Crime: Trial date set for defendant in Jefferson County slaying

Oskaloosa A trial date has been set for the man accused of organizing the burglary that led to Clarence Rinke’s shotgun slaying.

Noah J. Gleason, 42, rural Lawrence, on Thursday pleaded innocent in Jefferson County District Court to first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit burglary and intimidation of a witness.

His trial, which prosecutors expect to last three days, will begin July 31.

Gleason is accused of organizing an Oct. 14, 1999, burglary that, according to authorities, also involved Charolette M. Bennett, 29, Lawrence, and Collin E. Cady, 32, McLouth, at Rinke’s rural Jefferson County home.

Cady testified at an earlier hearing that he and Rinke were fighting over Cady’s shotgun when the gun fired, killing Rinke.

Bennett is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, and Cady is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Gleason and Cady are jailed on $500,000 bond. Bennett is in jail on a $250,000 bond.

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Lawrence district: Special education director to be honored with send-off

The Lawrence public school district’s director of special services will be the subject tonight of a special send-off.

Doug Eicher, who has coordinated special-education programs in the district since 1995, will be honored from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sunflower School, 2521 Inverness Drive. Students, parents, teachers and friends are welcome.

Eicher accepted the job of superintendent of schools in Milford, Neb. He grew up in the town 20 miles west of Lincoln, Neb.

In Lawrence, Eicher is credited with ushering in a new era of “inclusion,” in which students with disabilities are placed in regular classrooms in their neighborhood schools. He’s also worked to improve assistive technology available to students.

At this point, budget problems have prevented the Lawrence district from hiring a replacement for Eicher.

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Community service: Volunteers welcome to help with Kansas River cleanup

Volunteers with work gloves, shovels and trash bags will launch a small flotilla of canoes Saturday to clean up the Kansas River between Lawrence and Perry.

Volunteers are scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. at the Lawrence KOA, 1473 U.S. Highway 40. Those interested in participating should call 842-3877 to reserve a canoe. Participants are urged to bring their lunch and plenty to drink.

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Gasoline prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.27 at several stations in Lawrence.

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.

Or go to www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol message board.