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Archive for Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Also from March 24

Births
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The day in photos, March 24, 2009 Kansas women vs. Creighton
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Lead stories

12:00 a.m.
A large branch of a flowering Bradford Pear tree near the Lawrence Memorial Hospital parking lot was split off the tree during Monday's winds. Spring’s fury unleashed as storms whip across state
Staff and wire reports
8:07 a.m., March 23, 2009 Updated 5:25 a.m. in print edition on 1A
Just four days into spring, Kansas has already experienced many of the season’s infamous tribulations. 6News Meteorologist Matt Elwell said that Monday’s storm system produced 11 tornadoes, 12 reports of wind damage and more than 75 reports of hail across across the region.
10:00 a.m.
Cars pass through the intersection of North Second and Locust streets Monday. The federal government is speeding up plans to rebuild the intersection with an expected $2 million from the federal stimulus program. Stimulus package to speed upgrades at Second and Locust streets in Lawrence
By Mark Fagan
12:30 p.m., March 23, 2009 Updated 10:05 a.m. in print edition on 1A
The federal government is speeding up plans to rebuild the intersection of North Second and Locust streets in North Lawrence.

All stories

Winds tear roof from Concordia school
Lindsey Elliott
March 24, 2009
Yesterday’s high winds pounded a middle school in Concordia just as the kids came in from recess.
Crimes on KU campus head up in 2008
Violent crimes decreased, while property crimes increased
By Andy Hyland
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A4
The number of crimes reported on Kansas University’s campus is up 9 percent. The KU Public Safety Office released its 2008 crime statistics this week, revealing 723 incidents, about three-quarters of which were thefts, burglaries or criminal damage to property.
Former attorney for convicted murderer Martin Miller says he could have done better job at trial
By George Diepenbrock
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A4
During a civil court hearing Tuesday, a convicted murderer’s former defense attorney acknowledged that he could have made more objections to testimony and allowing jurors to hear and see some evidence in the 2005 Lawrence trial.
Lawrence hotel plays host to crime scene investigators from across Kansas
By Jesse Fray
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
Dozens of law enforcement officers are investigating a crime scene at a Lawrence hotel, as part of a two-day crime conference.
Attorney general, Humane Society announce reward for reporting animal fighting
By Jesse Fray
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
Attorney General Steve Six and Humane Society officials are encouraging Kansans to help combat cockfighting and dog fighting.
Random drug testing of welfare recipients approved
Drug test plan spurs ire, praise
By Scott Rothschild
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A1
The House on Tuesday gave first-round approval to legislation that aims to administer drug tests to several thousand people each year who receive assistance from the state.
Kansas Senate approves bill to provide easier access to cell phone location data
Associated Press
12:07 p.m., March 24, 2009 Updated 12:33 p.m.
Kansas senators have approved a bill that would make it easier for law enforcement to track down a missing person through a wireless device.
Husband of slain social worker urges safety training, criticizes lawmaker
By Scott Rothschild
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A1
The husband of a slain social worker urged lawmakers on Tuesday to approve a bill that would require safety training for social workers.
Sunflower Elementary principal resigns
By Lindsey Slater
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B10
Jason Jones, the principal at Sunflower School, announced that he will resign at the end of the school year to pursue other professional opportunities.
Kansas House, Senate find themselves on opposite sides in budget battle
Associated Press
10:08 a.m., March 24, 2009 Updated 06:05 p.m.
The Kansas House and Senate are taking different positions on cutting state funding for public schools.
Churches boost security to protect employees
By Mike Belt
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
Another downtown Lawrence church has taken security precautions to keep out vagrants who might cause problems. On Monday, First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., began locking its doors to protect employees and others there on church business. Church members have been finding an increasing number of intoxicated individuals, some possibly homeless.
Government to help investors buy banks’ troubled assets
By Neil Irwin and David Cho - The Washington Post
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
Financial markets roared ahead Monday as investors reacted with near-euphoria to the Obama administration’s new trillion-dollar plan to stabilize banks by relieving them of their troubled assets and risky loans. But even as markets exulted, conflicting interests among participants in the program — banks, investors and taxpayers — were emerging, leaving in doubt the fate of a program meant to revive bank lending and in turn reinvigorate the overall economy.
