Archive for Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Also from February 19

Lead stories

12:00 a.m.
The Kansas Statehouse is seen in downtown Topeka, Kan. Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Legislator backs off bill aimed at keeping health departments from seeking accreditation
By Scott Rothschild
February 18, 2013
Local health department officials from across the state on Monday packed a hearing to oppose a bill introduced by a freshman senator that would have put the brakes on public health accreditation efforts. By Scott Rothschild.
6:00 a.m.
The proposed site plan for the Rock Chalk Park Sports Complex in northwest Lawrence. Mayor wants more information on KU-Fritzel agreements before final approval of rec center plan
By Chad Lawhorn
February 19, 2013
It is decision day — sort of — for the idea of a $25 million, city-owned recreation center. Commissioners at their Tuesday evening meeting are set to take their biggest vote yet on the long-debated project, but Mayor Bob Schumm said Monday he will delay final approval of a key development agreement until the city gets more information. By Chad Lawhorn
11:40 a.m.
The display case at Walmart, 3300 Iowa St., shows shortages of numerous kinds of gun ammo, including .223 caliber rounds, the same kind used in the recent school shooting. Legislation seeks to block federal gun laws on Kansas firearms
By Scott Rothschild
February 19, 2013
Secretary of State Kris Kobach on Tuesday urged passage of a bill that he said would protect Kansas gun owners from federal restrictions, and he welcomed a possible legal battle over the measure all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. By Scott Rothschild.
9:42 p.m.
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Residents hunker down for impending snowstorm
By Adam Strunk
February 19, 2013
Snow may pack Lawrence parking lots in the very near future, but cars packed the lots Tuesday evening. Droves of people stocked up on necessities — food, gasoline, ice melt — in preparation for a snowstorm expected to dump 7 to 10 inches of snow on Lawrence late Wednesday night. By Adam Strunk

