Teen sentenced for attempted rape

An 18-year-old Lawrence man will serve a 30-month sentence at a juvenile corrections center for attempted rape of a 13-year-old girl earlier this year.

Dana S. Jackson, who was a juvenile at the time of the June 14 incident, also will be monitored for 12 months after his release. He appeared for sentencing Monday in juvenile court before Douglas County District Court Judge Pro Tem Peggy Kittel.

Three other men — two from Lawrence and one from Tonganoxie — are charged with raping the girl the same night at Jackson’s residence in central Lawrence. The girl testified the men gave her hard liquor before having sex with her.

The trial for one of the men, an 18-year-old from Lawrence, began Monday in district court.

KU among recipients of policing grants

A Kansas University research program is included with state and area law enforcement agencies receiving federal Community Oriented Policing grants.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., whose office released a list of the recipients, said the grants were important to homeland security efforts.

A total of $993,500 has been awarded to the KU Center for Research Inc. for a technology program.

Other grants awarded to state and area agencies:

• The Kansas Highway Patrol, $2.44 million for its universal hiring program.
• Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, $993,500 for its technology program.
• Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department, $150,000, for its universal hiring program.

Volunteers sought for Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Lawrence committee will meet today at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Relay for Life is an annual overnight event to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support and plan entertainment.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the hospital, 325 Maine. For more information, call 749-2985.

Clinton Township runs for fire equipment

The race is on to finance new equipment for the Clinton Township Fire Department.

The department’s auxiliary is organizing an open 5K, a one-mile fun walk and a Fireman’s Grudge Run to be contested Oct. 25 at Bloomington Swimming Beach at Clinton Lake.

Proceeds will help the volunteer department keeps its equipment up to date.

Registration is $15. Participants turning in forms by 5 p.m. Friday are guaranteed a race T-shirt.

For more information, contact Mike Fangman at 748-9847.

Prosecutors detail burglary, assault case

A judge will decide Oct. 27 whether there’s enough evidence to try a 20-year-old Lawrence man for a series of burglaries and a sexual battery in April and May 2002 in a west Lawrence neighborhood.

Prosecutors finished presenting evidence Monday at a preliminary hearing that was continued from Sept. 15. They allege the man committed a series of burglaries at apartments and town homes near Clinton Parkway and Kasold Drive, including an incident in which a woman woke up to find a stranger with a knife in her bed.

The man is charged with aggravated sexual battery, two counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of theft and two counts of attempted burglary.

Fire department offers prevention class

Eudora — The Eudora Township Fire Department will have a fire prevention class from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. today at the department, 310 E. 20th St., in Eudora. The free class is for adult residents of Eudora Township and the city of Eudora.

The class will cover topics such as home safety and fire prevention, child safety, family fire escape plans and a one-hour video. The video demonstrates fire spreading throughout a home and includes an interview with a family whose child was burned in a fire.

“If you’re not in the fire service, it’s an eye-opener,” Eudora Township firefighter Sue Coleman said.

Football game spurs United Way contest

Baldwin — As their high school football teams square off on the field, residents of Baldwin and Eudora will battle Friday for a United Way benefit.

United Way will have collection jars for spare change at the Baldwin-Eudora football game in Baldwin. The community’s jar with the largest contribution by weight will win a traveling “Weigh-In for United Way” trophy, to be awarded during a halftime ceremony.

Collection jars will be in the middle school and high school offices through Friday for those who won’t be attending the football game.

K.C. Chiefs sponsor annual blood drive

Topeka — The Kansas City Chiefs will sponsor a blood drive today to benefit the Community Blood Center in Topeka.

This is the Chiefs’ sixth annual blood drive. Each donor will receive a free Chiefs blood drive T-shirt, become eligible for door prizes and become a member of the Chiefs for Life Club.

A tailgate party with free food and drinks will be from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at 800 Lane in Topeka. For more information, call (888) 647-4040.