Fritzel has made $50,000 payment related to Varsity House settlement with city, officials confirm

Another slap on the wrist. It was just the cost of doing business for Fritzel as he made far more on the apt. complex than the $50,000 fine.

June 14, 2013 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU to choose among internal candidates for new vice provost job

By filling the job internally, you keep the same mindset. An outsider can bring a new perspective and possible innovations. Bad idea to fill the job internally.

June 14, 2013 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

40 years ago: 'Kaw Valley Potato King' dies

Well, the Potato King of the World was a black man who farmed near Edwardsville, KS in the Kaw Valley.

Groves, Junius George (1859-1925)

Junius G. Groves, a successful, self-educated farmer, landowner, and entrepreneur, became one of the most prosperous African American men in the early twentieth century. He was born enslaved on April 12, 1859 in Green County, Kentucky. His parents were Martin Groves and Mary Anderson Groves. Two decades later, as a freedman possessing ninety cents, Groves made his way to eastern Kansas during the time of the Exoduster Movement of ex-slaves from the South. Groves began farming by sharecropping near Edwardsville, Kansas. In 1880, he married Matilda E. Stewart of Kansas City, Missouri. Within a few years, they began purchasing their own land.
Much of Groves' success was due to his forty-six years of devotion to the science of agriculture. He earned the title “Potato King of the World” in 1902 for growing the most bushels of potatoes per acre than anyone else in the world up to that point in time. The couple's twelve surviving children (out of fourteen births) helped with the farm and family holdings.

Besides producing potatoes on his own farms, Groves, by 1900, bought and shipped potatoes, fruits and vegetables extensively throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The family also owned and operated a general merchandise store in Edwardsville, possessed stock in mines in Indian Territory and Mexico, stock in Kansas banks, and majority interest in the Kansas City Casket and Embalming Company. Junius Groves co-founded the State Negro Business League and later served as its President. He also founded the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Society in 1886. He was also elected secretary of the Kaw Valley Potato Association in 1890 and Vice President of the Sunflower State Agricultural Association in 1910 as well as a cofounder of both organizations in those years.

Junius Groves surpassed financial parity with most whites in contemporary Kansas and in the process combated racism by example and by providing economic opportunities to blacks and whites with a particular emphasis on uplifting his race. During the busy farming season, for example, Groves employed up to fifty mostly black laborers. He founded Groves Center, an African American community near Edwardsville in the early 1900s. He also established a golf course for African Americans, perhaps the first in the United States.

Junius Groves was one of the wealthiest African Americans in the nation by the first decade of the 20th Century. His holdings were estimated to be worth $80,000 in 1904 and $300,000 by 1915. The Groves family mansion, a 22-room brick home, complete with electric lights, two telephones, and hot and cold running water in all of the bedrooms, was the largest in the area and had its own railroad spur. Junius Groves died in Edwardsville in 1925.

Contributor:
•Anders, Tisa M.
Independent Historian

June 13, 2013 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Local radio executive launches Lawrence Internet radio station that plays '70s, '80s, '90s pop hits

It would be great to have a community radio station again. I fondly recall KAW-FM. Now, I have to listen to KKFI-FM in KCMO. Still, I wonder how viable radio is over the long term. Lots of competition these days from Pandora, IPODs, satellite radio, etc. Now you can even get Pandora in your car.

June 13, 2013 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Man convicted of killing Lawrence boy in 1988 up for parole this month

I remember that case and remember seeing the guy walking regularly in the downtown area. He cut the boy up into little pieces because the boy refused to have sex with him. We need to buy some islands in the Pacific and put people like him on it and leave them there for life.

June 6, 2013 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Homeless count numbers show few changes in Douglas County

Since it has been definitely confirmed that so many homeless are flocking in from KC and Topeka, a residency requirement for those who want services is appropriate. Lawrence taxpayers and donors shouldn't have to support nonresidents. Ater all, KU students have to prove residency to get in-state tuition. I say they must have resided in Lawrence for three years or more to access services such as a bed at the shelter.

June 5, 2013 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence mother searching for 17-year-old son, missing since May 7

Below are some unfortunate statistics concerning runaways:

All statistics listed on this page come from peer-reviewed journals and federal studies.

Prevalence of runaways

Between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away in a year.

Youth aged 12-17 are at higher risk for homelessness than adults.


Motivations for running away

47% of runaway / homeless youth indicated that conflict between them and their parent or guardian was a major problem. 5 *

Over 50% of youth in shelters and on the streets reported that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving but did not care. 6

80% of runaway and homeless girls reported having ever been sexually or physically abused. 34% of runaway youth (girls and boys) reported sexual abuse before leaving home and forty-three percent of runaway youth (girls and boys) reported physical abuse before leaving home. 7

Childhood abuse increases youths' risk for later victimization on the street. Physical abuse is associated with elevated risk of assaults for runaway and homeless youth, while sexual abuse is associated with higher risk of rape for runaway and homeless youth. 7

June 3, 2013 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City refuses to change local law to comply with state law allowing concealed carry of knives

Since it was a 40-0 vote in the Senate, that means that our Senator Marc Francisco voted for it! Why?

May 29, 2013 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Oklahoma City tornado sparks discussion of building code standards at Lawrence City Hall

In a related matter, I hope all of the taller buildings have lightning rods. I know KU didn't until Hoch Auditorium burned.

May 22, 2013 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commissioner wants state to revoke nightclub's liquor license

It all starts in childhood. That's why need to have parenting classes in high school and give an incentive to parents who who successfully complete parenting classes. Parents as Teachers can help as well. We also need to return the WRAP therapists to the grade schools so they can help disturbed students BEFORE they become a problem.

May 22, 2013 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )