Dating service sued for more than $1.1 million

Atty. Gen. Phill Kline’s Consumer and Antitrust Division has sued a dating service with offices in Wichita and Overland Park, seeking more than $1.1 million for alleged violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and Kansas No-Call Act.

Valentine Wichita and Valentine Kansas City, both doing business as Great Expectations, are charged with more than 100 violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and eight violations of the no-call list.

One allegation involves a Salina woman with cerebral palsy to whom the company allegedly billed charges totaling $14,864.14. It also allegedly charged $4,160 to the credit card of a Haysville woman with clinical depression and anxiety disorders after the woman told the company she could not afford the services.

Conference

Pharmacy school event to focus on minorities

Recruiting more minority students will be the topic of a conference this week at the Kansas University pharmacy school.

On Thursday and Friday, eight faculty members from predominantly minority universities from across the country will tour KU’s facilities and learn about the degree programs offered. Three members of the pharmacy school’s Graduate Minority Council, comprised of alumni from the pharmacy school’s graduate programs, also will attend.

Faculty plan to discuss research projects, potential collaborations and how to recruit more minority students to the pharmacy field.

Fund-raiser

Bowling event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County is seeking bowlers for its annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fund-raiser. All proceeds benefit the organization, which pairs community volunteers and children for mentoring.

Bowling teams consist of five to six friends, co-workers or family members who raise pledges through a flat donation or per-pin pledge.

Sessions are at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 at Royal Crest Lanes, Ninth and Iowa streets. Participants in the fund-raiser will receive food, beverages and prizes.

To register, visit www.dgbfks.kintera.org, call the office at 843-7359 or send e-mail to douglascounty@ksbbbs.org.

Weather delays bridge reconstruction

Two bridges over the Kansas Turnpike originally scheduled to close today will remain open until Feb. 23, according to the Kansas Turnpike Authority.

The bridge on East 300 Road in Douglas County and Stubbs Road in Shawnee County won’t be closed today because of recent wet and cold weather.

When the bridges are closed later this month they will be rebuilt as part of a reconstruction and widening project on the turnpike. They will be closed for about six months, officials said.