Murder trial’s start delayed to November

A judge has postponed until November the first-degree murder trial in connection with a shooting this spring at a Lawrence apartment complex.

The trial had been set to begin later this month in Douglas County District Court for Lafayette Damon Ester Cosby, 25, who faces one count of first-degree murder in the April 4 death of Robert T. Martin, 28.

Eyewitnesses said the two acquaintances went into a back room of a unit at Jefferson Commons, 2511 W. 31st St., to talk and gave no indication anything was wrong until Cosby again left the room, came back with a gun and shot Martin at close range.

The new trial date is Nov. 5.

Aging center announces fall lecture lineup

The Landon Center on Aging at the Kansas University Medical Center has announced the lineup for its Brownbag Lunch Series for the fall semester.

The lectures run from noon to 1 p.m. at the Landon Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. in Kansas City, Kan.

The topics:

• “Becoming a Sage,” about spiritual and personal growth, Wednesday.
• “I Wish I Had Known That Sooner,” about hospice care, Sept. 22.
• “Your Life, Your Health, Our Future: Clinical Trials,” Sept. 29.
• “Senior Security, Knowledge is Power,” about Oct. 6.
• “Storytelling Skills,” Oct. 20.
• “Home for a Lifetime: Staying in Your Home,” Nov. 3.
• “Holiday Stress,” Dec. 1.

Group seeks friends for foreign students

A Lawrence organization is seeking families and individuals willing to befriend Kansas University international students.

The Lawrence Friendship Family Program, formerly the Lawrence Host Family Program, typically seeks local residents willing to make a yearlong commitment to a student.

Participants are asked to contact their student weekly during the first month of the school year and invite the student to attend at least two activities per semester.

For more information, contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at 864-3617 or carol@ku.edu.

Governor taps judge for tax appeals board

Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has appointed a Garden City magistrate judge to the State Board of Tax Appeals.

Rebecca Crotty has served as a magistrate since 1999; before that she was in private practice.

Crotty received her undergraduate degree from Kansas University in 1972 and her law degree from Washburn University in 1977.

The three-member State Board of Tax Appeals handles disputes between taxpayers and taxing authorities.

Crotty’s appointment is to a four-year term and is subject to state Senate confirmation.

Nurse’s gift to help international students

A gift from a retired Wichita nurse will benefit students from Africa wanting to attend Kansas University.

A $100,000 life insurance policy donated to the KU Endowment Association from Patricia Hysko will provide scholarships and emergency help to students from Zimbabwe and sub-Saharan Africa.

Hysko was inspired to make the gift in honor of her mother, Dorothy Yerkes, who left retirement 32 years ago to help support an African couple attending KU.

“With all the money available to KU undergraduates, hardly any money is available for international students,” Hysko said.

‘Women of Distinction’ calendar now available

Kansas University’s 2004-05 “Women of Distinction” poster/calendar is available.

The free posters can be picked up at the Kansas Union Bookstore and the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, both in the Kansas Union.

The calendar, in its second year, features photos of 13 students, two faculty members, an administrator and an alumna.