Stray bullet leads to death

Topeka – A 12-year-old girl shot in the head by an apparent stray bullet while she sat in her home Friday night has died, and one man has been arrested, police said.

Jessica Meyer was pronounced dead early Saturday morning at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., Lt. John Sidwell said.

Andrew A. Howland, 41, Topeka, was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Jail on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, Sidwell said.

Howland was questioned by police after they received information from Topeka firefighters about a suspicious van in the area where the shooting took place, Sidwell said.

Jessica was sitting on a couch in her family’s apartment when she was struck by a bullet that penetrated an exterior wall, Sidwell said. Although an investigation continues, police say neither the girl nor anyone else in the apartment was the intended target.

American Indians to discuss code talking at university

Four American Indian veterans will discuss “code talking” in the military during an event Monday at Kansas University.

The discussion, which will precede a screening of the movie “Wind Talkers,” will begin at 4 p.m. in the Walnut Room of the Kansas Union.

Panelists are Joe Hunter, Topeka, a Kiowa tribe member who served in the Army and Navy; Walter Ahhaitty, Haskell Indian Nations University student, a Kiowa member who served in the Marines; Gilbert L. “Gil” Hood, KU graduate student from Norman, Okla., an Absentee Shawnee who served in the Air Force; and James Jones, Haskell staff member, a Seminole who served in the Marines.

“Wind Talkers” is based on the World War II service of Navajo Americans, whose language provided an unbreakable code for the U.S. military. The event is part of Native Heritage Month.

Program provides information on choosing nursing homes

The task of picking a nursing home for a loved one is the focus of a one-hour live television program scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday on public television station KTWU, Sunflower Broadband Channel 11.

“Measuring Up: A Kansas Town Hall Meeting on Nursing Home Care” will examine a nationwide initiative launched Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services to improve nursing home inspections and quality of care.

During the program, viewers can call a toll-free number – (800) 794-8498 – to get information from a panel of experts. Panelists are:

• Debra Zehr, vice president of Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
• Judy Bagby, registered nurse with the Kansas Home Care Assn.
• Sam Markello, senior vice president of quality improvement with the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care.
• Vanessa Smith, co-leader of the Nursing Home Quality Initiative at the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care.

Republican Women to meet

Town and Country Republican Women of Douglas County will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at Perkins Restaurant, 1711 W. 23rd St.

Dinner will be followed by the program featuring Chris Miller, newly elected Douglas County Republican Party chairman.

For more information, contact Joann Wiley at 842-7815.