Sara Shepherd Lawrence Journal-World reporter
I’m the Lawrence Journal-World’s enterprise reporter, tasked with finding interesting stories that reflect Lawrence, Douglas County and surrounding communities. My beat includes daily news articles and more in-depth projects on a variety of subjects. Previously, I was a cops and courts reporter for The Kansas City Star, where I covered untimely death or destruction of some kind most every day for a few years. I’ve also covered suburban city government and schools for The Star and The Shawnee Dispatch. To reach me, call 785-832-7187 or send email to sshepherd@ljworld.com. Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/saramarieshep.
Recent stories
- ‘Tonganoxie Split’ tornado myth lacks science but captures imagination
- March 9, 2014
- If many people ever truly believed in the Tonganoxie Split, it’s a good bet that number dropped on May 11, 2000.
- Kansas: Private discrimination against gays, lesbians already legal in most of state
- February 28, 2014
- Kansas has attracted an onslaught of national criticism over a proposed bill that media often have summarized as allowing discrimination against gays.
- Kansas: Woman, 19, charged with murder in former boss’ slaying
- January 27, 2014
- Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lawrence resident Harold Sasko, 52, according to the Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
- Deer mating season means drivers should beware
- October 15, 2013
- Deer mating season usually begins in mid-October, peaks in mid-November and continues into January
- Agritourism provides sales boost for small farmers, fresh air for city slickers
- July 8, 2013
- Visits to wineries boost sales
- More wineries, more elbow room expected for this year’s Winesong at Riverfest
- May 30, 2013
- Organizers learned two big lessons after turning hundreds away from the inaugural Winesong at Riverfest wine tasting event in De Soto. People — a lot of people, it turns out — are interested in trying Kansas wine. And, in order to better accommodate them, this year’s event would need some major tweaking.
- Tonganoxie resident’s barbecue team appearing Sunday on Pitmasters
- January 2, 2013
- Truebud BBQ outcooked hundreds of competitive barbecuers last year, but will the local team be able to smoke its competition on national TV? Find out this weekend, when the Kansas City episode of BBQ Pitmasters premieres.
- Food: Miracle of oil inspires Hanukkah treats
- December 12, 2012
- Decadent treats are common fare for many holiday celebrations. In Jewish culture there’s a religious reason behind this — at least during Hanukkah.
- Food: Sweet ‘n’ salty — Nutella, pretzels and white chocolate together at last
- October 24, 2012
- These cookie bars have mini pretzels and white chocolate chunks in the cookie dough. The Nutella is scooped straight out of the jar and sandwiched safely between layers of dough.
- Food: Offal gets gourmet treatment at trendy eateries
- October 15, 2012
- Animal brains, glands, tails, intestines, feet and other organs are nothing new at many ethnic eateries. But the oft-spurned meat parts known as offal have made their way into some of the area’s hippest mainstream restaurants, where chefs say foodies and more timid diners alike seem to be nibbling.
Recent photos
Ariela Unz, who moved to Kansas from Israel, has a number of her latke recipes written in Hebrew. This one is for Apple Cinnamon Latkes, one of the recipes she often makes for her family during Hanukkah.
Sweet and salty come together in Pretzel-Nutella Bars with White Chocolate Chunks.
Sweet and salty come together in Pretzel-Nutella Bars with White Chocolate Chunks.
Sopa Port Fonda at Port Fonda, 4141 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo. The spicy dish features pork belly, shredded pork shoulder, fresh vegetables and a fried egg.
Tacos de Lengua are one of the best-selling dishes at Port Fonda, 4141 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo. The main ingredient is braised beef tongue, served street taco-style with spicy salsa, onion, cilantro and fresh lime.
