Briefly

Preliminary hearing into fatal wreck begins

The trucker charged with killing a Baker University student in a car wreck last month acted erratically after his arrest, at one point asking an officer if he could stop and get a hamburger on the way to jail, Highway Patrol troopers testified Thursday in court.

Defendant Yan R. McHenry, 47, Dallas, appeared in Douglas County District Court for a preliminary hearing on charges that include manslaughter and D.U.I.

But the hearing was stopped short because the Kansas Highway Patrol trooper who handled drug-and-alcohol tests taken from McHenry was not available to testify.

McHenry is charged with causing the rear-end wreck April 13 on U.S. Highway 56 that killed 19-year-old Shawn Trager.

Judge Robert Fairchild scheduled the hearing to continue June 4.

Benefit

Water events to raise funds for Van Go arts

Tickets will be available beginning Saturday for Van Go Mobile Arts’ fund-raising event at Clinton Lake Marina.

The event will be from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 12. Tickets may be purchased at all Central National Bank locations: 603 W. Ninth St., 711 Wakarusa Drive, 3140 Nieder Road and 2321 Harper St. — as well as at Van Go, 715 N.J.

Proceeds benefit Van Go’s programs, which provide social services and arts-based vocational instruction to at-risk youth ages 14 to 18.

Events include a Pontoon Boat Parade, live auction and dancing.

Corporate sponsorships are still available, starting at $250. Sponsors include Amarr Garage Doors, Golf Course Superintendents, Bristol Groupe and Robert W. Baird & Co.

Contact Heather at 842-3797 or heather@van-go.org for more information.

Brown v. Board

Free tickets available for Kerry-Sebelius event

Topeka — Tickets are available for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proclamation ceremony Monday honoring the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts will attend the ceremony that starts at 8:30 a.m. on the south steps of the Capitol.

The event is free but tickets are required. They can be picked up from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in Topeka at the Jayhawk Senate Room of the Jayhawk Towers, Seventh and Jackson streets. Tickets can also be picked up from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday at the Kansas Expocentre, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Public parking for the event will be at the Expocentre. Shuttle service between the Expocentre and Capitol will be available.

For more information, contact: (785) 272-4900.

Police

Lawrence officers begin baseball card giveaway

Officers from the Lawrence Police Department will be handing out Kansas City Royals baseball cards all summer.

From now until mid-October, children can approach any patrol officer and ask for one of the cards. Officers will have a different card available each week, said Officer Jon Barta, who coordinates special projects for the department.

The goal of the giveaway, Barta said, is for children to have positive interaction with officers.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.92 a gallon at several stations around Lawrence.

If you find a lower price, please call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.