Trial postponed for driver in high-speed chase

The driver charged with killing a woman in a high-speed police pursuit last August waived his right to a speedy trial during a Monday court appearance.

Nam Ouk Cho, 20, Lee’s Summit, Mo., was scheduled to stand trial this week in Douglas County District Court for second-degree murder, but on Monday his attorney asked for a jury trial to be postponed because a witness was unavailable.

Cho is charged with the Aug. 26, 2003, death of motorist Judith Vellucci, whom he struck at 31st Street and Nieder Road as he fled from police.

District Court Judge Robert Fairchild rescheduled the trial for Aug. 11. Cho remains in the Douglas County Jail.

Survey

KU named ‘Best Value’ by Princeton Review

Kansas University was named one of 77 “Best Value” undergraduate universities in Princeton Review’s annual “America’s Best Value College” list.

The rankings are based on surveys of students and administrators at more than 500 colleges. Those named to the list have “outstanding academics, low-to-moderate tuition and fees and generous financial aid packages,” according to Princeton Review.

Election

Lecompton, Basehor polls will be open today

A Lecompton resident who appointed himself to the City Council after being ousted in last year’s mayoral election is among four candidates for three seats on the Lecompton City Council.

Lecompton residents will choose today from among four candidates vying for two-year terms: Ed Smith, the incumbent serving the unexpired term of Nick Fergus, who resigned last year; Chuck Folks, who works for Action Plumbing; Jennifer Jones, who works for the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library; and Leah Ann Nichols, who works for Sagebrush Corp. and as a Mary Kay consultant.

Voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Lecompton City Hall, 327 Elmore St. Lecompton has 351 registered voters; two years ago, 46 people voted.

Voters in the Basehor area also will vote today. On the ballot: the Basehor Community Library District’s plans to sell $3.79 million in bonds to help finance construction of a new library.

Basehor has 4,999 registered voters.

Education

Broken Arrow teacher wins foundation honor

A Broken Arrow School teacher has been named the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s educator of the year.

Denise Hobbs, who has taught third and fourth grades at the school for 25 years, received the honor Friday at Foundation Follies, the annual performance/fund-raiser for Lawrence public schools. She received a plaque and $1,000.

Nominations for the award were solicited from district employees, parents, students and community members.

“She truly enjoys learning and transmits that enthusiasm for growth to her students,” said Larry Bakerink, Broken Arrow principal.

Foundation officials were still trying to determine how much money was raised at Friday’s event.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found Lawrence-area gasoline prices as low as $1.67 at Citgo, 2005 W. Ninth St.; Zarco 66, 900 Iowa; Hillcrest Amoco, 914 Iowa; Presta Phillips 66, 602 W. Ninth St.; Site Service Station, 946 E. 23rd St., and Conoco Breakplace, 2330 Iowa. If you find a lower price, report it to the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.