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Archive for Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Lead stories

12:00 a.m.
Rogene Anderson, left, and Cathy Crispino, longtime music teachers at Lawrence High School, are retiring at the end of the school year. Crispino has been the choir director for the last 15 years, and Anderson has been the choir's accompanist for the last 23 years. Lawrence school district losing longtime music teachers to retirement
May 7, 2012
When Lawrence High School seniors and juniors close their recognition concert with the finale to Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers,” it will be a notable end of another sort for the school.
8:53 a.m.
The Kansas Statehouse House rejects state employee raises, allocates funds for disabled
May 8, 2012
In another decision on the $14.4 billion budget, House Republicans, who hold a strong majority, rejected several efforts by Democrats to provide a pay raise to state employees, who haven’t had an increase in three years. But on a close vote, 60-56, the House approved allocating $5.8 million to reduce waitings lists for services for those with physical and developmental disabilities and senior citizens.
11:45 a.m.
Lawrence City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets. City vows fairness on new council for economic development
May 8, 2012
Lawrence city commissioners are open to creating a new consortium to manage economic development efforts in the community, but on Tuesday they vowed to address concerns by some neighborhood representatives that the group not be too heavily tilted to Lawrence Chamber of Commerce interests.
2:00 p.m.
With daylight savings ending Sunday, experts are warning of the possibility of increased car accidents. Downtown Lawrence is seen here at dusk in this 2007 file photo. Lawrence contender for Reader’s Digest’s ‘Most Interesting Town’ title
May 8, 2012
Look interesting, Lawrence. A national magazine has announced that Lawrence is in the running to be named “Most Interesting Town In America.”
10:00 p.m.
Darcy Schild has worked for the Lawrence school district for 32 years. She will be retiring from her position as library media specialist at Schwegler School this year. Times have changed during elementary educators’ decades in the district, but joy of teaching remains
May 8, 2012
Combined, Darcy Schild, Ginny Turvey, Sue Siegfreid and Gerry Bukaty have served in the district’s elementary schools for 119 years. All will be retiring at the end of the year.

