Audiotapes used in two drug arrests

Two Lawrence men have been caught on tape in separate investigations of crack-cocaine dealing, according to police reports released Thursday.

In one case, members of the city-county Drug Enforcement Unit seized suspected crack cocaine after using audiotapes in an undercover drug buy May 29 in the 1900 block of West 31st Street. The suspect is a 38-year-old Lawrence man.

Police recorded an unrelated drug buy May 14 at a residence in the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Street. The suspect in that case is a 19-year-old Lawrence man.

The drug unit normally keeps investigations secret until they’re finished and ready to be sent to prosecutors for possible charges.

Ryun, Brownback back anti-profanity plan

U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun and Sen. Sam Brownback, both R-Kan., are joining ranks with those who don’t think it’s appropriate for children to hear “the F-word” on network TV.

The two issued statements regarding Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell’s proposal to overturn the agency’s earlier ruling that the “F-word” uttered on network television by performer Bono was not indecent.

“If passed, this would be a huge victory for families who desire to protect their children from being exposed to profane language,” Ryun said. “This proposal has my support, and I urge the FCC to pass it as soon as possible.”

Said Brownback: “The use of profanity should be discouraged and the chairman’s proposal, if accepted, will accomplish this task.”

Ryun represents the 2nd Congressional District, which extends into Douglas County and much of western Lawrence.

Historical Society, KU launch Civil War site

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Kansas territory, Kansas University and the Kansas State Historical Society have launched a Web site devoted to Civil War-era resources.

The site, www.territorialkansasonline.org, includes 2,000 primary-source documents from the collections at KU and the historical society.

Topics include politics, the border war, immigration, settlement and national issues.

Congressman files campaign finance report

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore is relying on in-state contributions to fuel his re-election race so far.

In the last quarter of 2003, the Kansas Democrat gained more than $191,000, primarily from Kansans for his 2004 campaign for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. His total campaign funding, as of Dec. 31, is $732,451.

Moore’s campaign reports his donations came from Democrats, Republicans and independents, and 82 percent of the donations came from Kansas residents in the Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 reporting period.

Moore’s cash-on-hand is more than $621,000.

The Federal Election Commission requires all candidates to file campaign finance reports.

Moore represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, which includes eastern Lawrence.

Button exhibit on tap at Watkins museum

For the first display celebrating Lawrence’s sesquicentennial, the Watkins Community Museum is displaying buttons used in clothing from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The exhibit, “150 Years of Buttons,” is open through Feb. 10.

The exhibit includes buttons from Pauline Meyer, Dolly Blood, Anne Hemphill and the Olmstead family. Buttons from the 1850s and a narrative about the use of buttons are part of the exhibit.

The museum is at 1047 Mass.

Recordings of boasts aid in convictions

Olathe — Tape-recorded conversations with a bail bondsman in which a man admitted a series of business burglaries helped convince jurors of his guilt.

Richard R. Snow, 37, of Independence, Mo., was convicted Tuesday in Johnson County District Court on 19 counts of burglary, theft and criminal damage to property, 15 of them felonies.

Wednesday, the jury found the case warranted an “upward departure” from sentencing guidelines when Snow is sentenced in March.

Merchandise worth tens of thousand of dollars was taken in February and March 2003 in burglaries at businesses in Overland Park and Lenexa. Evidence presented by the state included taped conversations between Snow, then in jail, and a bondsman.

On it, Snow boasted that he couldn’t be convicted because he wore gloves and a mask while committing the crimes. His boasts ended when the bondsman reminded him that calls from correctional facilities are taped.