Former neighbor unfazed by beagle’s wanderlust

Turns out the adventurous beagle Norman, above, had a rambling soul from the start.

When the now 8-year-old dog was a puppy, his owners, Tim and Jennifer Cross, lived in the 1300 block of Pennsylvania Street. Mildred Tryon lived across the street and kept an eye on Norman while his owners were at work.

“Every day we’d let Norman out,” Tryon said. “And my gosh, sometimes he’d get out and be clear up on Connecticut Street before you catch up with him. He had little short legs, but he could travel around that corner down there lickety-split.”

Norman, who now calls Solomon home, recently turned up in Alabama and this week was returned to the Crosses. They hadn’t seen Norman since he disappeared March 28 during an unleashed walk.

Tryon — who described the dog as something of an escape artist — said the story didn’t surprise her.

“He was like greased lightning,” she said. “You talk about energetic.”

Police: Sex offender charged with theft of artwork

A registered sex offender is charged with the theft of a nude painting from a Kansas University art student.

Prosecutors charged Edward Alan Shipp, 33, Lawrence, with aggravated burglary and theft Thursday. They allege he entered T.J. Fuller’s apartment in the 300 block of West 12th Street early Saturday and took the painting Fuller considers his masterpiece: a portrait of a nude woman sitting in front of a mirror.

Officer James Welsh arrested Shipp on a domestic-battery charge Sunday and saw a painting in Shipp’s car, police officials said. When Welsh read about the theft in Tuesday’s Journal-World, he realized the painting he’d seen belonged to Fuller, police said.

“I’m just really surprised they got it back,” said Fuller, who is waiting for the painting’s return.

Shipp was required to register as a sex offender after a 2000 conviction in Douglas County for aggravated sexual battery, according to court records.

Contribution: Store arranges donation of replacement lift chair

John Scott, the Nortonville man who spent the past six weeks sleeping in an upright position in his wheelchair because his motorized recliner had broken, received a new lift chair Thursday.

Scott’s plight was the subject of an article in Thursday’s Journal-World.

“We read the article, we talked about it and we felt like we needed to do something,” said Andy Wedermyer, marketing and business director at Horizon Mobility Inc., a medical equipment company at 1400 W. Sixth St.

After a few well-placed telephone calls, Wedermyer said a representative with the Pride Mobility chair company approved the donation.

“I really appreciate it,” Scott said, referring to the new chair. “I’m grateful to all the people who helped me out on this. I’d like to thank them all.”