Two suspects arrested in attack, robbery

Police arrested two suspects and are looking for a third in connection with the battery of a homeless man who was robbed of 78 cents and thrown in the Kansas River on Saturday night.

An off-duty police officer heard the 27-year-old man calling for help about 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bowersock Dam, according to a report.

The man told police he lives under the river bridge and was attacked there by a group of homeless men after he approached them and asked for a light for a cigarette.

The man said they kicked him, possibly hit him with a stick, robbed him of all the money he had and threw him in the river.

He swam downstream and pulled himself out at the dam.

The next day he saw two of the three men at the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen. Police arrested one of the suspects, a 47-year-old man, at the kitchen. The second suspect, a 21-year-old man, fled and was arrested later at Lawrence Public Library, said Sgt. Mike Pattrick, a police spokesman.

Police were still looking for the third man Monday.

Charged police officer considers plea offer

A Lawrence Police officer charged with battering his wife is reviewing a plea agreement.

David L. Hummell, 40, was scheduled to stand trial later this week. His attorney said in court Monday that he received a formal plea offer earlier in the day and hadn’t had enough time to discuss it with his client.

Judge Robert Fairchild scheduled a new hearing for Dec. 8.

Hummell is charged in connection with an April 13 incident that happened while he was off-duty. He is out of jail on his own recognizance and was placed on administrative leave from the department pending the outcome of the case.

Police confiscate gun found loaded in bushes

A loaded handgun was confiscated Monday afternoon by Lawrence Police after it was found in some bushes near 23rd Street and Haskell Avenue.

An official with nearby Free State Credit Union found the gun about 4 p.m. and called police, a police spokesman said.

On Nov. 10, a robbery was reported at Harper Corner Liquor Store, 2220 Harper St. Although the robber had a handgun, police don’t know if it was the same one recovered Monday.

Watkins museum lands grant for textiles

The Watkins Community Museum of History is getting a $3,498 grant from the Kansas Humanities Council to store and catalog a collection of 19th-century textiles.

The grant is one of seven statewide that will share $22,907 through the council’s Heritage Program. The program supports the preservation and study of cultural resources, including historical documents, photographs, artifacts, oral traditions and languages.

Volkswagen collection to be shown at museum

Larry Gantenbein will share his toy Volkswagen collection during the Watkins Community Museum of History’s November Know Your Antiques meeting.

The session will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the museum, 1047 Mass. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested.

Gantenbein’s collection includes Volkswagens by Matchbook, Jim Beam VW decanters and Volkswagen stickers and patches. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own toy Volkswagens.

KU center receives $1.5 million grant

Kansas University researchers have received a $1.5 million grant to help teenagers make the transition to independent adulthood.

The five-year grant, from the U.S. Department of Education, will look into the quality of transition services offered to high school students. Such services are mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Michael Wehmeyer, director of the KU Center on Developmental Disabilities, will lead the project. He also is associate director of the Beach Center for Disabilities at KU.

A total of 694 high school students with mild to severe disabilities will participate in three studies that will continue for up to three years.