L A W R E N C E
JOURNAL-WORLD
®
75 CENTS
LJWorld.com
THURSDAY • APRIL 28 • 2011
Domestic partner benefits plan gets early support By Brenna Hawley bhawley@ljworld.com
COUNTY COMMISSION
Joseph Jarvis decided what job he would accept after he graduated from Kansas University’s School of Law largely based on the company’s health care and anti-discrimination policies.
ty commissioners Wednesday expressed support for a similar plan in this county, which would extend coverage to domestic partners under the county’s plan. Partners will have to provide documentation to show they are in a committed relationship, though the county has not determined what it will require.
The plan would benefit both same-sex and heterosexual partners who aren’t married. Commissioner Mike Gaughan, who originally brought up the issue, and Commissioner Nancy Thellman both supported the idea after hearing public comment for and against. “This issue is a priority for
some, and for some it’s a core value,” Thellman said. “The core value is about fundamental fairness to all people, whether they’re in the private sector or the public sector. I’ve never been prouder of any place I’ve worked for than this county.” Please see COUNTY, page 7A
Abortion clinic rules approved
Not your usual hedgerow
Warming up
High: 70
Despite being a sixth-generation Kansan, Jarvis decided he will head to a Missouri-based firm for its inclusion of domestic partners in its insurance policy and anti-discrimination policy. Jarvis will be able to put his same-sex partner on his health insurance. A majority of Douglas Coun-
Low: 44
Today’s forecast, page 10A
INSIDE
——
Critics say new requirements are meant to shut down providers
New KBA park getting finishing touches
By John Hanna Associated Press Writer
The Kansas Bioscience Authority is set to move its offices into the new Venture Accelerator in Olathe on May 15, even as the agency has come under intense scrutiny from the Kansas Legislature recently. Page 3A SPORTS
2011 NFL Draft kicks off tonight Some former Jayhawks are hoping to get drafted, though that will likely come in later rounds this weekend. Page 1B
“
QUOTABLE
Live your dream. If you want to be a Jayhawk, play basketball, football or go to any of our other state schools, go after your dream as hard as you can and pursue it.”
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo
LAWRENCE RESIDENT BOB GENT puts the finishing touches on a hedgewood fence that he constructed for a friend, Kirsten Bosnak, on Wednesday in North Lawrence. Although breezy, Wednesday’s weather proved pleasant enough for some work outdoors.
New use envisioned for old building Businessman would like to create wedding venue but needs assistance from city By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
— Tyrel Reed, who was honored Wednesday by the state Legislature for being the winningest player in the history of KU men’s basketball. Page 7A
COMING FRIDAY We talk to local people who are getting married the same day as Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton.
FOLLOW US Facebook.com/LJWorld Twitter.com/LJWorld
INDEX Business Classified Comics Deaths Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion Poll Puzzles Sports Television Vol.153/No.118
10A 5B-10B 9A 2A 10A, 2B 9B 5A 8A 2A 9B 1B-4B 5A, 2B, 9B 20 pages
Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org
The former Masonic Temple building at the southwest corner of 10th and Massachusetts streets
From a Masonic Temple to a wedding temple — that’s the new plan for a landmark downtown building, if city commissioners are willing to lend a helping hand. Lawrence caterer Steve Maceli confirmed his business is becoming more serious about putting together a deal to convert the former Masonic Temple building at the southwest corner of 10th and Massachusetts streets into a reception and wedding hall. But Maceli also said the project likely will need some help from the city in the
form of property tax rebates and other assistance. “If we don’t get some kind of assistance to do the work that needs to be done, I’m afraid it will continue to sit empty,” Maceli said. “The building still is a Lawrence treasure. To bring that treasure back to life, we just need some help.” The building is owned by a group led by Lawrence businessman Doug Compton. The ownership group has sent a letter to the city manager asking for tax rebates under the Neighborhood Revitalization Act. The city approved the use of the NRA recently for Treanor Architects to remodel and expand the old Strong’s Office Supply building in the 1000 block of Vermont Street for it new corporate headquarters. Please see MASONIC, page 2A
