MLB Trade Rumors By | May 3 Nicholson-Smith adds that the veteran swing-man is also “believed to be” drawing interest from other clubs Lawrence has been a popular recurring character on MLBTR’s front page over the past month He opened the season in the Mariners organization pitching 10 innings over three separate stints with the big league club The first two times the Mariners DFA’d him he passed through waivers and elected free agency only to sign new minor league contracts with the team shortly thereafter the Blue Jays swept in and claimed him off waivers giving up three runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings Lawrence has thrown a total of 136 2/3 innings with a 6.59 ERA and a 4.60 SIERA He has not pitched more than 15 big league games or 30 big league innings in a season since his rookie campaign eight years ago While he has continued to work as a starter in the minors he has not started an MLB contest since April 2017 Lawrence’s 4.97 ERA in 2025 might somehow be overselling his performance so far considering seven of the 14 runs he has given up have been unearned he has struck out just five of the 60 batters he has faced The 87.6-mph average velocity on his sinker makes it one of the slowest (and most hittable) primary fastballs in the game he is a low-cost option who is ramped up and ready to throw major league innings for any team that might need them that has been enough for him to draw repeated interest from Seattle and Toronto Toronto Blue Jays The Babylon Bee isn’t fit for lining guinea pig cages or rabbit hutches Another day another Casey Lawrence article More so in the mold of Brad Thompson-esque pitcher Mostly throws his sinker and hopes for weak contact Well that’s how he is with every team he pitches for He has a rubber arm though and can probably pitch innings 2 thru 9 after your starter gets shelled in the first His 2.81 ERA at Albright College and 251 strikeouts (school record) prove he’s always had ace potential No wonder teams are lining up to sign this guy all the time… Thats like saying if I had talent i could be an ace Guess you haven’t been on MLBTR much this season He has never had a season with a positive WAR value Casey Lawrence has appeared in 36 MLBTR articles Why not have a Casey Lawrence rumors sidebar Because who wouldn’t want a 37 year old journeyman with a career -2.5 wAR Log in Register MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball Register The City of Lawrence is tightening requirements for people to receive homelessness services relocated elsewhere and returned are now “considered non-residents” until they’ve established housing In a previous policy update in August 2024 the city and contracted service providers started providing only short-term assistance for “non-resident homeless individuals” and helping people return to their “place of origin.” director of the city’s homeless solutions division said at the time that the city was generally looking at people spending six to 12 months or more in Douglas County as a guideline to establish residency The concept of proving residency without a home has raised questions, but there were a number of ways people could prove residency, Bosch-Hastings said at the time had treatment at the hospital or Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center — all of those kinds of things could help the city track down the documentation people needed “Individuals cannot re-establish residency through temporary shelter stays Residency can be re-established only by independently securing and maintaining permanent housing (such as a rental or owned unit) within Douglas County.” “These changes demonstrate that our priority is to ensure Douglas County residents experiencing homelessness have access to the support and services they need to regain stability,” Bosch-Hastings said in a news release from the city on Monday The policy update also states that people “may return to their community of origin or to another community where they have confirmed support and are welcome to return,” and that “The return plan must now include contact with receiving agencies or individuals to confirm acceptance and coordination.” “We’re committed to helping vulnerable non-residents return to the appropriate community to receive the care they need,” Bosch-Hastings said in the release “It’s about balancing compassion with accountability reinforcing responsible allocation of resources and ensuring everyone is connected to the best path forward.” accepted documentation to verify residency will include utility bills showing a Douglas County address “Residents of Lawrence/Douglas County experiencing homelessness and seeking services who are unable to provide traditional forms of documentation to verify residency in the city of Lawrence may request assistance through the Homeless Solutions Division,” according to the update People can call 785-760-1481 for questions or assistance Lawrence voters in November voted to double the city’s special sales tax for affordable housing and homelessness solutions The change added an extra nickel per $100 spent in Lawrence Click here to learn more about our newsletters first This post is by the Lawrence Times news team If you have news tips, questions, comments, concerns, compliments or corrections for our team, please reach out and let us know what’s on your mind. Email us at Hello@LawrenceKSTimes.com (don’t forget the KS!), or find more contact info and a quick contact form at LawrenceKSTimes.com/contact. Follow us so you won’t miss the local news that matters most to you: MORE … Community encouraged to unite in fight against cancer at ‘Don’t Stop Believing in a Cure’ event Interim Lawrence Transit director named to permanent position Kansas owned and operated publication covering key news and providing important information for the Lawrence and Douglas County We operate without a paywall so that everyone can read our coverage, regardless of ability to pay. Please click here to support us if you are able The Times is a proud “aspiring entrepreneur” member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers We are happy to consider individual requests to republish content; however no content from this site may be republished without express permission Most of the focus towards the Giants' draft class has revolved around their two first-round picks and rightfully so after general manager Joe Schoen was able to add perhaps the best player in the draft in Abdul Carter and a potential franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart But the big boost that the team's defensive front received from the draft goes beyond the selection of Carter the Giants added another big body with the selection of Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander As excited as they are about the addition of Carter the Giants seem just as excited about throwing Alexander into the mix up front a 3-technique that we did a lot of work on," Schoen told the media after drafting the tackle out of Toledo we felt we needed to add some youth to the defensive line "Down at the Senior Bowl and he had a really good week and (defensive line coach) Dre Patterson thinks the world of him and (assistant defensive line coach) Bryan Cox and getting a guy like this that can come in and develop with the depth that we have so we're excited to add another player to our front seven." Giants draft picks tour their new home at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager the Giants now have a lot of depth on their defensive front Alexander joins free agent additions Roy Robertson-Harris and Jeremiah Ledbetter as the new guys in the interior a group led by three-time Pro Bowl tackle Dexter Lawrence The unit also features veteran Rakeem Nunez-Roches and younger guys such as