Felon from Ozawkie pleads to gun charge

Topeka — An Ozawkie man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

William R. Owings, 22, admitted in his plea that on May 12, 2002, he was stopped by a Jackson County Sheriff’s officer for a traffic violation. Owings also admitted that after a search of his vehicle, the officer found a loaded pistol in the trunk.

In April 2001, Owings was convicted in Jefferson County of possession of methamphetamine, a felony.

Owings faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison without parole. He will be sentenced Nov. 21 by U.S. District Judge Richard Rogers.

Baldwin may use probe of police to defend suit

Baldwin — An investigative report conducted two years ago on the Baldwin Police Department could be used to defend the city in a lawsuit.

The Baldwin City Council unanimously voted Monday night to waive client-attorney privilege so the city attorney can use the report if necessary, Mayor Ken Hayes said.

The investigation was handled by a special attorney, Robert Bennett, along with the Kansas Highway Patrol. The investigation centered on Police Department activities at the time.

The report has never been made public, and the council’s decision doesn’t necessarily mean it will be made public now, Hayes said. A judge probably would have to decide that matter.

Four Baldwin Police officers — Chuck Hensley, Charles Woolsoncroft, Bill Dempsey and Eric Garcia — filed a lawsuit last year in federal court alleging their rights were violated by certain disciplinary actions taken by the city. A trial has been set for next March. Dempsey and Woolsoncroft are no longer on the force.

Police investigate child molestation report

Lawrence Police on Wednesday said they suspected a 38-year-old man molested three area girls, all acquaintances of his, earlier this summer in east Lawrence.

A relative of one of the girls reported the crime to police, saying she thought the man might have touched the girls inappropriately between late June and early July. Two of the girls are 11 years old and one is 12.

The suspect is not a Lawrence resident, police said.

Police have not made any arrests but have forwarded an investigation report to Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney’s office for possible charges.

Public invited to train with hot air balloons

Topeka’s Great Plains Balloon Club will train volunteers to set up, launch and recover hot air balloons at a free workshop Saturday at Lake Shawnee in Topeka.

The workshop begins at 6 p.m. at Tinman Circle on the east side of the lake, about half a mile south of the intersection of 29th Street and Croco Road.

People who attend the workshop are encouraged to volunteer as crew members of the Huff ‘n Puff balloon rally Sept. 5-7 at the lake. Crew members are sometimes invited by pilots to take hot air balloon rides during the show, or at other times of the year.

To register for training, call Darrin Harrison at (785) 554-4936. For more information, visit www.huff-n-puff.org.

Auditions are Sunday for Baldwin mystery

Baldwin — Auditions for Baldwin Community Theatre’s Mystery Train production of “Funny Business: Murder on the Tally O Express!” will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the theater offices, 816 High St., Baldwin.

The interactive comedy/mystery, written by Lawrence playwright Will Averill, will be performed during a train ride on Baldwin’s Midland Railway. Run dates are Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5.

Parts are available for four women and four men. Actors must be at least 16 to audition.

For more information, call Linda Ballinger at (785) 594-3194.

Reception scheduled for KU grad students

Graduate students at Kansas University will gather Friday for their annual welcome reception.

The event, organized by the KU Graduate and Professional Assn., runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Adams Alumni Center, 1266 Oread Ave. It will feature food, beverages, door prizes and speakers, including Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Mayor David Dunfield and Diana Carlin, dean of the graduate school.

A new multicultural student handbook, “Smooth Transitions: The Multicultural Handbook,” will be unveiled during the ceremony.

Also, about 30 campus organizations will have displays at the reception.