Inclement weather plans made for Chautauqua

Evening events scheduled with the “Bleeding Kansas” Chautauqua, which begins tonight, will go on as scheduled if it’s raining.

Officials with the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau say the tent in South Park, with a capacity for 500 people, has side flaps that should keep the audience dry.

If it’s storming, a decision will be made by 3 p.m. each day whether to move the Chautauqua events to Lawrence High School, 1901 La.

Decisions to move events will be announced on KLZR 105.9-FM, Kansas Public Radio 91.5-FM, Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 and at www.ljworld.com.

Antique automobiles

Great Race to wind into Lawrence today

Lawrence High School Auto Club students driving in the cross-country Great Race will pass through their hometown this morning.

Their car, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, will arrive about 8:30 a.m. at the Dillons store, Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive, for a scheduled pit stop. The route the race’s 120 antique cars will travel into Lawrence is not released ahead of time.

“We’re running right close to the top,” said Dave Tenpenny, LHS auto mechanics teacher who is traveling behind the race cars on a motorcycle.

There have been no problems with the car since the race started Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla. Wednesday, the cars went through Fort Scott and were going to stop for the night in Overland Park.

The race ends July 3 in Monterey, Calif.

Crime

Police investigating theft from elderly couple

Police suspect a caregiver of stealing about $30,000 from a 90-year-old Lawrence man and his 84-year-old wife during the past two years.

Sgt. Mike Pattrick, a Lawrence Police spokesman, said the caregiver, a 45-year-old Lawrence woman, was responsible for the couple’s finances. Police believe the caregiver “inappropriately maneuvered funds for personal gain” starting in May 2002, Pattrick said.

The couple live at Brandon Woods Retirement Community, 1501 Inverness Drive, but the suspect isn’t affiliated with Brandon Woods, Pattrick said.

Police identified the woman after acting on a tip. The woman has not yet been arrested, and the police investigation continues.

Investigation

Eudora farmer reports vandalism of crops

A Eudora farmer says chemicals were used to sabotage his pumpkins and tomatoes to the tune of $50,000.

The man told police someone damaged 4 acres of his crops between April 15 and Sunday at his farm in the 15400 section of County Line Road.

“He believes someone applied chemicals to his plants to kill them and put him out of business,” said Lt. Kathy Tate, a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.

The man also told police someone took eight construction beams from a job site at the farm.

Authorities have no suspects.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.67 a gallon at Citgo, 2005 W. Ninth St. If you find a lower price, please call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.