Detective takes stand in stalking case

Lawrence’s top crime-scene investigator testified Friday about searching for evidence of stalking — such as videos, floppy disks, cassette tapes and computer equipment — inside the home of the city’s best-known police# agitator.

Friday was the second day of a hearing on whether evidence should be suppressed in the alleged stalking case involving 32-year-old Dale E. McCormick.

McCormick faces charges that on Feb. 16 he broke into the home of a Lawrence woman who claimed he’d been stalking her and held her against her will.

Detective Dan Ward testified Friday that, along with computer and video equipment, he found pieces of the woman’s mail inside McCormick’s home in the 900 block of East 13th Street.

But McCormick’s attorneys argued the request for the warrant to search McCormick’s home was too broad and left out important information.

Douglas County District Judge Michael Malone gave attorneys two weeks to submit written arguments about whether the evidence should be admitted.

Hearing opens in beating at N. Lawrence motel

A preliminary hearing began Friday for one of five defendants charged in connection with a beating earlier this year inside a North Lawrence motel.

Scott Lee Staggs, 33, listed in Douglas County District Court records as a transient, is charged with trying to kill 21-year-old Mayetta resident Josh Greemore during a March 10 robbery at Jayhawk Motel, 1004 N. Third St.

Staggs’ attorney, Martin Miller, questioned Greemore about the events that led up to the beating. Greemore was staying at a room two doors down from Staggs and his four companions, and he’d come to their room to drink beer.

At an earlier hearing for one of Staggs’ co-defendants, a detective testified that one of Staggs’ co-defendants told him Staggs said, “Let’s roll this guy” before striking Greemore with an unopened beer can.

But Greemore said Friday he didn’t remember anything about the beating.

The preliminary hearing will resume later this month.

Ottawa pounded by hail

Ottawa — Hailstones — some as big as softballs — rocked Ottawa Friday night, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The department received several reports of damages to vehicles, including broken windows. Some residences and businesses also suffered damage, the department said in a news release.

The storm lasted about 20 minutes, and the Sheriff’s Department said the most severe damage occurred near the center of the city.

No damage from the storm was reported in Douglas County, which is just north of Franklin County, law enforcement officials said.

Quilters show planned at Oskaloosa event

Oskaloosa — Kansa Prairie Quilters will feature Sunbonnet Sue quilts at a free quilt show at the Old Settlers Reunion today in Oskaloosa. Quilters and collectors can bring their quilts to exhibit at the Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa.

Quilts will be checked in between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and may be picked up at 3 p.m. Those with Sunbonnet Sue, Parasol Girls and Overall Bill quilts are encouraged to display their items.

Donna Ward, area history enthusiast, will lead a program at 1 p.m. about how these quilts relate to the history of Oskaloosa.

YMCA camp offers skating training

Elmdale — Camp Wood YMCA will offer Skatecamp 2003, a camp designed for youths of all ability levels interested in skateboarding and in-line skating.

The camp has an 10-element street course, a 3-foot half pipe and a 7-foot half pipe. The street course features a full pyramid, fun box, launch ramp, high bank, entrance ramp, street spine, grind rail and low box.

The camp is Aug. 3-9 for youths ages 7 to 17. The fee is $410, but YMCA members receive a $15 discount and financial aid is available. The camp is two miles south of Elmdale, 30 miles west of Emporia. For more information, call (620) 273-8642 or visit www.campwood.org.