Archive for Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / LJWorld.com

Also from December 13

Births

Obituaries

On the street

Do you send or receive holiday cards or letters?

Photo galleries

Veritas boys vs. Wichita Homeschool

Free State boys vs. Blue Valley North

Bishop Seabury girls basketball vs. Kansas School for the Deaf

The day in photos, Dec. 13, 2011

Podcasts

Spodcasters: What's next for KU football following the hiring of Charlie Weis?

Polls

Some people are postponing giving gifts on Christmas Day and buying them on sale after the holiday to save money. Would you do that?

Poll results

Response	Percent
Yes		45%
No		42%
I don’t buy Christmas presents		12%
Total	612

Videos

Lead stories

12:00 a.m.

16 Things: Band leader strikes up a list of notable and entertaining events: By Andy Hyland; December 11, 2011 in print edition on 1A; This is another in an occasional series of stories by reporter Andy Hyland, asking Kansas University staff to share “16 Things I’ve Done.” This week, we talked with Tom Stidham, associate director of bands.

Video: Tom Stidham talks about Bob Hope

6:00 a.m.

Chancellor Gray-Little prepares to share KU’s vision for improvement with Kansas Regents: By Scott Rothschild; December 12, 2011; At a time of fiscal constraints, Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little is hoping to get state leaders to sign onto the school’s vision for improvement.

10:00 a.m.

In Lawrence, anti-bullying efforts depend on the school: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on 1A; While the district indeed adheres to a state requirement that every school have a plan to address and prevent bullying, just about every school has a different way of approaching the problem.

Video: Stopping bullying
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
On the street: What do you think schools can do to help prevent bullying?

2:00 p.m.

Cordley, New York schools add ideas to Lawrence elementary consolidation mix: By Mark Fagan; December 12, 2011 in print edition on 3A; With consolidation proposals forwarded by representatives from all six Lawrence elementary schools identified for potential closure, an advisory group’s work now turns to determining which one, if any, might work in the months and years ahead.

6:00 p.m.

Top Kansas University faculty and staff to get raises on Jan. 1: By Andy Hyland; December 12, 2011; Faculty and staff at Kansas University are eligible for merit-based raises that will kick in on Jan. 1. The money for the raises comes from more than $5.2 million in funds collected from increased tuition.

10:00 p.m.

Automation, recycling still on Solid Waste Task Force’s working list while trash options being sorted: By Chad Lawhorn; December 13, 2011 in print edition on 1A; Bit by bit, a city-appointed task force is getting closer to making recommendations that will change much about trash in Lawrence, from how residents must set it out at the curb to the number of city employees needed to collect it.