Elijah Chatman The 24-year-old rookie showed some promise as a pass rusher at Toledo picking up 7.5 sacks across his final two seasons But his strength truly lies in his ability to stop the run an area the Giants have struggled with in recent years length and athleticism for his position," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah wrote about the defensive tackle "He is an older prospect as a sixth-year senior but I believe he will be a Day 1 impact player on all three downs." The rookie tackle is undoubtedly entering a great situation Lawrence obviously draws the most attention on the inside and Kayvon Thibodeaux as options off the edge it's easy to see how the player lining up next to Lawrence on the inside should see plenty of one-on-one situations It's clear the Giants saw Alexander as someone who could complement their three-time Pro Bowler on the inside and take advantage of those single matchups "We always talk about four hands," Schoen said after Day 2 of the draft "Oftentimes there are four hands on Dexter Lawrence so if you can get somebody on the opposite side of Dexter that can win one-on-ones and has the ability to win those match-ups consistently Third-round pick Darius Alexander discusses becoming a member of the New York Giants It should not come as a surprise that Alexander is equally as excited to line up next to Lawrence "I think it's a great thing," Alexander said after being drafted about pairing up with Lawrence "I think they get two guys out there who want to go play hard just be able to go in there and learn from him and be able to pick up things from him and install into my game to see how I can use it as a weapon on the field is what I'll be looking for Just a chance to go out there and compete with another great guy so I'm looking forward to that and I want to have fun." Alexander added: "I like to see how he plays with power He's able to be elusive out there and make plays in between every gap I love watching how dominant he is and the force he uses to push guys back and they can't stop him." Perhaps the biggest difference between the current defensive front and last year's other than the general influx of new talent is the versatility that the new group offers While Alexander primarily lined up in the B-gap at Toledo he did see some snaps at just about every position across the defensive line This was a common theme among many of the Giants' additions up front this offseason "If we can get to third down we've got a lot of options in terms of where guys can line up in terms of versatility," Schoen told the media there's some versatile pieces in there that can move around We're going to have some really good depth and competition in the front seven." there seemed to be a commonality between many of the Giants' 2025 draft picks coach Brian Daboll talked about how toughness was something they were looking for with their selections this year It's safe to say Alexander fits that description "I love taking my opponents will and just watching them go to the sideline and I know what to say to the coach," Alexander said at his introductory press conference "I feel like that's something they do well here The New York Giants' 2025 offseason workout program is underway at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center Limited Giants season tickets are still available for 2025 Eli Manning isn't the only quarterback who had – and will have – an influence on Jaxson Dart Here is what the experts are saying about the Giants' 2025 NFL Draft Class If getting the quarterback is the most important thing in football then getting after the quarterback might rank second Think you know everything about the Giants' 2025 draft class scouting reports & more on each member of the incoming class his style made him one of the Giants' favorite players in the draft Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart will be greeted by two people every time they walk into work Lawrence Taylor and Eli Manning are inescapable at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center the New York Giants selected Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo Skattebo can break through second-level tacklers and careen off of bodies for extended yards after contact the New York Giants selected Purdue OL Marcus Mbow NFL.com breaks down the fifth-round draft pick out of Purdue Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Zilliox A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 11 a.m. at the Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Andrea Olson officiating Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and the Veteran’s Memorial Honor Guard Interment will take place at the Kinkead cemetery at the Lind Family Funeral Home with a time of sharing for friends and family starting at 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home Larry was the son of Joseph and Adella (Mengelkoch) Zilliox He graduated from Belgrade High School in 1963 and earned a degree in Dairy Science from the University of Minnesota in 1970 He later returned to the U of M to complete a Master’s degree in Agricultural Education in 1985 Larry served in the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Kentucky teaching adult education and supporting community development in underserved areas he also traveled to Botswana to help establish a 4-H program Larry returned to Minnesota and began a life of service and teaching They shared over three decades of marriage and raised two sons—Michael (Eliza Larsen) of Chicago and purpose until Karen’s passing in 2005 Larry was lovingly supported by his dear companion whose friendship and presence brought him renewed joy Larry began his career as an Extension Educator in Sibley County in 1972 where he continued to inspire others until his retirement in 2005 sharing his expertise through a weekly In the Garden column in the Alexandria Echo Press and regular radio segments on KXRA Larry expanded his lifelong love of hospitality and gardening through several meaningful ventures He and Karen opened Country Gardens on Lake Mina a charming bed and breakfast nestled on their picturesque property Larry continued running the B&B with heart and pride for 15 years He also continued his outreach through media as the host of Prairie Yard & Garden on Pioneer Public Television a role he held for seven seasons through 2017 and deep knowledge made him a trusted and cherished presence in homes across the region Larry was a passionate world traveler with a servant’s heart Through his work with the International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) One of his proudest personal accomplishments was visiting all seven continents—a goal he achieved with great enthusiasm and purpose often combining travel with cultural exchange Larry served his community in countless ways: as Chamber of Commerce president in Alexandria an enthusiastic Habitat for Humanity volunteer He rose to the position of Rotary District Governor (2010–2011) choosing “The Rotary Club That Could” as his theme—an inspired play on The Little Engine That Could and a fitting metaphor for how he lived his life: with optimism and the belief that big change starts with small steps He is survived by his sons Michael (Eliza) and Timothy (Kristine); grandchildren Annika and Brielle; sisters Kathy Hanson of Roseville FL; great uncle George Zilliox; special friend Barb Brown; and many nieces He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Karen Larry’s legacy is one of tireless service Whether he was casting a fishing line into a quiet Minnesota lake or crossing oceans in the name of peace and understanding Larry never stopped believing in what was possible With a steady spirit and a servant’s heart he climbed life’s mountains using his head he proved