KU neonatal research gets financial boost
A Kansas University nursing alumna and her husband have pledged $1 million to support KU research that will someday benefit newborn babies.
Janie and Stuart Curtis, Marco Island, Fla., have created trusts that will eventually establish a research fund in their name at the KU Endowment Association. The gift will support research in premature deliveries and neonatal care.
"This gift will make a significant impact on research that affects all Kansans," KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. "We are excited at the opportunities for medical discoveries made possible by the Curtises and we are grateful for their generous support."
The Curtises previously donated to support construction of the new School of Nursing building at the KU Medical Center. Janie Curtis is a member of the KU Nurses Alumni Association and a lifetime member of the Kansas Alumni Association.
Commissioners attend national planning conference
The Douglas County commissioners returned this week after attending the American Planning Assn. conference in New Orleans.
The four-day conference included sessions about smart growth, planning for environmental quality and for public schools, designing smart growth laws, heritage tourism and more.
Commissioner Charles Jones, a smart growth advocate, said he hopes to incorporate some of the ideas he learned into the county's planning process. For example, he said he talked with Jane Bateman, chairwoman of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, about improving collaboration with the county's school districts and including them in planning discussions.
Overall, Jones said he felt the county has a good planning process compared to some places which are starting from scratch.
"I think the building blocks are in place and we need to refine them," he said.
Also, attending the conference were several planning commissioners, Linda Finger, the planning director, and her assistant director, Sheila Stogsdill, and Keith Dabney, the county's director of zoning and codes.
Course to teach first aid to parents, care providers
Lawrence Memorial Hospital will offer a class this weekend about infant and child first aid for parents and child-care providers.
First Aid for Parents and Daycare Providers will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon today.
General information on first aid for infants and children will be discussed, and both parents and childcare providers will have an opportunity to learn how to handle both major and minor emergency situations.
The cost of the workshop is $20 per person or $25 per family. The fee includes a certificate showing course completion.
For more information or to enroll, call ConnectCare at 749-5800.
Sheriff's department seeks grant for technology upgrade
The Douglas County Sheriff's department is applying for a grant that would equip 16 vehicles with mobile data and wireless systems.
Sheriff Rick Trapp told county commissioners Thursday the equipment would allow deputies to transmit reports and access the department's records and mug shots from their vehicles or the field. He said the system also allows deputies to be dispatched to calls instead of by radio, which would free radio air time.
Trapp said the system was included in the department's long-range plan, but the $424,000 grant lets them implement the program sooner.
If received, the commissioners must consider matching the 75-25 split grant with $106,000. The federal grant is obtained through the U.S. Department of Justice.
City moves some offices
Riverfront Plaza, directly east of city hall, will now house some city offices.
The Neighborhood Resources Department, formerly known as Housing and Neighborhood Development, and the fire prevention division of the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Department will open in new offices at Suite 110, Level 1, East Bridge Entrance, Riverfront Plaza, on Monday, March 26.
The offices are relocating from city hall and Fire-Medical Station 1, respectively.
The move involves about 20 employees from both departments. Department phone numbers remain the same, Neighborhood Resources, 832-3100 and fire prevention, 832-7600.
The departments will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Wildlife conservation agency seeks students, teachers
Safari Club International Foundation is looking for area students and teachers interested in wildlife conservation to attend leadership schools this summer.
The nonprofit agency dedicated to wildlife conservation, humanitarian service and education is working with the club's Kansas City chapter to recruit individuals for the foundation's American Wilderness Leadership Schools in Wyoming and Maine.
Each eight-day AWLS session includes hands-on training in firearm safety, fly tying, wilderness survival, archery, wall climbing, outdoor interpretive techniques and outdoor ethics.
Registration for the schools is $700, and scholarships are available.
For more information, call (877) 877-3265.
KDHE program seeks devices with mercury
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has started a mercury collection program to collect and dispose of as many mercury-containing devices as possible.
According to John Mitchell of KDHE, the department hopes to educate the public about the degree of danger associated with devices containing mercury, a highly toxic chemical.
The primary targets of the campaign, which runs through April 15, are medical facilities and small businesses.
Any device containing free-flowing mercury, such as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs and heating thermostats, are eligible for disposal by KDHE. Fluorescent lights and old batteries are not eligible because of budget restraints.
For more information or to locate the nearest collection site, call (800) 282-9790.
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