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Hirings and firings in KU athletics

A few days after Kansas University's loss in the national championship men's basketball game, coach Roy Williams said he would leave for the University of North Carolina. KU later hired Bill Self, right, from the University of Illinois to lead the Jayhawks. Shortly before Williams announced his departure, the school fired athletic director Al Bohl. In a driveway news conference, Bohl claimed the powerful Williams had "crushed" him like a dove. Lew Perkins, from the University of Connecticut, replaced Bohl in June.

City Commission fights new Wal-Mart

On April 1, "smart-growth" candidates Boog Highberger, David Schauner and incumbent Mike Rundle were elected to the City Commission. All three, along with Commissioner David Dunfield, were allied with the Progressive Lawrence Campaign, which aimed to counter developer influence. The commission soon denied developers building permits at Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive, where plans were in the works for a new Wal-Mart store and other businesses.

Sex class under fire

A popular KU professor and his class were the focus of controversy that began in April on the floor of the Kansas Senate and eventually was splashed in the national media. Professor Dennis Dailey was criticized by a Wichita Republican, state Sen. Susan Wagle, for how he conducted his human sexuality class. Wagle sought to cut funding for Dailey's department and introduced budget provisos to do so. But most of Dailey's students and colleagues stood up for him, and in April, Gov. Sebelius vetoed the budget measure.

Tornado hits southwest Lawrence

A tornado that ripped through southwest Lawrence the evening of May 8 caused more than $6 million in damage -- but no deaths and only minor injuries. The twister that skipped across the city was first spotted near Lyndon and touched down near Lone Star. In Lawrence, Aberdeen South apartment complex, 4700 W. 27th St., and many nearby houses were especially hard hit. Reconstruction in the area continues.

March madness

The Jayhawks chewed through what was widely believed to be the toughest bracket in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. After a first-round scare, the Jayhawks disposed of Duke and Arizona in the span of three days before losing to Syracuse in the national championship in New Orleans. Downtown Lawrence erupted into a mass party as fans jammed Massachusetts Street to celebrate after the Jayhawks' victory in the semifinal -- and commiserate after the championship loss.

Police chase comes to deadly ending in crash

Lawrence Police faced scrutiny after an Aug. 26 pursuit ended with a souped-up road racer driven by Nam Ouk Cho, of Lee's Summit, Mo., crashing into Judith Vellucci's Pontiac at 31st Street and Nieder Road. Vellucci was killed. Cho was charged with second-degree murder. In November, police revised their policy on high-speed pursuit to give officers more latitude to end unsafe chases.

School bond fails

Voters in April rejected a $59 million bond issue for school expansion and renovation. Despite warnings that the bond issue and school closings were separate issues, many said they voted against the bond because of the closures. Riverside, Centennial and East Heights schools were closed -- the finale of a series of decisions by a school board strapped for cash in tight budget times.

Year in review: A month-by-month look at 2003 in Lawrence 6News: Top stories of 2003 AP: Iraq War top 2003 news story

Slaying a mystery

The brutal slaying of a 40-year-old Carmin Ross put neighbors on edge and sent detectives as far as Ohio to follow leads. The body was found Nov. 14 in her home near Lakeview Lake. With no apparent motive or suspects, investigators sought FBI help to develop a suspect profile.

Crypto outbreak

City swimming pools were closed in August -- a precaution intended to help stop the spread of the cryptosporidium parasite. The city had 22 confirmed cases by month's end and more than 100 by the time the outbreak, which spread to five counties, was declared under control in late October.

Institute dedication draws national media

The spotlight was on Lawrence in July as guests, including former President Jimmy Carter, and as many as 25,000 people attended dedication of the Dole Institute of Politics at KU.