Archive for Tuesday, April 21, 2009 / LJWorld.com

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Also from April 21

Births

Blog entries

Obituaries

On the street

Photos

Hilary Brown, owner of Local Burger, prepares food at her restaurant, 714 Vt

Simran Sethi will be a featured guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show's Earth Day episode. Sethi is the Lacy C

LHS pitcher Lauren Massey picks up a ground ball by Shawnee Mission South's Heather Lauret Tuesday evening at Holcom Sports Complex

Lawrence High’s Megan Andrews (14) and Shawnee Mission West’s Sarah Batterson fight for a possession. The Lions fell, 2-1, Tuesday at Youth Sports Inc

Lawrence High’s Kristy Gerard, right, defends Shawnee Mission West’s Ashley Mauck. The Lions lost, 2-1, on Tuesday at Youth Sports Inc

Free State’s Maggie Hull slides safely into second base for a steal against Shawnee Mission South on Tuesday at Holcom Complex

Free State defender Mckenzie Liebl, right, battles for control with Shawnee Mission East senior midfielder Andie Mitchell. SM East won, 3-0, Tuesday at FSHS

Free State sophomore forward Amanda Moyer chases down a loose ball with Shawnee Mission East sophomore midfielder Kirsten Clark during the first half Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Free State High School

Preparing for a ceremony? Chairs, podium, flags and curtains were set up on second floor of the Statehouse. Minutes after this photograph was taken, members of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' office picked up the chairs

LHS senior Erin Eifler, left, shows Kennedy School students Jesse Bonham, center, and Sherry Stout some sample photograms

Sixth-graders from Kennedy School spent an afternoon with Lawrence High School students learning about photography. The class on Tuesday covered the techniques of photograms, pinhole cameras and working with photographs on a computer

Rick Grant, a worker with the street division of the Public Works Department, drives the sweeper along the curb near the intersection of April Rain Road and Stoneridge Drive in west Lawrence

Rick Grant, a worker with the street division of the Public Works Department, drives around west Lawrence in a street sweeper removing sand, salt and other remnants of winter

Alan Conroy, director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, briefs House Appropriations Committee members Tuesday on the depth of state's revenue shortfall

Legislators, state officials, lobbyists and others fill up room as House Appropriations Committee starts the task of writing a final state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. A deep recession has reduced revenue to state coffers

Leaders of House Appropriations Committee confer prior to start-up of Tuesday's meeting. Bill Feuerborn (left) of Garnett is the ranking Democrat and Kevin Yoder (right), R-Overland Park, is the committee chair

View all of this day's photos (38)

Photo galleries

The day in photos, April 21, 2009

Podcasts

The Morning Rush: Guilty pleas entered in Burger King robbery

Polls

Is the nationwide shortage of ammunition affecting you?

Poll results

Response	Percent
No		63%
Yes		34%
Not sure		2%
Total	850

Should Bush administration officials face trial over harsh interrogations?

Poll results

Response	Percent
No		54%
Yes		44%
I’m not sure		1%
Total	245

Videos

Lead stories

12:00 a.m.

Efficiency experts: Broken Arrow students trade recess for recycling efforts: By Courtney Servaes; April 20, 2009; Sherry Emerson says they have eagle eyes. They sort through each blue bin cautiously, carefully, making sure not to miss anything. If they aren’t thorough, they might overlook a few pencils, a pair of scissors or even some used tissues. They call themselves the Green Team.

6:00 a.m.

Henry brothers close to making decision; father says no visit to Kentucky, but later says visit on tap: By Gary Bedore; 11:15 a.m., April 20, 2009 Updated 1:40 p.m. in print edition on 1B; Xavier and C.J. Henry are close to making a decision concerning where they’ll play basketball next season, Carl Henry, father of the basketball playing brothers said Monday morning.

Video: Henrys won’t visit UK (unless they do)
Poll: Do you think recruit Xavier Henry will choose Kansas?

10:00 a.m.

Cordley student wins statewide healthy eating contest: By Karrey Britt; April 20, 2009 in print edition on 1A; A Cordley School first-grader won a statewide essay contest about healthy eating. While most youngsters focused on fruits and vegetables, Nathan Williams wrote about tofu and how it’s low in fat and high in protein.

Video: First-grader’s ‘imaginative’ essay wins contest
Poll: Have you ever eaten tofu?
Source document: Nathan Williams’ essay
On the street: What do you do to stay healthy?

6:00 p.m.

Sandbar School gives students hands-on lessons about river: By Lindsey Slater; April 21, 2009 in print edition on 3A; The Friends of the Kaw want to make sure kids get a good look at the Kansas River. “We drive over it and look at it,” said Chad Lamer, the group’s president. “But here’s this wonderful opportunity for us to be out and recreate.” The group hosted its first Sandbar School for students of two local elementary schools.