Officials ID woman found in 1994
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
A mute elderly woman known only as “Jane Doe” since she was found wandering in a New Jersey mall 15 years ago has finally been identified. Lt. Eduardo Ojeda of the New Jersey Department of Human Services police discovered recently that the woman is Elba Leonor Diaz Soccarras, who turns 75 on March 28. She has Alzheimer’s disease and has been bedridden in a New Jersey psychiatric hospital for years.
Rep. Frank calls Scalia a ’homophobe’
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a “homophobe” in a recent interview with the gay news Web site 365gay.com. The Democratic lawmaker, who is gay, was discussing gay marriage and his expectation that the high court would some day be called on to decide whether the Constitution allows the federal government to deny recognition to same-sex marriages.
At least 23 killed in blast at funeral
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
A suicide bomber struck a tent filled with Kurdish funeral mourners Monday, unleashing a huge fireball that killed at least 23 people in a northern town where Kurds and Arabs are competing for power. Also Monday, Turkey’s visiting president pressed the Iraqi government to crack down on Kurdish rebels who stage cross-border raids into Turkish territory from sanctuaries in northern Iraq.
Mount Redoubt erupts 5 times overnight
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
Alaska’s Mount Redoubt volcano erupted five times Sunday night and Monday morning, sending an ash plume more than 9 miles into the air in the volcano’s first emissions in nearly 20 years. Residents in the state’s largest city were spared from falling ash, though fine gray dust fell Monday morning on small communities north of Anchorage.
Cuomo: 15 AIG execs to return bonuses
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Monday that 15 employees who received some of the largest bonuses from American International Group Inc. have agreed to return the more than $30 million worth of payments in full.
Seniors take up Cane-Fu
Associated Press
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A1
These seniors are ready to fight, using a form of self-defense called Cane-Fu. Cane fighting classes have popped up all over the country, in part due to the influence of Cane Masters, a company founded by Mark Shuey, one of the country’s most recognized cane fighters, that sells wood canes made of harder, thicker wood, to sustain wear and wider crooks to fit around an attacker’s neck.
Padres rally past K.C.
Associated Press
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B4
Chase Headley gave the Padres a much-needed lift, hitting a game-ending three-run homer in the ninth inning and lifting San Diego to a 9-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Town abuzz over electric chair tourism
By Anna Jo Bratton - Associated Press Writer
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A5
Residents of a small southwest Nebraska town have a question for state officials: You’re not doing anything with that old electric chair, are you? The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled last year that the state’s use of the electric chair was unconstitutional because it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
Black & Veatch to buy, expand headquarters
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A5
Engineering firm Black & Veatch Corp. plans to buy its suburban Kansas City headquarters building for $60 million and ad nearly 250,000 square feet of space. The engineering and construction company announced Monday that it expand its Overland Park headquarters — the largest office building in Kansas — to 850,000 square feet.
H&R Block sees fewer tax returns
Company says more people using online software to file
By David Twiddy - Associated Press Writer
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A5
With less than a month to go before the April 15 tax filing deadline, H&R Block Inc. says tax preparation numbers are down from a year ago. But the Kansas City-based company said Monday that overall tax preparation revenues continued to remain above the year-ago levels thanks to higher average fees and more complex returns. Company shares fell $1.75, or 9.2 percent, to $17.38 in trading Monday.
Free State baseball sloppy but victorious
By Matt Tait
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B3
For the second time in two games, the Free State High baseball team came from behind to win. But a quick look at the scene after the Firebirds’ 4-3 victory against St. James Academy on Monday afternoon at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark might have suggested that both teams had lost.
Jayhawks basking in glow
Self relishes exposure of another Sweet 16
By Gary Bedore
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B1
Bill Self gave his Sweet 16-bound Kansas University basketball players a well deserved day off Monday. It was business as usual for KU’s sixth-year coach, however. Of course, he spent time working on his game plan for Friday’s foe, Michigan State, while also making the rounds on ESPN’s First Take TV and Doug Gottlieb radio shows.