All stories

State leaders to consider settlement in Kline case: John Hanna, Associated Press; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A3; Gov. Sam Brownback and Kansas legislative leaders expect to consider a proposed settlement today of a lawsuit against former Attorney General Phill Kline that was filed by a woman who claimed he fired her from a county prosecutor’s office for complaining about sex discrimination.
Kansas Athletics Inc. has recovered almost $500K from tickets scandal: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A3; Kansas Athletics Inc. has collected nearly $500,000 toward defraying at least $2 million in losses from a scheme in which employees stole football and basketball tickets for redistribution through brokers and others.
Lawrence man reports stolen Nikon camera lens: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A5; A 37-year-old Lawrence man reported a Nikon camera lens stolen from the 2500 block of Alabama Street on Dec. 9.
Lawrence man reports tolen 1996 Honda Civic: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A5; A 61-year-old Lawrence man reported his 1996 Honda Civic stolen from the 1700 block of Bullene Avenue on Dec. 9.
KU student reports stolen Honda Civic: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A5; A 23-year-old Kansas University student reported his 1997 Honda Civic stolen by deception from the 1700 block of Ohio Street on Monday. He reported the car was worth $3,000.
Lawrence woman, 41, reports battery: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A5; A 41-year-old Lawrence woman reported a battery in the 3300 block of Iowa Street on Monday.
Man convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior arrested in new case: By George Diepenbrock; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A5; A 23-year-old Lawrence man who was already convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior once this year was arrested Tuesday on a warrant in a new case.
Two Kansas City men ordered to stand trial in 2008 robbery case: By George Diepenbrock; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A5; A Douglas County judge Tuesday ordered two Kansas City, Kan., men to stand trial on charges in a 2008 Lawrence robbery case.
Postal Service to delay cutbacks until mid-May: Hope Yen, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday agreed to delay the closing of 252 mail processing centers and 3,700 local post offices until mid-May.
No cellphones, no texting by drivers, US urges: Joan Lowy, Associated Press; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A3; Texting, emailing or using a cellphone while driving is simply too dangerous to be allowed anywhere, federal safety investigators declared Tuesday, recommending that all states impose a total ban except for emergencies.
Fed to cut back on dollar coins, citing $50 million in savings: Rob Hotakainen, McClatchy Newspapers; December 13, 2011; The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it would all but halt production of its special presidential dollar coins for general circulation.
Physicists close in on elusive subatomic particle: John Heilprin, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Physicists are closing in on an elusive subatomic particle that, if found, would confirm a long-held understanding about why matter has mass and how the universe’s fundamental building blocks behave.
US-born Syrian blogger faces criminal charges: Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Syrian authorities have charged a U.S.-born Syrian blogger with trying to incite sectarian strife, activists said Tuesday, while regime forces fired on a funeral procession in a restive northwestern region, capping a bloody day of attacks that left at least 28 people dead.
As US exit from Iraq nears, Sunni worries grow: Rebecca Santana; December 13, 2011; In the hometown of the late Saddam Hussein, arrests have become so commonplace that whenever a police car shows up, young men flee from the street. It’s a striking illustration of fortunes reversed by the U.S.-led invasion of 2003 that overthrew the Sunni ascendancy and put the Shiite majority on top.
WikiLeaks suspect Bradley Manning seen as hero, traitor: David Dishneau, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; The document in which Pfc. Bradley Manning allegedly confessed to giving classified information to WikiLeaks also includes a rationale that has made him a hero among peace and anti-secrecy activists worldwide: “I want people to see the truth.”
Fed says economy is healthier; takes no new steps: Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; The Federal Reserve on Tuesday portrayed the U.S. economy as slightly healthier and held off on any new steps to boost growth.
Alexander Graham Bell recordings played from 1880s: Brett Zongker, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Early sound recordings by Alexander Graham Bell that were packed away at the Smithsonian Institution for more than a century were played publicly for the first time Tuesday using new technology that reads the sound with light and a 3D camera.
Eudora man, 29, given probation term for string of burglaries: By George Diepenbrock; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A7; A Douglas County judge sentenced a 29-year-old Eudora man to serve two years on probation for his role in a series of Eudora burglaries earlier this year.
Trial scheduled for Lawrence man accused of shooting Bullet the cat: By George Diepenbrock; 04:00 p.m., December 13, 2011 Updated 05:37 p.m. in print edition on A6; A Lawrence man accused of shooting a stray cat twice last May is taking his case to trial, and his attorney says he has an alibi.
Life sentence set in Kansas drug trafficking case: Associated Press; December 13, 2011; A federal judge in Kansas has sentenced a California man to life in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Chiefs’ Crennel says he wants to be head coach: Dave Skretta, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Romeo Crennel says he still has the “competitive energy” that it takes to be an NFL head coach and he wants the job with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Republicans plan House OK of payroll tax cut bill; White House vows veto: Alan Fram, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; The White House promised a veto Tuesday for a Republican bill renewing a payroll tax cut next year for 160 million workers, complaining that spending cuts that pay for the measure would whack the middle class and require no sacrifice from the rich.
Obama beseeches supporters to stick with him; says re-election isn’t a ‘slam dunk’: Ken Thomas, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Imploring supporters to stick with him, President Barack Obama acknowledged Tuesday that his re-election is “not a slam dunk” — despite his administration’s achievements — because of understandable public skepticism over the economy.
2 men sue Syracuse, basketball coach Boeheim for defamation: Rachel Cohen; December 13, 2011; Two men who say they were molested by an assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University have sued the school and men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim for defamation.