Video: Sandbar School gives students hands-on lessons about river

All stories

LHS senior places third in Constitution contest: By Mark Boyle; April 21, 2009; A Lawrence High senior brought home the bronze after winning third place in the first Kansas Constitution Bee.
Series of 5Ks planned for Lawrence this weekend: By George Diepenbrock; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A4; This weekend’s running calendar in Lawrence features five 5K (or 3.1-mile) charitable races for running fanatics to choose from. The races on Saturday and Sunday offer the rare chance for someone to participate in all five of them, if they play their cards right.
Permit for downtown lab now rests with city commission: City expected to consider special-use permit for Mass. Street building; By Chad Lawhorn; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B11; Efforts to attract a cancer research company to Downtown Lawrence are moving ahead. City commissioners are expected to consider in early May a request for a special-use permit that would allow the second floor of the building at 647 Mass. to be converted into laboratory space.
Worried gun owners trigger shortage in bullets, rise in price: ‘Running lower and lower and lower on handgun ammo’; By Jesse Fray; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A1; Worried gun owners have generated a nationwide shortage of ammunition.
Four men convicted in attack that killed Ottawa University football player: Associated Press; April 21, 2009; Four men have been sentenced in the beating death of a small-college football player.
Lawrence man charged with attempted rape, criminal threat: By Jesse Fray; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A5; Prosecutors charged a 48-year-old Lawrence man Monday with attempted rape and three counts of criminal threat, Douglas County Court records said.
Robocall urging coal plant support hits KU lines: Regents, university have policy against using phones for political purposes, but call is legal; By Scott Rothschild; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A3; A Kansas University employee said Tuesday she received a robocall on her work phone that urged her to tell her legislator to vote to overturn Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of two 700-megawatt coal-burning power plants.
Visiting minister from Harvard to give three talks: By Andy Hyland; April 21, 2009; The Rev. Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University has three upcoming events scheduled associated with his serving as the visiting scholar in religion from Sunday until Monday at Kansas University.
KU’s Mini College to offer variety of courses, including ‘meet the author’ opportunities: By Andy Hyland; April 21, 2009; In early June, some returning “students” to Kansas University will hear lectures on topics such as terrorism and getting rid of all that stuff accumulating around the house.
Do you think Bush-era officials responsible for harsh interrogations should face trial?: Associated Press; April 21, 2009; President Barack Obama said Tuesday the United States lost “our moral bearings” with gruesome terror-suspect interrogations and he left the door open to prosecuting Bush administration officials who vouched for their legality.
Helicopter to survey area as part of county’s preventive maintenance program: By Jesse Fray; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B11; The helicopter is scheduled to hover over several areas of the county. The mission was canceled in March because of weather conditions.
Arson victim takes stand at ex-boyfriend’s trial: By George Diepenbrock; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A5; As a Lawrence woman arrived on the scene last summer and learned her mobile home was on fire, she immediately blamed her ex-boyfriend, Trevor Toussaint.
Federal charges filed in cattle scam: By Jesse Fray; 11:37 a.m., April 21, 2009 Updated 03:18 p.m. in print edition on A5; An Overbrook man faces federal charges for defrauding a Jefferson County cattle ranch, prosecutors said.
Kansas legislators begin work on $328 million budget hole: By Scott Rothschild; 10:51 a.m., April 21, 2009 Updated 02:24 p.m. in print edition on A1; In just a few months, the Kansas economy has gone from bad to worse, and the fear is that it could continue to slide, officials said Tuesday.
Senate committee approves Sebelius nomination by wide margin: By Erica Werner - Associated Press Writer; 09:52 a.m., April 21, 2009 Updated 05:20 p.m. in print edition on A6; Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has won approval from a divided Senate panel to become secretary of health and human services in the Obama administration.
Police investigating pawn shop burglary: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A4; A burglar broke into Jayhawk Pawn & Jewelry, 1804 W. Sixth St., early Monday morning and stole an undetermined amount of jewelry, police said. Sgt. Michael McLaren said police arrived at the pawn shop at 2:28 a.m. Monday to find that somebody had made entry through the cinder block wall on the western side of the building.
Old Home Town - 100 years ago: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; From the Lawrence Daily World for April 21, 1909: “If the present high prices in all kinds of foodstuffs continue, the restaurants of Lawrence are planning a hike in the prices of meal tickets and single meals. … The post office department has issued a new order for rural routes.”
Pump patrol: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A3; The Journal-World found gas prices as low as $1.89 at several stations.
Community backs 10-year-old Prairie Park center: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B9; Marty Birrell considers it a citywide performance review. When city officials floated a proposal to close the Prairie Park Nature Center in February, residents came forward in droves in support of the nature center.
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau reaches out to community to help attract visitors: By Shanxi Omoniyi; April 21, 2009; Like many others in Lawrence, Anne Buhler Dillon found she just couldn’t get away. Born and raised here, she attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., for her bachelor’s degree in communication but later returned to the Sunflower State as her life and professional career unfolded.
Financial advisers suggest how to invest a windfall (however unlikely): By Mike Belt; April 21, 2009; It’s your lucky day. The Kansas Lottery scratch-off ticket you just bought awarded you $1,000. Or maybe it’s less dramatic, and you just were frugal enough to scrape together some savings. Now what?
Double Take: New teen author sought for column: By Wes Crenshaw and Kelly Kelin; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C1; This week we begin the annual Double Take essay contest to find the sixth author for the column.
Sandbar School gives students hands-on lessons about river: By Lindsey Slater; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A3; The Friends of the Kaw want to make sure kids get a good look at the Kansas River. “We drive over it and look at it,” said Chad Lamer, the group’s president. “But here’s this wonderful opportunity for us to be out and recreate.” The group hosted its first Sandbar School for students of two local elementary schools.
Parker scores 38; Spurs rout Mavs: Associated Press; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B2; Tony Parker had 38 points and eight assists to help the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks, 105-84, on Monday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Allen, Celtics tie series with Bulls: Associated Press; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B2; Ray Allen landed the final blow in a memorable duel with Ben Gordon on Monday night, shooting the Boston Celtics back into their first-round series.
