LJWorld.com / Erin Castaneda

Staff

Erin Castaneda (Staff writer)

Erin Castaneda grew up making several moves in a military family before landing in Topeka in 1998. She moved to Lawrence later to attend Kansas University where she earned degrees in English and journalism in May 2007.

During her college career she had the opportunity to work with the Lawrence Journal-World.

In the summer of 2006 she was in an environmental reporting course that produced the "What We Drink" series published in the Lawrence Journal-World.

The following spring she worked as a city desk new intern for the paper through a community journalism course.

After graduation Erin began working full-time as the general assignment and night law enforcement reporter.

She enjoys the variety and spontaneity of the beat and interacting with people in the community.

Without a pen, pad, camera or recorder in hand, Erin can be spotted running around outdoors with her black Labrador, taking photos, biking or spending time with friends.

Erin also enjoys the bragging rights that come with being a KU alumna after the Jayhawks won the 2008 National Championship.

Recent stories

Buskerfest hits downtown: By Erin Castaneda; August 24, 2008; It’s not every day you get to see aerial acrobatics, living statues and breaths of fire — at least not in downtown Lawrence. After the success so far of the first-ever Busker Festival, event organizers and attendees want that to change. “It’s excellent,” said Jeff Joseph, owner of Jeff’s Curbside Recycling, after watching a comedic juggling performance at US Bank, 900 Mass. “The whole event is excellent. It’s things you don’t get to see often. Hopefully it becomes an annual event.”
30-year-old agency expands its disability services: By Erin Castaneda; August 23, 2008; Independence Inc., which provides services for people with disabilities, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. “For the last 30 years, Independence Inc. has been a catalyst for change,” said Ranita Wilks, independent living skills and peer counseling specialist. Wilks cited the housing and transportation programs the Lawrence agency started as examples of the first of such services in the community.
University says parents seem supportive of tuition compact: By Erin Castaneda; August 16, 2008; While the U.S. and local economies throw curveballs at people, striking their pocketbooks with unpredictable costs, Kansas University seems to have hit a home run with a tuition plan that offers financial stability to its newcomers.
Admissions, diversity on provost’s plate: Lariviere reflects on first two years at KU; By Erin Castaneda; August 16, 2008; With a background in business and academics, Richard Lariviere, Kansas University provost, has stepped into his leadership role with ease, constantly thinking about how to move KU forward.
Forum calls for action on climate: By Erin Castaneda; August 15, 2008; It’s never too late to make a change, according to tribal leaders who participated in a three-day environmental forum at Haskell Indian Nations University this week. Leaders left participants with a positive message and ideas for change Thursday at a closing ceremony of the seventh annual Tribal College Forum, “Climate Crises and Water Nations are Calling for Awakening.”
Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department prepares for budget cuts: By Erin Castaneda; August 13, 2008; The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has not escaped the budget difficulties infiltrating the community.
Old-time farm contest spurs modern angst at Vinland Fair: By Erin Castaneda; August 8, 2008; Working on a farm wasn’t an easy job decades ago, back when there weren’t chain saws — and certainly no radios and air conditioners in tractors. Families got a taste of just how hard farm work was Thursday during an Old-Time Farm Skills Contest at the 101st Vinland Fair.
Hair art history unlocked: Practice popular in 1800s leads off Civil War series; By Erin Castaneda; August 7, 2008; History and hair were woven together Wednesday night at a unique workshop that kicked off the 13th annual Civil War on the Western Frontier series.
Red Dog Run to benefit Boys and Girls Club: By Erin Castaneda; August 7, 2008; As a child, Don “Red Dog” Gardner would have appreciated a Boys and Girls Club to meet friends and get him out of his foster homes for an afternoon. From ages 3 to 8, Gardner lived with several elderly people in Lawrence as part of a foster care program, he said.
Swimming pool reopens: By Erin Castaneda; August 6, 2008; The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky., reopened Wednesday.

Full story list

Recent photos

A Douglas County Sheriff's deputy measures the distance between just north of Lone Star Lake and the site of a motorcycle fatality on County Road 1. Douglas County Sheriff's spokeswoman Lt. Kari Wempe said a man believed to be from the Lawrence area died in the accident.

The father of Phoenix Smith, 5, of Colorado, bought her an identification tag in case he became separated from her at the festival.

Rowan Laufer, 7, takes a break from the bicycle ring and hangs with his father Pete Laufer, a Lawrence carpenter, Saturday at the Wakarusa Festival.

On Saturday a young girl tries out several bikes during the Wakarusa Festival bicycle circle that was filled with unique bike creations.

Pete Laufer, a Lawrence carpenter, watches his three children Rowan, 7, Will, 10, and Sophie, 13 play in and around the bicycle circle Saturday at the Wakarusa Festival. The festival is welcoming to families and children.

Full photo list