Godzilla ‘fanatic’ to share insights

A Kansas University professor will discuss his new book about the Japanese movie monster Godzilla at 7 p.m. Monday night in the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt. There is no charge to attend.

William Tsutsui, professor of Japanese history, wrote the book “Godzilla on My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters.” A self-proclaimed Godzilla fanatic, Tsutsui explores why Godzilla has become a ubiquitous part of culture and why Americans and others around the world continue to enjoy and respond to Japanese science-fiction flicks.

Tsutsui has taught at KU for 11 years. He has written and lectured extensively on Japanese banking and industrial development and now is researching the environmental impact of World War II on Japan. He also is president of the Kansas State Historical Society.

Trial

Sex with 13-year-old brings rape verdict

Jurors on Tuesday found a 36-year-old Lawrence man guilty of having sex multiple times this spring with his children’s 13-year-old baby sitter.

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated less than six hours before finding William R. Rivera guilty on all counts. He was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of aggravated criminal sodomy, and two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

The verdict followed a weeklong trial in district court.

Sentencing will be Dec. 16.

Sex with a child under 14 is classified as rape under Kansas law. It carries a presumed sentence of at least 13 years.

That’s unless the judge — in this case, Paula B. Martin, who’s already under fire for granting lightened sentences in an earlier statutory rape case — finds “substantial and compelling reasons” to give a lesser sentence.

Donations

Food drive planned for ‘Late Night’ event

The Salvation Army and other Lawrence social service organizations will hold a food drive Friday during “Late Night in the Phog” at Kansas University’s Allen Fieldhouse.

Volunteers will be at all entrances collecting food from 8 p.m. until the doors are closed. Other agencies involved are Penn House, Ballard Community Center, ECKAN and Pelathe Community Resource Center.

“This is one of the major food drives that all five agencies depend on,” said Paula Gilchrist, Salvation Army social service director.

Gilchrist said people should “think outside the can” when donating. The organizations request people to bring cereal, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, boxed dinners or canned meat.

The food will be distributed among the organizations and given to families in need.

Late Night is the first official practice of the season for KU men’s basketball team.