that determination paired with purpose can change the world Checks may be made payable to Rotary 5950 Foundation and mailed to: Global Travelers c/o Chris Woelflin Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Jack BaerStaff writerMay 3 2025 at 4:44 AM UTC·4 min readAbdul Carter is still looking for his New York Giants jersey number The No. 3 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft made requests this week to don the jersey numbers of Giants greats Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms Both numbers have been officially retired by the Giants for years so Carter needed their permission to unretire them He first made his request of Taylor, saying during an interview on draft night that he had the No 56 since Taylor's 142-sack career with the team Taylor politely but firmly turned the request down the following day via the New York Post: Carter at least took the rejection in stride Carter's next choice was his old number at Penn State that was the number worn by Simms during his 15-year career in New York in which he won two Super Bowls and retired as the franchise's all-time leading passer Unlike Taylor, Simms actually expressed an openness to the idea on Friday saying he had no problem if either Carter or No he also said his inner circle might not approve: “I told some of my friends and people around me ‘I’d let him have it in a second.' I said ‘Can you just help it a little and make it better or whatever?’ I think it would be a lot of fun ‘Don’t you dare give up that jersey number!’ Well I don’t think Abdul Carter’s gonna ask for it So it's back to the drawing board for Carter here are all the other numbers that have been officially retired by the Giants: No the family needed to talk it out for a while before acquiescing Carter is joining the Giants with a mountain of hype behind him 1 pick-worthy talent after a Penn State career that culminated with unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors after a junior season with a nation-best 24 tackles for loss plus 12 sacks Ohio to the late John and Ida (Grine) Kunesh  He was a graduate of the Ney High School and served in the United States Army from 1957 until 1959  Lawrence was employed by Defiance Metal Products with 40 years of service  Numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews Visitation for Lawrence will be held 4:00 p.m Wednesday in the funeral home.  Visitation will also be held  10:00 a.m Isidore Parish-Marysdale.  The Funeral mass will be held 11:00 a.m Military graveside honors will be accorded by the joint Sherwood Ney and Hicksville American Legion and VFW Honor Guard Funeral luncheon will be provided following the cemetery services at the church Memorial contributions may be made to:  St. Isidore's Catholic Parish or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Online condolences and guest registry may be given at:  www.krillfuneralhoem.com Ohio is honored to serve the Lawrence Kunesh family please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot Get the most important global markets news at your fingertips with a Bloomberg.com subscription to the late Howard and Patricia (Newton) Krise He is survived by his significant other of 35 years Crystal Dusseau and Nicole Mastin; brothers: Jeff (Molly) Krise Richard Krise; sisters: Anita Laney and Nancy Vollmar; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren  He was preceded in death by his parents Larry was the life of any party and there was never a dull moment with him around  He loved spending time with his family  He was profoundly proud of the work that he did and of the work that his children and family accomplished and remembering his mother whenever he saw a cardinal  He was a selfless person that would help anyone that he could Another candidate has filed to run for the Lawrence City Commission saying he wants to be a voice for working families Sean Noble filed Thursday to enter the race for one of two open seats in the election Noble said he moved to Lawrence in 2009 from Massachusetts and has felt embraced by the Lawrence community where he has worked a variety of jobs from fast food to social work and manufacturing Noble said via email that he wanted to run for the commission because government “should reflect the lived experiences of the people it serves.” and for those who often feel unheard,” Noble said reducing property taxes and expanding services fr the homeless at the Lawrence Community Shelter Noble is seeking one of two at-large seats on the five-member commission The other candidates for City Commission are Paul Buskirk plus current City Commissioner Bart Littlejohn who holds the other seat with a term that is expiring has not yet announced whether she plans to run A primary for the City Commission race will take place on Aug after which the top four vote winners will move on to the general election on Nov The latest headlines from the Lawrence Journal-World and KUsports.com Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Kansas, LLC | https://www2.ljworld.com | 1035 N. Third Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-843-1000 | Terms of Service who has been serving as interim director of Lawrence Transit has been named to the permanent director position after a nationwide search The City of Lawrence announced Lavergne’s selection to the position in a news release Monday “Lawrence Transit is such a vibrant and connective part of our community,” Lavergne said in the release I do so with a strong sense of responsibility to our riders and to our city.” She has served in multiple roles with the city since 2021 she served as a transportation planner and project manager in New Orleans and she received her master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of New Orleans “Her accomplishments include securing over $8 million in grant funding overseeing more than 50 bus stop improvement projects and cultivating meaningful partnerships through programs like Transit Poet Laureate and the Fruit Tree Project,” according to the release Lavergne is filling the role Adam Weigel left late last year She said she looks forward to “continuing our many community partnerships as well as our commitment to transparency and strong public processes.” Lawrence Transit is celebrating 25 years of service this year Lavergne said it feels especially meaningful to step into the role at this time “Our dedicated team is not only proud of how far we’ve come but also focused on the future,” Lavergne said in the release “We’re ready to continue building a resilient and responsive transit system that reflects Lawrence’s wonderful MORE … City of Lawrence tightens residency requirements for people to receive homelessness services Burrito King co-owners Angelina and Max Cruz are making a fresh start with their nearby Ninth Street location reopening it as a sit-down taco restaurant The space was previously home to 9th Street Cafe The couple looks forward to what opportunities await the new business “We want to make the best tacos in Lawrence for our community and give them something fresh.” Angelina has owned multiple businesses at 602 W is just blocks from longtime Lawrence staple Burrito King at Ninth and Illinois streets.  9th Street Cafe opened in August but closed in February about eight months after the tamale shop had closed in the same location.  