Happy New Year, Lawrence. It’s 2016
PREDICTING THE
YEAR IN FOOD
Missouri floodwaters still wreak havoc. 1B
GOING OUT, 5A
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FRIDAY • JANUARY 1 • 2016
Oread group pays $500K ‘under protest’ City had demanded rebates issued be returned by Thursday
By Nikki Wentling Twitter: @nikkiwentling
Developers of The Oread hotel, accused of filing incorrect sales tax returns to receive improper rebates from the city, sent the city the nearly $500,000 it demanded on deadline Thursday, but they did so “under protest” and accompa-
nied the check with a letter refusing other demands. The letter stated Oread Inn, L.C. disagrees with the findings of a city-ordered audit; contends it is not obligated to go forward with the city’s other demands; and sent the nearly
$500,000 merely to meet the city’s deadline, but not as intended as a payment. Interim City Manager Diane Stoddard said the city is “reviewing the letter in order to determine its next steps.” Oread Inn’s check and letter
were hand-delivered Thursday in response to the city’s Dec. 16 demand letter, which told developers of the hotel that it was required to pay $492,914.86 and agree to changes in its redevelopment agreement with the city in order to avoid risking
THE TOP STORIES OF 2015 Town Talk
Grandmother died of ‘obvious traumatic injuries,’ police say
Chad Lawhorn
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clawhorn@ljworld.com
1. Farmer’s resignation On Aug. 10, the JournalWorld reported that Jeremy Farmer had unexpectedly resigned his position as executive director of Just Food, the largest food bank in the county. Upon be-
By Conrad Swanson Twitter: @Conrad_Swanson
Elected officials — national, state and local — captured some of the top headlines of 2015: President Barack Obama, above, with a visit to Kansas University; Gov. Sam Brownback, below right, and other state lawmakers with a record-long legislative session; and former Lawrence Mayor Jeremy Farmer, below left, with a sudden resignation and questions of fraud at the nonprofit food bank he once operated. Journal-World and AP File Photos
Inside: A look ing questioned by subsequent invesat the top 10 the Journal-World, tigation and audit stories of 2015 Farmer and food by Just Food alon LJWorld.com. bank leaders acleges that Farmer 4A knowledged that overpaid himself about $50,000 in by more than federal payroll taxes had $52,000. Just Food officials gone unpaid during Farmhave turned their findings er’s tenure at the nonprofit. over to law enforcement Two days later, Farmer officials, and indications would resign his seat on the are that federal officials Lawrence City Commission, are reviewing the case for and his spot as mayor. A possible criminal charges.
In addition to his troubles at Just Food, Farmer also repaid the city about $1,100 for travel expenses that city officials determined were inappropriate. Farmer’s resignation led to political newcomer Lisa Larsen being selected by commissioners to fill Farmer’s unexpired term. Larsen’s Please see 2015, page 4A
Developer pitches private parking garage near KU By Chad Lawhorn Twitter: @clawhorn_ljw
A new private parking garage has been proposed for the Oread neighborhood in an effort help the developers of a large apartment project near the Kansas University campus solve an unexpected parking shortage. The Chicago-based development group that is building the
Here @ Kansas apartment project has filed plans at City Hall seeking rezoning for a small apartment building at 1137 Indiana St., which is just to the south of the nearly 500,000-square-foot, multistory Here building. The development group is proposing to raze the apartment building and construct a new 96-space parking garage in its place. The parking garage proposal is
High: 37
Low: 16
Today’s forecast, page 8A
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in response to previously reportWe think it ed problems that have arisen with the parking plan for the Here will be a very project, which is slated to have low-profile 237 apartment units with 624 bedrooms when it opens and 11th and building.” Indiana streets next school year. The vendor that was supposed — Jim Heffernan, to supply the project with a high- Here @ Kansas tech, automated parking garage development group
2A 5C-11C 12C 2A
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Jaered Long, the 16-year-old suspect in the Monday night slaying of his grandmother, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Douglas County District Court. Long is being charged as a juvenile with first-degree murder. Late Monday night police found Long’s grandmother, Deborah Bretthauer, 67, dead in her apartment at 1200 George Long Court, noting “obvious traumatic injuries.” Police had responded to a call of a stabbing at the residence, where Long also lived. Police said Long is the one who made the call. After questioning, Long was soon arrested and charged in the death. Thursday morning Long appeared in Douglas County District Court for a detention hearing. His mother, Melinda Toumi, and a handful of others waited on one side of the courtroom before he entered. Toumi’s eyes were red with tears. As others filed into the courtroom they gave her hugs and offerings of support. Long was led into the courtroom wearing shackles around his ankles and a gray fleece jacket. He did not turn around to see his family, but instead sat in silence, facing forward, cracking his knuckles. Represented by attorney Craig Stancliffe, Long pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge. The prosecution, led by District Attorney Charles Branson, asked for Long to be detained on the basis that he may be a danger to himself or others. Branson submitted criminal complaints and arresting affidavits for Pro Tem Judge James George to consider.
Please see GARAGE, page 4A
INSIDE
Sunny Business Classified Comics Deaths
Please see OREAD, page 2A
Teenager pleads not guilty to murder
YEAR IN REVIEW
t was a battle between former Lawrence mayor Jeremy Farmer and President Barack Obama. Farmer got the victory, but he may not spend much time celebrating it. The downfall of Farmer, and the shakeup that it produced at Lawrence City Hall, has been chosen as the top local story of 2015 in a vote of Journal-World editors and reporters. Farmer’s stiffest competition in the voting was Obama, who drew thousands of onlookers to the Kansas University campus in January for a presidential address. As we flip the calendar and put away those pointy party hats for another year, let’s take a look at some of the top stories of 2015, and make some guesses about what stories we may be talking about a year from now. (Yes, you can keep your hat on, if you want.)
termination of that agreement. The city’s demands were sent after Wichita-based auditing firm Allen, Gibbs & Houlik accused developers of creating a wholesale company
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Please see MURDER, page 2A
Rape charges 1C-4C 8A, 2C 1B-8B
Trial dates have been set for two former Haskell Indian Nations University students accused of rape. Their separate trials will be in March and April. Page 3A
Vol.158/No.1 28 pages