Hearing continued in hit-and-run case

A Friday hearing in Douglas County District Court to decide whether a teenager will be tried as an adult for involuntary manslaughter has been continued.

Ashleigh N. Juola, 17, Lawrence, is scheduled to be back in court at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17 before Judge Jack Murphy.

Juola was charged as a juvenile last month in the death of Heather Coulter, 24, Lawrence. Coulter was struck by a car as she stood by her own stalled car on Iowa Street near 19th Street. Juola is being held under house arrest.

Juola already is charged as an adult with driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office filed a request to have Juola adjudicated for trial as an adult for involuntary manslaughter.

Friday’s hearing was continued because both prosecution and defense attorneys wanted additional time to prepare arguments.

Driver hits bull

A Spring Hill man escaped injury early Monday when his car struck a bull in the road.

Wendell Pearcy, 44, was driving a 1989 Plymouth Voyager on U.S. Highway 56 near East 700 Road when he noticed several cattle in the ditch. He said a young bull then jumped into the road, and he struck it.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s report didn’t indicate whether the bull survived the collision, which occurred about 2:45 a.m. The cattle are owned by Terry Henry, Baldwin.

Pumpkin patch permit up for approval tonight

A proposed permit for a popular pumpkin patch awaits approval tonight from Douglas County commissioners.

Commissioners will consider granting a conditional-use permit for Schaake Pumpkin Patch, located about three miles east of downtown Lawrence at 1791 N. 1500 Road.

The 23-acre patch, having just wrapped up its 27th year as a pick-your-own operation, wouldn’t need a permit if it limited sales to pumpkins grown on the site.

The permit is necessary because patch owners Larry and Janet Schaake also sell honey, painted gourds and other products brought in from outside suppliers.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:35 at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass.

Dillons offers flu shots

Pharmacists will administer flu shots from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Dillons at Sixth and Wakarusa streets. Shots are available on other days at this store and the other Sixth Street Dillons on a drop-in or appointment basis.

Fifty of the stores’ pharmacists across the state received training and were certified to give the shots. The shots will be offered only to adults and are free to Medicare recipients. Shots cost $18 for customers not on Medicare.