Douglas County: No foul play suspected in Lecompton death

An autopsy was planned Tuesday for a Lecompton man found dead in his home Friday.

Final results of the autopsy performed on the body of Carl E. Goodin, 43, won’t be known for several days, but no foul play is suspected, Douglas County Sheriff’s Lt. Kathy Tate said.

Goodin was found dead about 6 p.m. Friday when an acquaintance went to his home, Tate said. No other details have been released.

Courts: Murder trial begins in 2001 DeSoto death

Olathe One of three men charged in last year’s death of a DeSoto woman is on trial this week for the second time in three months.

Jesse Guardado, 18, Edwardsville, is charged with aggravated burglary and first-degree murder in the Sept. 4, 2001, slaying of Melanie Oliver, 41. She was shot to death as she slept in her home. The trial began Monday.

A jury was unable to reach a verdict in Guardado’s case when it originally was tried in January.

Also charged with first-degree murder in the death is Alfredo Arambula, 18, Kansas City, Kan. He testified against Guardado in the first trial and was expected to do so again.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday for Juan Crutchfield, 22, DeSoto, also charged with first-degree murder in Oliver’s death.

Education: Four Kansans honored with teaching awards

Washington, D.C. Four Kansas teachers were named Tuesday as winners of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Kansas winners announced by the White House are Frances Irelan, a mathematics teacher at Lee Elementary School in Manhattan; Marion Zampa, a science teacher at Trailwood Elementary School in Overland Park; Rhonda Carter-Argabright, a mathematics teacher at Atwood High School in Atwood; and Mary Gibson, a science teacher at Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park.

The program, administered by the National Science Foundation, bestows the nation’s highest honor on mathematics and sciences teachers for kindergarten through grade 12 in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and U.S. Department of Defense schools.

Crime: Bank to close branch hit by two robberies

Plevna The Alden State Bank will close its branch in Plevna because of concerns about the safety of its customers and employees after two recent robberies, Alden bank officials said.

Until the bank closes June 7, increased security has been enacted in response to the robberies on Dec. 6 and Feb. 26.

Bank president Chuck Rowland said bank officials are concerned they cannot guarantee safety at the bank, which is isolated in a small town about 30 miles southwest of Hutchinson.

“We’re miles, potentially, from the sheriff’s department, and there are too few people walking the streets,” Rowland said.

Pump Patrol: Journal-World seeks the lowest gasoline prices

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence area gasoline price as low as $1.23 at several North Third Street stations.

If you find a lower price, please call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price. Or go to www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol message board.