Top Americans take third in Boston: Ethiopia’s Merga, Kenya’s Kosgei win marathon; Associated Press; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B2; American Kara Goucher ripped off the gloves she wore for the first 25 miles and threw them to the pavement.
Nine Boston runners from Lawrence: J-W Staff Reports; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B3; Nine finishers of the Boston Marathon listed Lawrence as their hometown.
Government sets deadline for surrender: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A6; The Sri Lankan government gave the Tamil Tiger rebels 24 hours to surrender Monday after as many as 35,000 civilians, allegedly being held by rebels as human shields, poured through a broken rebel barricade to flee the last Tiger stronghold, officials said.
Obama meets with Cabinet, orders cuts: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A6; The brickbats were flying even before President Barack Obama convened his first official Cabinet meeting Monday. At the session, Obama ordered his agency heads to identify and shave a collective $100 million in administrative costs from federal programs from a budget of well over $3 trillion.
Report: 1.3M people live with paralysis: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A6; Five times more people are living with a spinal-cord injury than doctors have thought — nearly 1.3 million — says surprising new research that finds many of them unable to afford key health care. Overall, 5.5 million people in the U.S. have some degree of paralysis because of a variety of neurologic problems, from multiple sclerosis to strokes, says a report released today.
Guilty pleas entered in Burger King robbery: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A4; A 22-year-old Bonner Springs man has pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted robbery in connection with the robbery of four Kansas University students outside a Lawrence Burger King. Antoine Barber pleaded guilty to the two charges earlier this month. Prosecutors originally had charged him with four counts of aggravated robbery in connection with the January robbery, according to court records.
On the record: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A4; • Lawrence police on Sunday arrested a 48-year-old Lawrence man on charges of rape, battery and three counts of criminal threat. • A 28-year-old Lawrence woman reported aggravated burglary and criminal damage to property Saturday morning, according to a police report.
Physicist Stephen Hawking seriously ill: By Robert Barr - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; Stephen Hawking, the British mathematician and physicist famed for his work on black holes, was rushed to a hospital Monday and was seriously ill, Cambridge University said. Hawking has been fighting a chest infection for several weeks and was being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, the university city northeast of London, the university said.
Probe ordered in case of jailed U.S. journalist: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; Iran’s judiciary ordered a full investigation Monday into the case of an American journalist imprisoned for allegedly spying for the U.S. and allowed the woman’s parents to visit her for the first time since she was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Toxin suspected in deaths of polo ponies: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; Ladies in their spring dresses and men in casual linen suits sipped champagne and nibbled hors d’oeuvres as they waited for the U.S. Open polo match in Wellington. What they ended up with was a field of death. Magnificent polo ponies, each valued at up to $200,000, stumbled from their trailers and crumpled one by one onto the green grass.
Alleged pirate arrives in U.S., awaits hearing: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; The sole surviving Somali pirate from the hostage-taking of an American ship captain arrived in New York on Monday, smiling for a gaggle of cameras and reporters as federal agents led him into custody to face charges in the attack.
Bailout may expose taxpayers to losses: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; Taxpayers are increasingly exposed to losses and the government is more vulnerable to fraud under Obama administration initiatives that have created a federal bank bailout program of “unprecedented scope,” a government report finds.
Day of Caring may lead volunteers to longer commitments: By Aly Van Dyke; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A5; Kansas University freshman Stephanie Jian typically uses her Saturday mornings to catch up on sleep after a grueling week of school. But Saturday, Jian plans to be knee-deep in dirt as she and 10 other KU Young Democrats plant, mulch and work the grounds at New York School. Jian and the Young Democrats are 11 of 300 confirmed volunteers for Roger Hill Volunteer Center’s eighth annual Day of Caring.
Franklin Co. deputy wins $500,000: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A5; A deputy with the Franklin County sheriff’s office has won $500,000 in the Midwest Millions lottery prize. Adam Sorell, 27, who has been a deputy for about five years and lives in Shawnee, went to the Kansas Lottery headquarters in Topeka on Monday to claim the prize with his wife, Samera Sorell, a registered nurse for a Kansas City-area endocrinologist.
County Commission approves bridge funding: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A5; Douglas County commissioners approved the final piece of funding to replace an aging bridge in the county that is the only access to a few properties. The project includes construction of a new truss bridge over Washington Creek on North 900 Road, about 1 mile east of the town of Lone Star. It also means destruction of an 80-foot-long truss bridge that was built in the early 1900s.
LJWorld.com among EPpy Award finalists: April 21, 2009 in print edition on B7; LJWorld.com and Lawrence.com are finalists for EPpy Awards, an international program recognizing the best in online sites and content. Both sites are part of The World Company, a Lawrence-based media operation whose Web sites have won an EPpy award each year since 2003.
Providing a pulpit: By Jean-Luc Godasse; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; To the editor: Well, once again I have had my morning coffee soured by another of Carl Burkhead’s all too frequent superstitious screeds. Once again, I have to wonder why this paper is so willing to provide him a soapbox. I personally doubt the hypothesis advanced by Heliocentricity and I remain convinced that this whole “Round Earth Theory” is a fad that will soon pass from the popular conceptual vernacular.
Extended legacy: By Bernard R. McCoy; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; To the editor: I am thrilled to hear about the “Kansas Generations” legacy tuition program. The Kansas Board of Regents and state lawmakers are to be commended for their action. I would, however, implore lawmakers and the Kansas Board of Regents to extend the benefits of this program beyond incoming freshman and to all out-state scholars who attend Kansas University.
Inspiring event: By Shawna Davis; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; To the editor: Saturday night I attended Kansas University’s first Dance Marathon. The reason we were there was because our daughter is a patient at Children’s Mercy. We went to speak to the dancers about our experience at Children’s Mercy.
