Burglary suspect found hiding in mobile home closet

A closet turned out to be a poor hiding place for a burglary suspect arrested early Sunday in a mobile home by Lawrence Police.

Jeremy B. Black, 29, Manhattan, was taken to the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of burglary after police were called about 3:30 a.m. to a mobile home in the 1000 block of East 23rd Street.

A neighbor initially called police after a man was seen prowling around the mobile home court, Sgt. Mike Pattrick said. While police responded, the neighbor saw the suspect had pried open a door and gone inside.

Officers were informed and entered the mobile home, finding the suspect in the closet, Pattrick said.

Black has been released from jail on $2,500 bond and has been ordered to appear March 27 in Douglas County District Court.

Tornado test sirens planned

The city’s tornado sirens will be tested today as part of the statewide Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Test tornado warnings will be issued at 10:30 a.m., and again at 6:25 p.m. Outdoor warning sirens, NOAA Weather Radio Alarms, and the Emergency Alert System will be activated to signal the start of the drill.

Douglas County Emergency Management will participate in the tornado safety drill to prepare for the 2002 severe weather season along with all county emergency management agencies across Kansas.

Consumer seminar to inform seniors of spending risks

Lawrence seniors will be able to stock up on consumer knowledge at a seminar. The Savvy Consumer Seminar for Seniors will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital auditorium.

The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will include presentations by the following expert panelists:

Ruth Ritthaler, assistant Douglas County district attorney, “How to Recognize a Crime.”

Stacy Jeffress, consumer protection department of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, “Buyer Beware: Avoiding Scams and Fraud.”

Gail Bright, Kansas Securities Commission, “Investment Wisdom.”

Deborah Johnston, Capitol Federal Savings, “Smart Credit.”

Danette Umholtz, Douglas County Bank, “Protecting your Finances.”