Angelina and Max have curated a fresh menu that includes some favorites from the tamale shop The beverage is made of water with flavor from fresh produce such as pineapple “The fresh waters was one of our main sales and that is why we brought them back,” Max said 9th Street Mexican Tacos is now open from 11 a.m Each protein is curated from a combination of recipes that Angelina has created The al pastor is cooked on a rotisserie with marinated seasonings and pineapple That’s how we want to do it,” Angelina said “And the flavor comes from the heart of everyone working here.” The tacos are made with hand-pressed corn tortillas and a salsa bar offers customization options such as salsas “Everyone has their own flavor profile and wants different things,” Angelina said “Having that availability to customize each individual taco you get isn’t available anywhere else in town.” the business is serving tamales and quesadillas see how they take off and keep playing with them as we go,” Angelina said “Folks have recommended a Chicago dog and steak fries I’m willing to try anything that the community wants to throw at me.” Angelina said she has seen an outpouring of support She said she looks forward to giving back to the people of Lawrence through food service and a space to create community.  “That’s the whole reason why we do what we do 9th Street Mexican Tacos’ menu is available on their Instagram and Facebook page Lawrence Lowdown is a feature on developments around town. Have a tip? Let us know. Lane Rozin (he/they), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since January 2024, is a student at the University of Kansas Schools of Journalism and Film. He is a graduate of Pittsburg High School, where he was the multimedia editor for Pitt Media in 2019-21. He is currently the managing editor at the University Daily Kansan and development director at KJHK. See more of his work for the Times here. Lawrence City Commission to consider tax incentives for KU Gateway Project Lawrence arts organizations could see thousands of dollars in cuts from Trump budget proposal Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Dows Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Friday More Weather Details Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" An all-terrain vehicle used by the Homeless Response Team is pictured on Dec The City of Lawrence has further refined its policy regarding who is a local resident for purposes of receiving homeless services The city instituted the policy last August to prioritize the limited resources for use by residents and it has now updated the plan to “better maintain consistency and accountability when assessing eligibility for services.” The city’s Homeless Response Team is responsible for helping people transition out of unsheltered homelessness • Clarification on former residents: Individuals who previously lived in Lawrence but relocated elsewhere are considered nonresidents Past residency does not establish current eligibility to receive homeless services • Re-establishing residency: Residency cannot be re-established through shelter stays Residency is only re-established through independently securing and maintaining permanent housing in Douglas County • Return plan: The policy now states that individuals may return to their community of origin or to another community where they have confirmed support and are welcome to return • Return plan requirements: The return plan must now include contact with receiving agencies or individuals to confirm acceptance and coordination “These changes demonstrate that our priority is to ensure Douglas County residents experiencing homelessness have access to the support and services they need to regain stability,” said Misty Bosch-Hastings director of the city’s Homeless Solutions Division we’re committed to helping vulnerable non-residents return to the appropriate community to receive the care they need It’s about balancing compassion with accountability and ensuring everyone is connected to the best path forward.” In recent years, as the Journal-World has reported, the city has been accused of being a magnet for homeless people, who until last year’s crackdowns had generally been given wide latitude to set up camps in public spaces, creating what some called a “vagrancy crisis.” Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | 5/4/2025 2:34:00 PM Thanks for visiting in Douglas County District Court with attorney Hatem Chahine A 35-year-old New York man exchanged thousands of lewd messages and made plans to travel here for the purposes of statutorily raping her according to allegations in his arrest affidavit The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office and defense attorney Hatem Chahine both had asked Judge Amy Hanley to entirely seal the affidavit which outlines the circumstances around the arrest last summer of Kyle Elder a violent sex offender who spent a decade in prison in New York before allegedly targeting the Lawrence child online Chahine said the public “will be just fine if the affidavit is sealed,” but the DA’s Office submitted a redacted version of the affidavit in the event that Hanley rejected and that is the version that is now available the contents of which have not been proved in court the girl’s mother noticed that she had been acting strangely last August and looked at her iPhone where she found numerous sexual communications between her daughter and an adult male stranger including sexually explicit photos of both The girl told her mother that the man’s name was Kyle Elder and that he lived in Niagara Falls The girl said she had complied with all of the man’s requests because he had threatened to harm her and her family who said the girl told them during an interview that she met Elder in July 2024 via the social networking platform Tumblr where she had been posting about a popular celebrity then reportedly said that she “looked kissable.” The girl revealed to Elder that she was 14 and he revealed to her that he had been in prison for a decade The conversations then moved to other social media and cellphone platforms texting and Google Meet for a period of about six weeks A Lawrence detective contacted the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services and discovered that a Kyle Elder who matched the description provided by the Lawrence girl and the images on her phone was on supervised release for a sex crime involving a 5-year-old The girl told police that Elder directed her to photograph herself nude and engaging in various sexual poses and activities and that he sent her similar images of himself She said that via Google Meet’s screen-sharing feature she was able to see the hundreds of nude images he had collected of her as well as some photos of another girl who Elder said was also 14 Some of the sexual activity allegedly directed by Elder has been redacted in the affidavit The girl told police that she and Elder planned to meet for sex in Lawrence and that she was going to return to New York with him but she “chickened out” and they planned to meet another time She said the cancellation upset Elder because he had already taken the time off from work The Lawrence detective who prepared the sworn affidavit said he observed “thousands of messages” between Elder and the girl including videos of Elder masturbating and talking about “how he likes little children,” referring to himself multiple times as a “pedo” and using pornographic obscenities to indicate how he would degrade the girl The detective also said he saw maps showing Lawrence motels where the two could meet Elder was taken into custody last summer by officers from the Lawrence Police Department who forced their way into a home in Niagara Falls A spokeswoman for the Lawrence Police Department told the Journal-World last week that two detectives from Lawrence made the trip to New York “Our detectives were at the arrest location where the Niagara Falls Police Department had already applied for the search warrant and executed it,” spokeswoman Laura McCabe said “They did this after receiving investigation information from us We interviewed the suspect after the arrest.” McCabe said that police were “thankful to have