Archive for Friday, December 26, 2008 / LJWorld.com

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Also from December 26

Births

Rosa Long and Brian Sizemore, Oskaloosa, a boy.

Blog entries

Obituaries

On the street

What do you do with your Christmas tree after the holiday?

Photos

Brodie Charlton, 3, drives his Christmas gift, a new toy Ford truck, around his neighborhood Friday in the record-high warmth. Temperatures aren’t expected to climb out of the 40s and 50s today and next week, with rain in the forecast today

Connie Woydziak, Lawrence, stocks up for next year with some reduce priced holiday items at Rod's Hallmark Shop, 2329 Iowa St. Friday, Dec. 26, 2008

KU football coach Mark Mangino, seated in the bus, left of center, joins his family and members of the KU football team and staff Friday as they leave from Anderson Family Football Complex to make their way to Arizona

KU sophomore defensive tackle Jamal Greene carries his son, Jamal Greene Jr., as Greene prepares to board a team bus Friday morning at the Anderson Family Football Complex. The KU football team plays in the Insight Bowl game Dec. 31, in Tempe, AZ

John Reagan, KU's offensive line and running game coordinator, right, followed by his daughter Kaitlyn, loads a bus early Friday at the Anderson Family Football Complex, The KU football team plays in the Insight Bowl game Dec. 31, in Tempe, Ariz

KU football team members were at the Anderson Family Football Complex early Friday to board buses for the airport and a flight to Arizona. The KU football team plays in the Insight Bowl game Dec. 31, in Tempe, Ariz

Patty Truex works full-time for Assist LLC but the job doesn't pay her enough to cover some of the health care costs she faces. She was recently diagnosed with cancer

Patty Truex (right) works full-time for Assist LLC but the job doesn't pay her enough to cover some of the health care costs she faces. She was recently diagnosed with cancer

Former Jayhawk guard and current director of basketball operations Brett Ballard checks the scoreboard during a timeout in this Dec. 20 file photo from Allen Fieldhouse

Tom Cruise stars as Claus von Stauffenberg, a German army officer who attempted to assassinate Adolph Hitler during World War II

Kansas University graduate student Christopher Brott is pictured at one of the T bus stations located near the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets. Brott finished a pair of documentaries about the recent vote over funding for the T

Patty Truex takes the trash out as part of the work she does full-time for Assist LLC, but the job doesn't pay her enough to cover some of the health care costs she faces

It's been a happy reunion for the Skaggs family this Christmas. Anna, hugging her dad, Ron, has just returned after 17 months in Africa in the Peace Corps. Her mom, Merrie, left, got the same treatment. It has them singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas

Anna Skaggs poses with her host family who she stayed with initially when she arrived in Africa to work for the Peace Corps. She's home for the first time in 17 months, just in time for Christmas

View all of this day's photos (18)

Photo galleries

Slipping through the cracks

Podcasts

Videos

Lead stories

12:00 a.m.

Mothers of slain service members help relieve grief by doing good: By Nicole Kelley; December 25, 2008 in print edition on 3A; Shirley Hemenway felt isolated. The Shawnee resident had just lost her son, Ronald Hemenway, to the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. Her life was changed forever, and she wasn’t quite sure how to deal with that. “I felt so detached,” she said. “People start to avoid you. They don’t know what to say, so they avoid you.”

6:00 a.m.

Dinner volunteers serve holiday spirit: Becky Wilson; December 26, 2008 in print edition on 1A; Tummies were full and smiles were bright during Lawrence’s Free Community Christmas Dinner on Thursday at First United Methodist Church.

Video: About 900 fed at community Christmas dinner

10:00 a.m.

Cancer patient slipping through cracks: By Karrey Britt; December 26, 2008 in print edition on 1A; Three months ago, a 43-year-old Lawrence woman was told that she needed to have surgery to remove her right ovary and uterus. She also was told that the blood in her uterus was forming cancer cells.

Photo gallery: Slipping through the cracks

12:30 p.m.

There’s no place like home for the holidays: By Jeff Myrick; December 26, 2008 in print edition on 3A; For the Skaggs family, there’s new meaning to the classic holiday song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

6:00 p.m.

T set: KU graduate student takes hard look at Lawrence bus system in documentaries: By Shaun Hittle; December 26, 2008; Growing up in Germany, recent Kansas University journalism graduate Christopher Brott was used to riding the bus.

