Regents OK budget of Med Center facility

Kansas University Medical Center on Thursday received permission to increase the budget and bonding authority for its proposed ambulatory care facility from $42 million to $53 million, an increase of more than 25 percent.

The Kansas Board of Regents gave its blessing to the increased cost. Earlier this week, the proposal had been approved by the House-Senate building committee.

The increased cost is due to inflation, material shortages and the need for more detailed planning for the 216,000 square-foot facility, officials said.

Officials said they hope to have the building completed in 2008. It will serve as a physician center, bringing numerous outpatient clinics around the Kansas City, Kan., campus into one location.

Kansas University

Black alumni events set for this weekend

Members of the Kansas University Black Alumni Organization and Black Faculty and Staff Council will gather this weekend for a series of events in Lawrence.

The events kick off from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. today with a reception for Black Alumni Organization members at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, 145 Strong Hall.

A “professional career preparation” event will follow from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Governor’s Room in the Kansas Union. The event provides alumni a chance to meet with KU students.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council for black fraternities and sororities will host its annual step show from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Lied Center. Reunion events will conclude with a dance beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

For more events, contact Tony Daniels at 864-7928, Marshall Jackson at 864-4064 or Teresa Clounch at 864-2800.

Community

Earth Day parade slated for Saturday

Area residents will have a chance to celebrate Earth Day with a parade through downtown Lawrence on Saturday.

The 5th Annual Earth Day Parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. at the north end of Massachusetts Street and will travel to South Park.

Rides on the T, the city’s public transportation system, will be free all day as part of the festivities.

People interested in participating in the parade can register at no cost by calling 843-0103 or by e-mail at paradefortheearth@lawrenceks.org.

Gaming

Lawrence family wins third lottery jackpot

Steven Bucia just might be the luckiest man in Lawrence.

On April 19, he won $20,000 from a $2 Bonus Crossword Kansas Lottery ticket he bought at the Lawrence Food Mart, 3300 W. Sixth St.

It’s a nice prize to be sure, but it’s not the nicest Bucia has won. His recent win is his third major haul from the lottery. In 1988, he won a new car in a Kansas Lottery promotion, and in 1995 he split $100,000 with a co-worker after they picked five correct numbers in a Powerball drawing.

Bucia credits Susie, his wife of 28 years, for his good luck. The Bucias have four daughters and four grandchildren. Bucia said he planned to pay some bills with the money from his recent win and that he may take his wife on a trip.