Animal control: By Cris Griffith; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; To the editor: As I was jogging on the sidewalk after work recently in broad daylight, I came upon a blonde woman with three small dogs. They were stopped in the grass doing what dogs do. As I passed on the sidewalk one of the dogs charged at me and bit me! Luckily it only got my shoe.
Old Home Town - 25 years ago: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, space pioneer and World War II fighter pilot hero, recounted his efforts to become a pilot during a visit to Lawrence. His visit was sponsored by the aerospace engineering department at Kansas University.
State broils in record heat of 100 degrees: April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; A record blast of heat is sending crowds of Californians to the beaches as temperatures hit 100 degrees. Record heat was forecast statewide again Monday with the National Weather Service posting a heat advisory along the coast from San Francisco Bay south to Big Sur. Thermometers registered record highs Sunday across Southern California.
Guards from firm still protect U.S. diplomats: April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; Armed guards from the security firm once known as Blackwater Worldwide are still protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq, even though the company has no license to operate there and has been told by the State Department its contracts will not be renewed two years after a lethal firefight that stirred outrage in Baghdad.
State gets $67.5M in tobacco money: April 21, 2009 in print edition on B8; Attorney General Steve Six says Kansas received more than $67.5 million in its annual payment from a 1998 tobacco settlement agreement. Earlier this year, Six recovered $4.5 million in tobacco settlement funds previously withheld by tobacco companies. With the two payments, the attorney general’s office has received more than $72 million this year from the multistate settlement of lawsuits against major tobacco companies.
Wet weather helping boost wheat crop: April 21, 2009 in print edition on B8; Heavy rains across Kansas gave the state’s winter wheat crop a boost, even as farmers got a clearer picture of damage caused by temperatures dipping below freezing earlier this month. A report Monday from the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service rated 40 percent of the crop as fair, 40 percent as good and 4 percent as excellent, after the recent wet weather.
DA Branson offers tips to make sure the charity’s legit: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B6; If you’re looking to help out a charity in need during the down economy, make sure your donation is going where you intend it to go.
Praeger: Health insurance should not be denied: Commissioner wants to end exclusions for pre-existing conditions; By Mark Boyle; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A3; The state of the insurance in Kansas is good, yet still needs some work. That was the basis of a discussion Monday evening led by former Kansas Senator and current Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger. Praeger, of Lawrence, also served on the city commission and as mayor here before moving on to state government.
City’s climate task force objectives on hold: By Aly Van Dyke; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B4; Twice a month for more than a year, a group of 11 people met under the compact-fluorescent lights of City Hall to develop a plan to make Lawrence a little greener.
Questions, answers about unemployment benefits: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A8; Here are questions and answers about unemployment benefits from the Kansas Department of Labor.
Cut costs on growing produce: McClatchy Newspapers; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C1; Planting a vegetable garden can be a frugal and healthy way to feed your family, but not if you fork over big bucks for supplies and then end up with slim pickins at harvest time.
Lawrence businesses tap into social media: By Christine Metz; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C10; When Sunflower Outdoor & Bike owner Dan Hughes wanted to promote a Trek bicycle demo event last month, he went online to do it. He sent e-mails to customers who’ve signed up for newsletters and posted the event on the store’s Facebook page.
K-State’s Kelly arrested: J-W Staff Reports; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B2; Kansas State forward Curtis Kelly has been arrested on two outstanding warrants for failure to appear. Lt. Kurt Moldrup of the Riley County Police Department told The Topeka Capital-Journal that the warrants stem from unpaid traffic violations.
Chalmers sits out: J-W Staff Reports; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B2; Miami Heat starting point guard and Kansas University product Mario Chalmers, who struggled in Sunday’s 90-64 Game 1 loss to the Hawks in this best-of-seven first-round NBA playoff series, sat out practice due to what the team described as a slightly twisted left ankle. He is scheduled to return to practice today, with Game 2 not until Wednesday.
Reesing rising: No surprise: QB looks even better; By Tom Keegan; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B1; Strangely, when a great athlete becomes greater, we tend to ask ourselves, “How did he do that? How did he become even greater at what he does that makes him great? It didn’t seem possible, but he did it. How?” When you think about it, we ought to react in opposite fashion. Of course they get better. They didn’t become great by letting complacency infect them. They became great by constantly challenging themselves to become more efficient, more precise.
Lassiter undrafted standout: By Chuck Woodling; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B1; With the NFL Draft — and all of its overhyped whoop-de-do coming this weekend — I found myself wondering again what it all means. For instance, we all know that John Hadl, Gale Sayers, John Riggins, Dana Stubblefield, et al., parlayed first-round selections into Pro Bowl careers.
2009 Pulitzer Prize winners in journalism and arts: Associated Press; April 21, 2009; The 2009 Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists in journalism, arts and music.
Tales of gender, race honored with prizes: By Michael Kuchwara - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; Stories of race and gender prevailed at this year’s Pulitzer Prizes, with “Ruined,” Lynn Nottage’s harrowing tale of survival set against the backdrop of an African civil war, winning for drama Monday and books about slavery, civil rights and Andrew Jackson also receiving awards.
Newspapers earn Pulitzers for bringing down governor, mayor: By Deepti Hajela - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; Two newspapers hit hard by a historic downturn won Pulitzer Prizes on Monday for exposing sex scandals that brought down a governor and a big-city mayor, in what was hailed as a victory for old-fashioned watchdog journalism at a time when the industry’s very survival is in question.
1,000 gather to commemorate Columbine victims: By Kristen Wyatt - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A1; With words of hope and healing, Coloradans on Monday marked the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings that left 12 students and a teacher dead. About 1,000 people gathered for a sunset memorial service at Clement Park, next to the school, where survivors, relatives and current students reflected on the massacre.