All stories

KU looking to make history: December 26, 2008; A win next week would give the Jayhawks 20 wins in two seasons for the first time ever.
Eudora Lady Cards eager to get back to the court: December 26, 2008; The Eudora girls’ basketball team is in the midst of a 21-day stretch without any games.
Douglas County under tornado, severe t-storm watches until 5 a.m.: By Alex Parker; 10:05 p.m., December 26, 2008 Updated 03:55 a.m.; The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of eastern Kansas, including Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties.
Longtime Lawrence fire chief dies: J-W Staff Reports; December 26, 2008; Jim McSwain, 65, a longtime Lawrence fire chief, died Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Jayhawks head to Tempe for Insight Bowl: December 26, 2008; Kansas Jayhawks head to Arizona for the Insight Bowl.
Not earned: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; To the editor:I have been reading about the astounding remuneration “earned” by executives of banking and other financial institutions, many of which received bailout money from us.
Bush mess: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; To the editor:It came as little surprise to find out last week that Vice President Cheney (flouting the Presidential Records Act) now says that he’s not required to release ANY records pertaining to what he’s been doing the last eight years.
T set: KU graduate student takes hard look at Lawrence bus system in documentaries: By Shaun Hittle; December 26, 2008; Growing up in Germany, recent Kansas University journalism graduate Christopher Brott was used to riding the bus.
Funding earmarked for school safety: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; The Kansas Department of Transportation has awarded Tonganoxie $250,000 in federal funds through the Safe Routes to School Program.
Winter roads test young drivers: By Mark Fagan; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; It’s cold. It’s slick. And — perhaps of most concern for parents — it’s winter break.
Nobel Laureate Pinter dies at 78: By Paisley Dodds - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B8; British Nobel laureate Harold Pinter — who produced some of his generation’s most influential dramas and later became a staunch critic of the U.S.-led war in Iraq — has died, his widow said Thursday. He was 78.
Winter storm blankets West: By Sandra Chereb - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A2; As much of the country awoke to a welcome reprieve from heavy snowfall and ice-slickened roads, a new winter storm in the West snarled holiday traffic and darkened lights on Christmas trees in thousands of homes Thursday.
Romo back at practice: December 26, 2008; Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo returned to work Thursday, going through practice a day after being sent home with flu-like symptoms.
Bond scam targets homeowners: By David W. Myers; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B9; The latest scam aimed at cheating homeowners involves “private offset bonds,” which falsely appear to have the backing of the U.S. Treasury.
When prayer gets political: By Cal Thomas; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A9; These days everything is political, or can be made so; even an inaugural prayer.
County delegation to join in forum: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; Douglas County legislators will participate in a forum before the upcoming legislative session. The forum will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Dole Institute of Politics.
Old Home Town - 25 years ago: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; Phil Humphrey, the director of the Museum of Natural History at Kansas University, was about to head to the Falkland Islands in search of a new species of duck he had discovered with an associate in 1979 off the coast of Argentina. The Falklands Islands War had delayed his earlier quest.
Finalists chosen in Amtrak name contest: The Associated Press; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B10; Online voting has started in the Name the Train Contest for Amtrak’s passenger rail service from Kansas City to St. Louis.
What happens to all the unsold holiday season merchandise?: By Vinnee Tong - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B9; Retailers are expected to have one of the worst holiday seasons in years as consumers cope with job uncertainty and the nerve-racking stock market, which lost $10 trillion in value between October 2007 and November 2008.
‘Sopranos’ actor dead in suicide: December 26, 2008 in print edition on B8; Police say the actor who portrayed the gay lover of a closeted mobster on “The Sopranos” has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in New York.
Man in Santa suit kills 8, self on Christmas Eve: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A2; Stinging from an acrimonious divorce, a man plotting revenge against his ex-wife dressed up like Santa, went to his former in-laws’ Christmas Eve party and slaughtered at least eight people before killing himself hours later.
Study: Video gamers react to body images: The Associated Press; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A4; Feeling a little down on yourself? Think a video game will lift your spirits? Just don’t go for games that feature exceptionally muscular men or very thin women, or your self-esteem could take a hit, according to a psychology professor at Kansas State University.
