Archive for Thursday, March 15, 2012 / LJWorld.com

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Also from March 15

Births

Blog entries

Operation 100 News blog: Two men shot multiple times early this morning in Lawrence

Obituaries

On the street

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? If so, how do you combat them?

Photos

View all of this day's photos (40)

Photo galleries

KU and Detroit NCAA practices and interviews

Pi Day Celebration

Podcasts

Polls

When was the last time you used a printed version of the Encyclopedia Britannica?

Poll results

Response	Percent
In high school		37%
In junior high school		15%
From time-to-time since I left school		11%
In college		10%
In elementary school		10%
I’ve never used the Encyclopedia Britannica		8%
I still use the Encyclopedia Britannica		6%
Total	494

Videos

Lead stories

6:00 a.m.

Pi Day celebrates irrational thinking: By Alex Garrison; 12:28 a.m., March 15, 2012 Updated 8:39 a.m.; The night was a celebration of the irrational number, rounded to two decimal places as 3.14, which is critical for finding the circumference of a circle. And it also not coincidentally happened to be the date. Kirby and other members of the Alferd Packer Memorial String Band organized the event, which they hope will become a new tradition. They’re famous for performing in the post office on Tax Day, April 15, but chose another “made-up holiday” to commemorate this year as the tradition of up-to-the-last-minute-filing is largely over, given restricted office hours.

Photo gallery: Pi Day Celebration

10:00 a.m.

House committee approves splitting Kansas City, Kan.; Democrats allege ‘gerrymandering’: By Scott Rothschild; March 14, 2012; In the map proposed by O’Neal, Lawrence would be wholly placed in the 3rd along with Johnson County, and the southeast part of Kansas City, which includes the Kansas University Medical Center, and Miami County.

Source document: Congressional redistricting map

6:00 p.m.

Officers, KU officials offer safety tips for spring break: By George Diepenbrock; March 15, 2012; As Kansas University students this week walked to classes on Jayhawk Boulevard, they likely encountered messages about being safe during spring break next week.

