Karrey Britt / LJWorld.com

Staff

Karrey Britt (WellCommons.com Reporter)

During my 13 years at the Lawrence Journal-World, I’ve worn a number of hats. I started by working the nightshift as a copy editor and progressed to society editor and then assistant assignment director.

During the past few years, I returned to reporting, and it has proved rewarding.

I have met many fascinating people including:

• Susan Mozykowski, who opened her home and heart to me while battling brain cancer.

• Lawrence resident Heidi Karn Barker, who had a life-saving organ transplant and allowed me to capture her journey.

• Michael Douglas, who has a rare lung disease, but you wouldn’t know it by his upbeat attitude and gratitude for life.

Today, I am a health reporter. Now, I wouldn’t call myself a health nut, but I watch what I eat and enjoy exercising. I also support the movement to buy locally-produced foods.

That’s because I grew up on a small cattle-and-wheat farm near Abilene and was actively involved in 4-H. I still enjoy gardening and baking — two projects I took in 4-H. One of my favorite jobs was working at Rock Springs 4-H Center as an archery instructor for two summers.

I graduated from Chapman High School, and then earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at K-State, where my husband and I met. We still bleed purple despite living in a sea of crimson-and-blue Jayhawk fans.

We both love animals and have two cats named Allie and Sam. Allie was adopted from a shelter and Sam was adopted from my parent’s farm.

My first journalism job was at The Daily Union in Junction City, where I worked for nearly three years and that included during the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. I was the wire editor at the time and fielded questions from national media about that horrific day because of Timothy McVeigh’s connections to the town and Fort Riley.

I always tell people that being a journalist is never boring.

For example, I received Botox for a story about anti-aging procedures. A few months later, I designed the front page of the newspaper on the night when KU's basketball team won the national championship. I had a blast handing out papers in downtown Lawrence.

I have evolved into a multi-media reporter — something I never expected. I report for 6News in Lawrence and KTKA in Topeka.

You can follow me on Twitter, where I provide instant updates on health news and what’s going on in Lawrence.

I am a blogger for a new health Web site. My goal is to spark a community conversation about how we can live healthier, happier lives and then report on our progress.

If you have a story idea or suggestion for the health Web site, please contact me by e-mailing kbritt@ljworld.com or calling (785) 832-7190.

Recent stories

Environment efforts of 8 groups awarded with total of $20,000 in grants: By Karrey Britt; January 9, 2012; Douglas County Community Foundation has announced eight groups received a total of $20,000 in grants to preserve nature and educate others about the environment.
Operation Wildlife rescues injured snowy owl in Lawrence: By Karrey Britt; January 2, 2012; About a dozen people took pictures and watched over an injured snowy owl Monday afternoon in the parking lot of the Jayhawk Station post office, 1901 Iowa, as they waited for Operation Wildlife to arrive.
Couple start their married life with an extra dose of luck on 11-11-11: By Karrey Britt; November 11, 2011; There’s no doubt that one Lawrence couple is lucky in love.
Groups seek people to adopt families for holidays: By Karrey Britt; November 7, 2011; A coalition of nonprofit organizations in Lawrence is seeking individuals, groups and businesses to adopt low-income Douglas County families for the Christmas holiday.
Advanced Chiropractic Services food drive collects items for LINK: By Karrey Britt; November 3, 2011; Advanced Chiropractic Services is collecting nonperishable food items through noon Nov. 19 at its office, 1605 Wakarusa Drive.
Canines do tricks for treats at Dogtoberfest in South Park: By Karrey Britt; October 9, 2011; About 400 people attended the second annual Dogtoberfest on Sunday in South Park. The event began with a blessing of the animals and included contests like best kisser, tail wagger, canine karaoke, and trick.
Lawrence Public Library’s fall book sale to kick off Oct. 6: By Karrey Britt; September 26, 2011; The Friends of the Lawrence Public Library’s annual fall book sale will be Oct. 6-11 in the tent at Seventh and Kentucky streets.
Penny’s Concrete truck overturns at 31st and Iowa streets: By Karrey Britt; September 24, 2011; A Penny’s Concrete truck was overturned about 7:30 a.m. today at 31st and Iowa streets.
Live blog: Monday night’s public forum on closure of Lawrence SRS office: By Karrey Britt; 05:26 p.m., July 11, 2011 Updated 08:41 p.m.; Local legislative leaders are having a public forum tonight to discuss the recent decision by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration to close the Lawrence office of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
After Open Records request, SRS provides more detailed explanation for some office closings: By Karrey Britt; July 11, 2011; The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services released information Monday about the closure of the Lawrence office — after the Lawrence Journal-World sought the information Wednesday morning through an Open Records request.

Full story list

Recent photos

A 4-year-old Poodle named Brie was sporting her Halloween spirit on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at the second annual Dogtoberfest in South Park. She had candy corn-colored earns and toenails.

Community members fill up Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont Street, for a public forum on the closure of the Lawrence office of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services on Monday, July 11, 2011.

Karen Shumate, chief operating officer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, left, is pictured with community residents who have volunteered at LMH for 15 years. They are, from left, Marolyn Anderson, Helen Cobb and Beverly VanDayke. They were recognized Monday, April 11, 2011, during a ceremony at the Carnegie Building in downtown Lawrence.

Top row from left: Shelle Arnold, Mary Beth Hill, Brianne Cook, Barbara Gorman. Bottom row from left: Jeanne Bronoski, Carolyn Berry, Bob Silipigni, Diane Ash.

Monica Taylor and other WellCommons staff members collect fans and canned goods for the Salvation Army Saturday July 17, 2010, as part of a drive put together by the site.

Full photo list