Iranian leader sparks walkout after calling Israel cruel, racist: By Frank Jordans - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; Dozens of Western diplomats walked out of a U.N. conference and a pair of rainbow-wigged protesters threw clown noses at Iran’s president Monday when the hard-line leader called Israel the “most cruel and repressive racist regime.”
Eagerly anticipated draft day looms for K.C.: Associated Press; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B3; This may be Kansas City’s most anticipated draft since Lamar Hunt hitched his franchise to a moving van 46 years ago and conceded Dallas to the Cowboys. Coming off their worst season ever, the Chiefs have gaping needs up and down a talent-starved roster and own the third pick overall. That’s their highest in decades.
Business going dry for dairy farmers: By Mike Belt; April 21, 2009; Things are not going well this year for dairy farmers. The price farmers are paid for their product is so low many of them are lucky to break even.
Court rejects Wittig’s appeal: By John Hanna - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A5; Former Kansas utility executive David Wittig will remain in prison, serving time for a federal bank fraud conviction, because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday. The high court, without comment, refused to consider an appeal by the former Westar Energy Inc. CEO of the two-year prison term imposed by a federal judge in 2007. A jury had convicted him in July 2003 on six counts involving his loan of $1.5 million to a former Topeka bank officer.
Overqualification an issue for many job seekers: By Michell Singletary - The Washington Post; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B7; You’ve lost your job. But you don’t immediately panic. After all, you have an undergraduate degree and perhaps an advanced degree. You either saved or more likely borrowed heavily for this get-out-of-unemployment-free card.
Concerns about bank health grip Wall Street: By Martin Crutsinger - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B7; Anxiety is growing again over the health of the nation’s largest banks, and with Congress hesitant to commit more money, the Obama administration is exploring ways to strengthen them in the face of an unrelenting recession.
Kansas industry leader: Banks hit hard by FDIC premiums: By Mark Fagan; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B7; Earl McVicker assured a room full of Rotarians that community banks are safe, secure and largely free from the worries that have plagued onetime financial juggernauts such as Citibank, Goldman Sachs and AIG. Not that the smaller banks are immune from the financial damage leveled during the ongoing economic downturn.
Expert: Millions suffer from ‘hypereating’: Associated Press; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A1; Food hijacked Dr. David Kessler’s brain. Not apples or carrots. The scientist who once led the government’s attack on addictive cigarettes can’t wander through part of San Francisco without craving a local shop’s chocolate-covered pretzels. Stop at one cookie? Rarely.
People in the news: April 21, 2009 in print edition on B6; • New Dan Brown novel coming in September • Court to hear Madonna adoption appeal May 4 • Winfrey decides to pull program on Columbine • ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actress is pregnant • NBC sending Curry into 2 war zones
What’s left after humans are gone?: By Kevin McDonough; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B6; Based on the most popular special in the history of The History Channel, “Life After People” (9 p.m., History) will spend 10 episodes speculating about the fate of the Earth after humans leave the scene. Experts will opine about the future disposition of our remains after some possible mass extinction.
Horoscopes: April 21, 2009 in print edition on B6; This year, stay on your chosen path, and you’ll greet success. Your ideas are well received among your friends. If you are single, wherever you go, you discover many admirers. You exude unusual charisma. If you are attached, you find your bond more fulfilling than in the past.
Old Home Town - 40 years ago: April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; The Douglas County Commission reaffirmed a policy set four years earlier on assessing improvements on business and residential buildings. The policy exempted property that had been rehabilitated or remodeled from any increase in taxes based solely on improvement.
Stabilizing Afghanistan is top priority: By Trudy Rubin; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; I am writing this column en route to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of all the pressing foreign-policy items on President Obama’s plate, bar none, AfPak is the most troubling. The nightmare scenario used by the Bush administration to justify the Iraq war — the possibility that terrorists might obtain nukes — was applied to the wrong country. Iraq had no nukes and no al-Qaida before we invaded, but Pakistan has both.
Search concerns: Attracting a strong candidate pool is critical to the selection of Kansas University’s next chancellor.; J-W Editorials; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; The first “cut” or elimination of candidates for the chancellorship of Kansas University has been made. The next step is for remaining candidates to be interviewed May 13-15 with the goal of selecting a final candidate sometime in June.
Court to weigh free-speech issue in pit bull case: By Mark Sherman - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; The Supreme Court said Monday it will explore a dark corner of Americans’ fascination with animals, whether the sale of videos depicting dog fights and violent deaths of small animals is protected by the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.
Obama defends memo release to CIA employees: By Pamela Hess - Associated Press Writer; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; Days after releasing top-secret memos that detailed the CIA’s use of simulated drowning while interrogating terror suspects, President Barack Obama went to the spy agency’s Virginia headquarters on Monday to defend his decision and bolster the morale of its employees.
Oread Inn planned as ‘part of the community’: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C7; Jim Peters is excited about the possibilities at 12th Sreet and Oread Avenue. As director of professional programs for Kansas University Continuing Education, Peters is in charge of helping KU departments bring workshops and conferences to campus. That means securing hotel rooms and meeting space — both of which have, at times, been a challenge in Lawrence.
Businesses offer ‘layoff insurance’ deals: By Jesse Fray; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C8; With layoffs mounting, some companies are giving worried workers the some level of confidence. They’re providing consumers with multiple layoff insurance options.
City-KU transit plans will increase options in Lawrence: By Chad Lawhorn; April 21, 2009 in print edition on D8; Come August, riding the bus in Lawrence will be different. Leaders with the city and Kansas University said that when the fall semester begins at KU, a new era in bus service also will begin.
Free State beer should hit shelves in ’09: By Jon Niccum; April 21, 2009 in print edition on D6; On a Sunday morning in October, Chuck Magerl received a phone call from the alarm monitoring company that watched over his latest property.
Guild age: Lawrence arts group opening new gallery space downtown: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C1; At first glance, it might not have seemed much like an art gallery. The space at 1109 Mass. wasn’t in pristine condition and had turquoise walls, a black ceiling and graffiti in the back room. But members of the Lawrence Art Guild saw something else: potential.
