Preliminary hearing set in Olathe arsons

Olathe — A preliminary hearing for an Olathe man suspected of setting 15 fires, including three in Lawrence, will begin May 21 in Johnson County District Court.

Johnson County District Judge John Anderson III set the hearing during a court appearance Thursday by David Ryan Jay, 23, a former Kansas University student.

Jay’s attorney, Alex McCauley, said he expected the preliminary hearing — in which a judge will decide whether enough evidence exists to merit a full trial — to last at least half a day.

Jay is being held in Johnson County Jail on $1 million bond. His attorneys will ask to have that bond reduced during an April 20 hearing.

Currently, Jay is charged with one count of arson and one count of aggravated arson in connection with two fires in early March in Olathe. He has pleaded not guilty. Jay also could face federal charges in some of the arsons.

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney is waiting on more information before deciding how to handle charges relating to the Lawrence fires.

Election

Democratic caucuses enter second round

The second step in the Kansas Democratic Party delegate selection process takes place Saturday.

The party will hold its congressional district conventions to prepare for the July 26-29 national convention in Boston.

The first step in selecting delegates was completed March 13 at Democratic caucuses in each of the 40 state senate districts.

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts will receive 32 delegates from Kansas, and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will receive one delegate.

The congressional district conventions will be conducted in four locations: Ellsworth, Topeka, Kansas City, Kan., and Wichita.

Crime

Golf courses vandalized

Police are seeking help tracking down the people responsible for vandalizing two Lawrence golf courses.

A police spokesman said Thursday it was too early to know if the two incidents, which happened less than a week apart, were related.

The first occurred overnight March 24 at Eagle Bend Golf Course, 1248 E. 902 Road. Suspects caused about $1,000 in damage by stealing tee markers, damaging greens and breaking windshields on two city-owned trucks.

The second incident happened overnight Sunday at the Lawrence Country Club, 400 Country Club Terrace.

Vandals caused more than $20,000 in damage by removing six golf carts from a storage shed and driving several of them into ponds, police said. The vandals also caused $10,000 in damage to a weather station near the course’s first hole.

Police are asking anyone with information on the cases to call the Crime Stoppers line at 843-TIPS.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.65 at the Citgo station at Ninth and Iowa streets. If you find a lower price, report it to the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.