Lawrence Journal-World 01-09-13

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GUN CONTROL BATTLE LOSS ON THE ROAD Gabrielle Giffords launches new effort Nation 6A

Oklahoma State beats Kansas, 76-59 Sports 1B

L A W R E NC E

JOURNAL-WORLD ®

75 CENTS

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Rescue organization may need rescuing

LJWorld.com

KU’s portion of rec project approved By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photos

VOLUNTEER BILL WHINERY HANDLES MOOSE, a bald eagle and a public education animal, Tuesday at Operation WildLife in Linwood. Whinery was getting ready to give Moose some deworming medicine. Diane Johnson, executive director of Operation WildLife, says that the rising cost of food and medicine for the rescued animals is leading to some financial concerns at the animal clinic. BELOW: A recovering great horned owl will soon be released from Operation WildLife.

Rodent shortage, drought leading to financial worries at Operation WildLife By Melissa Treolo mtreolo@theworldco.info

Last year, the price of a frozen mouse was 45 cents. But now, the price has nearly doubled, said Diane Johnson, executive director of Operation WildLife Inc. And the 25-year-old animal rehabilitation clinic known as OWL is “struggling” as a result. “Right now, we’re OK,”

Johnson said of the financial situation at the Linwood-based clinic, which also has a satellite receiving center in Shawnee. “I don’t know if two or three months down the line we’re going to be OK.” Mice and rats, which are even more expensive, are in high demand as a main food source at a clinic that houses and Please see WILDLIFE, page 2A

The starter’s pistol now has sounded on the Rock Chalk Park project. Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday gave approval to a pair of rezoning requests and a special use permit that will allow Kansas University and its private partners to move ahead with plans for a new track and field stadium, soccer field, softball stadium and other amenities on about 90 acres just north of Sixth Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway. CITY Now, the race is on to have COMMISSION the project ready to host the Kansas Relays in 2014. “That is definitely our goal,” said Jim Marchiony, an associate athletic director for KU. “We’re very excited. This is an exciting time for both Kansas Athletics and the city of Lawrence. This will provide facilities for KU that can compete with facilities across the country.” Tuesday’s votes, however, do not resolve all issues with the project. The votes do not yet commit the city to build a $25 million recreation center in the park. Commissioners won’t vote on that portion of the project Please see REC, page 2A

Hospital orders employees to get flu vaccine or wear masks

Want to help? Donations by check can be sent or dropped off in person to Operation Wildlife’s Linwood clinic at 23375 Guthrie Road or to the Shawnee receiving center, 11218 W. 75th St. PayPal donations can be made online at owl-online. org, where volunteer applications can also be found.

By Peter Hancock phancock@ljworld.com

CONCEALED CARRY

Gun permit applications surge after massacre By Shaun Hittle sdhittle@ljworld.com

More than 100 Kansans per day applied for concealed carry permits and other Kansans flocked to gun stores in the weeks following the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. According to data from the Kansas Attorney General’s

shows Kansans mirrored rising trends nationwide, as the number of background checks requested by gun dealers in Kansas reached — Tim Van Leiden, owner of The Gun Guys store in Ottawa an all-time high of more than 35,000 in December. Office, 1,012 Kansans applied cent spike from the 64-perA federal background for concealed carry permits day application average the check doesn’t always indiin the 10 business days be- office saw since July. cate a new gun is purchased, tween Dec. 14 and the end And a key firearm sales in- but the firearms industry of the year. The 100-per-day dicator, firearm background Please see GUNS, page 2A average is roughly a 50 per- check data from the FBI,

A lot of customers are concerned about what’s going to happen with the gun laws.”

INSIDE

Nice Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 51

Low: 35

Today’s forecast, page 8A

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Events listings Food Horoscope Movies

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Opinion Puzzles Sports Television

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Lawrence Memorial Hospital is now requiring its staff to either get a flu vaccination or wear a surgical mask when dealing directly with patients. Hospital officials say it’s a policy recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and one that is based on research showing it helps reduce the spread of influenza. But it’s one that has stirred controversy in other parts of the country, including MasHEALTH sachusetts where a statewide nurses union has openly opposed it. “We did quite a bit of research,” said Greg Windholz, director of LMH’s Business Health Center. “We don’t ever want to Please see HOSPITAL, page 2A

Cancer center gift

Vol.155/No.9 24 pages

Kansas University Hospital has given another $1 million toward the KU Cancer Center’s goal of winning the National Cancer Institute’s highest designation. Page 3A

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