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SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 7 • 2015
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Lawmakers’ ‘marriage’ summit to focus on divorce By Peter Hancock
Committee will consider whether Kansas makes separation too easy
Twitter: @LJWpqhancock
Topeka — A Kansas legislative committee has scheduled two days of informational hearings next week on the subject of marriage, but one committee mem-
ber said the focus would be more about divorce. Rep. Jan Pauls, RHutchinson, who serves on the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, said one
of the key questions to be addressed is whether Kansas has made it too easy for couples to get divorced, especially in cases that do not involve domestic violence.
“Some people have sug- violence or problems like gested it would be helpful to that,” Pauls said. have requirements of counKansas is what’s considseling or extended or longer ered a “no fault” divorce waiting periods, as long as Please see MARRIAGE, page 2A LEGISLATURE it doesn’t involve domestic
A long way from home
KYLE FLACK CASE
Death penalty an option in homicides By Caitlin Doornbos Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
A SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS STEER CHEWS ON SOME GRASS northeast of Lawrence in cool temperatures Thursday. Highlands are known as a hardy breed because of the rugged nature of their native Scottish Highlands, with strong winds and considerable rainfall. They graze and browse, eating plants many other cattle avoid.
Southwest Middle player an ESPN star By Conrad Swanson Twitter: @conrad_swanson
Tuesday night, as Southwest Middle faced off against South Middle School, head coach Brandon Dye said he saw an opportunity to put Kyle into the game. Kyle scored two baskets for a total of four points, Dye said, and Southwest Middle beat South Middle 41 to 18. “He was over-
Kyle Portela was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 3 and a half months old. His parents, Manuel and Laurie Portela, were told their son might spend his life in a wheelchair. But Friday morning, Kyle, now 14, was seen on ESPN’s SportsCenter, sinking a midrange shot for Southwest Middle School’s basketball Online: Watch the video at LJWorld.com. team.
Business Classified Comics Deaths
High: 69
Low: 36
Today’s forecast, page 10A
2A 5C-10C 8A 2A
Please see HOMICIDES, page 2A
whelmed,” Dye said. “He was his teammates were totally so happy, he was pumping his behind him.” fists and kind of hamming it Manuel Portela said he up a bit for the crowd. And was filming Kyle in the game for friends and family who weren’t there. “And when he made his first basket I was so shocked I dropped my cellphone,” he said with a laugh. Little did the Portela family know, but others were Journal-World File Photo filming the game, too. Later that night, a nine-second KYLE FLACK, accused in a 2013 quadruple homicide in Franklin County, listens to defense Please see STAR, page 5A attorney Tim Frieden at a hearing in August 2014.
INSIDE
Mostly sunny
Prosecutors can pursue the death penalty against Kyle Flack, the defendant in a quadruple homicide case, Franklin County District Judge Eric Godderz ruled Friday. Flack, 29, of Ottawa, is accused of killing Kaylie Bailey, 21, of Olathe; her 18-month-old daughter, Lana-Leigh; Andrew Adam Stout, 30, of Ottawa; and COURTS Steven Eugene White, 31, of Ottawa. Flack pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and rape after the four were found slain near Ottawa in the spring of 2013. Flack’s attorney, Tim Frieden, argued in court Friday that the state should be banned
Events listings Horoscope Opinion Puzzles
10A, 2C Society 7A Sports 9A Television 7A
5A 1C-4C 10A, 2C
Small food, slow money Investors looking to pour money into local, small-food businesses will get a chance with five entrepreneurs next week. Page 3A
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Vol.157/No.38 24 pages