Police suspect arson in fire at KU library

Police believe someone intentionally set the fire that burned four economics books Monday night in Watson Library on the Kansas University campus.

KU police had no suspects Tuesday but were investigating the fire as an aggravated arson. An alarm system detected the fire about 10:34 p.m. on the second floor of the library’s center stack, and a security officer put it out by stomping on the books, said Maj. Chris Keary, a KU police spokesman.

The fire started near a stairwell and two elevators: a location that would have afforded a quick escape, said Bill Myers, a library spokesman. He wasn’t willing to speculate about the motivation behind the fire.

“There’s all sorts of curious things that might happen in a building this big that the public has access to,” Myers said. “There could be as many theories as there are people.”

Courts

Felon pleads guilty to crack possession

A Lawrence man faces between five and 80 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Monday in federal court to possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell near an elementary school.

George W. Warren, 23, also pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces up to 10 years in prison for that crime.

Warren was stopped by Lawrence Police on Feb. 6, 2003, while driving near the former East Heights School. Officers found about 13 grams of crack cocaine on him, and he said he planned to distribute it, officials with U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren’s office said.

The gun charges stem from a search of Warren’s home in January 2002, in which police found two guns, and a traffic stop in September 2003 in which police found a handgun under his passenger seat.

Sentencing will be May 24 in Kansas City, Kan.

Fund-raiser

Vinland Fair schedules pancake, sausage supper

Vinland — The Vinland Fair Whole-Hog Sausage and Pancake Supper that began more than 50 years ago will return March 20.

The pancake supper will be from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Vinland Fairgrounds. The event raises money for the annual fair in August.

Fair board members and community volunteers will prepare the exhibition building starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. Preparations will continue at 9 a.m. the next Saturday. Community members are invited to assist with preparing the building for the supper.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found Lawrence-area gasoline prices as low as $1.62 at Site, 946 E. 23rd St.

If you find a lower price, call 832-7154.