Interest surges in volunteering, service careers: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C7; Sure, Paige Blair could be making money right now. But she’s choosing to live on food stamps, accept help for her energy bills and live off a stipend that’s less than minimum wage.
Lawrence sister city resident offers German perspective on economy: By Helmut Scheewe - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C7; “Crisis? What crisis?” This was the response from an 84-year-old neighbor recently when I asked him what he was thinking about the global economic crisis.
Travel agents say price is right for booking trips: By Nancy Pistorius - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C6; There’s a bright side to this year’s dismal economy: fire-sale prices in travel.
Take advantage of timely good deals: April 21, 2009 in print edition on C6; The economic recession doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. With consumer spending down, many retailers are offering great deals to entice customers back into their stores. Here are some deals to look for to make the most of the recession.
Commuter costs cut into Lawrence living: By Janet Reid; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C5; How many lawyers does it take to drive to Topeka? It may sound like a bad joke, but 14 lawyers who live in Lawrence and commute together every day to Topeka seem to have it all figured out.
Gasoline prices not expected to spike as high this summer: By Nancy Pistorius - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C4; Last year’s gasoline-pump sticker shock still reverberates in the minds of many Americans, Lawrence residents included.
Create a résumé that stands out: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C3; It’s tough to sort through the sea of paper and online files. A recent survey by CareerBuilder.com found that one in four human resource managers is receiving 75 applications for every one open position; an additional 42 percent say they’re receiving 50 applications or more.
Grocers note shoppers’ changing needs: By Sarah Henning; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C12; Everybody has to eat. So maybe that’s why even with stocks tanking and foreclosures up, Lawrence grocery stores are staying as cool as the freezer case. Some have expanded, while others are seeing good business thanks to the reality that cooking meals at home is often cheaper than eating out.
Lawrence Memorial Hospital anticipates new needs in economic downturn: By Karrey Britt; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B11; Lawrence Memorial Hospital has braced itself for the ill effects of the troubled economy. Board members approved a 2009 budget that projected a net income from operations of $6.5 million, down 21 percent compared to 2008’s profit of $8.2 million and down 33 percent from 2007’s $9.7 million.
Health clinics report increasing need: By Karrey Britt; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B11; Clinics and organizations that offer free health services are bracing for financial cutbacks at a time when they are needed the most. “I think every service, whether it’s education, health, human service or whatever, has near-total uncertainty about what’s going to happen economically,” said Marcia Epstein, director of Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence. “Everybody is doing the most they can with the resources they have.”
Area foundations feeling pinch of poor returns: By Marcia McFarlane - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B10; Even in Lawrence, long-known for its generosity to those in need, it might seem the current economy could put a kink in the community’s long record of supporting good causes.
Lack of funding delays Baldwin Woods protection: By Marcia McFarlane - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B8; Sprawling across 256 acres in southern Douglas County, the scenic parcel of land known as the Baldwin Woods lies undisturbed, its pristine beauty home to warblers, hawks, snakes and various forms of plant life. Several local entities want to keep it that way.
Young professionals network seeks changes as it celebrates five years: By Eileen Roddy; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B7; The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Networking Group celebrates its fifth birthday this year with plans for a packed program and changes to ensure the group’s future development.
Meetup will encourage investing locally: By Christine Metz; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B7; From Switzerland to Japan, Derek Maune has made contacts from around the world in efforts to grow his technology companies.
Green trends hold strong, even in tight economy: By Eileen Roddy; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B5; American gas prices reached $3.50 for the first time in April 2008. Six weeks later, they’d escalated to $4 and threatened to go higher. Conversations buzzed about ways to reduce mileage and adopt more sustainable and eco-friendly living practices.
Families find lifestyle changes cut financial stress: By Mike Belt; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B3; Last year, Chad and Renate Rea were mired in debt and living beyond their financial means. The couple and their two young children were living in a 3,200-square-foot house, driving a new hybrid car and trying to keep up with credit card bills.
Restaurants thrive despite downturn: By Sarah Henning; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A11; In the darkness of the economic climate, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel — and it’s bouncing off a pair of golden arches. As the economy causes many to cut back on eating out, McDonald’s has seen growth — the fast-food chain’s sales were up 7.1 percent in January.
Stimulus funding eases state budget crisis: By Scott Rothschild; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A9; The story of Kansas’ budget problems can be divided into two distinct chapters — before the federal stimulus package and after the federal stimulus package.
New support group reaches out to unemployed: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009; Dan Consolver is glad to be surrounded by people in his own predicament. Sort of. “Misery may love company,” Consolver said, “but we’d rather not be miserable.”
Future cancer center designation Kansas University’s No. 1 priority: By Andy Hyland; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; Roy Jensen often talks of a countdown clock to the date when Kansas University applies for National Cancer Institute designation. Now, there’s one posted at the Cancer Center’s Web site — cancer.kumc.edu — ticking down the seconds until Sept. 25, 2011.
U.S. Highway 59 work moves ahead: By Mark Fagan; April 21, 2009; After months of delays, work to build the Douglas County portion of a new U.S. Highway 59 are gearing up.
Recession recovery: Will we know it when we see it?: By Mark Fagan; April 21, 2009; Justin Hill Jr. isn’t sure when the U.S. will start climbing out of its economic hole, creeping back up the steep walls that have been bored deep into a collective financial abyss. But he’s absolutely confident he’ll recognize the monetary rise, once it arrives.
City grappling with industrial growth: By Chad Lawhorn; April 21, 2009; The search is still on for Lawrence’s next hot spot for jobs. Lawrence city commissioners have spent the good part of a year talking about potential sites to locate a new business park, but it has been difficult to turn the talk into solid action.