All stories

Brownback’s Facebook page swamped with posts critical of his anti-abortion stance: By Scott Rothschild; March 15, 2012; Brownback signed into law several anti-abortion measures last year.
Committee approves abortion bill; puts in amendment for KU Medical Center: By Scott Rothschild; March 15, 2012; The 68-page House Bill 2598 covers numerous issues dealing with abortion.
Defense Department supports legislation that could lead to Medal of Honor for Korea-era chaplain from Kansas: Associated Press; March 15, 2012; The Defense Department says it supports recent legislation that allows a Kansas Army chaplain to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Many teacher pension funds underfunded: Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press; March 15, 2012; As a new generation of teachers replaces retiring baby boomers, financially strapped states face a quandary — what to do about teacher pensions.
Kansas House prayer gets political: By Scott Rothschild; March 15, 2012; A prayer to open the House session on Thursday included comments about abortion, same-sex marriage and religious freedom.
$500,000 grant to help KU produce more engineering graduates: By Andy Hyland; March 15, 2012; A $500,000 gift from the Burns & McDonnell Foundation will support an effort to increase the number of engineering graduates from Kansas University.
Critics say Kobach not focused on Kansas office: Associated Press; March 15, 2012; Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says claims by critics that his personal schedule shows he’s not focused on his official duties are unfounded.
Kansas House tax cut plan cheaper than thought: John Milburn, Associated Press; 02:12 p.m., March 15, 2012 Updated 04:54 p.m.; New estimates show that a sweeping tax-cut bill approved by the Kansas House would have a smaller impact on state revenues than earlier projected.
Suspect in Pittsburg slaying arrested in Missouri: Associated Press; March 15, 2012; A suspect in the death of a Pittsburg, Kan., man has been arrested in Columbia.
Kobach’s bill on voter citizenship in limbo: Associated Press; 02:08 p.m., March 15, 2012 Updated 03:52 p.m.; State senators aren’t sure they’ll vote on Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s proposal to require new voters to prove their U.S. citizenship ahead of this year’s presidential election.
Kansas storm victims eligible for SBA loans: Associated Press; March 15, 2012; Residents and businesses affected by the storms in Kansas last month will be eligible for federal disaster loans.
Early-morning accident causes traffic slowdown on 24-40 highway northeast of Lawrence: By George Diepenbrock; March 15, 2012; An accident involving a semi trailer carrying a fire truck caused traffic to be reduced to one lane Thursday morning on U.S. Highway 24-40 northeast of Lawrence.
Visiting Kansas, National Endowment for the Arts chairman says arts are a core government function: By Andy Hyland; March 15, 2012; The chairman for the National Endowment for the Arts, in a visit to Lawrence on Thursday, made the case that the arts should be publicly funded, taking the opposite position of Kansas’ governor, who vetoed the state’s entire arts budget last May.
Hawker Beechcraft will keep Wichita plant open: Associated Press; March 15, 2012; Hawker Beechcraft officials say its Wichita Plant 1 will remain open, saving hundreds of jobs.
Repaving project on Kansas River bridge to disrupt downtown Lawrence traffic: By Chad Lawhorn; March 15, 2012; Traffic on the northbound Kansas River bridge in downtown Lawrence will be reduced to one lane beginning next week as crews return to finish a repaving job left over from last summer.
Home in rural Franklin County destroyed by fire; no injuries reported: By George Diepenbrock; March 15, 2012; A northern Franklin County home is a total loss after a fire Wednesday morning northeast of Ottawa, sheriff’s officials said.
Sheriff’s deputies plan saturation patrol Friday night: By George Diepenbrock; March 15, 2012; Douglas County Sheriff’s officers will conduct a saturation patrol Friday evening as deputies target impaired drivers, said Sgt. Steve Lewis, a sheriff’s spokesman.
Kansas City, Kan., man charged in connection with 2008 robbery in Lawrence: By George Diepenbrock; 10:43 a.m., March 15, 2012 Updated 04:20 p.m.; Douglas County prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old Kansas City, Kan., man in connection with a 2008 Lawrence robbery.
Town Talk: Treanor begins construction on new downtown headquarters; parking changes on tap for area near 10th and Vermont; Capital City Bank has expansion on its mind: By Chad Lawhorn; March 15, 2012; News and notes from around Lawrence and Douglas County.
Muppet manifesto: Blistering exit for Goldman Sachs executive: Christina Rexrode, Associated Press; March 15, 2012; Goldman Sachs, arguably the most storied investment bank on Wall Street, has been compared to a money-sucking vampire squid and called the evil empire of finance. On Wednesday, it got a black eye from one of its own.
GOP campaign fight stretches to Puerto Rico: David Espo, Associated Press; March 15, 2012; An upbeat Rick Santorum barreled into Puerto Rico on Wednesday in pursuit of another campaign-bending victory in a Republican presidential race where suddenly no primary is too minor and no delegate is conceded. Mitt Romney put nearly $1 million into television advertising in Illinois, the next big-state showdown.
Schools getting choice on beef: Pink slime or no?: Michael Hill, Associated Press; March 15, 2012; “Pink slime” just went from a simmer to a boil.
Obama, Cameron announce shift in war role: Ben Feller, Associated Press; March 15, 2012; Determined to show momentum in a war marred by setbacks, President Barack Obama and British Prime Minster David Cameron said for the first time Wednesday that NATO forces would hand over the lead combat role to Afghanistan forces next year as the U.S. and its allies aim to get out by the end of 2014.
Former health insurance executive questions Brownback’s Medicaid plan: Associated Press; March 15, 2012; A man who once worked for two major health insurance companies is cautioning Kansas lawmakers and residents to question Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal to move the state’s Medicaid program to a managed-care system.
Police chase, arrest man after reported domestic disturbance: Staff Reports; March 15, 2012; Lawrence police arrested a 23-year-old Lawrence man after he fled police following a suspected domestic disturbance.
Man allowed to represent himself in court in assault case: By George Diepenbrock; March 15, 2012; A Douglas County judge Wednesday allowed a 36-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man to represent himself in an aggravated assault case in Lawrence in which he’s accused of threatening a woman with a tree branch on Feb. 21.
Officers, KU officials offer safety tips for spring break: By George Diepenbrock; March 15, 2012; As Kansas University students this week walked to classes on Jayhawk Boulevard, they likely encountered messages about being safe during spring break next week.
Clinton State Park to hold open house: By Andy Hyland; March 15, 2012; Clinton State Park will be participating in a statewide State Park Open House on March 31.
