Eudora carpenter announces House bid

Anthony Brown of Eudora will challenge Tom Marsh in the Republican primary next year for the 38th District seat in the Kansas House, now held by Rep. Rob Boyer, R-Olathe.

Boyer recently announced that he would not seek a second term in the House and instead would challenge Sen. Kay Connor, R-Olathe.

Brown, a 35-year-old former Marine and a Gulf War veteran, is a union carpenter who recently taught social studies at Atchison County Community High School. He and his wife, Susan, have five children.

The district includes Eudora, De Soto, parts of Lawrence, Olathe, Lenexa and Shawnee, and three townships — Eudora, Grant and Wakarusa — in northeast Douglas County.

Marsh, a retired executive from Olathe, announced his candidacy two weeks ago.

Plea offer brings delay in rape, burglary case

Prosecutors have made a preliminary plea offer to a Horton man charged with breaking into an East Lawrence home Dec. 7 and raping a 21-year-old woman, the man’s attorney said in court Tuesday.

A preliminary hearing for the 39-year-old defendant was scheduled Tuesday in Douglas County District Court. But Judge Paula Martin postponed the hearing after defense attorney Greg Robinson said he needed more time to contact other witnesses and to discuss the possible plea agreement with his client.

The defendant has been charged with rape and aggravated burglary.

The day of the alleged rape, police found the man at Kwik Shop, 3440 W. Sixth St., and arrested him after an interview. The victim and suspect know each other, police said.

The Journal-World normally does not name defendants charged with sex crimes unless they’ve been convicted.

Son of Lawrence couple to join senator’s staff

U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., has announced Navy Capt. Randel L. Zeller will join his staff as senior defense policy adviser in Washington, D.C.

Zeller has served as special assistant and legislative director for the previous two chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gens. Richard Myers and Hugh Shelton.

“Randy has served this country with distinction for over 28 years. His depth of experience and knowledge in military affairs will be an important addition to my office,” Hagel said in a press release.

Zeller is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Len Zeller, Lawrence.