Charges filed in assault on Hy-Vee grocery clerk

A 30-year-old Lawrence man, accused of assaulting a grocery store clerk with a knife, faces criminal charges.

Police arrested John Richard Kriner just after 12:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hy-Vee Food Store, 3504 Clinton Parkway.

A 26-year-old Hy-Vee clerk told police Kriner became physically and verbally abusive while standing in line. The victim said the suspect then pulled out a spring-loaded knife.

Four other clerks ran to their fellow employee’s aid and held the suspect until police arrived.

Police recovered the knife, classified as an illegal weapon. Kriner was charged Thursday afternoon in Douglas County District Court with aggravated assault, battery and an aggravated weapons violation. A judge set his bond at $8,000.

Regents approve names for new buildings at KU

Topeka — Two Kansas University buildings officially have new names following votes Thursday by the Kansas Board of Regents.

The new engineering building, adjacent to Learned Hall, will be named Eaton Hall in honor of Bob Eaton, the KU graduate and former chairman of Chrysler Corp. who donated $5 million to the project. The $15 million building is slated for completion by the fall.

The new scholarship hall, which will begin construction later this year in the 1300 block of Ohio Street, will be named Rieger Scholarship Hall. Roger and Annette Rieger, of Seattle, donated $3 million for the hall in honor of Roger’s late brother, Dennis.

KU sets final exam

Kansas University has announced the following final examination:

Burchelle Blackman, medicinal chemistry, “Synthetic Studies Toward the Synthesis of the Saliclihalamides,” 2 p.m. June 30, 1001 Malott Hall.