State leaders pursuing budget on agro-defense facility: By Scott Rothschild; April 21, 2009; Kansas politicians usually don’t have trouble finding something to argue about. There’s Republican vs. Democrat; conservative Republican vs. moderate Republican; evolution vs. intelligent design — you get the idea.
Services cater to new influx of retirees: By Peter Zachariadis - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009; Eldon Herd, 83, always fondly remembered Lawrence from his days as a Kansas University student in the early 1950s. He had been away for almost 40 years when he and his wife, Glenna, decided to move back and retire there in 1991. Lawrence’s culture and sophistication added to an intimate community where people knew and cared about each other’s welfare.
Turnpike construction pushing 25% completion: By Mark Fagan; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A7; It won’t be long now before the first of two new Kansas Turnpike bridges across the Kansas River gets its traffic-carrying surface.
Search on track for new Kansas University chancellor: By Andy Hyland; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A6; When Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway announced his intention to step down from that post in December, the Kansas Board of Regents moved quickly to start looking for a replacement.
Chamber leaders: We’re here to help: By Mike Belt; April 21, 2009; Tom Kern wants to help. At a time when many businesses are struggling economically, Kern and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, which he serves as president and CEO, are stepping up to help.
Realtor numbers decline amid tough market: By Kristen Holmes; April 21, 2009; While some housing experts are painting a bleak national picture of the industry, some Lawrence real estate agents are saying the dark economic cloud has a silver lining. “We’re finding buyers out there are ready to get off the fence and make a move,” said Nicholas Lerner, an agent at McGrew Real Estate.
Foreclosures up again, but the end may be in sight: By Christine Metz; April 21, 2009; When it comes to foreclosures in Douglas County, the bad news is that sheriff sales of foreclosed homes were up by almost 65 percent from the year before.
New rentals on market geared toward students: By George Diepenbrock; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A4; It’s called the “Lawrence shuffle.” Every summer around Aug. 1, thousands of Kansas University students move out of or into rental units across the city — old houses, houses converted into apartments and apartment buildings — as their leases expire and new ones take effect. It’s a major factor in the Lawrence economy.
Census count could significantly affect city’s funds: By Karrey Britt; April 21, 2009; Preparations for Census Day — April 1, 2010 — are under way. The task of counting every person residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. island territories is no small feat. The U.S. Census Bureau will hire 1.4 million workers nationwide to locate, count and categorize each of the nation’s residents.
Health care, education, government fields hiring: By Aly Van Dyke; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C2; Want a job? It’s not too hard — if you know which field to choose.
Small businesses, big dreams: Experts say now is a good time for your startup: By George Diepenbrock; April 21, 2009 in print edition on C1; Michael Neth is hoping to cook up some good news. Amid economic turmoil, Neth and his business partners have decided to take matters into their own hands.
Area businesses give back to community: By Eileen Roddy; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B2; Despite the shrinking economy, the hearts of Lawrence business owners and employees appear to be expanding.
The character of Lawrence: Leaders strive to maintain quality despite economy: By Jon Niccum; April 21, 2009; It’s not just Wall Street and Detroit that are feeling the brunt of economic collapse. Cities all across the country are staring at unemployment levels that have eclipsed 10 percent for the first time in decades. In certain respects, it proves the theory of “trickle-down economics.” Or at least that the bad parts tend to trickle down.
Federal lawsuit under way in South Lawrence Trafficway plans: By Chad Lawhorn; April 21, 2009; There’s activity again on completing the South Lawrence Trafficway bypass project. But some of the activity is familiar — a federal lawsuit.
Stage set for mini-city at Sixth and Wakarusa: By Mark Fagan; April 21, 2009; Piles of rock, mounds of dirt and rows of bulldozers signal unmistakable construction progress northeast of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive in northwest Lawrence. But indications of commercial additions are still to come.
Seniors seek different investment strategies: By Aly Van Dyke; April 21, 2009; John “Jack” Bushman worked as a Kansas University professor in English education for 34 years before he retired in 2005. Now 68, Bushman enjoys a relatively peaceful life in his Ottawa home and never misses his monthly Friday night bridge game. But if the economy continues its current downturn, Bushman could be in a bit of trouble.
Health clubs thrive, even in ailing economy: By Sonya English - Special to the Journal-World; April 21, 2009; If people in Lawrence are sweating out the recession, it hasn’t kept them from working up a sweat in local fitness centers. While people look for ways to trim down their spending, they aren’t starting with their gym memberships. Health clubs around town had steady or increased membership sales this year in January and February, the months when sales typically peak.
Churches report steady support from tithing: By Sarah Henning; April 21, 2009; When your own pocketbook is in a vise, giving money may seem like a difficult proposition. But local churches have yet to notice a change in the giving nature of their parishioners.
Nonprofits feel squeeze on both ends: By Terry Rombeck; April 21, 2009 in print edition on B6; There’s a common bond among many of the folks who come into the Ballard Community Center these days. “I see more people who walk through the door with their head down,” director Dianne Ensminger said. “They won’t look you in the eye.”
Bioscience efforts increased focus in the community: By Andy Hyland; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A2; With Kansas University’s quest to attain National Cancer Institute designation, bioscience efforts have been an increased focus in the community during recent months. But the efforts in bioscience research and development don’t stop there.
The ups and downs of town & gown: Lawrence leaders keep KU’s impact in perspective; By Chad Lawhorn; April 21, 2009 in print edition on A1; Knowledge isn’t usually on the list of things to downsize. That’s a thought that leaders in college communities nationwide say is reassuring during tough economic times. “We’re going through some times that will hurt and that will be tough, but I think this is a time when you count your blessings that you are in a university community,” said Lawrence City Commissioner Rob Chestnut.
Poised for the future: Some of Lawrence’s oldest businesses share strategies for the years ahead: By Mark Fagan; April 21, 2009; Watch expenses. Limit inventories. Meet customers’ needs. Such business mantras are taking on increased significance these days, as businesses throughout all sectors of the economy grapple with a pervasive recession. Some businesses, of course, have been here before. And their leaders of today are recalling the lessons of yesteryear, when their predecessors navigated their enterprises through the Great Depression.

