LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) University of Kansas researchers have won a $2.5 million federal grant to develop a system to screen foster children for trauma. The screening tool will be used to create treatment plans to help children when they are young. The goal is to reduce the need for hospitalizations, incarcerations and other more costly expenses as the children grow older. There also will be a tracking mechanism that permits statewide, systems-level progress monitoring. The university says that few states have universal screening and assessment tools to deal with trauma in young children. The researchers hope that the Kansas system…
Author: KMAN Staff
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) Drivers across a Kansas River bridge near Lawrence might have some trouble keeping their eyes on the road. The guardrail on the east side of the bridge has been decorated with hundreds of decorated bras. The display is to publicize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and promote Health Care Access, a clinic that provides health care for poor Douglas County residents. The Bras Across the Kaw exhibit is not a new display. But Shelly Wakeman, director of the Health Care Clinic, says people didn’t always know who hung the bras, or the purpose of the display. Two large…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) University of Kansas athletic officials are considering changes to Late Night in the Phog after complaints about a lack of crowd control at the event last Friday. The Late Night festivities mark the official beginning of the basketball season and fans typically line up for hours before it starts. Associate athletic director Jim Marchiony says KU Athletics plans to discuss changes that might be needed to control crowds as they wait to be allowed into the free event. The Lawrence Journal-World reports fans complained about frequent cutting in line and a mob rushing the entrance when the…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A crushing workload and a lack of funds to hire more help has a Kansas coroner months behind in finishing reports, which is having an impact on the local prosecutor’s office. Shawnee County coroner Don Pojman says he’s often up until 2 or 3 in the morning finishing reports for District Attorney Chad Taylor’s office. That’s in addition to his responsibilities to review infant deaths for the state, sign cremation permits and complete reports for other deaths. The Topeka Capital Journal reports Pojman’s office used to have 15 employees. But in his first year, his budget was…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) Researchers at the University of Kansas have received a $4.4 million federal grant to help develop sustainable manufacturing processes for chemicals. The university says the four-year grant to its Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis comes from the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Center director Bala Subramaniam says one of the major challenges for the chemical industry is to develop sustainable manufacturing processes. A major part of the project will be to identify what part of the manufacturing chain involves toxic materials. The university says the project will support five graduate students, five postdoctoral researchers…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Chief Justice Lawton Nuss is telling a special advisory panel to review the potential consequences to state courts if a funding gap isn’t closed. Nuss convened the panel Monday to look at the ramifications of a projected $8.25 million shortfall in the judicial branch budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2015. The shortfall could result in forcing employees to take unpaid leave. Nuss told the panel to prepare for the worst. State Senate Vice President Jeff King has written to the 10-member council attempting to blunt the perception that legislators are shortchanging the…
On today’s InFocus, Cathy talks with Financial Literacy council representatives as Dan Seemann and Claudette Almaraz with Catholic Charities of northern Kansas stop by. [mp3-jplayer]
During Monday’s Pottawatomie County Commission, there was a brief discussion on where to go with the Junietta Project. The commission believes they should move forward with a consultant to work on how the project will be done. They do, however, want to continue discussion with Riley County on whether or not they will be involved on the project. The thought now may be to have the connection be from Dire road and Lake Elbow. Commissioner Gary Yenzer expressed his desire to move on. “We can’t wait on our part,” Yenzer said. The commission wants to move forward on this project…
The former Fort Riley soldier charged with the shooting death of a Kansas National Guard member was sentenced in Riley County District Court Monday afternoon. Daniel Parker (26) was convicted of first degree murder, after shooting Frederick Beverly (21) in the early morning hours of January 1st, 2012. Parker appeared in front of Judge David L. Stutzman. Prosecuting Attorney, Barry Disney, began by making the state’s request for the sentence, which would be 59 months for criminal discharge of a firearm, consecutive with a minimum of 20 years for first degree murder. He said since Parker fired over 20 rounds,…
Riley County Environmental Health Specialist, Steve DeHart was recognized, during Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting, as he recently was awarded the “Sanitarian of the Year” award by the state of Kansas. Commission Chair, Dave Lewis presented DeHart with his plaque. “I was very surprised to receive this”, DeHart commented. ——————– The 2014 budget book is finally complete. The 107 page book includes colorful charts, detailed breakdowns of the various funded departments, and figures from past years. Budget and Finance Officer, Johnette Shepek said she will begin the process for the next budget in February. ————————– Several upcoming events were highlighted…