stopped this criminal activity before the two met in person.” “It is often difficult to identify online predators and our investigators did good work,” she said adding that the child in the case “is very brave.” Elder is facing 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of electronic solicitation in Douglas County District Court His bond has been set at $250,000 cash or surety and his next court date is Wednesday for a status conference Elder was convicted in 2015 in New York of one count of use of a child under 17 years old in a sexual performance and one count of second-degree course of sexual conduct against a 5-year-old child He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and is currently serving 10 years of post-release supervision He is listed as a violent sexual offender on the New York registry of sexual offenders was determined to get the full college experience before going out into the “real world.” After four years of taking challenging courses and making memories Curtis is set to graduate this spring at the age of 20 Alongside him after the four-year journey will be his roommate Nedim Yusuf a fellow high school graduate who helped ease his adjustment to Tallahassee when they began their time at FAMU I’ve done a lot and I’ve changed a lot as a person and I’m prepared to go on to the next chapter,” Curtis – a biology major and Washington When Curtis announced plans to move to the “Highest of Seven Hills” to attend FAMU in 2021 having been accepted to 14 colleges or universities – including Morehouse College Yale and Harvard – while amassing over $1.65 million in merit scholarships He entered FAMU as a junior after enrolling in fall 2019 at George Washington University in Washington where he was recognized as the youngest freshman in the university’s history That coveted acceptance at George Washington allowed him to forgo his junior and senior years after excelling at the Schools Without Walls High School a public magnet school on the George Washington University campus that both Curtis and Yusef graduated from More: 16-year-old chooses FAMU over Yale, Harvard as he amasses $1.6 million in scholarships Curtis says that while his father was the first man in his family to graduate from college years ago he will be the first man on his mom’s side to be graduating from college “It’s nice to be continuing my dad’s legacy while also starting a new legacy on my mom’s side at the same time,” Curtis said humbly as he and Yusuf sat outside FAMU's Center for Access and Student Success building just a walking distance from the Lawson Center where they'll both turn their tassels during commencement May 3 As big supporters of Curtis – and of their younger son Corey a current FAMU student who followed in Curtis's footsteps and will graduate in two years – parents Curtis Lawrence an early college prep coach and learning specialist said it's hard to put into words what it means to them to watch their eldest achieve “so much at such a young age.”  “We’re incredibly proud of his persistence and consistent dedication to excellence especially with the community that nurtured him and the professors and mentors who believed in him,” said Curtis Lawrence a principal of the IDEA Public School campus in Jacksonville “His journey is a reminder that with faith As the years went by during Curtis and Yusuf’s collegiate journey they both encountered some changes along the way Having had a STEM interest since being a toddler Curtis’s initial plan was to major in biology and computer science with a minor in Mandarin But while he’s still ending his FAMU journey with a biology major he decided to pursue a minor in liberal arts instead Curtis’s course load over the years hasn’t been the same either as he began getting more involved on campus and started applying for graduate school He started by taking 17 to 18 credits per semester but transitioned to staying around 15 to 16 credits, which have included a few classes on Florida State University's campus – two geology courses he completed his last nine credits required to wrap up his senior year before crossing the stage a Latin phrase that translates to "with highest honors." But Yusuf – a physics major with a minor in mathematics – says he still keeps up with taking a heavy course load of up to 18 credits per semester while juggling his involvement in student organizations on campus the African Student Association and a physics honor society “It’s kind of bittersweet that I’m graduating,” 22-year-old Yusuf “It feels like it’s been such a fast four years from the time I got here as a freshman and as I'm transitioning into the real world I’m really going to miss FAMU and the community here.”  but having enjoyable courses makes up for it – including astrophysics In addition, while the roommates used to visit Railroad Square as freshmen for one of their favorite pastimes – participating in a trade card game by the name of Magic: The Gathering – they've taken up some hobbies of their own where Curtis says he's gotten into roller skating while Yusuf enjoys sewing and making art Nonetheless, Curtis and Yusuf’s ambitious academic drives have not altered. After graduating from FAMU, Curtis will be attending Villanova University in Pennsylvania as a Presidential Fellow in a two-year biology master’s program While Curtis previously wanted to become a paleontologist he says he’s shifted gears a bit and has become more interested in ecology and evolutionary biology He also has his eye on a career in academia in order to teach or do outreach while also being able to conduct research Yusuf plans on taking a gap year to gain more research experience in the field of astrophysics before attending graduate school in pursuit of a doctoral degree and graduating from FAMU is especially meaningful for him as a first-generation college student “He accomplished a lot in these four years FAMU’s ‘level of community’ is what attracted then 16-year-old student As Curtis and Yusuf reflected on their time at FAMU they both expressed how the support they’ve gotten on campus has been unmatched it’s one of the highlights that attracted him to the university “The support that I have from the university is one of the main reasons why I ended up choosing to come here,” Curtis said “The level of community is unique to FAMU and HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) in general One of the individuals at FAMU who Curtis says has been a big part of his support system is University Scholarship Program Director Dedra O’Neal who began fostering a relationship with him at an early stage by holding extensive virtual sessions with him to understand his goals and interests before he applied to the university O’Neal has worked closely with both Yusuf – who she’s watched evolve from a shy student into a skilled public speaker – and Curtis who she proudly says has increased her vocabulary “We don't get to engage students of Curtis's caliber on a day-to-day basis,” O’Neal said “I'm so proud of him and am thankful that his parents entrusted Florida A&M University with their 16-year-old son." The roommates will graduate from FAMU’s College of Science and Technology at 2 p.m which will be the last of the university’s three ceremonies that begin May 2 Following their graduation will be a joint party with two other graduates hosted by all of their parents to celebrate the achievements “I feel like it hasn’t necessarily hit me yet but it’ll probably hit me as I’m walking across the stage,” Curtis said “I’m glad I got the chance to be here for this FAMU environment to shape me into the person I am today.” Tarah Jean is a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_ Charles Lawrence Haffarnan Mount Pleasant Charles Lawrence Haffarnan Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread after 6 years of complications from a heart attack including in Germany during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm He retired from active duty with the rank of Sergeant Army Reserve and National Guard for a total of 23 years Chuck worked at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility as a Correctional Trades Leader including the supervision of employees and workers He also worked at Ruan Trucking and Heatilator Fireplaces including his beloved 2005 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide half-brother Jerry Joseph Haffarnan and brother Michael Joseph Haffarnan Chuck will be greatly missed by brother James William Haffarnan (Susan) and sister Carolyn Arthur (Alan) sisters-in-law Carol Bennage and Donna Haffarnan nephews Travis Thatcher (Ann) and Ian Arthur (Jessica) from 9am to 5pm at Kimzey Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant A private family graveside service will be held at Forest Home Cemetery in Mt Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com The Southeast Iowa Union, an employee-owned source for local, and state news coverage for Washington, Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield Iowa. The “Bad Boys” star is near the end of his comeback tour. Before Martin Lawrence took the stage Friday, the raucous crowd at Mystic Lake Casino Friday was treated to 10 minutes of classic moments from the comic’s days on “Def Comedy Jam.” During his run as the show’s host in the 1990s, he exuded so much physical energy, you’d swear stand-up could qualify as an Olympic sport. The footage was a mistake. When Lawrence, 60, finally appeared in the flesh, he looked like he could be the grandfather of the guy in those clips, way too old to be sporting a lime-green outfit made of rubber. He paced across the stage so gingerly, it seemed at times that he might trip over his own shoes. His delivery was slightly slurred, just as it was when he reunited with his “Martin” cast during the 2024 Emmy Awards. During his one-hour set, he wiped his brow with a black handkerchief a dozen times. He guzzled so much water, it was a wonder he didn’t take a bathroom break. Lawrence dismissed rumors that he had suffered a stroke. But he acknowledged that he’s no longer a young man. “People say they want the old Martin,” he said, after telling a story about waking up with a swollen knee. “Hey, I want the old Martin.” But Lawrence still knows how to deliver laughs. Like an aging actor, he’s learned how to produce more with less. Instead of running around like a kid with ADHD, he relied on subtle gestures and long pauses, devices you may not have expected from the guy who played over-caffeinated parts in “Big Momma’s House” and “Bad Boys.” When he simulated dance moves, he barely moved his feet, but his fans responded as if he had just nailed the Moonwalk. His trademark — widening his eyes in disbelief — has rarely been so effective. His speech and energy got better as the night went on, especially when he got away from politics and started chatting about himself. Lawrence may be taking a more mature approach to his comedy during this latest tour, which is winding down after nine months, but he’s happy to relive his youth. He shared stories about his meteoric rise 35 years ago, how he transitioned from boxing rings to comedy clubs and snagged a breakthrough role in the otherwise forgettable sitcom, “What’s Happening Now!!” He even resurrected characters from “Martin,” one of the most popular shows in Fox TV history, with the audience echoing their catchphrases. But this wasn’t just a trip down memory lane. Lawrence still showed plenty of bite. The last 15 minutes of his act had him acting out sexual acts in graphic details. It was a bit odd watching the father of three daughters, all over the age of 22, behave like a horny teenager. But for that moment, he was still the guy in those “Def Comedy Jam” clips. As he has throughout this tour, Lawrence brought along some high-powered openers. For the Twin Cities stop, there was Loni Love, who won an Emmy for co-hosting the syndicated talk show, “The Real,” and Benji Brown, who also opened for Lawrence in 2018. Brown’s ability to conjure up a wide range of horndog characters was a clear sign that he has studied his boss. It’s a reminder that Lawrence will influence the next generation of comics long after he’s forced to do stand-up from a rocking chair. Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms. Stage & Arts Sally Wingert is by turns gentle and caustic in a show that shows God is the ultimate entertainer The “Bad Boys” star is near the end of his comeback tour Rhiana Yazzie’s new play is highly creative but occasionally feels overstuffed This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250504641206/en/ Tennessee rookie Jake Lawrence caught 27 bass weighing 83 pounds to win the Bass Pro Tour O'Reilly Auto Parts Stage 4 Presented by OPTIMA Batteries at Nickajack Lake and earn the top prize of $150,000 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250504641206/en/ We’d like to share more about how we work and what drives our day-to-day business How we use your information depends on the product and service that you use and your relationship with us To learn more about how we handle and protect your data, visit our privacy center Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process who was apprehended in Kentucky after allegedly stealing a police cruiser in Warrick County has been returned to Indiana and will face attempted murder charges in Lawrence County related to a shooting that occurred in November 2024 Devillez was transferred from the Daviess County Jail in Kentucky to the Lawrence County Jail on Thursday This development follows her sentencing to a year in jail in Kentucky which is related to the events following the police chase The attempted murder charges in Lawrence County stem from a November 2024 incident where Devillez is accused of shooting Tommie K Devillez was out on a $20,000 bond related to this Lawrence County case According to reports from the 2024 incident there were conflicting accounts and 911 calls Jones claimed Devillez lured him to the location and shot him while Devillez alleged self-defense following a claimed assault Devillez was shot by law enforcement officers in Chandler after she allegedly stole a police vehicle crossing state lines and ending in Daviess County Kentucky authorities have filed charges against Devillez Devillez will be extradited to Indiana to face these new charges in Warrick County which will be in addition to the pending attempted murder charges in Lawrence County Serving Lawrence and surrounding counties since 1948 styled with silk pants and a leather jacket She's currently on a break from her beloved sneaker collection Please respect her privacy during this difficult time the Twilight: Breaking Dawn style—and a playful drawstring bag it's absolutely a trend worth investing in Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends Lawrence city commissioners will consider advancing multimillion-dollar tax incentives to help fund the second phase of KU’s Gateway Project and a proposed Q39 restaurant downtown The meeting will include public hearings on both.  The Gateway Project’s first phase included renovating much of the KU football stadium and construction of a conference center The approximate price tag of Phase 1 is $448 million.  Phase 2 of the Gateway Project is proposed to finish the south and east sides of the football stadium and construct about 1,000 parking spaces above and below ground It also includes a 20,000-square-foot outdoor plaza; 162-room full-service hotel; a 443-bed student housing facility; and 43,000 square feet of retail The second phase has an estimated cost of $311 million The total estimated state and local incentives package is $85.2 million all directed toward the stadium and parking improvements The entire Gateway Project has an estimated price tag of $759 million.  