Obama may strengthen U.S.-Latin American ties: By Andres Oppenheimer - The Miami Herald; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A9; Judging from the latest headlines, U.S. influence in Latin America has reached its lowest level in recent memory. So I was somewhat surprised when the top U.S. diplomat for the region told me that such a view is “significantly wrong.”
New Year’s holiday to close offices again: Staff Report; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A4; Numerous area offices will be closed on New Year’s Day.
On the record: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A4; Emergency callsLawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical reported the following calls on Thursday. • Good intent call, 4:36 p.m. Tuesday, 711 W. 23rd St.• Good intent call, 10:01 a.m. Wednesday, 2212 Ohio.• Heat detector activation, 11:02 a.m. Wednesday, 1312 La.• Smoke detector activation, 12:38 p.m. Wednesday, 1424 Elmwood St.• Smoke detector activation, 5:44 p.m. Wednesday, 4206 W. 26th Terrace.
Road repairs on tap for Santa Fe business park: December 26, 2008; City leaders are prepared to spend $165,000 to rebuild a key road in a Lawrence industrial park.
Eight memorable DVD moments from 2008: Jen Chaney/The Washington Post; December 26, 2008 in print edition on C2; After another year of spending untold hours curled up on my sofa watching DVD bonus features, a couple of things have become clear.
Arrest details on mom of Bristol Palin’s boyfriend: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A7; The mother of Bristol Palin’s boyfriend sent text messages to two police informants discussing drug transactions before her arrest on felony drug charges, authorities say.
Missing Texas dog found in Kansas: The Associated Press; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B10; A 4-year-old Texas boy got his dog back for Christmas thanks to a Wichita woman.
Hunts help heal wounded warriors: By David Oakes; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; It might be thought that a highly decorated Army staff sergeant who served two tours in Iraq would not need a boost in confidence, but Shilo Harris got just that with a hunting trip in Linwood.
Therapist attends foundation seminar: December 26, 2008 in print edition on B9; Randy Freivogel, a physical therapist with Lawrence Orthopaedic Surgery, PA, attended the Hughston Foundation, Andrews Institute, and the Kerlan-Jobe Foundation two-day seminar.
Sultry ‘Santa Baby’ singer Kitt dies: By Polly Anderson - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B8; Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died, a family spokesman said. She was 81.
Black women in the U.S. shrinking: By Tom Hundley - Chicago Tribune; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A2; Call her The Incredible Shrinking African-American Woman.
Receipts required for teacher tax break: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; The Internal Revenue Service is reminding teachers and educators to keep receipts if they buy books and other classroom supplies with their own money.
Dinner volunteers serve holiday spirit: About 900 Christmas meals prepared; Becky Wilson; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A1; Tummies were full and smiles were bright during Lawrence’s Free Community Christmas Dinner on Thursday at First United Methodist Church.
Coup leader solidifies his hold over nation: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A2; Guinea’s coup leader solidified his hold over this impoverished West African nation Thursday as the prime minister who served under its late dictator surrendered and stepped down along with dozens of other government leaders.
Big Sister relationship has lasted more than 2 decades: By Jenalea Myers - The Ottawa Herald; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A5; Darla Ouellette of Rantoul said she never quits something. And it’s her attitude of never quitting that has led her to a near 23-year sisterhood with Wendy Murphy, Baldwin City.
Christmas now official holiday in Iraq: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A2; Iraq’s Christians, a scant minority in this overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time.
Old Home Town - 100 years ago: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; From the Lawrence Daily World for Dec. 26, 1908: “The chief feature of Christmas services at the Lutheran Church was presentation and dedication of a large oil painting, ‘Christ in Gethesemane,’ the work of Lewis Hanson. He is a noted Danish artist who has lived here for some months
Where he belongs: Meier’s path to WR starts with frustration, ends in glory; By Dugan Arnett; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B1; Even now, even after the accolades and the Sports Illustrated cover and the unlikely emergence as one of the Big 12’s top receivers, Kerry Meier’s mind sometimes drifts to a single pass thrown 17 months ago.
Expect high scoring in Motor City Bowl: December 26, 2008 in print edition on B5; The Motor City Bowl is where teams put points on the board.
