County’s first wheat in

Baldwin area farmer Leonard Heffner on Thursday delivered the season’s first load of wheat to the Baldwin Feed Co.

“It’s a little earlier than usual,” said company employee Verlyn Gilges. “Typically it comes in right around the 20th (of June).”

Heffner’s load came in with a test weight of 62.1 pounds per bushel and a moisture rating of 12.2. Farmers have to wait until the wheat is dry enough before the harvest can begin. Any wheat delivered with a moisture rating of 13.5 or higher is deemed to be too wet and pays out at a lower rate.

“Really, 12.2 is just about ideal,” Gilges said.

In photo above, Baldwin Feed Co. employee Mark Hargett helps unload Heffner’s wheat.

Crime

Stabbing victim in serious condition

A 33-year-old Lawrence man was stabbed early Thursday outside a North Lawrence bar.

The man arrived at Lawrence Memorial Hospital with a serious stab wound to his chest, said Lawrence Police Capt. David Cobb, and hospital staff alerted police.

Officers interviewed a person who took the stabbing victim to the hospital, Cobb said. The person told officers the stabbing took place about 1:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind Johnny’s Tavern, 401 N. Second St.

Baldwin Feed Company employee Mark Hargett finishes sweeping wheat from Leonard Heffner's farm into the Baldwin grain elevator.

“A gray 1990s Oldsmobile four-door vehicle was observed speeding out of the lot and (the man) was holding his chest bleeding,” Cobb said. Police are investigating.

A hospital spokeswoman said Thursday afternoon that the man was in serious condition.

Courts

Plea, trial dates set in Sixth St. hit-and-run

A Lawrence man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and leaving the scene of an injury accident.

Adan S. Cruz, 23, is accused of driving the 1996 Ford Probe that struck and killed Jodie Hatzenbihler, 25, Olathe, at 2 a.m. April 9. Hatzenbihler had just left the Cadillac Ranch, 2515 W. Sixth St., and was crossing Sixth Street with friends when she was struck.

Cruz appeared Thursday at a hearing with the assistance of a Spanish-language interpreter.

Lawrence attorney Shelley Bock, who represents Cruz, said he had explored the potential of a plea with his client.

“But I am not fully confident my client understands the ramifications,” he said. As a result, Bock requested dates be set for a jury trial and a potential plea.

Cruz could agree to a plea at 8:30 a.m. July 15 or be tried by jury beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 14.