Electrical problem leads to evacuation at school

An apparent electrical malfunction prompted evacuation Friday of 400 students at Prairie Park School.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical was dispatched to the elementary school, 2711 Kensington Road, after receiving reports of an odor in the building’s gymnasium.

No fire was found in the school, said Julie Boyle, the district’s communications director.

She said students were allowed back in, and the district’s electrician would be called to repair the problem.

Leavenworth

High school principal charged with DUI

The Leavenworth High School principal was charged with driving under the influence early Saturday, according to police reports made public Friday.

Henry “Hank” Keller was stopped at a Lawrence Police checkpoint at 1:07 a.m. last Saturday in North Lawrence.

Keller said he and a friend were driving home from a bar when he was stopped in the 700 block of North Third Street. Keller was in town for the Lawrence High versus Leavenworth High football game, he said.

“It was totally embarrassing and demeaning,” he said. “There was nothing I could do. I felt like I was OK to drive.”

Keller will appear in municipal court at 8:15 a.m. Sept. 24. He has no prior record, and his attorney will seek a diversion, he said.

Courts

Sentencing postponed in elder neglect case

Sentencing hearing for a Lawrence woman charged with mistreating her father-in-law was delayed Friday.

Berdella Harrell, 41, had pleaded no contest to mistreating Henry Harrell. After his Nov. 20, 2002, death, Berdella Harrell’s husband, Timothy Harrell, was charged with second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty and his case is pending.

Berdella Harrell could serve up to a year in prison, but her attorney is seeking probation, he said at the trial. The sentencing was pushed back so the lawyer could get physician’s permission to present Berdella Harrell’s medical records and use of at least 13 prescription medications to the judge. Sentencing will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 21.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.56 at two stations: Zarco 66 No. 3, 900 Iowa, and Hillcrest Amoco, 914 Iowa. If you find a lower price, call Pump Patrol at 832-7154.