Archive for Thursday, June 25, 2009 / LJWorld.com

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Michelle Merritt makes homemade rings out of old buttons that she is selling to raise money for an international adoption

Ross and Michelle Merritt are in the process of trying to complete an international adoption

Michael Eravi designs and makes sundials in addition to having a home repair business

Volunteers from all over America have come to work on the new Baptist church in Eudora. Last week, they added the air conditioning and worked on the roof

Volunteers Marshall Lewis, left, of Birmingham, Ala., and Craig Milbourn, of Pine Bluff, Ark., are among hundreds of workers from across the country helping to build the new Eudora Baptist Church

Lawrence residents Dan Hughes, left, and Adam Mills work on their sprints last Thursday in downtown Lawrence. Hughes and Mills were training for the Tour of Lawrence, set to take place Friday-Sunday in downtown Lawrence and at Kansas University’s campus

Lawrence resident Andrea Baloga grabs some limes Thursday in the produce section at the new Wal-Mart at Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive

From Left, Adam Mills, 29, Channel 6 reporter Mark Boyle and Dan Hughes, 40, practice cycling sprints through downtown Lawrence. Bicycle enthusiasts will be hitting Lawrence on the July 4 weekend for the 2009 Tour of Lawrence bike races

The new electronics departments of some Wal-Marts, like this one at Sixth and Wakarusa, are designed to be more interactive

A new Habitat for Humanity home is under construction for the Mendoza family of Lawrence

Alex Thompson, a senior golfer at Lawrence High, watches his drive during the Kansas Junior Golf Association Northeast Section tournament. Thompson shot a 76 to finish second in his division Thursday at Alvamar Public

Lawrence's Austin Holladay (right) waits to make the tag at seclnd on Richard Lewis' steal to second in the third inning Thursday, June 25, in the Al Ice Wood Bat Classic at Hoglund Ballpark.

Bryan Kindle (7) is safe on a steal at third in the second inning Thursday, June 25, in the Al Ice Wood Bat Classic at Hoglund Ballpark

Lawrence's Drew Noble delivers a pitch Thursday, June 25, during the Al Ice Wood Bat Classic at Hoglund Ballpark.

Sarah Stirn unpacks at her new home in southwest Lawrence. Considering the slumping housing market, Sarah and her husband, Jarvis, were ecstatic that their old home sold so quickly

Jarvis and Sarah Stirn and their 3-year-old daughter Zoie, recently moved into a new home in southwest Lawrence. Considering the slumping housing market, the Stirn's were ecstatic that their old home sold so quickly

View all of this day's photos (33)

Photo galleries

Michael Jackson's life and times

Lavender harvest at Washington Creek Lavender farm

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Lead stories

6:00 a.m.

Local farmers bringing in a bumper crop of lavender: By Lindsey Slater; June 24, 2009 in print edition on 1A; While purple isn’t exactly a welcome hue in Lawrence, the Washington Creek Lavender farm is filled with almost 5,000 plants just that color.

Video: Lavender farm offers relaxing harvest
Photo gallery: Lavender harvest at Washington Creek Lavender farm

10:00 a.m.

A/C technicians keep their cool in heat wave: By Jesse Fray; June 25, 2009 in print edition on 3A; Phil Foster’s lost 6 pounds in the last five days, and it wasn’t by design.

Video: AC malfunctions common, much-maligned

2:00 p.m.

Progress being made on LHS, Free State fields: By Lindsey Slater; June 24, 2009 in print edition on 3A; The rain last week turned to a summer heat wave, but that hasn’t deterred work on the new high school athletic fields.

Video: Athletic field work ramps up

6:00 p.m.

