City approves Menards store next to Home Depot at 31st and Iowa streets

It is the McDonald's syndrome. The industry leader does the market research and determines a viable location. Then, the rest just follow. You know, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, etc.. Always grouped right together.

Look at the Topeka locations (maybe Manhattan, too) and you will see the same thing. In that case, Lowe's was first, as I recall, and then Home Depot just down the hill and now, Menard's up the hill. Sutherland's, a truly family-operated business, is across town. There is less hassle and less congestion.

Sure wish Lowe's had gotten the approval out west. Plus, they modified that little Wal-Mart into a narrow line of business. (Of course, the big Wal-Mart is out of what I go after about 40% of the time. )

It is pretty crazy to have a regional distribution center and no retail K-Mart in town.

June 19, 2013 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence gas station owner gets caught up in national battle with Big Oil over future of ethanol

Alcohol is a corrosive fuel. I was surprised to learn that it is blended into the fuel at most gasoline stations WITHOUT telling the consumer. know there are a few stations around that advertise something to the effect of "pure gasoline." That's what I always thought I was buying unless I bought the mid-grade stuff that jacks up the octane, but drops the mileage, witht he addition of ethanol. Yes, it does increase food costs - a greater problem globally where starvation is a daily reality. And, it also takes traditional fossil fuel to produce. If my memory is correct, it takes more than a gallon of fossil fuel to produce a gallon of the ethanol. The government subsidizes it, so when it gets sneaklly included in your regular unleaded fuel, there's a kickback to station owners. KS law allows up to 10% without labeling. How about truth in advertising?

If you have had trouble with your small engines - like the primer bulb rotting out and leaking - the ethanol is the culprit. It seems like such a good idea until all the evidence is on the table.

June 15, 2013 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Teachers reach contract agreement with Lawrence district

Probably for the same reason teachers stay in theirs. A sense of making a difference, a calling, a passion, call it what you like. There are other rewards than money.

June 14, 2013 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Teachers reach contract agreement with Lawrence district

As a matter of fact, to satisfy KRichards, I did take a pay cut - of 50%. And I have had no raise in over 5 years.

Having served on a school board, some of you who talk as though you understand this, don't. "Funds in place" are tax dollars, collected as the result of already levied taxes. If there are increases each year, rolled into the base, increases are granted on the increases. And that makes the levying of higher taxes necessary.

Teaching is not as poorly paid as it once was and as the teacher's unions want us to perceive their profession to be. And of course, there is summer . . . during which there is freedom to work on advanced degrees, on another job, or on not much at all. And 85 and out retirement. And health insurance that really pays for something. Folks, it isn't a bad deal.

I just wonder if there's anything left for the non-certified staff? You know, the ones working for subsistence wages.

June 14, 2013 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Mock funeral crowd mourns ‘death’ of Kansas

What a circus. Not sure why they put up with a ringmaster like Josh Longbottom. This is supposed to be a church. As a few have noted, it is clearly politically active, as much so as any conservative group tryng to energize the religous right base to vote. THe Bible records Jesus as saying, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's," in reference to paying taxes. There's a shell game being played in Topeka as to how and from whom tax revenues will be collected. It is crazy, I know, but this is ridiculous behavior.

June 10, 2013 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Have electronic medical records worked as advertised?

Electronic charting increases time spent on paper work. toe is precisely on point: governmental takeover of the health care system is coming and quick access is what they need to pull it off.

June 9, 2013 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence man charged with stealing motorist's eyeglasses in road rage incident

It would be petty theft if eyeglasses didn't cost 10X what they ought to; they ought to arrest the optometrist or optician every time they gouge somebody for $500 for what shout only cost $50.

June 9, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Good point(s): A look at best point guards in Bill Self era

6 faces, 7 names?

June 3, 2013 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Wichita might fine residents over use of water

Don't you people know anything? Money makes everything right. Just ask any governmental agency, court, hospital, doctor's office. Or, the lack of money makes everything wrong. Someone with a hung up toilet tank flapper could get into this. And I thought it was bad when a plumber charged an elderly fried $70 to come out and put the $2.50 rubbler flapper in the tank.

Come to think of it - you can't get water out of money. This might call for a rethinking of the whole plan

May 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chase near Tonganoxie ends with one man taken into custody

Yep. Car chase and flying bullets over a traffic stop. Doesn't make sense when considered from a public safety standpoint.

May 24, 2013 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )