Write-in candidate plans day of events

Denis Moynihan, a Lawrence resident campaigning as a write-in candidate in the 3rd District U.S. House race, will make several campaign appearances today.

Moynihan’s day will begin at 6 a.m. with a tour of the Baker Wetlands. He then plans to participate in the Silver City Parade in Kansas City, Kan., that begins at 10 a.m.

At noon, Moynihan will join Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice’s vigil to oppose war with Iraq in front of the Douglas County Courthouse, 11th and Massachusetts streets.

Two suspects charged in Topeka bank robberies

Topeka Two men were charged Friday in U.S. District Court with robbing two banks, including one Thursday that resulted in the shooting of a security guard.

Larry D. Merriweather, 21, Topeka, faces two counts of bank robbery and three counts of using and carrying a gun during the robberies.

Lamanzo Searcy, 29, Topeka, faces one count of bank robbery and one count of using a gun.

Court papers say Merriweather and a juvenile on Thursday robbed Lyndon State Bank, Topeka. They took a gun from a security guard and shot him when he tried to chase them. The guard gave police a description of the suspects’ vehicle.

The suspects were caught after a police chase.

Court papers also say that on June 20, Merriweather, Searcy and the juvenile robbed Capital City Bank, Topeka.

Topeka Police identified the juvenile suspect arrested after Thursday’s robbery as Martell T. Hoskins, 16, Topeka. His case is being handled by the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office.

Special Olympics games begin today in Overland Park

The Douglas County Gators and 13 other Special Olympic teams from northeast Kansas will compete in a bowling tournament today at AMF West, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park.

The tournament is the first stage of the Special Olympics KC Metro Area Indoor Games. Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. and should conclude by 5 p.m. The free event is open to the public.

Athletes range in age from 8 to 75 and must compete in this area to qualify for state competition.

Special Olympics is the largest year-round sports training and competition program for people with mental disabilities. For more information, contact Amber Hellwig at (800) 821-1537 or hellwig@ksso.org.

Free flu shots available at KU Med ‘drive-thru’

KU Med will offer free “drive-thru” flu shots from 8 a.m. to noon today at 39th and Rainbow Boulevard in Kansas City, Kan.

The shots are recommended for people over 50 and people with heart problems, lung or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV or any other illness that weakens the immune system. Caregivers of people with these conditions should also receive a shot.

No appointment is necessary, but people receiving a shot must be older than 18. The shots are free, but donations of nonperishable food for Harvesters will be accepted.

Women’s Conference planned

Two Kansas University organizations plan several events Sunday for KU’s annual Women’s Conference.

The conference, sponsored by the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center and the Commission on the Status of Women, is from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Jayhawk Room at the Kansas Union.

The keynote speaker will be Mary Lou Wright, co-owner of The Raven Bookstore and winner of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing’s State Woman-Owned Business of the Year Award.

Registration forms can be found at www.ku.edu/~etwrc or in 22 Strong Hall.