Brenna Hawley / LJWorld.com

Staff

Brenna Hawley (Reporter)

I began working at the Lawrence Journal-World in May 2009 as an intern on the features desk while still in school at Kansas University, where I worked on my college paper all four years. After a semester off, I came back as a news intern and eventually became overnight reporter, where I covered breaking news and maintained LJWorld.com. It was then I learned the beauty of understanding a 10-code from the police scanner, and how beneficial blackout curtains are for sleeping during the day.

I have since started working as a general assignment reporter, and have learned to appreciate the value of daytime schedule. I get to sleep during the nighttime hours!

I have two types of stories I love. First, the quirky kind, like the one about the guy who goes to micro-mini tractor pulls or the baby who was born in the hospital’s elevator and has since been nicknamed Ellee.

My other favorite is people who do really cool things, such as the man who renovates pinball machines or the 93-year-old man who still flies airplanes. I’m fascinated by people who do these sorts of things, so if you ever know of anyone who does something really unique, let me know!

In my spare time, I bake. A lot. I write a personal baking blog called Ingredients of a 20something, and often bring treats into the newsroom (I’m pretty sure I’ve made some lifelong friends this way). Cupcakes tend to be my go-to treat, but I bake everything from cookies to cannolis to ice cream cakes.

I'm definitely an animal person, and right now I have one cat, named Melvin. I also have a vast (and fairly useless) array of Disney knowledge. If I were any Disney character, I'd probably be Belle. Who would you be?

Recent stories

Jim Brothers sculpture pays homage to soldiers; will be on display Saturday at Lawrence Visitors Center: By Brenna Hawley; May 19, 2011; It’s the face that’s really important to Jim Brothers. He wants to capture emotion.
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical planning to restore American LaFrance fire truck: By Brenna Hawley; May 16, 2011; Shiny and bright red, the state-of-the-art truck rolled out of a rail car into Lawrence. The $27,500 pumper truck came equipped with a 10-cylinder engine, two batteries and a 500-gallon water tank, and would serve Lawrence through some of its most tumultuous times until it was taken out of service years later. But that year — 1955— it was brand new.
Lawrence leather shop owner shapes work to fit family: By Brenna Hawley; May 16, 2011; Isadora lies on a quilt-covered chair, watching her owner, Bruce Barlow. In the other room, Barlow’s son-in-law cuts pieces of leather to shape, gluing them into place. Saddles, jackets, shoes, pianos, paint and stringed instruments line the rooms. Later, Barlow’s brother will come to work.
KU students raising money to go help tornado-ravaged Alabama: By Brenna Hawley; May 15, 2011; Rick Farrier sat at home and watched news reports of the destruction that Hurricane Katrina caused in 2005. He knew he couldn’t stay at home. He had to go help.
Lawrence Humane Society waiving adoption fees on cats to make room at shelter: By Brenna Hawley; May 13, 2011; Some kitties are looking for a new permanent home in Lawrence.
Douglas County commissioners defer decision on adding Northeast Sector Plan to Horizon 2020: By Brenna Hawley; May 12, 2011; Douglas County commissioners deferred a decision on adding the Northeast Sector Plan to Horizon 2020 until the June 1 meeting.
Portion of Douglas County Road 458 to close: By Brenna Hawley; May 10, 2011; Douglas County and the Kansas Department of Transportation will close County Road 458 from U.S. Highway 59 east to East 1338 starting May 16 for bridge and road repair.
Douglas County Commission to consider development plan for floodplain area: By Brenna Hawley; May 10, 2011; A plan that outlines future development in an area of Douglas County that has high-quality soil and is in a floodplain will come before the Douglas County Commission on Wednesday evening.
Expect delays at intersection of Kasold, Clinton Parkway on Tuesday morning: By Brenna Hawley; May 9, 2011; Traffic lights at Clinton Parkway and Kasold Drive will be shut down for three hours Tuesday morning.
Officers searching for person in southwestern Leavenworth County following car chase: By Brenna Hawley; 06:08 p.m., May 9, 2011 Updated 09:14 p.m.; Multiple agencies were searching Monday afternoon for a suspect in a car chase in southwestern Leavenworth County.

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Recent photos

Douglas County commissioners Nancy Thellman, Jim Flory and Mike Gaughan discuss adding domestic partner benefits to the county's health insurance coverage during their meeting Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

Pete and Cathy Schneider often help their elderly neighbors with yard work, cleaning the house and getting them to the airport or church. The couple are also active volunteers, especially with United Way and Family Promise.

Christine Graves is always willing to take care of her neighbor's young child when he needs to go to meetings. Graves said her neighborhood, on Prescott Drive, is full of people very willing to help each other out.

Don Barnett uses his expertise from previously owning a garage to help neighbors with car trouble, and is always willing to lend a helping hand with taking care of their animals while they're on vacation.

Representatives from Junior Achievement, Cooper's Cause Foundation and Imagine Drop-In Childcare each receive $22,000 from Debi Drummet, co-chair of the St. Patrick's Day Parade committee. The organization set a record for fundraising this year, beating out last year's total of $52,500 by raising $66,000.

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Brenna Hawley (Reporter)

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