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El Mezcal II $4.25 Speedy Gonzales-Taco and Enchilada · with rice or beans.

Queen Lizzy's $3.00 Cheese and Branston Pickle Loaded Baguette · with chips or salad. $6.50 Served between 11:30am ...

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National group seeks repeal of 'Stand Your Ground' law in Kansas May 27, 2012 · 150 comments
U.S. military sees new appreciation May 28, 2012 · 34 comments
Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012 · 256 comments
Blog: Writing Your Erotica: An Afternoon Lead By Dixie Lubin In The Company Of Other Women May 28, 2012 · 40 comments
Tuition victims May 22, 2012 · 54 comments
Remove politics, and redistricting map falls in line May 27, 2012 · 42 comments
Tax gamble May 26, 2012 · 84 comments
On the street: How did you spend your Memorial Day? May 28, 2012 · 27 comments
Study suggests continued population drop in Kansas May 29, 2012 · 5 comments
Sound Off: How much does the city’s transit system collect in fares compared with how much it costs May 27, 2012 · 131 comments

Thread of pain ran through Jackson’s career June 28, 2009
Kansas tax act most regressive in nation May 27, 2012
Friends mourn Lynn Bretz, former voice of KU May 28, 2012
KU’s Elijah Johnson cautious at camp May 29, 2012
Hilltop executive director Pat Pisani stepping down May 28, 2012
Kansas football scouring country May 29, 2012
City, county mull upgrade to emergency radio system May 28, 2012
Lives forever changed by skywalk collapse July 15, 2001
Hard-luck loss: Blue Valley West walk-off sends Lawrence High baseball home in pitchers’ duel May 26, 2012
Book helps family heal after tragedy May 28, 2012