Lawrence school district announces suspensions

A Woodlawn School student learned there are consequences to writing threatening notes, district officials said Wednesday.

Julie Boyle, director of communications for Lawrence schools, said a fourth-grader at Woodlawn, 508 Elm St., was given a two-day, in-school suspension for writing a threatening note to another student.

Meanwhile, a sixth-grader at Prairie Park School was suspended for three days for possessing marijuana at the school, 2711 Kensington Road.

Boyle said the pot was discovered in the boy’s possession Friday.

A sophomore at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive, was suspended for three days for alleged possession of illegal drugs. A report about the male student was made to Lawrence Police, Boyle said.

Westar reopens lake

Topeka — Westar Energy and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reopened fishing lakes on the Jeffrey Energy Center grounds to the public Monday.

Access to the center’s grounds was restricted in February because of security levels at orange, or “high.” The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reduced the level to yellow last week.

Drug deals near school lead to teen’s arrest

Police suspect an 18-year-old man of dealing crack cocaine from a home within 1,000 feet of Cordley School, according to reports.

On April 3, police searched the home in the 1900 block of Kentucky Street and another home in the 200 block of West 12th Street near St. John’s Catholic School, seizing suspected crack cocaine and PCP.

Before the search, police had conducted a series of undercover drug buys at the home on Kentucky Street, another house in the 200 block of East 14th Street and one in the 1300 block of Rhode Island Street, reports show.

The police reports were not made public until Wednesday. No charges have been filed.

Latin-American event to feature KU officials

Several Kansas University administrators and graduates will participate in the League of United Latin American Citizens’ state convention this weekend in Topeka.

This year’s convention, “Getting the Youth Involved in the Kansas Latino Community,” is Saturday at the Holiday Inn Holidome in Topeka.

Janet Murguia, KU’s executive vice chancellor for university relations, will be one of the keynote speakers. John Augusto, assistant dean of the Graduate School, will be a panelist, as will KU graduates J.R. Mendoza and Elizabeth Mendez.

Peace awards planned

The Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice will award the 10th annual Tom and Anne Moore Peace and Justice Awards at 8 p.m. Friday at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.

Deborah J. “Misty” Gerner and Kansas Audio-Reader each will receive the awards at the event celebrating peace in art, poetry and song.

Gerner, KU professor of political science, is being honored for her clarifications of the situation in the Middle East and her work toward bringing peace to that region. Kansas Audio-Reader will be recognized for efforts in the past 30 years to bring information to the visually impaired.

Foster care contractor slates cycle fund-raiser

Kaw Valley Center, one of the state’s five foster care contractors, is sponsoring a fund-raising motorcycle ride Saturday in downtown Marion.

Riders are expected to gather at 9 a.m. in Marion City Park. For a $20 entry fee, they’ll be given a raffle ticket, a meal pass and directions to scenic spots around Marion County.

By 11 a.m. riders will return to the park for a barbecue. An auction will begin at 1 p.m.

Kaw Valley Center’s eight-county foster care contract includes Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties.

Marion is on U.S. Highway 56 between McPherson and Emporia.

MS Walk seeks help with annual event

The Mid America Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is registering walkers for the 2003 MS Walk on Saturday at Burcham Park, 200 Ind.

Walkers collect pledges before the event and walk either five kilometers or six miles. Routes include rest stops with snacks and entertainment. In addition to walkers, volunteers are needed to help register walkers, work snack stations and cheer on walkers. To register or volunteer, call 272-5292 or (800) FIGHT MS, or visit www.msmidamerica.org.