Deputies arrest gunman at troubled nightclub

Sheriff’s deputies were called shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday to the Outhouse, 1837 N. 1500 Road, on reports of an armed person on the property.

Deputies arrested a 25-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man found with a .40-caliber handgun.

The suspect was booked into Douglas County Jail on charges of criminal use of a weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Deputies recovered a spent shell casing at the scene. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

This is the fifth time the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has been called to the Outhouse in less than a month. In late March, a 23-year-old dancer at the club reported she was sexually battered.

So far in April, deputies have responded to reports of a robbery, battery and theft at the nightclub. According to statistics obtained from the sheriff’s department, deputies have been called to the Outhouse 22 times since the start of the year.

Defendant pleads guilty to Taco John’s robbery

Kansas City, Kan. — A Kansas City, Kan., man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to robbing a Taco John’s restaurant in Lawrence.

Michael Hussey, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of robbing a business involved in interstate commerce, one count of brandishing a revolver during a robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon.

Hussey admitted to U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia that on Dec. 26, 2003, he entered Taco John’s and leaped over the counter, carrying the revolver.

He also admitted stealing $855.

A customer in the drive-through lane saw the robbery and used a cell phone to call police, U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren said. Police arrived and arrested Hussey.

Hussey will be sentenced July 12. He faces total maximum sentences ranging from seven years to life in prison.

A second suspect in the robbery, George Cannon, 45, Kansas City, Kan., will be tried on charges May 3.

University sets exams

Kansas University has announced the following final examinations:

• Junelyn Lazo, human development and family life, “A Compliance Matrix to Increase Teacher Praise and Improve Student Behaviors: Incorporating Ecological Observational Data to Inform an Intervention,” 8:30 a.m. Thursday, 4070 Dole.
• Kara Northway, English, “Shakespeare and the Poetics of Pageantry,” 2:30 p.m. April 26, 3132 Wescoe Hall.