Police

Teen suspected of molesting 5-year-old

A 15-year-old Lawrence boy is suspected of molesting a 5-year-old Lawrence boy several times between June 1, 2004, and December 12, 2004, according to a police report released Friday.

The two were neighbors at the time the alleged crimes took place.

Sgt. Dan Ward, a Lawrence Police spokesman, said the state’s Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services reported the incidents to police in February. Police recently finished investigating the complaint and forwarded it to Dist. Atty. Charles Branson’s office.

Police investigated it as a case of aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. There had been no arrest as of Friday.

Recreation

Hike and bike path to close for run

The South Lawrence Trafficway hike and bike path will close temporarily today because of the Raintree Run benefit for Raintree Montessori School.

The path will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon.

The path, from U.S. Highway 59 west through Clinton Lake property, will be used in the Raintree Run. City officials ask people who normally use the path to check out other trails. A trail map can be found at www.lprd.org.

Schools

Junior high custodian being deployed to Iraq

Students and staff at South Junior High School erupted in applause during an assembly Friday afternoon upon seeing a face they’ve grown to love over the years: longtime custodian Cary Atkins.

Also known as Pvt. Atkins of the Army National Guard.

Atkins was recognized by principal Russell Blackbird and teacher Scott Robinson during the school’s Native American Youth school assembly Friday. “I’m going to miss a lot of these kids,” Atkins said, with tears. “We shake hands, talk in the hallways. It’s like they’re my own.”

Atkins said he was leaving for training in two weeks and expected to be on Iraqi soil by June.

During the assembly, he was presented with a banner, a gift certificate to Hereford House, a monetary gift and a standing ovation.

Government

Partial closings mulled at Lone Star Lake

Douglas County commissioners will consider closing parts of Lone Star Lake’s beach and marina from 8 a.m. July 23 to noon on July 24.

Overland Park-based KLM Marketing Solutions plans to revive a Douglas County tradition of a triathlon. Company officials have made the request to close parts of Lone Star to ensure the safety of participants competing in the triathlon, which will be called Midwest Mayhem.

County commissioners will consider the request when they meet at 5 p.m. Monday in the City Commission room at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

Ex-KU player Randle reportedly jailed again

Recently-dismissed Kansas University football player John Randle, 20, found his way back into jail after being arrested Saturday allegedly for battery and urinating in public.

Randle, who was a sophomore running back in 2004, was released from the team on March 14 after being charged with hitting a man outside It’s Brothers Bar & Grill, 1105 Mass. That incident marked Randle’s fourth arrest in 18 months. He had previously been arrested for attempted theft of beer from a convenience store, disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a driver’s license, and suspicion of domestic battery, though he was never charged in that incident.

Randle was booked into Douglas County Jail Saturday at 2:34 a.m. and released later in the day.