LJWorld.com / Erin Castaneda

Staff

Erin Castaneda (Staff writer)

Erin Castaneda grew up making several moves in a military family before landing in Topeka in 1998. She moved to Lawrence later to attend Kansas University where she earned degrees in English and journalism in May 2007.

During her college career she had the opportunity to work with the Lawrence Journal-World.

In the summer of 2006 she was in an environmental reporting course that produced the "What We Drink" series published in the Lawrence Journal-World.

The following spring she worked as a city desk new intern for the paper through a community journalism course.

After graduation Erin began working full-time as the general assignment and night law enforcement reporter.

She enjoys the variety and spontaneity of the beat and interacting with people in the community.

Without a pen, pad, camera or recorder in hand, Erin can be spotted running around outdoors with her black Labrador, taking photos, biking or spending time with friends.

Erin also enjoys the bragging rights that come with being a KU alumna after the Jayhawks won the 2008 National Championship.

Recent stories

Mackey’s life brimmed with friends, family: By Erin Castaneda; July 5, 2008; Steph Mott, 27, a KU graduate and close friend of Jana Mackey, said in an e-mail to the Journal-World that the two of them spoke nearly every hour.
Suspect in killing commits suicide: By Erin Castaneda & Caroline Trowbridge; 09:24 p.m., July 5, 2008 Updated 11:15 p.m.; The suspect in the death of a 25-year-old Kansas University student committed suicide while in police custody in New Jersey, according to Lawrence police.
Body found on train tracks: By Erin Castaneda; 12:40 p.m., July 5, 2008 Updated 05:41 p.m.; Lawrence police officers are investigating the death of a 29-year-old Lawrence man killed on the Union Pacific train tracks in North Lawrence.
Food donations dwindle in summer: By Erin Castaneda; July 5, 2008; It’s hard to ignore the soaring gasoline and food prices these days. While most residents can adjust their budgets by cutting back on extras such as eating out or summer vacations, others are struggling to survive. “It is very, very hard,” said Lawrence resident Rebecca Frazier, 31, whose family of six is on a tight income and can’t afford to fix the air conditioning. They also have a tough time filling the cupboards.
Severe thunderstorm warning for Douglas County has been canceled; severe thunderstorm watch still in effect: By Erin Castaneda; 06:21 p.m., July 2, 2008 Updated 09:14 p.m.; The severe thunderstorm warning for Douglas County has been cancelled.
State parks cache in on trend: Geocaching gives treasure hunters new incentive to explore great outdoors; By Erin Castaneda; June 29, 2008; Not all who wander are lost; they just might be on a hunt for hidden treasure. This summer, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks invites people to explore state parks while joining a popular and growing national hobby, an outdoor treasure-hunt game called geocaching. For the first time, the department is hosting a Geocaching State Park Contest, and challenging participants to find two caches in 29 state parks.
Overbrook man, 28, flown to Kansas City hospital following turnpike accident: By Erin Castaneda; 11:48 a.m., June 29, 2008 Updated 01:35 p.m.; A 28-year-old Overbook man was flown to Kansas University Hospital with critical injuries this afternoon following a single-car accident on the Kansas Turnpike near the West Lawrence ramp.
Radio lovers test skills at 24-hour event: By Erin Castaneda; June 29, 2008; A passion for radio communication inspired the Douglas County Amateur Radio Club members and others to dedicate 24 hours to their hobby this weekend. The club’s participation in the annual national American Radio Relay League Field Day at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, which began at noon Saturday and ends at noon today, is a multifaceted event.
Deaf cheerleaders bring new beat to KU camp: By Erin Castaneda; June 29, 2008; Through the vibrations of a drum, six cheerleaders from the Kansas School for the Deaf commanded people’s attention at Kansas University’s Spirit Camp. “We can do everything except hear,” said Marie Qualls, 21, the head coach of the KSD team. Qualls, a 2005 graduate from the state school, decided to bring her team to KU’s camp for the first time this year.
Concerned resident draws attention to large sink hole: By Erin Castaneda; 08:12 p.m., June 28, 2008 Updated 12:00 a.m.; A concerned resident draws attention to a large sink hole.

Full story list

Recent photos

A Douglas County Sheriff's deputy measures the distance between just north of Lone Star Lake and the site of a motorcycle fatality on County Road 1. Douglas County Sheriff's spokeswoman Lt. Kari Wempe said a man believed to be from the Lawrence area died in the accident.

The father of Phoenix Smith, 5, of Colorado, bought her an identification tag in case he became separated from her at the festival.

Rowan Laufer, 7, takes a break from the bicycle ring and hangs with his father Pete Laufer, a Lawrence carpenter, Saturday at the Wakarusa Festival.

On Saturday a young girl tries out several bikes during the Wakarusa Festival bicycle circle that was filled with unique bike creations.

Pete Laufer, a Lawrence carpenter, watches his three children Rowan, 7, Will, 10, and Sophie, 13 play in and around the bicycle circle Saturday at the Wakarusa Festival. The festival is welcoming to families and children.

Full photo list