All stories

Ambulance service for Eudora would cost county $1 million
May 9, 2012
The cost to start and run an ambulance service in Eudora would be more than a $1 million — a number that Douglas County Commissioners will have to weigh against a $2.4 million budget shortfall.
Senate president shelves anti-abortion bill, citing concerns over provision dealing with KU Med
May 9, 2012
The measure, which has been approved by the House, makes numerous changes to Kansas abortion law. One of those changes would prevent state employees, including doctors-in-training at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., from performing abortions on state property or state time.
House delivers mammoth tax cut bill to Brownback, who says he is prepared to sign it
May 9, 2012
“I am prepared to sign the bill, but I encourage Kansas legislators to continue their work on reforming our state’s tax policy and to consider some of the alternatives I proposed in my original pro-growth tax reform to off-set the cost,” Brownback said in a press statement issued after bitter debates in the House and Senate.
Kansas Turnpike Authority officials trying to catch peacock
May 9, 2012
Anyone missing a peacock? One of the colorful, blue-necked birds has been the subject of fascination and frustration on the Kansas Turnpike during the past week and a half.
Lansing escapee apprehended in KCK
May 9, 2012
A convicted sex offender who escaped from Lansing Correctional Facility three weeks ago was back in custody Wednesday afternoon.
Lecompton post office to remain open but have hours cut under new plan; more than 300 other Kansas post offices to have reduced hours
May 9, 2012
The Lecompton post office will remain open but have its hours cut in half, under a new plan announced Wednesday.
Obama announces support for gay marriage
02:07 p.m., May 9, 2012 Updated 12:19 a.m.
On the fence no longer, President Barack Obama declared his unequivocal support for gay marriage on Wednesday, a historic announcement that gave the polarizing social issue a more prominent role in the 2012 race for the White House.
Kansas lawmakers see quick 2013 budget resolution
May 9, 2012
Budget negotiators said Wednesday they expect to resolve most of their differences over spending priorities in the 2013 Kansas budget by the Legislature’s Friday deadline.
State revenue department figures say tax plan helps all
02:04 p.m., May 9, 2012 Updated 03:00 p.m.
A plan that Kansas legislators are considering to cut income and sales taxes would benefit all classes of taxpayers, according to figures released Wednesday by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration only hours before a crucial vote in the Senate.
Town Talk: Coffee, martial arts, bank slated for proposed development in N.W. Lawrence; speculation on the Olive Garden that has never materialized; chamber being sent message to stay out of retail
May 9, 2012
News and notes from around Lawrence and Douglas County.
Stakes high in Senate tax debate expected today
May 9, 2012
A group of moderate Republican senators initially voted against that plan, but after heavy lobbying from Brownback they reversed direction, saying they simply wanted to get a vehicle into the conference committee for tax negotiations. Now that plan is being held over their heads.
After paying ‘debt,’ then what?
May 9, 2012
I promised Russell I would ask you something.
Heard on the Hill: Dissertation research mentioned on NPR’s ‘Political Junkie’; KU to graduate a higher number of education students next year; Missouri to offer Pitt State license plates (but not KU)
May 9, 2012
Your daily dose of news, notes and links from around Kansas University.
Out with the old, in with the new as Weis era brings big changes to KU roster
May 9, 2012
When the 2011 football season ended last November, 92 Kansas University football players expected to be back with the Jayhawks for spring football in 2012.
T-Rob living large before NBA draft
May 9, 2012
Former Kansas University power forward Thomas Robinson, who recently signed with sports agent Tony Dutt and Rivals Sports Group, is living the good life as he prepares for the 2012 NBA Draft.
SM West routs Lawrence High soccer, 7-0
12:00 a.m., May 9, 2012 Updated 11:27 a.m.
This season hasn’t been easy for first-year head coach Janna Kepler and Lawrence High’s girls soccer team.
How former Jayhawks fared (May 9)
May 9, 2012 in print edition on B5
Here’s a look at how former Kansas University players fared in Tuesday’s NBA playoff games.
Valentine: Doff cap to Negro Leagues
May 9, 2012
Step into the office of Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, open your mind and your ears, and you’re going to walk out of there thinking about something really compelling for the first time. And you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.
House debates whether to commission study on whether to sell KU Hospital
May 9, 2012
House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, said the proposal “would be an awful decision” as the KU Cancer Center seeks National Cancer Institute designation. Even House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, criticized the move. “This is not a problem that needs to be fixed,” he said.
Dark meat chicken climbs pecking order
May 9, 2012
Thighs and drumsticks are climbing the pecking order as Americans join consumers abroad in seeking flavor that isn’t found in ubiquitous, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The poultry industry used to have trouble finding a market for dark meat, but changing domestic tastes and growing exports to countries that prefer leg quarters are pushing up prices and helping pull the poultry industry out of a deep slump.
Sertoma announces barbecue winners
May 9, 2012
Four Men and a Pig won a ticket to October’s American Royal Barbecue Invitational by being named overall grand champions of this year’s Sertoma 48 BBQ competition.
Free State, 23rd Street, Blind Tiger breweries collaborate to introduce new strong ale
May 9, 2012
Beer lovers, prepare for Full Kimono.
Steamed hake packs in the flavor
May 9, 2012
Admittedly, steamed fish doesn’t exactly scream mouthwatering. But what it lacks in excitement it more than makes up for in health cred.
International flavors put to taste test
May 9, 2012
The spread of international snacks included “Forest Mushroom” and “Grilled Meat” Lay’s from Russia, fruity Oreos from China and lemon-peppered flavored Tang drink from Saudi Arabia. The reactions were mixed.
25 years ago: Random poll shows Lawrence sympathetic toward Gary Hart
May 9, 2012
“I’m not sure what he did had too much to do with politics.”
40 years ago: Local residents have wide-ranging opinions on latest Vietnam action
May 9, 2012
Lawrence residents were showing varied reactions today to President Nixon’s announcement of a blockade action in Vietnam.
Snacks translate oddly overseas
American favorites barely recognizable in foreign flavors
May 9, 2012
Growth in the snack food industry has been virtually flat in the U.S. for the past two years, according to market research firm Euromonitor. Meanwhile, combined sales in China, Brazil and Russia — three major developing markets — rose 15 percent in 2010 and 11 percent last year to $17 billion. That’s half the size of the U.S. market but it’s growing.
Chicken law
May 9, 2012
Talk about a crazy law! Orscheln Farm and Home no longer able to sell chicks because it doesn’t provide 10 square feet of space per chick? Nuts!
More cooperation
There’s little doubt that the biggest issue that will face a proposal to construct a new police headquarters building in Lawrence will be its estimated $30 million price tag. However, another factor t
May 9, 2012
There’s little doubt that the biggest issue that will face a proposal to construct a new police headquarters building in Lawrence will be its estimated $30 million price tag.
Out of touch about Afghanistan
May 9, 2012
President Obama had every right to celebrate the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death with U.S. troops in Kabul. No one can doubt the magnitude of that achievement — under his command.
‘Idol’ praise may doom contestant
May 9, 2012
Where would “American Idol” (7 p.m., Fox) be without platitudes and hyperbole? Last week, Randy Jackson called Joshua Ledet one of the best “Idol” performers ever.
Horoscope for May 9
May 9, 2012
This year your serious ways let bosses, friends and loved ones know that you are not kidding. As a result, your opinions will carry far more weight than they have in the past. If you are single, you could attract someone quite interesting. If you are attached, team up and zero in on a long-term goal or desire.
100 years ago: Engineering students pay tribute to drowned classmate
May 9, 2012
“All up and down Massachusetts street, people waited, watching this silent tribute from a mass of students to the one who had been taken away.”