Pi Day celebrates irrational thinking: Math, science fans gather for music, pie; By Alex Garrison; 12:28 a.m., March 15, 2012 Updated 08:39 a.m.; The night was a celebration of the irrational number, rounded to two decimal places as 3.14, which is critical for finding the circumference of a circle. And it also not coincidentally happened to be the date. Kirby and other members of the Alferd Packer Memorial String Band organized the event, which they hope will become a new tradition. They’re famous for performing in the post office on Tax Day, April 15, but chose another “made-up holiday” to commemorate this year as the tradition of up-to-the-last-minute-filing is largely over, given restricted office hours.
St. Patrick’s Day event to benefit Boys and Girls Club: By Alex Garrison; March 15, 2012; The Granada Theater, 1020 Mass., will have a patio event Saturday for St. Patrick’s Day, and some of the proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.
County commits $1 million to Bioscience and Technology Business Center: By Christine Metz; March 15, 2012; The Douglas County Commission continued its support of the Bioscience and Technology Business Center on Wednesday with a $1 million commitment to expand the building.
Heard on the Hill: More brackets track everything from social media impact to proximity to equator; brown recluse research gets national attention; journalism school makes top 10 list: By Andy Hyland; March 15, 2012; Your daily dose of news, notes and links from around Kansas University.
25 years ago: Runaway gas-station customer leads police on chase: By Sarah St. John; March 15, 2012; The man had left a gas station without paying the $14 he owed for fuel.
40 years ago: Lawrence leaders plan to improve northern city entrance: By Sarah St. John; March 15, 2012; The northern entrance into the city was less attractive than it could have been.
100 years ago: Kansas educators meet at KU for annual conference: By Sarah St. John; March 15, 2012; “‘From experiments in our district,’ said Professor Mayberry, ‘we have found that the students learn to spell faster and better without the use of the speller.’”
K.C. catcher Perez sidelined: March 15, 2012 in print edition on B2; Salvador Perez will open the season on the disabled list instead of as the Kansas City Royals’ starting catcher.
Chiefs sign free-agent running back Hillis: March 15, 2012 in print edition on B2; The Kansas City Chiefs signed running back Peyton Hillis on Wednesday, giving the team a formidable duo in the ground game with Jamaal Charles.
Our Town sports for March 15: Staff Reports; March 15, 2012; A weekly roundup of local sporting events, results and happenings
How former Jayhawks fared (March 15): March 15, 2012 in print edition on B4; Here’s a look at how former Kansas University players fared in NBA games of March 14.
KU track earns national awards: Staff Reports; March 15, 2012; Kansas University sophomore sprinter Diamond Dixon and KU assistant track coach Wayne Pate earned national awards Wednesday from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Minor-league ball provides real bargain: Gene A. Budig; March 15, 2012 in print edition on B2; Minor League Baseball now runs with the bankers, carmakers, and retailers in experiencing economic recovery and growth, and for good reason: It offers family entertainment at a bargain basement price.
OLLU ousts Baker from NAIA tourney: Staff Reports; March 15, 2012; Baker University bolted to a quick lead, but No. 7-ranked Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) rallied for a 103-88 victory over the Wildcats in the first round of the NAIA Men’s Div. I National Championship on Wednesday.
KU better off Withey than without-ey: By Tom Keegan; March 15, 2012; The road to the Final Four starts in the same building for Kansas as it did four years ago, when the Jayhawks won the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history.
Omaha has familiar feel for Jayhawks: By Gary Bedore; March 15, 2012; Kansas University’s basketball team bus pulled in front of the downtown Embassy Suites hotel about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, the path to the entrance mighty familiar to ninth-year Jayhawk coach Bill Self.
Taylor-made: Senior Tyshawn Taylor worked hard for trey success: By Matt Tait; March 15, 2012; Set, square, rise, release, follow through. That, in a nutshell, is a list of the key components of the perfect jumpshot.
Eudora school district says it followed standard procedures before hiring teacher who now stands accused of sex crimes: By George Diepenbrock & Christine Metz; March 15, 2012; Eudora public school officials say they followed standard procedures last year when they hired a teacher who has since been arrested for an alleged improper relationship with a minor.
EITC support: Thad Holcombe ECM Campus Minister, Lawrence; March 15, 2012; I am writing to state my opposition to the proposed reduction of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) being considered by the Kansas Legislature. In doing so I am concurring with the statement passed unanimously by the Presbytery of Northern Kansas of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) representing 67 churches in 33 counties stretching from Colorado border to Missouri.
Basketball state: It’s fun to see how excited Wichita State fans are about the Shockers’ trip to the NCAA Tournament.; J-W Editorial; March 15, 2012; When was the last time Kansas University basketball fans got this excited about their team getting into the NCAA Tournament?
Academic champs: For the third year in a row the KU basketball team is showcasing an admirable academic record.; J-W Editorial; March 15, 2012; There obviously is more than one way to measure the academic excellence of a university basketball team, but it was nice to see Kansas University claim the national championship in one such calculation.
Where is nation’s outrage?: Leonard Pitts Jr.; March 15, 2012 in print edition on A8; “Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” — from the 14th Amendment Spin it any way you want. Justify it, rationalize it, chalk it up to the exigencies of war. And at the end, the fact remains:
States seek to rein in union costs: George Will; March 15, 2012 in print edition on A8; Sal DiCiccio says he’s sorry. It is, he says, no excuse that the complex labor contracts that he, as a member of the city council, voted to ratify for city employees were presented to the council less than a week before the vote. He says he should have seen that the contracts contain some indefensible, not to mention unconstitutional, provisions, such as those pertaining to “release time.”
A helicopter mom like a gunship: Kevin McDonough, United Feature Syndicate; March 15, 2012; The bonds between mother and son are stretched to unintentionally laughable lengths in “Missing” (7 p.m., ABC), a new showcase for Ashley Judd.
Horoscopes for March 15: Jacqueline Bigar, King Features Syndicate; March 15, 2012; This year you open up to a different attitude at work and/or in your community. As a result, you feel more accepted and successful. If you are single, you could meet someone who knocks your socks off. If you are attached, choose to share more of your life with your sweetie.

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