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BY KYLE CARTER
》 KANSAS CITY SHOOTING
KU graduate among victims
"Our condolences go out to Leslie's family and friends," she said.
All contents, unless stated otherwise
© 2007The University Daily Kansan
Ballew was one of two victims shot and killed Sunday in the parking lot of the Ward Parkway Mall.
Leslie Noble Ballew graduated from the University in May 1997. She was 33.
A University of Kansas graduate was a victim in Sunday's Ward Parkway Mall shooting in Kansas City, Mo.
One friend fondly remembered Ballew from their years spent together at the University. Lora Farrell lived with Ballew in a house
at 12th and Kentucky streets with four other roommates while they were students. The two originally met in seventh grade band at Blue Valley Middle School where Ballew played the clarinet. After losing contact, they reunited when Ballew answered an ad that Farrell and her roommates put out seeking another roommate.
"We thought it was kind of funny later that we ended up living together," Farrell said.
Kansan staff writer Kyle Carter can be contacted at kcarter@kansan. com.
An honors student who worked in Strong Hall during her time at the University, Ballew enjoyed traveling. Farrell said she studied in Ireland one summer and even applied to National Geographic for a boat trip around the world offered by the magazine.
"She was incredibly intelligent, and she was definitely the most mature in the house," Farrell said.
Edited by Jyl Unruh
Jackie Hosey, associate director of University Relations, called the
shooting tragic.
Caregiving careers take off
BABY BOOMER RETIREMENT
Sarah Leonard/KANSAN
VerMaas, Lincoln, Neb., sophomore, works as a caregiver for Lorene Zukav, an elderly Lawrence woman, helping her with meal preparation, housekeeping and other tasks. She works for Home Helpers, a new Lawrence business that provides inhome caregiving to senior citizens and others who need it.
BY MATT ERICKSON
Megan VerMaas found a part-time job this year that gives her a window into the past — but it may also give her and other 'students a window into the future.
VerMaa said she enjoyed hearing the Zukav's stories about her life and her family.
As baby boomers retire and people live longer than ever before, careers in aging could explode in the near future, said Sandra Kelly-Allen, coordinator of the Douglas County Health Department's Project LIVELY, a care management program for senior citizens.
"It ites your life in perspective a little bit better," MrMaas said.
ABOVE, Megan VerMaas, Lincoln, Neb., sophomore, visits Lorene Zukav, resident of Drury Place retirement home in Lawrence, every week to help her with chores around the house. "Megan has been a blessing. She's a special girl." Zukav said.
Her job is in an area that will likely provide careers for many young Americans; caring for older Americans.
RIGHT, Home Helpers are needed to complete household tasks, but they are needed just as much for companionship. "I love having the company," Zukav said. Soon VerMaas will leave for nursing school and another Helper will rotate in to her position.
"It's just going to boom," Kelly- Allen said. "I don't know how it
Sarah Leonard/KANSAN
SEE CAREGIVERS ON PAGE 5A
Derek Zarda swipes a card as a resident at McCollum Hall arrives back to the residence hall after 11 p.m. Residents are required to scan their KUIDs to get back into the building after hours.
Late nights on desk bring adventures
》 PROFILE
BY BRIAN LEWIS-JONES
Derek Zarda knows from experience that students in the residence halls can get a little rowdy at times.
For instance, Zarda, Shawnee senior and veteran desk assistant at McCollum Hall for a year and a half, once responded to three simultaneous noise complaints on separate floors at 5 a.m.
Upon inspection, two of the floors' lobbies appeared normal.
dismay. Furniture had been flipped upside down, a trash can suspended from ceiling pipes with duct tape and windows opened wide, accompanied by complaints of chairs hitting the ground four floors down.
the final floor he checked was in
Even though some late-night shifts for Zarda have been full of "so much ruckus," he said most nights came with good company, good times, laughs and movies. Some nights even found him coloring pictures of
SEE DESKIES ON PAGE 5A
》 BOARDWALK FIRE
Detective plays Rose's emergency call for jury Strange behavior fuels questions
BY ERICK R. SCHMIDT
Jurors heard from survivors and began watching a four-hour taped interrogation of suspect Jason Allen Rose on Wednesday as the Boardwalk Apartment trial entered its third day.
Detective Troy Squire took the stand and explained that Rose's behavior led him to be questioned even before the fire was ruled arson.
Rose is accused of starting the October 2005 fire in his Boardwalk apartment building that killed three and injured 18 others. He is charged with aggravated arson, three counts of murder and seven counts of
Three Spanish-speaking residents who lived at Boardwalk Apartments told their stories through a translator Wednesday. Maritza Pastrana told the jury that she had seen Rose in the walkway where investigators believe the fire to have started.
aggravated battery.
During the taped interrogation, which was filmed four days after the blaze, Squire played back audio of Rose's call to emergency dispatch the night of the fire. The dispatch officer asked Rose what the problem was.
Detective Troy Squire took the stand and explained that Rose's behavior led him to be questioned even before the fire was ruled an arson. Squire was one of two officers who interviewed Rose on the tape.
"Fire," Rose said.
When Squire asked Rose if it was his voice on the recording, Rose said it was not.
"I remember saying my name. I said my name," Rose told Squire.
Squire played the audio again, and again asked Rose if it sounded like him.
"A little bit."
Squire went on to ask Rose about his actions the night of the fire. Rose said he got off work at Taco Bell, filled his car up with gas and went home. At home, Rose said he watched television and smoked a few cigarettes before commotion outside his apartment drew his attention to the fire. Squire testified that inconsistencies and "interesting" information was what led officers to consider Rose as a suspect.
Rose originally went to trial in February, but it was declared a mistrial after the prosecution found a new witness and tried to admit her. Hearings will resume Thursday with the conclusion of the taped interrogation at 9 a.m. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.
Kansan staff writer Erick R. Schmidt can be contacted at eschmidt@kansan.com.
Edited by Lisa Tilson