I write news features and profiles while also covering education in Lawrence and the surrounding area. Previously, I served as the Journal-World's crime and courts reporter and earlier spent nearly two years as community sports editor for The World Company's weekly newspapers and websites in Northeast Kansas: The Basehor Sentinel, Bonner Springs Chieftain and Shawnee Dispatch.
I've worked as a reporter and photographer for The Shawnee Dispatch, covering education and general assignment stories. I also interned for Lawrence.com, where I — among performing other tasks — consumed a ghost pepper on camera. Prior to joining the company, I served as editor-in-chief, sports editor and a reporter during five semesters with The University Daily Kansan at Kansas University.
I'm a Mission native and graduate of Shawnee Mission North High.
Recent Stories
Best Hotel - Best of Lawrence: 2014 - Community
The Eldridge is no stranger to rising from the ashes, most famously having been burned to the ground during William Quantrill’s infamous raid on Lawrence in 1863. The modern day, however, has seen the hotel prosper: the 48-room hotel boasts a bar, restaurant and plans to double in size moving forward.
Best Electrician - Best of Lawrence: 2014 - Services
When George Grieb bought Lynn Electric & Communications in 1999 from Chuck Lynn, who started the business in 1977, it was a small residential company whose services were largely confined to Douglas County. In the last decade, business has boomed.
Best Liquor Store - Best of Lawrence: 2014 - Entertainment & Nightlife
The ownership at On The Rocks claims to be among the first bring the concept of a large discount superstore, mix and match beer options and a beer cave to Lawrence when the store opened in 2009. Along the way, the store added another distinction: some of its regulars are of the four-legged variety.
Best Plumber - Best of Lawrence: 2014 - Services
Howard Kastl still remembers the day a client called his plumbing service — in Lawrence since 1971 — under direct orders.
Lawrence quilter, area students hope to follow Mandela quilt to international exhibit in South Africa
The result of two months of work, in which nearly a dozen students and a longtime Lawrence quilter had a hand, will soon be boxed up and shipped across the Atlantic. Now, those who produced the quilt hope to find a way to follow it to South Africa. By Stephen Montemayor
Class dances away from the past with annual New Year's Day event
On display at a downtown dance studio, as it has been for more than a decade each New Year’s Day, was the delicate art of avoiding collision in a closed space where the number of fellow twirling bodies releasing energy has grown considerably. By Stephen Montemayor
Best of Lawrence 2011: And the winners are...
You had the facts and you voted. Here are the Best of Lawrence 2011 Winners.
Best Of Lawrence tops 2,000 ballots, hungry for more
There's still much time to let your voice be heard
Looking at early Best of Lawrence results
Voting began Monday but we're already noticing some tight races
Vote here in our 2011 Best of Lawrence competition
From now through Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, you can vote on your favorites local businesses and help them be dubbed one of the 2011 Best of Lawrence. One vote per e-mail address.