All stories

City gives preliminary approval to development agreement for $25M recreation center
By Chad Lawhorn
February 19, 2013
Talk may soon start turning to action on a proposed $25 million, city-owned recreation center. Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a development agreement that could allow construction on the center to begin by late April. By Chad Lawhorn
Kan. Senate moves against sex-selection abortions
The Associated Press
February 19, 2013
The Kansas Senate gave first-round approval Tuesday to a bill prohibiting doctors from terminating a pregnancy solely because a woman doesn’t want a baby of a certain gender, with supporters brushing aside criticism that the measure didn’t give providers enough protection against false accusations. The Associated Press
Details emerge about agreements between Fritzel entity and KU on Rock Chalk Park project
By Chad Lawhorn
09:31 p.m., February 19, 2013 Updated 12:12 a.m.
An entity controlled by Thomas Fritzel will be the exclusive provider of all concessions on the Kansas University portions of the proposed Rock Chalk Park project, according to documents released Tuesday. By Chad Lawhorn
Residents hunker down for impending snowstorm
By Adam Strunk
February 19, 2013
Snow may pack Lawrence parking lots in the very near future, but cars packed the lots Tuesday evening. Droves of people stocked up on necessities — food, gasoline, ice melt — in preparation for a snowstorm expected to dump 7 to 10 inches of snow on Lawrence late Wednesday night. By Adam Strunk
Blast levels building at Kansas City’s Plaza
Associated Press
09:01 p.m., February 19, 2013 Updated 11:23 p.m.
A gas explosion that sparked a massive, block-engulfing blaze in an upscale Kansas City shopping district injured 14 people, a city official said Tuesday evening, adding it is believed that an accident by a utility contractor may have caused the blast.
Hays hopes to use career in law, Air Force to help with run for Lawrence City Commission
By Chad Lawhorn
February 19, 2013
Reese Hays is betting he won’t have many problems navigating the sometimes choppy waters that a city commissioner sometimes encounters at Lawrence City Hall. He’s had practice in a slightly different governmental arena: the government of Iraq. By Chad Lawhorn
19-year-old Horton man sentenced to nearly three years in prison for breaking into women’s homes
By Ian Cummings
February 19, 2013
A 19-year-old Horton man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of aggravated burglary stemming from two August incidents in Lawrence. Ian Cummings
County to vote on financing agreement for industrial park
By Peter Hancock
February 19, 2013
A proposed agreement between Douglas County and the city of Lawrence would finance roads and infrastructure at the East Hills Business Park, site of the former Farmland Industries chemical plant. By Peter Hancock
Topeka lawyer who defrauded fund for KU sentenced to five years in prison
By Shaun Hittle
February 19, 2013
A Topeka lawyer was sentenced to five years in federal prison for orchestrating a “Ponzi” scheme that defrauded clients out of more than $500,000, including funds intended for Kansas University. By Shaun Hittle
Few advance ballots cast ahead of Tuesday’s primary
By Peter Hancock
03:00 p.m., February 19, 2013 Updated 09:17 p.m.
Voters in the Lawrence city commission primary can cast advance ballots through noon Monday at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St. Election Day is Tuesday, Feb. 26. By Peter Hancock
Lawsuit documents provide insight into police traffic ticket scandal
By Shaun Hittle
01:57 p.m., February 19, 2013 Updated 03:18 p.m.
City officials have remained mum about the internal investigation of two Lawrence police officers accused of fixing traffic tickets in exchange for Kansas University athletic tickets, but recently filed court documents help fill in some of the blanks. By Shaun Hittle
Kansas Senate committee OK’s plan to exclude courts from school finance
The Associated Press
February 19, 2013
A Senate committee has endorsed a proposal to amend the Kansas Constitution to give only the Legislature the authority to determine funding for public schools, rather than the courts. By The Associated Press
Former police sergeant’s federal lawsuit against city alleges racial discrimination, wrongful termination
By Shaun Hittle
February 19, 2013
A 20-year veteran of the Lawrence Police Department — fired last March — filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination. By Shaun Hittle
City crews prepping early for Wednesday’s expected snow storm
By Shaun Hittle
February 19, 2013
With a winter storm expected to hit the area Wednesday evening, city crews have already begun prepping city streets, said city of Lawrence spokeswoman Megan Gilliland. By Shaun Hittle
Legislation seeks to block federal gun laws on Kansas firearms
By Scott Rothschild
February 19, 2013
Secretary of State Kris Kobach on Tuesday urged passage of a bill that he said would protect Kansas gun owners from federal restrictions, and he welcomed a possible legal battle over the measure all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. By Scott Rothschild.
Symposium to focus on drought, future of water in Kansas
By Peter Hancock
February 19, 2013
The lingering drought in Kansas is reminding many of the Dust Bowl years of the 1930s. Experts in agriculture, geology and climate science will gather at KU on Friday to discuss the long-term impacts and the future of water in Kansas. By Peter Hancock
Brownback budget director apologizes for numbers error
John Hanna, Associated Press
February 19, 2013
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget director apologized publicly Monday for supplying him with an incorrect figure that led the Republican governor to make erroneous claims about total state spending under his Democratic predecessor. Budget Director Steve Anderson said in a statement that the mistake occurred in entering data on an internal administration spreadsheet. The information was passed along to Brownback’s office, and he used the material in recent presentations to groups about his budget and tax proposals.
Mayor wants more information on KU-Fritzel agreements before final approval of rec center plan
By Chad Lawhorn
February 19, 2013
It is decision day — sort of — for the idea of a $25 million, city-owned recreation center. Commissioners at their Tuesday evening meeting are set to take their biggest vote yet on the long-debated project, but Mayor Bob Schumm said Monday he will delay final approval of a key development agreement until the city gets more information. By Chad Lawhorn
Farmer wants to highlight need for more jobs, technical education as part of City Commission campaign
By Chad Lawhorn
February 19, 2013
It is not every day that McDonald’s changes someone’s life. But it did for Jeremy Farmer, the executive director of Lawrence’s largest food bank. By Chad Lawhorn
District orders changes to 8th grade slavery lesson
By Peter Hancock
February 19, 2013
The idea of having students wear mock shackles as part of an exercise to learn about slavery is inappropriate, Lawrence school officials say. But they support a Liberty Memorial Central Middle School teacher’s use of role-playing to help students learn what slavery actually felt like. By Peter Hancock
Marriages
Staff Reports
February 19, 2013
Marriage licenses issued in Douglas County District Court the week ending Feb. 15, 2013.
Bankruptcies
Staff Reports
February 19, 2013
Douglas County residents or businesses filing for bankruptcy protection recently in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Kansas, according to court records.
Divorces
Staff Reports
February 19, 2013
Divorces granted in Douglas County District Court the week ending Feb. 15, 2013.
Letter: Taxing truth
Ken Meyer, Lawrence
February 19, 2013
As we swing into tax season, how about some truth from D.C.? While 70 percent of all income-earners are subject to filing individual returns, some 60 million of those will pay no income tax.
Letter: Fluoride, health
Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, Lawrence
February 19, 2013
Good oral health is central to good overall health. Unfortunately, many children in Kansas are suffering from poor oral health, and unless we do something to prevent it, the problems will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
25 years ago: United Way in search of bigger office space
By Sarah St. John
February 19, 2013
Officials said that the agency had outgrown its second-story offices at 700 Mass.
40 years ago: Stranded fisherman rescued from Kansas River
By Sarah St. John
February 19, 2013
He had failed to fasten his boat securely at the island where he was fishing.
100 years ago: Pressure test breaks Mass Street water main
By Sarah St. John
February 19, 2013
“The pavement has been more or less damaged and a long stretch of the brick may have to be removed and relaid.”
Letter: Class act
Larry Northrop, Lawrence
February 19, 2013
Ben McLemore. This college student has become a great asset to the city of Lawrence, and we do not give him enough notice.
Opinion: Shifting Syria policy won’t be easy
Trudy Rubin
February 19, 2013 in print edition on A8
Heaven help John Kerry! The newly minted secretary of state has already announced he’ll launch a fresh initiative aimed at ending the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Editorial: Slow down
Lawrence city commissioners need to make sure they have dotted their i’s and crossed their t’s before moving forward on a proposed recreation center project.
J-W Editorial
February 19, 2013
We have one word for Lawrence city commissioners concerning the Rock Chalk Park project in northwest Lawrence: Whoa.
Tune In Tonight: CW’s ‘Cult’ is something to talk about
Kevin McDonough, Universal Uclick
February 19, 2013
A show within a show, “Cult” (8 p.m., CW) isn’t so much a network drama as the idea for a drama, or maybe the marketing scheme for a drama. But given the slim pickings on the CW and other networks, that may be enough.
Shopping, cooking for one requires planning
By Meagan Thomas
February 19, 2013
Grocery shopping and cooking meals for a large family every night can be a difficult feat, but shopping and cooking for one person can be just as difficult. By Meagan Thomas
Horoscopes for Feb. 19
Jacqualine Bigar, King Features
February 19, 2013
For Tuesday, Feb. 19: This year you experience some tension regarding what you want to do and the way in which you go about executing those goals. You can go from being deeply emotional to highly intellectual within a few minutes. If you are single, you could have a few starts-ups to relationships with different people. If you are attached, the two of you need to work on your communication.
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