Police

Pit bulls attack, kill cat

Two pit bull terriers got loose last month and attacked and killed a calico cat named Spanky in the 1200 block of Wagon Wheel Road, according to a police report released Thursday.

About 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24, the owner of the cat heard it hissing at the dogs. He saw people walking nearby who he thought were the dogs’ owners, so he went back to what he was doing, according to a report.

Moments later, the dogs attacked and killed the cat in the home’s side yard, police said.

One of the pit bulls was later put to sleep at the Lawrence Humane Society, officials said. It was unclear what has happened to the second dog.

Dining

Health violations bring fines to two eateries

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced health-code violations at two Lawrence eateries.

Complaints were levied Tuesday against 75th Street Brewery, 3512 Clinton Parkway; and Rare Choice & Captain Hooks No. 2, a food stand based at 1205 N.J.

KDHE inspectors said brewery employees used bare hands to handle salad, tomatoes, bread, potato chips and basil during two inspections in July. A $500 fine was suggested.

Inspections at Rare Choice & Captain Hooks in May and July revealed moldy food, raw food next to cooked, other foods stored at too high a temperature, and food without with a “consume-by” date. A $1,500 fine was suggested.

Lerlean Hooks, owner of Rare Choice & Captain Hooks, was unavailable for comment.

Jennifer Tucker, 75th Street’s general manager, said corrections were made after a July 14 inspection and that the fine would be appealed.

“I’m really disappointed, because we’re not an establishment that takes these things lightly,” she said.

Both establishments have until mid-September to appeal.

Audit

State officials meet with cemetery managers

An audit of Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery should be complete by Sept. 13, state officials said Thursday.

Two dozen Lawrence residents complained last month to the Journal-World that grass was allowed to grow too long at the East Lawrence cemetery, shrouding tombstones there.

Officials from the Kansas Secretary of State’s office met with cemetery officials this week to audit whether Memorial Park’s maintenance funds are being properly spent. But Kathy Sachs, an assistant secretary of state, said Thursday that the review was limited; the department can’t force the cemetery to spend money.

“Our responsibility is to make sure the money is in the maintenance fund, and that the only money spent is the interest — and that the money’s spent on appropriate things,” Sachs said.

A spokesman for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office said the consumer protection division could handle complaints if “abandonment” could be proved. No complaints have been received, he said.

Theft

Chiefs season tickets missing after burglary

A Lawrence man awoke Wednesday morning and found his Kansas City Chiefs season tickets missing from his garage, according to a police report.

The theft happened between 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the 27-year-old man’s home in the 4300 block of West 26th Terrace.

The tickets — 48 in all — were valued at $6,732. Also taken was $155 cash. The man told police he believed he’d shut his garage door the previous night but that it was open in the morning.

Police examined the crime scene and have categorized the case as aggravated burglary.