Kansas NCAA Q&A
By Chuck Woodling
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B1
Everything you wanted to know about Kansas University men’s basketball, but were so mind-numbed by the repetitive CBS commercials you forgot to ask …
Strong & healthy: Former Miss America speaks on anorexia
By Korie Wilkins - McClatchy Newspapers
March 24, 2009 in print edition on C1
She poses like a champion, one foot in front of the other, a dazzling — yet not forced-looking — smile at the ready.
Double Take: Parent asks about abstinence education
By Wes Crenshaw and Kelly Kelin
March 24, 2009 in print edition on C1
Dear Dr. Wes & Kelly: With all the criticism of the pope’s comments about abstinence and HIV and the changes in our government, what do you think about abstinence education vs. teaching kids to using condoms or other birth control?
On a count of five, tips to help children stay fit
McClatchy Newspapers
March 24, 2009 in print edition on C1
Parents can improve their children’s health and fitness greatly by remembering just five basic steps, according to Babs Benson, manager of the Healthy You weight management program at The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Va.
City to mull adopting ‘buy local’ policy
By Chad Lawhorn
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
Local businesses may receive some help from City Hall on Tuesday night. Or they may get hurt. It depends on how you view the idea of a new purchasing policy that would give city commissioners the right to buy products and services from local vendors, even if they are not the low bidder. The idea has support from some city commissioners and businesses that serve as City Hall vendors.
Homeless shelter preps for moving
By George Diepenbrock
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
Leaders of what will soon become the city’s only major overnight homeless shelter say they are closer to being able to move into a new building. The Lawrence Community Shelter has been looking for several years to expand away from its building at 10th and Kentucky streets, near downtown.
Schilling retires from baseball
Veteran pitcher, 42, leaving with ‘zero regrets’
Associated Press
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B2
Curt Schilling retired from baseball Monday, ending a career in which he won World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks and was one of the game’s most dominant pitchers and grittiest competitors.
Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B3
Kansas University coach Bill Self remains impressed with Cole Aldrich’s triple-double in Sunday’s 60-43 victory against Dayton. The sophomore big man had a school-record 10 blocked shots to go with 20 rebounds and 13 points.
Lions believe they’re on brink
Firebirds won’t use youth as excuse; Seabury focuses on development
By Jesse Temple
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B1
Lawrence High’s girls soccer team thinks it is primed for a run at state, Free State is young, and Seabury is focusing on development as the season nears.
On the record
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A4
Lawrence police arrested a 27-year-old Lawrence man for window peeping late Sunday night. He was arrested in the 2100 block of West 26th Street and booked into jail at 11:25 p.m.
Other projects receiving federal funds
By Mark Fagan
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A4
Here’s a list of other northeast Kansas transportation projects that will share in $11.3 million in federal stimulus financing, as announced Monday by the Kansas Department of Transportation — listed by community, project, stimulus amount and total project cost:
Parolee in shootings may be linked to rape
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A8
The parolee who killed three Oakland police officers and left a fourth brain-dead over the weekend had been tentatively linked by DNA evidence to a rape the day before the shootings, authorities said. Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason confirmed a report on the San Francisco Chronicle’s Web site on Monday night that DNA from an unsolved rape in Oakland in February was a probable match to that of 26-year-old Lovelle Mixon.
$2 million offered for arrest of drug lords
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A8
Mexico’s government on Monday offered up to $2 million each for information leading to the arrest of 24 top drug lords in a public challenge to the cartels’ violent grip on the country. The list indicated that drug gangs have splintered into six main cartels under pressure from the U.S. and Mexican governments.
Web site useful for troubled homeowners
By Michelle Singletary - The Washington Post
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B7
The Treasury Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have launched a Web site that provides basic information for troubled homeowners about the Obama administration’s “Making Home Affordable” program.
