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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009
NEWS
3
MEMORIAL
Car accident leaves friends family to mourn freshman
Daniel Persons had a 'penchant for creating and designing'
BY ADAM SCHOOF aschoof@kansan.com
Friends and family gathered Thursday in El Dorado to mourn the death of Daniel S. Persons.
Persons, Towanda freshman, died in a car accident Sunday near El Dorado. He was a student in
the school of Architecture and Urban Design.
Pam and Steven Persons, his parents, said Daniel was zealous about school. Daniel was accepted
Persons
to the architecture schools at both the University and Kansas State University, but didn't struggle with making a decision between the two.
"When he got KU's letter of acceptance, he put all his K-State stuff in the trash." Pam said.
Daniel's passions for the University and architecture merged in the buildings he drew, Gannon Buckner,
Lawrence sophomore and Daniel's roommate, said. The Campanile and Fraser Hall were featured in several of his drawings.
Daniel showed great promise for a career in architecture, Michael Swann, associate dean of the school of architecture and urban planning, said. He said Daniel "fit the bill perfectly" for an architecture student, was earth-conscious and had a strong work ethic. He said Daniel was excited to have a studio seat in the architecture school next fall.
Daniel's father said he was interested in robotics in high school. In his junior year, Daniel conceived the idea for a robot that won an award for being "most robust" in a national competition.
"He could see a project way ahead in his mind," Steven said. "His penchant for creating and designing things combined with technology was a good meld."
Buckner said music was another of Daniel's passions. He said Daniel played the drums and was "bummed" because he didn't have any drums on campus so they would sometimes sneak into the practice rooms in Murphy Hall to play.
At home, Daniel would sit at his family's piano and compose music, Jenna Persons, Daniel's sister, said.
"He could just pick up an instrument and just play," Jenna said. "It wasn't just with music that this happened. It was with every aspect of his life."
A fascination with the number 27 was another aspect of Daniel's life. Daniel stayed in room 27 in a hostel during a trip to Europe with friends and the number became a symbol of their friendship.
Jenna said Daniel was driving on Highway 54, which is 27 doubled, near El Dorado early Sunday morning when he realized he was going the wrong way. He turned around on the highway, but got in the wrong lane.
Jenna said a semi-truck was in the same lane and Daniel quickly moved into the correct lane, but the semitruck also moved and collided with Daniel head on.
Friends and family said Daniel's spirit was what they would remember.
"His body was not the important part." Jenna said. "It was his thoughts, ideas, gifts, talents and love that are important."
Donations to the Dan Persons Memorial Scholarship Fund can be sent in care of the Circle School Foundation, 905 E. Main, Towanda.
— Edited by Brandy Entsminger
New garbage law requires residents separate compost
NATIONAL
SAN FRANCISCO — Sorting glass and other recyclables out of household trash will no longer be enough in San Francisco. Anything that can be composted also has to be separated.
Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a new rule on Tuesday requiring residents to separate trash, recyclables and compost or face fines.
It is believed to be the strictest such regulation in the nation.
The ordinance is due to go into effect in the fall. Officials say they'll give residents time to adjust to the new rules but could eventually start levying fines of $100.
Compost includes scraps from food and garden clippings.
Former Lawrence officer accused of wire fraud
CRIME
Associated Press
A former police officer was charged last Wednesday with committing 14 counts of wire fraud while employed by the Lawrence Police Department.
Robert Ryan Sayler, 32. Lawrence, is accused of purchasing 14 video games from a Target store, returning the game boxes without the game discs for a full refund and selling the game discs on eBay.
Sayler received the Medal of Valor in 2006 for his role in the Boardwalk Apartment fire and rescue.
Lawrence police Capt. Tarik Khatib said Sayler was employed by Lawrence police for eight years and left in December 2008. The wire fraud scheme made about $500 and occurred around May 2008, according to an indictment by a Kansas City, Kan. grand jury.
Sayler could not be reached for comment. The court date has not yet been determined.
Sayler is accused of stealing six copies of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, four of Soul Caliber IV and four of Battlefield: Bad Company. Sayler is accused of using eBay usernames "hdsayler","wildfiresellers" and "3girls1mom1dad."
Adam Schoof
LAWRENCE
Ceremony to recognize the use of sustainable food
A recognition ceremony honoring the people behind the sustainable food community in the Kansas River Valley will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Liberty Hall. In attendance will be a group of Japanese organic food professionals visiting Kansas from June 23rd to July 1st as part of an exchange project with Kansas called "Global Partners for Local Organic Foods."The ceremony will include music, local organic food and a presentation by economist Ken Meter concerning the local sustainable food economy. The event is open to the public with a $5 admission charge.
— Derek Zarda
NATION
Prisoner files a lawsuit complaining about food
DENVER — Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols is asking for a court-appointed lawyer to help with a prison food lawsuit.
Nichols claimed that the federal Supermax prison in Colorado is causing him to sin because he doesn't get enough grains and fresh food.
Associated Press