Miss Allison: By Richard Gintowt; June 25, 2009 in print edition on 1C; There’s something enviable about Allison Olassa’s folksy lifestyle. She plays a sort of timeless music that’s as free and loose as Gillian Welch, and she pays the bills by cleaning houses (with all-natural products, of course)…

All stories

Church gets boost from volunteers: By Janet Reid; June 25, 2009; The Eudora Baptist Church is well on its way to completion thanks to nearly 400 volunteers.
Epperson named 2009 Hy-Vee Scholar-Athlete of the Year: By Kevin Romary; June 25, 2009; A state championship and a flawless GPA helped Eudora’s Haley Epperson take the 2009 Hy-Vee Scholar-Athlete of the Year title.
AP: Michael Jackson dead at age 50: By Lynn Elber - Associated Press Writer; 05:29 p.m., June 25, 2009 Updated 11:53 p.m. in print edition on A10; Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the “King of Pop” and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. He was 50.
“Battle for Blood” hoping for more participants: By Jesse Fray; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B10; The “Battle for Blood” is on, but so far organizers of the blood drive said things aren’t going so well.
String of thefts reported at KU: By Jesse Fray; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; A number of burglaries and thefts have occurred this month at Kansas University’s Art and Design Building, in which more than $5,000 worth of items were reported stolen, police said.
Construction completed on road to Eagle Bend golf course: By Mark Fagan; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A3; Work on a road that leads to Eagle bend Golf Course is now complete, easing access for golfers who had been steered into detours since construction started in March.
Leavenworth County couple comes together over motorcycle collecting: Selection of bikes will be displayed at Saturday show in K.C.; By Elvyn Jones; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A3; Their wedding day helped ensure Jim and Joan Vandergriff would have a motorcycle marriage.
Kansans for Life endorses Tiahrt for U.S. Senate: Associated Press; June 25, 2009; Kansans for Life’s political action committee has endorsed Rep. Todd Tiahrt in the U.S. Senate race.
KU pitcher Walz named to Team USA: J-W Staff Reports; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B3; Kansas University pitcher T.J. Walz, who recently completed his sophomore season for the Jayhawks, became the first KU baseball player ever to make a U.S. National Team after being named to the team’s 22-man 2009 roster this week.
Crime Stoppers offering reward for information in alleged attempted murder: By Jesse Fray; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B10; A local crime-fighting organization has announced a reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect wanted for an alleged attempted murder.
Alcohol being investigated as possible factor in rollover that injured three: By Jesse Fray; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; Alcohol is being investigated as a possible factor in a rollover crash Monday evening on the South Lawrence Trafficway, which sent three Lawrence residents to hospitals, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper said on Thursday.
Officials approve a 6 percent tuition increase at KU: Officials raise cost, expecting budget cuts; By Scott Rothschild; 12:24 p.m., June 25, 2009 Updated 02:36 p.m. in print edition on A1; Anticipating another round of budget cuts, the Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday approved a 6 percent tuition increase for many students at Kansas University, and a 7 percent increase on the four-year compact for the incoming freshman class.
‘Charlie’s Angels’ star dies after battling cancer: Associated Press; June 25, 2009; Higher education officials Thursday approved a 6 percent tuition increase at Kansas University and a 7 percent increase on the 4-year compact for the incoming freshman class.
Regents order more audits for state colleges: By Scott Rothschild; 09:51 a.m., June 25, 2009 Updated 03:17 p.m. in print edition on A6; At the urging of Gov. Mark Parkinson, the Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday ordered audits of three more universities following last week’s release of an audit of Kansas State University that uncovered numerous questionable financial transactions.
Regents pay tribute to retiring chief executives: By Scott Rothschild; June 25, 2009; The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday honored Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Kansas State University President Jon Wefald and Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant, who are all stepping down from their positions.
Excessive Heat Warning in effect through Saturday afternoon: LJWorld.com staff reports; 08:13 a.m., June 25, 2009 Updated 03:46 p.m.; The National Weather Service has extended the Excessive Heat Warning that was to end today at 7 p.m. through 7 p.m. Saturday.
Police seeking suspect in strongarm robbery: By Asher Fusco; June 25, 2009; Police are seeking a suspect in a strongarm robbery that occurred early Thursday morning.
Tourney special for Lew: By Tom Keegan; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B1; All my life I’ve been fascinated by look-alikes.