Obama seeks to leverage $1 trillion spending bill: Andrew Taylor; December 13, 2011; President Barack Obama’s Democratic allies in the Senate are using a critical year-end spending bill as political leverage to try to force Republicans to negotiate bipartisan legislation to extend payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of the year.
Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy urges training to combat abuse: Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; A former NHL player who was sexually abused by a junior coach in Canada told Congress Tuesday that the key to preventing abuse is training adults who oversee youth sports.
KU basketball player Ben McLemore arrested after failing to appear in court for minor in possession case: By George Diepenbrock; 02:11 p.m., December 13, 2011 Updated 03:04 p.m. in print edition on A5; Ben McLemore, a Kansas University freshman basketball player who is ineligible to play this year, was arrested on a warrant Tuesday morning for failing to appear to court.
KU football coach Charlie Weis names former Notre Dame QB Ron Powlus as quarterbacks coach: J-W Staff Reports; December 13, 2011; Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis added to his staff Tuesday afternoon by announcing the addition of former Notre Dame and Akron quarterbacks coach, Ron Powlus. Powlus will coach the quarterbacks at KU.
19-year-old KU student identified as victim in fatal accident: By Andy Hyland; 12:21 p.m., December 13, 2011 Updated 03:33 p.m. in print edition on A3; A 19-year-old Kansas University student from Changsha, China, died in a Leavenworth County car accident on Monday afternoon, according to a statement from the university.
Brownback says he will push for reducing state personal income tax rate: By Scott Rothschild; 12:20 p.m., December 13, 2011 Updated 04:04 p.m. in print edition on A1; Brownback warned that the state budget would suffer from a “federal storm” of budget cuts. Whoever the next president is, he said, “is going to cut.”
Thomas Robinson named Oscar Robertson national player of week: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011; Kansas forward Thomas Robinson was selected as the Oscar Robertson national player of the week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association for games ending the week of Dec. 11.
Hearing set on proposed new Leavenworth prison: Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Members of the public get a chance to hear more details this week on a proposal to build a second federal prison in Leavenworth.
Wichita gets downtown vehicle charging station: Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Downtown Wichita gets its first charging station for electric vehicles this week.
KU football taps Tim Grunhard as offensive line coach: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011; Tim Grunhard has been added to the Kansas football coaching staff, new coach Charlie Weis announced Tuesday.
Group names US senator’s aide Kansan of Year: Associated Press; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A10; An aide to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts has been named Kansan of the Year by a group that celebrates the state’s heritage.
Senators demand answers on missing MF Global money: Daniel Wagner and Marcy Gordon, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Senators are demanding to know what happened to $1.2 billion in customer money that disappeared when MF Global collapsed into bankruptcy this fall. They plan to press the securities firm’s top three executives Tuesday, including former Sen. Jon Corzine.
Sandusky waives hearing, vows to fight charges: Mark Scoloforo and Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky opted against forcing his accusers to make their claims of child sex abuse in a packed courtroom Tuesday but then took his case to the courthouse steps as his lawyer assailed the credibility of the alleged victims and witnesses.
13-year-old passenger injured in SUV crash along North 1500 Road: By George Diepenbrock; 10:05 a.m., December 13, 2011 Updated 07:23 p.m. in print edition on A5; A 13-year-old Lawrence boy was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a crash Tuesday morning east of Lawrence.
Can’t raise taxes? Hike Medicare premiums instead: RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR,Associated Press; December 13, 2011; The House is expected to vote Tuesday on a year-end economic package that includes a provision raising premiums for “high-income” Medicare beneficiaries, now defined as those making $85,000 and above for individuals, or $170,000 for families.
Attack in Belgian city leaves 4 dead, 123 wounded: Associated Press; 10:04 a.m., December 13, 2011 Updated 02:47 p.m.; An official says the death toll in a grenade and gun attack in the Belgian city of Liege is now four, including the attacker.
US drone crashes at Seychelles airport: Associated Press; December 13, 2011; U.S. officials say an American military drone has crashed at an airport on the island nation of Seychelles.
Driver sent or got 11 texts in 11 min before crash: Joan Lowy, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; A 19-year-old pickup truck driver involved in a deadly highway pileup in Missouri last year sent or received 11 texts in the 11 minutes immediately before the accident, federal investigators said Tuesday.
Associate: Pakistan president had ‘mini-stroke’: Chris Brummitt, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari suffered a “mini-stroke” that led to his ongoing hospitalization in Dubai, a close associate of the leader said Tuesday.
Town Talk: Presbyterian Manor undergoing renovations; future industrial area near airport may shrink; local title company buys Leavenworth operations: By Chad Lawhorn; December 13, 2011; News and notes from around town:
Safety violations found at Head Start centers: Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press; December 13, 2011; It’s the kind of stuff that gives moms nightmares: a machete near a play area, household chemicals accessible to preschoolers, and instructors teaching without a criminal background check. These violations and others were found at Head Start centers across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department.
Oxford Court home fire causes $80,000 worth of damage, family and pet safe: By George Diepenbrock; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A2; A fire at a west Lawrence home Monday night has displaced a family of four and caused an estimated $80,000 in damage to the house, a Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical spokeswoman said.
First Bell: School board honors students; bomb threat means longer days ahead at Free State High School: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011; Time for another edition of “First Bell,” a look at issues and items involving education in and around Lawrence.