and more information will be provided through the next several months and respecting any additional information that will come out of public participation I recommend approval of all the district boundaries as presented,” City Manager Craig Owens wrote in a memo to the commission.  The commission is considering a package of public incentives for Phase 2: A sales tax and revenue bond district would allow future sales tax revenue generated within the area to be used to help finance the development A tax increment financing district uses the increase in property tax revenue from the development area to help pay for project-related public improvements A community improvement district would create an extra sales tax of up to 2% over 22 years to provide for the sales of up to $20.2 million in bonds On Tuesday, the commission will hold public hearings and consider giving initial approval to the STAR and TIF districts. The city will consider establishing the community improvement district in July and August, according to the commission’s meeting agenda KU Chancellor Douglas Girod has previously said the project will be attractive to prospective KU students bring business to the downtown area and provide millions of dollars in property taxes thanks to nearby private developers.  KU Endowment has pledged the donation of no less than $4 million of land to be used for affordable housing or other city uses and the project will contribute $14.5 million toward stormwater projects in the Jayhawk watershed “This project represents a generational investment by KU and KU Athletics in its facilities and greatly enhances the economic development contribution of KU to Lawrence,” according to the meeting agenda The commission Tuesday will also hold a public hearing and consider approving a set of incentives for a proposed Q39 barbecue location downtown Commissioners will discuss the potential creation of a community improvement district and issuance of industrial revenue bonds for the redevelopment of 639 New Hampshire St. the former site of the Lawrence Journal-World that has sat vacant for years.  The Kansas City-based barbecue restaurant previously said the tax breaks are “without doubt” necessary to finish construction and open. According to the commission’s meeting agenda the restaurant plans to open in summer or fall if the incentives are granted “The project is expected to include approximately $7 million in private investment and support 88 new permanent jobs including 8 managerial positions,” according to the meeting agenda The developers are requesting an industrial revenue bond to obtain an approximately $177,000 sales tax exemption on allowable construction materials and labor They are also asking for an additional community improvement district 2% sales tax collected over 22 years which reimburses the developer for eligible construction costs during redevelopment of the property The tax will provide reimbursement of approximately $3 million of redevelopment costs Commissioners in February deferred their decision on a request from the developers.  Commissioners will begin their regular meeting at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 at Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. See the complete agenda at this link The commission accepts written public comment emailed to ccagendas@lawrenceks.org until noon the day of meetings. The commission also hears live public comment during meetings, both in person and virtually. Register to join the Zoom meeting at this link Meetings are open to the public, livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@lawrenceksvideo and broadcast on Midco channel 25 but the chancellor’s office anticipates billions of dollars coming back to Lawrence in the long term MORE … Kansas Public Radio director emphasizes importance of public media amid Trump order directing cuts 9th Street Mexican Tacos takes place of short-lived cafe in Lawrence Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates the pharmaceutical company headquartered in New Jersey announced plans to lay off more than 500 employees starting this month Bristol Myers Squibb New Jersey headquarters According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice the company plans to lay off 516 employees from its Lawrence Township headquarters beginning Friday Bristol Myers Squibb had previously laid off 290 employees from its Lawrence office in February "We remain focused on developing and delivering transformational medicines to patients around the world and continue to deliver on our long-term business strategy by aligning resources to best support our operating model and our portfolio evolution," a company spokesperson said in a statement In reporting its 2024 financial results, the company said it was " expanding its existing strategic productivity initiative to include approximately $2 billion in additional annualized cost savings by the end of 2027." savings will be driven by changes in organizational design and efforts to enhance operational efficiency These savings will be removed from our cost structure to contribute to a leaner more efficient company while investing behind growth brands and promising areas of science," the company said there were impacts to some of our employees as a result of these changes noted above We are grateful for the contributions of our colleagues and a top priority for us is supporting employees throughout the transition process.”  The employees impacted in the WARN notice had been previously notified and the effective dates listed reflect their final dates of employment BEDFORD – The Lawrence County Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday The meeting will be held at the Lawrence County Courthouse This special session is for the County Council to conduct a budget follow-up discussion Authorities have stated that no formal action will be taken and no public comments will be permitted during this meeting BEDFORD – In a stark display of political division a small group of Lawrence County Democrats held a peaceful protest at the Bedford Courthouse Square on Saturday after saying they face hostility from some members of the overwhelmingly Republican community Organized by the Lawrence County Democratic Women’s Caucus and the Lawrence County Democratic Party of Indiana the protest highlighted the group’s commitment to protecting various rights and freedoms “The protest on Saturday was very encouraging and positive,” said “And it was received positively by the community,” said Rowena Cross-Njafe in an overwhelmingly Republican Lawrence County a small group of Democrats endure intimidation and rude gestures while standing up for the very rights and freedoms that benefit their tormentors “We are fighting to protect everything from our Constitution and rule of law to protecting local farmers and even freedom of the press,” said Jessie Starr Adding a community outreach component to their protest the Democrats also held a food drive as part of their “500 Can Challenge” to benefit the LIFE Food Pantry “We invited the community to witness firsthand what it takes to be a peaceful drop of blue in a sea of angry red,” Cross-Najafi said marked the group’s second peaceful demonstration at the courthouse square For more information about the Lawrence County Democratic Party individuals can contact Rowena Cross-Najafi at 812-606-1758 who dressed in head-to-toe black for the occasion Lawrence has been spotted wearing chic skirt-and-flats outfits on repeat, and she repeated the combination for her pre–Met Gala