Twins seek sweet success with cupcake sale Money will help children in Africa By Brenna Hawley bhawley@ljworld.com
Ella and Liliana KeathleyHelms are grateful to live in a nice house with a great family and wonderful mother. So this Mother’s Day, they’re trying to help children — children they’ve never met, halfway around the world. Ella and Liliana, 10, established Cupcakes for Kiddos, a nonprofit organization where the twins bake cupcakes for a good cause. This Mother’s Day, they’re holding a bake sale online to raise money for Amazima
Ministries in Uganda. They will bake cupcakes and deliver them to Lawrence residents wanting to give their moms a sweet treat, or anyone who wants to help the children. “We believe that a little thing can make a big difference,” Ella said. Ella and Liliana have been helping family members bake since they were toddlers, including baking pies in their grandmothers’ kitchens. Their mother, Tasha, bakes custom cakes for the kids’ birthdays, but Please see CUPCAKES, page 2A
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
LILIANA AND ELLA KEATHLEY-HELMS decorate cupcakes similar to ones they’ll later sell for charity. The twins are holding an online bake sale for Mother’s Day to raise money for children in Uganda.
How to order your cupcakes ● Email your order to cupcakesfor kiddos@gmail.com by Tuesday. ● Choose what you want. There’s a sixcupcake minimum, but the girls can make any number more than that. Flavors available are vanilla or chocolate, with vanilla frosting. ● Each cupcake costs $2, so the minimum order is $12.
● Tell them if you want delivery or pickup. The girls will deliver cupcakes anywhere in Lawrence on May 5 or May 6 for a $3 fee. Pickup at their house is free. ● Mail your check, payable to Cupcakes for Kiddos, to P.O. Box 442315, Lawrence, KS 66044. Cash is accepted too. All payments must be received by May 4 for the
order to be completed. Those wishing to pay online by PayPal can ask for instructions in the email. ● For those who don’t live in Lawrence, the girls are also accepting donations. ● The girls will also sell single cupcakes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day, May 8, at Hy-Vee, 4000 W. Sixth St.
TOPEKA — New health and safety regulations specifically for Kansas abortion clinics won final approval Wednesday from the state Legislature, and the new requirements would include annual, unannounced state inspections. The Senate approved the measure, 24-15. An identical version already had passed the House, so the bill goes next to Gov. Sam Brownback, an antiabortion Republican who is expected to sign it. Kansas has only three abortion clinics, a Planned Parenthood clinic in Overland Park, another in the same Kansas City suburb, and one in Kansas City, Kan. A clinic once run by Dr. George Tiller of Wichita has remained LEGISLATURE closed since he was gunned down in May 2009 by a man professing strong antiabortion views. Abortion opponents contend the bill will protect patients. The measure directs the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to write standards for exits, lighting, bathrooms and equipment. KDHE would issue annual licenses, have the power to fine clinics and could go to court to shut them down. “We’re dealing with the health and safety of women,” said Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, a Shawnee Republican who opposes abortion and pushed for Wednesday’s vote. Critics said the real goal is to force clinics to make expensive renovations and changes in their operations, in hopes of shutting them down. They also said that if the regulations imposed by the bill will benefit patients, they should be applied to another 250 to 300 clinics and offices performing invasive medical procedures. “This bill is also the height of hypocrisy,” said Sen. John Vratil, a Leawood Republican who opposed the measure. Both legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans and have anti-abortion majorities. Legislators approved bills regulating abortion clinics in 2003 and 2005, only to see them vetoed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, an abortion rights Democrat. The bill is part of a wave of legislation across the nation to impose new restrictions on abortions and rules for providers, with abortion opponents encouraged by the election last year of new Republican governors like Brownback. Kansas already has enacted laws this year to tighten restrictions on abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy and to require doctors to get the written consent of parents before performing an abortion on a minor.