Traffic stop leads to kidnapping arrests

A traffic stop Wednesday evening led to the arrest of two Kansas City, Kan., men suspected of kidnapping the car’s driver at gunpoint.

When police stopped a Mazda Protege for speeding just after 7 p.m. in the 1500 block of West Sixth Street, they found a 23-year-old driver, his two sons ages 1 and 3, and two other men inside the car.

The occupants were acting suspicious, said Sgt. Dan Ward, a Lawrence Police spokesman. Eventually, the driver told police the two other men in the car had kidnapped him at gunpoint in Kansas City.

“He owed them some money, and they were attempting to collect,” Ward said.

All occupants of the car were from Kansas City, and Ward said he didn’t know what the men were doing in Lawrence.

The two suspects, ages 18 and 19, were booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of charges that included aggravated kidnapping, obstruction, carrying a concealed gun, and possession of controlled substances.

Youths

Catholic schools closed today for pope’s funeral

Lawrence Catholic schools have canceled classes today because of the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Lawrence Catholic churches and the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at Kansas University are conducting various special Masses and presentations this week to mark the pope’s death.

Downtown

State health agency fines local restaurant

A Lawrence restaurant faces a civil penalty from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The agency assessed a $1,500 fine against India Palace, 129 E. 10th St., on March 23.

KDHE inspectors noticed employees handling food with torn gloves, not maintaining proper temperature for food and not washing hands during checkups of the restaurant.

India Palace, which is owned by KDB Co. Inc., has 20 calendar days from the date the order was mailed, plus three days for mailing, to file an appeal or pay the fine.

Police

Transients arrested for drinking in park

Lawrence Police arrested a group of transients Monday for drinking alcohol at South Park, 1141 Mass.

Police went to the park about 5:30 p.m. and arrested two women and five men ages 28 through 51.

Five of those arrested are residents of the Salvation Army Shelter, 946 N.H., and another lists his address as the Community Drop-In Center, 214 W. 10th St.

They were booked into Douglas County Jail and will be ordered to appear in municipal court.

Gardening

City’s compost giveaway continues

More than 220 gardeners took advantage of City Hall’s compost giveaway Thursday.

“We had 250 vehicles come through today,” said Mollie Mangerich, operations supervisor at the city’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division. “About 20 percent were repeats — people who came back for more.”

The giveaway begins at 8 a.m. today and Saturday. It ends at 3 p.m. today and at 4 p.m. Saturday, or as long as supplies last. Residents can pick up the compost at 1420 E. 11th St.

KU raises $8,800 for tsunami relief

Kansas University contributed $8,800 to tsunami relief efforts in Asia, the university announced Wednesday.

The campaign stretched from Jan. 18 to Feb. 4, with money forwarded to the American Red Cross and UNICEF.

Funds was collected in several ways:

• KU athletics collected donations at two basketball games.
• Groups, led by KU UNICEF and Concerned, Active and Aware Students, collected money at events such as a lecture by Don Steeples, professor of geology, and an international dinner.
• KU Memorial Unions donated 10 percent of profits from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4 for customers who asked to donate.

Hospital sponsoring annual health fair

Area residents will have the chance Saturday to consult a host of doctors and other health care providers for free or at reduced cost.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is sponsoring its annual health fair from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the hospital, 325 Maine.

The event features a variety of free health screenings, including vision, hearing, oral and skin cancers, height and weight, heart disease and stroke risk assessments, blood pressure, prostate cancer, glucose testing, balance assessments, and pulmonary examinations.

A blood test that will measure cholesterol levels also is available for a $30 fee or $40 for males who wish to have a prostate screening antigen test. LMH officials said the test is most accurate if participants have fasted for 10 to 12 hours before the test.

Retirement community encourages volunteering

Brandon Woods Retirement Community has scheduled a presentation about opportunities for community volunteers and young people at 2 p.m. today at Brandon Woods.

Staff members from Kansas Advocates for Better Care, a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes quality long-term care for nursing home residents, will be making the presentation.

For more information about the presentation or the KABC, call (800) 525-1782 or 842-3088.