<strong><span class="subhead">LAWRENCE | Alcohol involved in hit-and-run</span></strong></p><p>Lawrence police Friday released more information on a hit-and-run accident this month that killed a 20-year-old woman bicyclist.</p><p>The 21-year-old driver of the car that fatally injured Rachel Leek had two passengers with him at the time of the early morning accident on Oct. 16.</p><p>Alcohol was also a factor in the accident, police reported. The investigation continues, and the case has not yet gone to the Douglas County District attorney, prosecutors said.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">LEAVENWORTH | Mother charged in boy&rsquo;s death</span></strong></p><p>The mother of a 4-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by her live-in boyfriend has been charged with endangering a child, prosecutors said Friday.</p><p>Monica Rivera&rsquo;s boyfriend, Jason Lee Jones, was charged previously with felony murder in the Oct. 4 death of Gabriel Rivera of Leavenworth.</p><p>From February to October, the Leavenworth County prosecutor said, the boy&rsquo;s mother recklessly placed him at risk of injury or death.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">KANSAS CITY | Tips sought in arson case</span></strong></p><p>Police are seeking the public&rsquo;s help to solve an arson that injured two firefighters earlier this week. One firefighter remained in critical condition Friday. The fire erupted Sunday at 1612 E. 30th St. and caused an estimated $200,000 in damage.</p><p>Anyone with information should call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (474-8477). Tips also may be submitted electronically at kccrimestoppers.com. A $1,000 reward is available for information.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">KANSAS CITY, KAN. | Guilty plea in murder plot</span></strong></p><p>A man who was hired by a woman to kill her husband pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday in Wyandotte County District Court.</p><p>Darrell Rodgers will be sentenced Dec. 4 for the crime. Authorities said that Rodgers was hired by Alesia Warrior to kill her husband, Jeremy Warrior, in April 2005. </p><p>However, Alesia Warrior&rsquo;s plan didn&rsquo;t work because when she went to meet Rodgers, he opened fire on the couple&rsquo;s vehicle while she was inside with her husband. The gunfire killed Jeremy Warrior and left Alesia Warrior paralyzed.</p><p>A jury found her guilty in September 2008 in the murder-for-hire plot, and a judge sentenced her to the &ldquo;hard 50,&rdquo; which means she will not be eligible for parole for 50 years.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">KANSAS CITY, KAN. | Charges in bank robbery attempt</span></strong></p><p>Three men who allegedly tried to rob a Kansas City, Kan., bank on Thursday but encountered authorities waiting for them were charged Friday in federal court.</p><p>Kenneth Rayford of Overland Park, Paul G. Rayford of Kansas City, Kan., and Claude White of Kansas City, Kan., were each charged with attempted robbery of Inter-State Federal Savings and Loan Association at 1919 N. 78th St.</p><p>Two FBI agents were in the bank after authorities received information that it was going to be robbed that day, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney&rsquo;s office. White and Paul Rayford, who were wearing body armor and carrying a gun, were arrested when they tried to enter the bank. Kenneth Rayford was arrested nearby.</p><p> Multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies helped in the investigation. </p><p>If convicted, the suspects could face up to 20 years in prison.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">KANSAS CITY | Council considers $200,000 for education</span></strong></p><p>Councilwoman Melba Curls introduced an ordinance Thursday that would provide $200,000 in seed money to improve educational opportunities for children.</p><p>The money would be used to prepare a federal grant application to help implement a Kansas City program like the successful Harlem Children&rsquo;s Zone in New York. The Harlem program has received national recognition for dramatically improving the academic achievements of economically deprived children.