night. She wore a sheer dress over a black bra and lace-trimmed slip skirt by her go-to designer brand On her feet was the flat-shoe trend that she likely opted for because it's more comfortable than heels and because it's chic enough for even the fanciest of fashion parties which always look polished no matter what material they're constructed from But the fact that they're made of evening-ready satin easily ups the appropriateness level for a fancy party The shoes are by The Row (duh) and are now sold out but I found a handful of other pointed-toe satin flats for your consideration On Jennifer Lawrence: The Row skirt She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television Her path to fashion may not have been linear but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult Game Recap: Softball | 5/3/2025 7:57:00 PM | Adrian Donnelly - Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Thanks for visiting after a brief battle with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) a rare and life-threatening inflammatory syndrome the son of Larry and Judy(Billock) Baeder and brother of Andrea Baeder Larry graduated from McFarland High School in 1999 He studied abroad in Norway with Rotary International for one year and then went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison earning a Bachelor of Arts in Film and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science He later earned his Master’s Degree from Texas A&M in Statistics 2011 at Pacific Oaks Vineyard Estates in Aptos They met and bonded over their mutual passion for swimming while they were both coaching in the Bay Area His love for his wife and children was evident throughout his life Larry and Lauren were passionate about being active on the water whether that be swimming They also enjoyed going to the theater or the movies Larry was passionate about helping his kids explore their world through their shared interests fishing and sharing his love for the outdoors with them He was always eager to help his parents whether it was taking care of the house Larry worked as a Data Scientist for Milliman After more than a decade working as a professional swim coach he worked hard to earn a Master’s Degree in Statistics and switch careers He enjoyed the challenge of his new career and interacting with his colleagues He loved trading big ideas and challenging those who reported to him to be the best they could be His collaboration with co-workers even extended to sharing cooking ideas.  Larry was able to more fully explore his hobbies and even convinced his friend to accompany him on an unguided elk hunt in Idaho They also hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail two years in a row completing more than 100 miles over those two trips It was here that he truly began to make local friends and bond over their shared passion He would often go early to class in order to help his boys focus and be successful Larry was passionate about allowing his children to be who they wanted to be He strove to foster Trey’s passion for science and geology through camping trips and rock hounding He fostered Will’s active imagination and passion for art by asking what would happen in the worlds Will would create and sitting down and drawing with him He worked hard to allow Ari to explore her creativity by coloring with her and helping her paint He loved discussing ideas that he read or heard in a podcast and would often engage in debate to hear the ideas and thoughts of others He passed this passion on to his children; who love to be read to and to read on their own Larry would also challenge those around him to be the best version of themselves often admonishing that “it’s not about the destination Larry and Judy Baeder; his sister Andrea Baeder; his In Laws his brother and sister in law Matt Smith and Claudia Borgelt; and their daughters Christine and Sophia Smith He is preceded in death by his grandparents; Don and Rosie Baeder and Frank and Claire Billock The Celebration of Life will be held July 5th at 1:00 PM at his parents’ house in La Crescent There will be a short service followed by a reception Memorial donations in Larry’s memory may be directed to HLH Heroes BREAKING: Former Chatt. Prep. teacher Kenya White intends to plead guilty to enticement charges in federal court. Lawrence claims $150,000 win in last 10 seconds of Chattanooga's MLF bass tournamentby Richard Simms — If there was ever a "Photo Finish" in a bass fishing tournament live streaming viewers saw it Sunday at the end of the Major League Fishing (MLF) Stage 4 bass tournament in Chattanooga Harrison's Jacob Wheeler reclaimed the lead by a mere 6 ounces with only five minutes to go It looked like Wheeler was going to claim yet another MLF Bass Pro Tour victory - that is until 2nd place Jake Lawrence set the hook on a bass with a mere 30 seconds left on the fishing clock 9-ounce largemouth literally on his last cast moving him back into first place and claiming the $150,000 top prize Wheeler also hooked a fish in the waning seconds but wasn't able to get it in the boat before the clock hit zero didn't look large enough to have topped Lawrence's catch Wheeler takes home a $45,000 check for 2nd place Lawrence left the water Saturday after the Knockout Round in 3rd place about 18 pounds behind Wheeler who easily won the Saturday event that eliminated all but the Top 10 anglers for Sunday's Championship Day the first hour of Sunday's fishing it was basically "The Jacob Wheeler Show." On the final Championship Day every angler's weight goes back to zero so it really is anybody's game when they put "Lines in" at 7:45 am in the first hour Wheeler had 18 pounds of smallmouth and was 13 pounds ahead of the 2nd place angler Wheeler's bite slowed dramatically after the first hour and the other pros in the 10 Championship-angler field began to close the gap By late morning the event turned into a dogfight between Wheeler and Lawrence Lawrence's 59-4 total pounds lengthened his lead over Wheeler to more than 7 pounds it was basically a two-man race as the rest of the field remained nearly 22 pounds behind Wheeler 3rd Period began with the two-horse race between Lawrence and Wheeler for 1st and 2nd place while Cole Floyd at 30-7 Dayton's Michael Neal at 27-3 and Spring City's Wesley Strader 26-4 finishing in 3rd place ($35,000) with the remainder of the field as follows: Justin Lucas earned his spot in the Sunday Championship by handily winning the first two days of the tournament on Chickamauga Lake meant Lucas didn't fish on Saturday's Knockout round on Nickajack so he was basically hit the new lake cold turkey It showed as Lucas remained in 10th place the final day as he struggled to find fish While Wheeler stayed camped out just downstream from Chickamauga Dam mostly catching smallmouth bass all day - Lawrance was fishing 40 miles downstream in the Mullen's Cove area Lawrence was often fishing a buzz bait over shallow grass - a technique that landed him an 8-pound-plus bass at one point When Lawrence realized the big bass on his last cast officially gave him his very first MLF Bass Pro Tour win "That's God's work right there." The final 30 minutes brought the kind of battle that had online live stream viewers glued to the screen that included folks who were watching the big screen at the MLF Watch Party at downtown's Ross's Landing The photo finish brough a huge roar of approval from the crowd You can watch the last seven minutes of this incredible finish here MLF gave away a free Abu Garcia rod and reel to the first 100 kids plus a meet & greet with Paw Patrol’s Skye and Marshall and a youth fishing derby Those who hung in there got to meet & greet with the Championship anglers More details and full results at www.MajorLeagueFishing.com