Neighbor of Westboro Baptist aims to ruffle church’s feathers; raise awareness

The Westboro Baptist Church has long used boisterous pickets to bring attention to its anti-gay stance. But for the last few months, a group across the street from the church’s compound has been using its own high-profile stunts to gain attention for its causes. For example, a 5-year-old girl sold ‘Pink Lemonade for Peace.’ On Saturday, they’ll host an outdoor same-sex marriage.

Men's Wearhouse ousts founder, pitchman Zimmer

Apparently, Men's Wearhouse doesn't like the way its founder looks. In a terse release issued Wednesday, Men's Wearhouse said it has fired the face of the company and its executive chairman, George Zimmer, who appeared in its TV commercials with the slogan "You're going to like the way you look. I guarantee it."

David Lough’s baserunning mistake costs Royals

Down 4-3 to the Indians in the top of the ninth Tuesday, the Royals got the first two batters on base. David Lough and Mike Moustakas singled. Things started to go wrong when Chris Getz — normally a very good bunter — struck out on a slider after failing to get a bunt down. Then David Lough got almost two-thirds of the way down the line from home plate before turning around.

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KU heptathlon champion springs from unlikely roots in Hamilton, Mo.

On the surface, the antiquated gravel track and absence of field amenities at Penney High School in Hamilton, Mo., make baffling what blossomed from here earlier this month in Eugene, Ore: Lindsay Vollmer, a sophomore at Kansas whose hometown training hinged on what she playfully called “strange stuff,” won the NCAA heptathlon championship to help stake the Jayhawks to the first women’s national title in school history.

Service with a smile: The Cassie Wang story

One of Johnson County’s stellar students, Olathe Northwest High School's Cassie Wang is now headed to Harvard, but Harvard is getting more than a scholar. It is getting a philanthropist, an athlete and a young woman who is on a mission to make the world a better place.

Student transfer situation not ideal

Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro is to be applauded for getting out in front with guidelines for student transfers from unaccredited districts. The Missouri legislature could have resolved the ambiguities in its transfer statute years ago, but chose to let the courts and state bureaucrats hash it out.

(Updated) Pets for adoption

Georgia hasn’t let her circumstances diminish her exuberance and happiness one bit. She loves to play and can entertain herself with the right toy, but she would rather play with other dogs. Georgia does have a lot of energy, and while she knows how to walk on a leash, she is a strong walker. To learn more about Georgia, please contact the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter at www.parkvilleshelter.com

A drive to unify area transit

Today, no fewer than five transit agencies operate in the Kansas City area: the recently created Kansas City streetcar authority and four bus systems run by Independence, Johnson County and both Kansas Citys. On Wednesday, Area Transportation Authority chairman Robbie Makinen and Johnson County Commissioner Steve Klika will present a plan to make the ATA “the regional transit authority it was meant to be.”

Cher credits luck for her lengthy career

Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder. The 67-year-old singer who has spent most of her life in the spotlight offered this advice to young artists on navigating the world of paparazzi attention: "You're screwed."