Dole protester’s trial set for November

One of the protesters arrested earlier this summer outside a Dole Institute dedication event tried — but failed — to get a break from prosecutors, her attorney said Thursday.

Lawrence resident Erika R. Ochoa, 19, is charged with battery on a law-enforcement officer in connection with the July 21 protest outside a $500-a-plate dinner at the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive. After a court appearance Thursday, Ochoa’s attorney said she had applied for diversion but that Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney’s office turned Ochoa down because the charge was too serious.

A diversion agreement means that the state agrees to dismiss the charge if a defendant completes certain requirements.

District Judge Paula Martin on Thursday scheduled Ochoa’s trial for Nov. 17.

Insurance office reports $17,000 burglary

A Lawrence insurance agency reported more than $17,000 in property taken during the weekend from its office.

According to a police report, the burglary happened sometime between 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday at American Family Insurance office at 1216 E. 23rd St.

Property taken included artwork, a trumpet, compact discs, a 35mm camera, 200 postage stamps, a leaf blower, a vacuum cleaner, two stuffed teddy bears, a printer ink cartridge, a leather business card holder, a laptop computer and a power-surge strip.

Police have no suspects.

City’s sales tax receipts down for August period

Sales tax collections were down for the August distribution period but are on track to meet the city’s budget expectations for the year.

The state returned $1,474,249 in sales taxes to Lawrence — both from city’s own sales tax and a share of a countywide tax — this month, down from $1,566,680 a year ago, according to figures released by city officials.

So far this year, the city has collected $11,747,660 in sales taxes, up slightly from $11,743,146 at the same point last year. Collections equal 65.7 percent of the $17.87 million the city budgeted for the year.