Trooper says trucker admitted using cocaine

Testimony continued Tuesday in the trial of a truck driver charged with killing a Baker University football player in a fatal wreck on U.S. Highway 56.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Turner testified that after the April 13 crash, defendant Yan R. McHenry, 47, Dallas, admitted using cocaine the previous day. Turner, who performed a series of tests on McHenry, said McHenry was not capable of driving safely at the time of the wreck.

A trooper also testified Tuesday that McHenry violated federal regulations for commercial drivers by failing to keep daily logs for the four days leading up to the wreck.

McHenry is charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery in the wreck that killed 19-year-old Shawn M. Trager.

McHenry’s attorney, Jim George, has told jurors it was an unavoidable accident.

Testimony was to continue today.

150 KU students get flu shots on first day

About 150 Kansas University students went Tuesday to Watkins Student Health Center for the first day of flu vaccinations administered by the university, a spokesman said.

The vaccines are among 700 doses the center plans to continue distributing during the rest of the week. Only those in high-risk groups designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — including those with chronic medical conditions, people over age 65, health-care workers who provide hands-on patient care and pregnant women — are eligible to receive the vaccines.

Todd Cohen, a KU spokesman, said students in high-risk groups could receive vaccine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. About half of the 700 doses should be available for faculty and staff, who can receive shots from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Cost for vaccination is $15 for a shot and $25 for intranasal FluMist. KUIDs are required for the vaccinations.

Fraser Hall flag down

Time has taken its toll on one of the famed flag poles atop Kansas University’s Fraser Hall.

The pulley at the top of the KU flag on the highest point on campus broke this week. When facilities crews were taking the pole down to fix the pulley, they realized the base was worn.

KU spokesman Todd Cohen said crews were strengthening the pole to secure it atop the building. He said he expected the flag to be flying again soon, though no time frame has been set.