Tiller defense claims lawyer, health board OK’d referrals
By Roxana Hegeman - Associated Press Writer
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B8
The trial of one of the nation’s few late-term abortion providers began Monday with defense attorneys trying to cast doubt on whether the doctor intentionally broke a state law requiring that an independent physician sign off on the procedure.
People in the news
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B6
• Robin Williams recovers after heart surgery • Letterman marries longtime girlfriend • Bruce Willis weds for the 2nd time • Lauer absent from ‘Today’ after bicycle flip • Drummer leaves Smashing Pumpkins • Drummer leaves Smashing Pumpkins • More country artists to join salute to Strait
The birth of Daffy, Porky and Bugs
By Kevin McDonough
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
You don’t have to love cartoons to appreciate “Chuck Jones: Memories of Childhood” (7 p.m., TCM). This wonderful film combines footage of one of Jones’ (1912-2002) final interviews with period newsreels and personal photographs, as well as original animation and cartoon classics from the Golden Age of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.
Horoscopes
March 24, 2009 in print edition on B6
This year, you’ll make waves if you listen to your inner voice. Sometimes you find the routine tiring, going nowhere. Look within for answers. If you are single, check out anyone you meet with care. If you are attached, the two of you benefit from weekends away together. Add more romance.
Comparing plans
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
To the editor: In his March 8 letter, Stephen Crockett asks, “Why can’t we have that kind of affordable care (meaning Canadian) here in the USA?” The answer is that Crockett’s father paid a low cost because of the tax dollars of the Canadians, not because their system is so much better.
Military jobs
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
To the editor:
Newspaper loss
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
To the editor: Hearing about so many newspapers going out of print is very sad. I would certainly hate to see that happen to the Journal-World. Not having a local newspaper would, I think, be a great loss, and it seems as if everyone I talk to (mostly senior citizens) agrees. I can’t say for sure about the younger population, but you would definitely be missed by many of us. So don’t go anywhere.
Old Home Town - 100 years ago
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
From the Lawrence Daily World for March 24, 1909: “Lawrence is enjoying probably the biggest building boom the town has ever known. New houses are going up in every corner of town and before the summer is here more than 50 new homes, practically all of them thoroughly modern, will be in the process of construction.
Old Home Town - 40 years ago
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
Newsman Walter Cronkite in a talk in Lawrence sounded danger signals about government efforts to control and manipulate the media. He received the William Allen White Award for journalistic merit.
Lawless expansion of government’s role
By George Will
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
With the braying of 328 yahoos — members of the House of Representatives who voted for retroactive and punitive use of the tax code to confiscate legal earnings of a small unpopular group — still reverberating, the Obama administration Monday invited private-sector investors to become business partners with the capricious and increasingly anti-constitutional government.
Winding down
As Lawrence city commissioners near the end of their tenure, there’s often some unfinished business to be discussed.
J-W Editorials
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A7
It’s not unusual to see at least a small flurry of activity on the Lawrence City Commission as an election approaches. Commissioners often have plans, large and small, that they would like to see completed before they leave office. And, in some cases, groups want to get action on projects they are fairly certain have the backing of a commission majority, rather than risk losing that majority after the election.
Pump patrol
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
The Journal-World found gas prices as low as $1.87 at several locations.
Study: Red meat boosts mortality risk
By Carla K. Johnson - Associated Press Writer
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A2
The largest study of its kind finds that older Americans who eat large amounts of red meat and processed meats face a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer. The federal study of more than half a million men and women bolsters prior evidence of the health risks of diets laden with red meat like hamburger and processed meats like hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts.
Economic development issues on tonight’s agenda
By Chad Lawhorn
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
City commissioners will discuss two economic development issues at their meeting this evening. Commissioners will consider approving a new overarching policy to govern economic development incentives, like tax abatements. The policy will create a new cost-benefit model that commissioners will use to measure whether tax abatements are fiscally feasible.
Event to help with financial planning
March 24, 2009 in print edition on A3
An event designed to help Kansas University students plan for their financial future is scheduled for next week. The KU Alumni Association is planning a “Lunch ’n Learn” session from noon to 1 p.m. March 31 at the Adams Alumni Center.
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