Free State students likely to make up time lost to bomb threat: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A1; Students at Free State High School likely will be spending another couple minutes a day in class when they return from winter break, all to make up for instructional time lost when officials evacuated the school Dec. 1 following a bomb threat.
School board backs standards-based grades: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A1; Sixth-graders will continue to be assessed using the same standards-based grading system that’s been in place for nearly a decade in the Lawrence school district, Lawrence school board members reaffirmed Monday night.
Automation, recycling still on Solid Waste Task Force’s working list while trash options being sorted: By Chad Lawhorn; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A1; Bit by bit, a city-appointed task force is getting closer to making recommendations that will change much about trash in Lawrence, from how residents must set it out at the curb to the number of city employees needed to collect it.
In Lawrence, anti-bullying efforts depend on the school: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A1; While the district indeed adheres to a state requirement that every school have a plan to address and prevent bullying, just about every school has a different way of approaching the problem.
Horoscope for Dec. 13: December 13, 2011; You could be torn between adventure and the status quo this year. If you are attached, a relationship could consume a lot of your energy. Invite your sweetie to join you on some adventures. Both of you will smile more. If you are single, the people you attract could vary a great deal. Find out with whom you are more comfortable. You’ll gain financially through others. You could hit the lottery or win at the right bingo game. Communication could be challenging at times. Confirm as much as you can. Leo paves the way to adventure.
Holiday themes ring in and out: Kevin McDonough; December 13, 2011; We’re only one night removed from Barbara Walters’ always-ridiculous “The 10 Most Fascinating People of the Year” show, and one can feel the holiday worm begin to turn.
Tonganoxie district extends Weseman’s contract: Staff Reports; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A6; Randy Weseman originally set out to be the Tonganoxie school district’s superintendent on an interim basis for a year.
County to discuss redistricting, heritage grants processes: By Mark Fagan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A6; Douglas County commissioners will meet Wednesday to consider amending their annual budget, discuss how to redraw their district boundaries and review how to award grants intended to promote historic and cultural preservation.
Heard on the Hill: Provost explains more about salary increases; blog takes journalism alumna to all manner of bizarre places: By Andy Hyland; December 13, 2011; Your daily dose of news, notes and links from around Kansas University.
25 years ago: Lawrence mail carrier is third-generation postal worker: By Sarah St. John; December 13, 2011; A front-page article featured Lawrence mail carrier Galen White, whose father and grandfather had both worked with the local post office.
40 years ago: Haskell students propose change to bed-check policy: By Sarah St. John; December 13, 2011; Haskell Indian Junior College dean of students Frank Quiring spoke about a student proposal for allowing some students to remain out past dormitory closing hours.
100 years ago: Old Lawrence landmark destroyed: By Sarah St. John; December 13, 2011; “Where once there stood a substantial stone hotel, there now is fast developing a pile of ruins, stone, mortar and walnut.”
Chiefs fire coach Haley: Associated Press; December 13, 2011 in print edition on B1; The losses kept mounting, the tension kept growing and ultimately Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli decided the status quo was no longer good enough.
Seabury girls shake off rust, win 46-16: By Benton Smith; December 13, 2011 in print edition on B1; After four weeks of nothing but practice, Seabury Academy’s girls basketball team, understandably, might have been overly jittery Monday night in its season debut.
Football recruits, count the rings: By Tom Keegan; December 13, 2011 in print edition on B1; When Kansas University athletic director Sheahon Zenger last left town, he vowed he would not return without a new football coach on the flight back with him. Zenger kept his promise.
Weis guys: KU’s new coach credits two legends for his success: By Matt Tait; December 13, 2011 in print edition on B1; Years ago, during the week leading up to one of the New England Patriots’ three Super Bowl victories in four seasons under Bill Belichick, the man known for his hooded sweatshirt and stoic nature was asked about the role then-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis played in the Patriots’ success.
Rock ‘n’ recipes: Head chef uses local ingredients and creativity to make meals sing at The Oread: By Sarah Henning; December 13, 2011; As a teen, it’s highly unlikely you’ll get to rub elbows with rock stars and get a chance to do your dream job at the same time — but that’s exactly how Molly Myers started off her career as a chef.
Tax the wealthy?: Don Conrad, Lawrence; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A8; Political “wisdom” proclaims that wealth generates jobs.
9/11 comparison: Shane M. Jones, Lecompton; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A8; This is in response to a comment in the Dec. 7 article regarding treatment of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor and how, after 9/11, there were “reports of U.S. citizens of Arab descent being detained.”
Self: Weis has a commanding presence: By Jesse Newell; December 13, 2011 in print edition on B3; Kansas coach Bill Self said he was finally able to talk at length with new football coach Charlie Weis on Sunday morning. Both were at The Oread hotel in Lawrence, having breakfast with recruits.
Concerts SRO: Joyce Tallman, Lawrence; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A8; I write this after having just returned home from the Lawrence Free State High School Winter Choral Concert. For Gov. Brownback’s information, the arts are alive and well in Lawrence, Kan.
Pension reform: Replacing KPERS with a 401(k) plan will take away a significant benefit for state employees, and may necessitate offers of better wages and other perks to keep qualified workers in the public sector.; J-W Editorial; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A8; A recommendation to convert the state employee retirement system to a 401(k) plan seems like a reasonable move, but state officials need to realize that the pensions currently guaranteed by the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System are a significant benefit for state employees.
U.S. must fight pessimistic outlook: David Ignatius - Washington Post Writers Group; December 13, 2011 in print edition on A8; Is American power in decline, relative to the rest of the world? That question is at the center of a provocative study by the U.S. intelligence community exploring what the world might look like in 2030.

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