‘Desperate Landscape’ gets extreme makeover: By Kevin McDonough; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B6; Titles can mean so much. Or deceive so many.
Pump patrol: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A3; The Journal-World found gas prices as low as $2.45 at several stations.
A/C technicians keep their cool in heat wave: Sweltering temperatures bring abundance of work for local air conditioning workers; By Jesse Fray; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A3; Phil Foster’s lost 6 pounds in the last five days, and it wasn’t by design.
Social sites redeemed in Iran: By Leonard Pitts Jr.; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A7; Maybe you were there when Neda died.
County has 4th case of swine flu: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A3; A fourth case of swine flu has been confirmed in Douglas County.
Miss Allison: Songwriter brings her old-country charms to local stages; By Richard Gintowt; June 25, 2009 in print edition on C1; There’s something enviable about Allison Olassa’s folksy lifestyle. She plays a sort of timeless music that’s as free and loose as Gillian Welch, and she pays the bills by cleaning houses (with all-natural products, of course)…
Cavaliers close to deal for Shaq: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B2; The Cleveland Cavaliers are close to acquiring center Shaquille O’Neal in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press today. The teams have reached an agreement in principle on the deal, which would unite O’Neal with Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, the NBA’s MVP.
LSU tops Texas for College World Series title: Tigers claim their sixth national crown; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B2; LSU, which two years ago wasn’t good enough to qualify for its conference tournament, is the best team in college baseball again. The Tigers won their sixth national title Wednesday night, breaking open Game 3 of the College World Series finals with a five-run sixth inning that carried them to an 11-4 victory over Texas.
New KU softball coach introduced: By Chuck Woodling; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B3; Four years ago, when Western Carolina inaugurated an intercollegiate softball program, the school tapped new Kansas University coach Megan Smith for the start-up job.
Raiders game washed out…again: By Chuck Woodling; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B1; First came the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Now it’s the Raiders of Noah’s Ark
Powers eliminated: J-W Staff Reports; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B3; After earning a spot in match play by advancing from a playoff, Kansas University senior-to-be Emily Powers lost in the first round of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links on Wednesday.
KU Athletics hires risk management AD: J-W Staff Reports; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B3; Lori Williams, director of academic review at the NCAA Eligibility Center, has been named associate athletic director for risk management by Kansas Athletics Inc.
Offering no regrets: With draft tonight, Aldrich, Collins content at Kansas; By Gary Bedore; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B1; The 2009 NBA Draft has been called one of the weakest in many years. “Just lousy or all-time terrible?” blared a headline on NBAdraft.net, in advance of tonight’s draft at New York’s Madison Square Garden, an event that will include no Kansas University players.
Olivo’s homer sparks Royals over Astros: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B1; Miguel Olivo had some inside information when he went to the plate against Jeff Fulchino in the 11th inning Wednesday night.
Commodities: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; Chicago Board of Trade: Agriculture futures were mixed Wednesday. July wheat dropped 7 cents to $5.3975, while July corn fell 2.5 cents to $3.865 and July oats lost 2 cents to $2.06.
Monsanto declares job cuts: By Christopher Leonard - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; Monsanto Co., the world’s biggest seed maker, said Wednesday its third-quarter profit fell 14 percent and disclosed plans to cut 900 jobs, or about 4 percent of its work force.
Reports suggest a move from recession to recovery: By Martin Crutsinger - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; New signals the recession could be nearing a bottom emerged Wednesday in figures showing that orders to U.S. factories surged last month for everything from computers to aircraft and that a gauge of business investment rose by the most in nearly five years.
Our Town Sports: June 25, 2009; Lawrence Club Second: Lawrence Lions finished second in the 12th grade division at a basketball tournament last weekend in Topeka. Team members are Drake Debiasse, Seth Dirks-Ham, Cornelius Edwards, Nick Jaimez, Michael McCabe, Steven Melton, Matthew Montes de Oca and Marcus Ray. Marcus Tyner is the coach.
Specialists receive Segway training: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; Independence Inc. assistive technology specialists Stuart Jones and Laura Holtgrewe traveled to Oakley recentlyfor training on Segway Personal Transporters.
