Fund-raiser started for fire victims

Eudora — Friends of a Eudora teen whose family lost their home in a fire Saturday are taking up a collection to aid the family.

Kayla Flory, a Eudora High School sophomore, said she heard about the fire Saturday evening while working at Jasmin Restaurant in Eudora. The fire destroyed the home of her friend, Jordan Born. His parents are Johnny and Cindy Born.

Flory and Kayla Humbert, also a Eudora sophomore, with the family’s approval, are putting donation collection containers at various places in Eudora and Lawrence.

By Monday, containers were placed in Eudora at the high school and C & S Market, Kayla Flory said. She also planned to put containers at Jasmin and the Dairy Queen in Eudora.

Jordan Born, 17, told firefighters he had turned on the oven and went to a convenience store. He discovered the fire when he returned.

Police arrest suspect in rape investigation

A 19-year-old Lawrence man has been charged with raping an intoxicated 15-year-old acquaintance.

During the suspect’s first appearance Monday in Douglas County District Court, Judge Pro Tem Peggy Kittel set his bond at $30,000 and set his next court date for Thursday.

The incident happened between 2 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Sunday at a residence in the eastern part of the city, said Lawrence Police spokesman Sgt. Dan Ward.

It was reported shortly before noon after the girl went to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for a sexual assault exam, Ward said.

Prosecutors alleged the girl was incapable of giving consent because of the effects of alcohol.

Lawrence Police arrested the man Sunday after finding him at his home.

Trial to begin today for drug-dealing suspects

Opening statements are expected this morning in Kansas City, Kan., in the trial of two Lawrence brothers charged in a drug-dealing operation.

Maurice and Mardell Trotter are charged in U.S. District Court. Each faces at least 20 years in prison for a variety of drug-dealing charges if convicted.

The investigation that led to the charges began after members of the Pinckney Neighborhood Assn. filed a complaint with the police in early 2004 about a duplex at 338 Ind.

The Trotters were arrested Aug. 6, 2004, after Lawrence Police executed a search warrant on four Lawrence buildings. Police said the search yielded 2 ounces of crack cocaine and 2 ounces of powder cocaine, worth up to $6,000. Police also seized $10,000 in cash and a 9 mm Beretta handgun.

Maurice Trotter was age 30 and Mardell Trotter was age 29 at the time they were charged.