Women’s basketball team visits LMH patients

The Kansas University women’s basketball team paid a visit to Lawrence Memorial Hospital patients Monday.

For the annual Crimson and Holiday Blue Project, players talked with patients and handed out gifts.

Kansas University

Grant helps assure health clinic’s survival

A Kansas University health clinic for the uninsured will remain open next year, thanks to a $133,000 grant announced Monday.

The gift, from the Wyandotte Health Foundation, will allow the Silver City Health Center, 3015 Strong Ave. in Kansas City, Kan., to operate another year.

The clinic, which was purchased by KU in 1997, historically has been funded by the departments of internal medicine and pediatrics at KU. But state budget cutbacks had threatened the clinic’s future.

Nearly half of the 1,600 patients seen at the clinic from January through September had no health insurance.

Standing, from left, are Lelia Menguc, Kandis Bonner, Crystal Kemp and Tamara Ransburg, who visited Ben Petrie, 7, of Lawrence.

The Wyandotte Health Foundation was created in 1997 using the proceeds of the sale of Bethany Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

Education

Two board members back countywide sales tax

Two Lawrence school board members say they’re unwilling to throw in the towel on a half-cent countywide sales tax for education.

“I don’t think the sales tax is a dead horse,” said first-year board member Rich Minder.

But business leaders have speculated the tax can’t gain voter approval.

Board member Linda Robinson said a sales tax would be a short-term solution and that the tax could be structured to expire after three years.

“It’s a three-year, short-term fix to get us through the crisis,” Robinson said.

The Lawrence, Eudora and Baldwin school districts are working with the Douglas County Commission to gain authorization from the Kansas Legislature for a public vote on a half-cent sales tax.

If passed by voters in 2004, it could provide $5.8 million annually for districts serving Douglas County children.

Kansas University

Finals week begins

The stress level for thousands of Kansas University students went up a few notches on Monday, the first day of final examinations for the fall semester.

Finals run through Friday at KU. Residence halls will remain open until 11 p.m. Friday.

One graduate recognition ceremony remains for the fall. The school of law will have its hooding ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday in Woodruff Auditorium at the Kansas Union.