Kansas bank named one of country’s top 200: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; Landmark Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Landmark National Bank, was ranked in the top 200 publicly traded banks in the U.S. from a recent survey conducted by SNL Financial LC in the U.S. Banker’s June 2009 edition.
Conservation award nominees wanted: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; Kansas Bankers Association will again cooperate with K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and Douglas County Conservation District, in selecting conservation award winners in Douglas County for 2009.
Wells Fargo Advisors promotes resident: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B7; David W. Mattern, Lawrence, was recently promoted to senior vice president-investments at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Former teacher enters plea in porn case: Associated Press; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; A former music teacher at schools in Missouri and Kansas has pleaded guilty in a child pornography case.
Local legislators lauded for attendance: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; State Sens. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, and Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, were recognized for not missing any votes during the 2009 legislative session.
Newsweek releases top high school list: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; The top ranked high school in Kansas according to a list released by Newsweek is Sumner Academy in Kansas City, Kan. It came in as the 109th best high school in the United States.
Lightning strikes Tonganoxie buildings: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; Lightning struck two structures Wednesday evening in Tonganoxie, police say.
Sheriff’s lieutenant to end 32-year career: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; After 32 years in law enforcement, a Douglas County Sheriff’s lieutenant is retiring.
On the record: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A4; Union Pacific Railroad reported the theft of equipment Tuesday morning.
Officer’s family to dedicate memorial: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A3; A memorial to a sheriff’s lieutenant killed in a bicycle accident will be dedicated at the Douglas County Jail on the one-year anniversary of his death.
A.G. wants review of cocaine sentences: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; Attorney General Eric Holder sought support Wednesday for erasing the gap in prison sentences for crack and powder cocaine crimes, a disparity that hits black defendants the hardest.
U.S. general says troops need new view: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal said Wednesday that U.S. and other NATO troops must make a “cultural shift” away from being a force designed for high intensity combat and instead make protecting Afghan civilians their first priority.
U.S. discounts Iraq withdrawal risk: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; The Obama administration has concluded the risk of a security collapse in Iraq is too slight to slow plans for withdrawing U.S. troops.
Police swiftly crush protest: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; A flood of security forces using tear gas and clubs quickly overwhelmed a small group of rock-throwing protesters near Iran’s parliament Wednesday, and the country’s supreme leader said the outcome of the disputed presidential election will stand — the latest signs of the government’s growing confidence in quelling unrest on the streets.
Fed: Recession easing, inflation is tame: June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; The Federal Reserve sought Wednesday to defuse fears that the trillions it’s spending to revive the economy could spark inflation later on. But Wall Street didn’t seem to buy it.
Oldest known prehistoric flute unveiled: By Patrick McGroarty - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; A bird-bone flute unearthed in a German cave was carved some 35,000 years ago and is the oldest handcrafted musical instrument yet discovered, archaeologists say, offering the latest evidence that early modern humans in Europe had established a complex and creative culture.
Transportation safety board urges changes but can’t require them: By Michael J. Sniffen - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A2; Has the National Transportation Safety Board become the government’s “I-told-you-so” agency?
Prevention doesn’t always save on cure: By Carla K. Johnson - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A1; When it comes to health care spending, an ounce of prevention is seldom worth a pound of cure.
County tables rezoning request for retreat near Lecompton: Commissioners seek tighter control over property’s uses; By George Diepenbrock; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A5; Douglas County commissioners Wednesday night supported a proposed corporate retreat southeast of Lecompton.
Obama leaves door open to tax on health benefits: By David Espo and Philip Elliott - Associated Press Writers; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A6; President Barack Obama left the door open to a new tax on health care benefits Wednesday, and officials said top lawmakers and the White House were seeking $150 billion in concessions from the nation’s hospitals as they sought support for legislation struggling to emerge in Congress.
