State board approves new science standards

"We've seen in the news lately, obviously with the IRS spying on us," [Allan Rothlisberg] said. "Why on Earth would we expect the (U.S.) Department of Education — which is not constitutionally authorized — to look out for our children? That's our responsibility."

First of all, you are NOT looking out for our children considering money the state is giving to the schools is, what, at 1993 levels? Which makes sense because everything still costs what it did twenty years ago. Second of all, the IRS isn't spying on us, the NSA is. Maybe that's just a slip of the tongue--so many scandals going on--but you could at least try to keep them all straight.

June 11, 2013 at 11:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawhorn's Lawrence: The hidden survivors of Quantrill's Raid

From what I've read, Quantrill and his men went south out of Lawrence and their next target was supposedly Baldwin but were chased away by Union soldiers three miles west of Baldwin and into Franklin County. The last thing they burned was the small town of Brooklyn and the last person they shot was Abraham Rothrock, who survived.

The Quantrill's Raid pamphlet available at the Visitor's Center is a great resource and offers a driving/walking tour of Lawrence and Douglas County.

June 9, 2013 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Cost estimates for Rock Chalk Park infrastructure come in about $3 million higher than expected; Self's foundation to make $2 million donation

Where else would you like donations to go? Lawrence and KC are mostly served by KU (you know, since the university and med center are there). I don't see big money donors from K-State donating money to Lawrence area opportunities. K-State is a KANSAS statewide school but they rarely spend a dime on things east of Topeka.

June 4, 2013 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sound Off: License tag renewal fee

The answer doesn't really solve the last half of the question. I thought the fee went to offset the cost of having the satellite branches open--so that people on the other side of Lawrence or in Baldwin didn't have to drive all the way to courthouse. The answer given seems to be a "we charge the money because we can" answer.

May 31, 2013 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City to flip the switch Wednesday on new traffic signal at 23rd and O'Connell; Sixth and Iowa intersection improvements delayed

In a few years East 23rd from Iowa to Noria won't be a multi-lane highway so your point will be moot. Sadly, no intersection is perfect because an intersection is only as good as the worst driver using it.

May 28, 2013 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Attempt to revive fire districts bill fails

So things that don't matter and cost the taxpayer more money are quickly pushed through without thought or regard but something that could help save lives is tossed aside. Makes sense to me.

May 18, 2013 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Departing commissioner urges debate on increasing pay of Lawrence city commissioners

I always figured the salary was low so as to keep people from becoming career politicians and claiming "city commissioner" as their job. Raising salaries up to $25-35,000 may convince some commissioner wannabe that they don't need to keep their day job after being elected. If salaries are going to be raised, I'd say at least to $12,000. At most, $15,000.

April 9, 2013 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City adds signs to South Park to highlight its history

It says in the article that Watson Park was originally known as Central Park. The "Train Park" is what people call it 1)because of the train and 2)they are too lazy to learn its real name.

April 9, 2013 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Library expansion bids come in below budget, allowing for coffee shop concept to be added back to project

REAL WORLD:
Library: We have more money than we need for this project, we can add some of those other things we were talking about like a coffee bar, nice tile and wood to make the lobby look better and a better acoustical ceiling.

Citizens: Why? Why don't you use that money to repay the bond and cut down on some interest, rabble, rabble, rabble!!

FANTASY WORLD:
Library: We have more money than we need for this project. We could add some of those things we had to remove but since we have the extra money we should pay back some of the bond.

**Five to seven years later**
Library: Due to requests of the patrons, we have decided to add some of the more requested things such as making the lobby more welcoming with tile and wood floors, a coffee bar and redoing the auditorium ceiling to have better acoustics.

Citizens: Why? Why didn't you do this when the library was originally built instead of wasting the money you have now? Why wasn't the ceiling made to have better acoustics in the beginning rabble, rabble, rabble!!

April 8, 2013 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas sets another record for concealed-carry permits

Interesting that you say Mother Jones is not "credible" even though the entire article is cited with sources like the New York Times, the Atlantic, National Institute of Justice, the FBI and National Institute of Health among many others.

April 4, 2013 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )