City replaces frayed flag

If you think the American flag flying over the “Welcome to Lawrence” boulder on the southwest corner of Massachusetts and Sixth streets looked like it had survived Quantrill’s Raid, you were not alone.

The flag, which city officials admitted was a bit frayed, was replaced Tuesday, Lawrence city officials said.

The Journal-World received some complaints Monday about the condition of the flag.

Called by the Journal-World on Monday about the complaints, Assistant City Manager David Corliss said the flag was slated to be replaced. Tuesday it was.

Crime

Lawrence wife killer eligible for parole

A man convicted in 1988 of murdering his wife, stashing her body in velvet-lined box and putting it in the garage, will be up for parole next month.

Carl Kemp, then 40, killed his wife, Judy Kemp, in 1987. She suffered more than 200 blows to her body, according to the autopsy report.

A funeral director called police after being told the body was in a box in the garage of the Lawrence residence.

Carl Kemp was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

The Kansas Parole Board is seeking comments from the public about inmates with upcoming parole hearings. The board will hear comments:

• 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 29, City Hall, 701 N. Seventh St., Kansas City, Kan.
• 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Dec. 31, Landon State Office Building, first floor, room 106A, Topeka.

Donations

Community comes to rescue for holiday meal

Organizers of this year’s Community Holiday Dinner say they now have all the turkeys they can handle.

“We’ve got 22 in the freezer now, and I’ve got a list of folks who said they’ll be bringing more in,” said Kent Ely, one of the meal’s organizers. “I expect we’ll end up with 32 to 35 turkeys.”

A story about the group’s need for 30 turkeys appeared in Monday’s newspaper.

“I think this shows that Lawrence is a community that cares and, when shown a need, responds very quickly,” Ely said.

The Community Holiday Dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 25 at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt.

Organizers say they still need pie and cash donations. Donors are asked to bring one or both to the church between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 25.

Courts

Assault suspect’s wife testifies about KDOT

The wife of a man charged with assaulting two Kansas Department of Transportation surveyors with a shotgun testified Tuesday that she was frightened because the workers wouldn’t leave her property.

Debbie Krische said one of the employees was yelling at her husband, Robert M. Krische, and being “very demanding” before Robert Krische got out his shotgun and fired a blast into the air April 15. One of the workers testified that he saw Krische pointing the shotgun at the vehicle, then felt a blow to the back of the vehicle.

The crew was doing surveying work for the controversial proposed realignment of U.S. Highway 59 between Lawrence and Ottawa.

Robert Krische, who lives east of the highway about eight miles south of Lawrence, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault. The trial continues today.