Sanford’s latest rising Republican star to crash and burn: By Steven Thomma - McClatchy Newspapers; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A8; South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s admission of an affair Wednesday dealt a potentially fatal blow to the political career of a rising Republican star, and it’s only the latest stumble of many in the early jockeying to lead the GOP back from oblivion in 2012.
S.C. governor admits straying in Argentina: By Jim Davenport - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A8; After going AWOL for seven days, Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Wednesday that he had secretly flown to Argentina to visit a woman with whom he was having an affair. Wiping away tears, he apologized to his family and gave up a national Republican Party post, but was silent on whether he would resign.
Disaster declared for March winter storm: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B8; President Barack Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for Kansas to help cover costs from a powerful winter storm in late March.
Movie artifacts caught in failed museum suit: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B8; A former Olathe man’s lawsuit over a failed effort to open a museum may force the sale of Hollywood memorabilia owned by actress Debbie Reynolds.
Suspect in K.C. homicides charged in separate attack: By Bill Draper - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B8; A 37-year-old man identified by police as a “person of interest” in a quadruple homicide was charged Wednesday with beating another man hours before the slayings.
People in the news: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B6; Perez Hilton struck back Wednesday with a civil lawsuit filed against the Black Eyed Peas manager accused of hitting him outside a Toronto nightclub.
Oscars double down with 10 best-picture nominees: By David Germain - Associated Press Writer; June 25, 2009 in print edition on B6; The Academy Awards will have 10 best-picture nominees instead of the usual five starting next year, improving the odds for films such as “The Dark Knight,” a fan and critic favorite that was snubbed last time.
Horoscopes: June 25, 2009 in print edition on B6; For Thursday, June 25: This year, you open up to many different financial possibilities. But continue to be a cynic, and discover what works for you and what doesn’t. If you are single, others find you to be extremely attractive. If you are attached, when the two of you combine your energy, you nearly guarantee any goal will be met.
Road hazards: By Dennis Barritt; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A7; To the editor: I ride a bike, bus and walk.
Creating ‘green jobs’ has side effects: By George Will; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A7; The Spanish professor is puzzled. Why, Gabriel Calzada wonders, is the U.S. president recommending that America emulate the Spanish model for creating “green jobs” in “alternative energy” even though Spain’s unemployment rate is 18.1 percent — more than double the European Union average — partly because of spending on such jobs?
Silly secrecy: The Kansas Board of Regents is not an elected body, but it still has a responsibility to be open with the public.; J-W Editorials; June 25, 2009 in print edition on A7; For an agency that is responsible for so much state money, the Kansas Board of Regents has taken an unsettling turn toward secrecy in recent weeks.
40 years ago: Student group hindered by police harassment: June 25, 2009; Bickering and police harassment continued to hinder activity by the national Students for a Democratic Society in Washington. An effort to have SDS banned from the Kansas University campus had failed after petititons were circulated following alleged SDS instigation and disruptions during cmapus demonstrations and vandalism incidents here.
100 years ago: New lighting plan suggested: June 25, 2009; From the Lawrence Daily World for June 25, 1909: A new plan of city lighting is being suggested by Dayton people here to put in the electric line. Instead of one big arc light on the corner in business sections, the Dayton people would have five or six smaller lights in each block in the downtown.
25 years ago: Pipeline firm unlikely to lower prices for KU: June 25, 2009; Northwest Central Pipeline Corp. appeared unwilling to lower its prices. Officials said the firm was the key to lower costs for KU. But the pipeline firm said it was not interested in altering its current arrangement with Kansas Public Service, the local gas utility, to create lower prices for the university, which was carefully studying ways to cut costs.

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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
Hilltop executive director Pat Pisani stepping down May 28, 2012
Kansas football scouring country May 29, 2012
KU’s Elijah Johnson cautious at camp May 29, 2012
City, county mull upgrade to emergency radio system May 28, 2012
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Book helps family heal after tragedy May 28, 2012
Library kicks off reading program May 27, 2012