There’s no place like home for the holidays: Baldwin City family reunited during break from Peace Corps; By Jeff Myrick; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; For the Skaggs family, there’s new meaning to the classic holiday song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Ambassador sees hope for unified Iraq: By Trudy Rubin; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; Ambassador Ryan Crocker was holding his last meeting in the grand marble rooms of Saddam Hussein’s former palace, before the U.S. Embassy formally moved into new quarters and returned the building to the Iraqi government.
Ballard’s climb up KU ladder an enjoyable ride: Director of basketball operations began professional career as unpaid office fixture; By Gary Bedore; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B1; When Brett Ballard and his former Kansas University basketball teammates get together, they often discuss the highs and lows of the 2001-02 season — Ballard’s senior season at KU.
Troops in Iraq savor Christmas memories: By Chelsea J. Carter - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A10; Army Sgt. Robin Cameron stood guard outside a once opulent Iraqi shopping mall that now serves as a small U.S. military outpost, trying not to think about what he was missing with his family on Christmas.
Opportunity knocks?: Maybe there’s a chance for some positive action to come out of the state’s current financial crisis.; J-W Editorials; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. This crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before.” This recent statement by Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff designate, may seem a bit cavalier, arrogant, or even an indication that current conditions provide Obama the opportunity to impose long-lasting policies he never could dream of achieving in good times. However, other government officials at all levels probably understand what Emanuel was getting at.
Cancer patient slipping through cracks: By Karrey Britt; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A1; Three months ago, a 43-year-old Lawrence woman was told that she needed to have surgery to remove her right ovary and uterus. She also was told that the blood in her uterus was forming cancer cells.
Horoscopes: December 26, 2008 in print edition on B8; This year you will experiment with different approaches. Sometimes you will do nothing and watch what goes on. If you are single, you might not want to hook up with anyone until you really get to know this person. If you are attached, much time alone as a couple solidifies, amplifies and cements your relationship. Capricorn can trigger you, as you have similar issues.
Israel moves closer to Gaza invasion: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A2; Israel moved closer to invading Gaza, saying Thursday it had wrapped up preparations for a broad offensive after Palestinian militants fired about 100 rockets and mortar shells across the border in two days.
Pump patrol: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A3; The Journal-World found gas prices as low as $1.45 at several stations.
‘Valkyrie’ explores an intriguing historic coup: Roger Moore/The Orlando Sentinel; December 26, 2008; An unfussy, adult and stoic Tom Cruise anchors the World War II thriller “Valkyrie.”
Meier’s hands like velcro: By Tom Keegan; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B1; Kerry Meier’s story, filled with so many compelling turns, usually celebrates the team-first attitude he displayed after getting beaten out as the quarterback, his uncanny knack for getting open and a nod to his long stride that enables him to run so much faster than it appears he’s running.
Lawrence’s Sloan, other lawmakers look to tackle future economic problems: December 26, 2008; One group of lawmakers is making sure Kansas is prepared for future economic challenges.
Old Home Town - 40 years ago: December 26, 2008 in print edition on A8; The Jayhawk invasion of the Miami area had already begun with the Kansas-Penn State football game in the Orange Bowl drawing near. It was estimated more than 5,000 KU fans would be in the stands New Year’s Night. Gov. Robert Docking, a KU graduate, was heading up a Sunflower State delegation.
‘True Hollywood Story’ profiles Aniston: By Kevin McDonough; December 26, 2008 in print edition on B8; Can you still be America’s “girl”-next-door when you’re pushing 40? “True Hollywood Story” (8 p.m., E!) profiles Jennifer Aniston, the former “Friends” star who went on to appear in both big Hollywood romantic comedies and independent films.
New report forecasts terrorism threat to U.S.: By Eileen Sullivan - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A1; The terrorism threat to the United States over the next five years will be driven by instability in the Middle East and Africa, persistent challenges to border security and increasing Internet savvy, says a new intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press.
Amateurs trying hands at genetic engineering: By Marcus Wohlsen - Associated Press Writer; December 26, 2008 in print edition on A1; The Apple computer was invented in a garage. Same with the Google search engine. Now, tinkerers are working at home with the basic building blocks of life itself.
Eastern Conference teams outplaying the West: December 26, 2008; The Western Conference has ruled the NBA the past decade. Not anymore.

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National group seeks repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' law in Kansas May 27, 2012 · 119 comments
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