that is clearly unfounded, then we will make the decision to dismiss it on our own,” Smith said. “Otherwise we prefer to run it by the prosecutor and let them make the decision.”

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Emergency: Low supply causes center to appeal for blood donors

A critically-low blood supply has prompted an emergency appeal for donors by the Community Blood Center.

The Blood Center provides all blood to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, as well as blood to Topeka and Kansas City area hospitals. Blood supplies Wednesday were under a 1 1/2-day supply level.

The Blood Center had already planned a special blood drive today at its Lawrence Donation Center, 535 Gateway Drive. It will last from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. While supplies last, people donating will receive a pass for a free car wash from Auto Plaza Car Wash, 2828 Four Wheel Drive.

Normal hours of operation at the Blood Center are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

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Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.25 at several Lawrence locations.

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.