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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2005
STATE
Judge delays trial of Westar execs
TOPEKA — A federal judge has delayed the second trial of two former Westar Energy Inc. executives, pending outcome of an appeal filed with the 10th U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver to disqualify the judge.
U. S. District Judge Julie Robinson issued an order Saturday delaying the scheduled May 9 trial of David Wittig and Douglas Lake, who are accused of looting Kansas' largest electric utility. Wittig, Westar's former CEO, and Lake, former chief strategy officer, have asked the federal appeals court to reverse a decision by Robinson to retain jurisdiction over the second trial.
Robinson said that the public interest would be harmed by the stay, but the potential for "irreparable damage to all parties" outweighed that concern.
The Associated Press
NATION
Target to restrict sale of medications
ST. PAUL, Mn. — Discount retailer Target Corp. will no longer allow unfettered access to cold medicines that are used to make the illegal stimulant methamphetamine.
Target stores nationwide will pull many cold, allergy and cough remedies from their regular shelves and sell them only from pharmacy counters, the Minneapolis-based company announced yesterday.
The restrictions apply to all over-the-counter drugs containing pseudoephedrine, including children's medicines, tablets, liquids and gel-caps, spokeswoman Carolyn Brookter said. Pseudoephedrine is a key ingredient for meth, which can be made in makehift labs.
The products won't be sold at all by about 300 Target stores that don't have pharmacies. Target operates 1,330 stores in 47 states and is the nation's second largest discount retailer after Wal-Mart.
Brookter said the shift was in response to a growing number of state and local restrictions on the sale of the medications.
The Associated Press
BUSINESS
Bookstores trying to lure students
Stores look to attract business all year-round
BY ADAM LAND
aland@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The Burge Union Bookstore is emptier than the management would like it, said Tim Norris, director of the Burge and Kansas Union Bookstores.
"The Burge Bookstore does well during book buying times," Norris said. "We want to know why students don't come in as much during the rest of the year."
Although business has fallen, the Burge Bookstore will not close any time soon, Norris said.
Competition and location may have something to do with the bookstore's low numbers.
People do not come in yearround and management is looking for new ways to regenerate business.
Declining numbers have led Norris and other managers to look at other options to bring in more students.
The students who do frequent the store often do so because of its close proximity.
"I went there when I was a freshman in the dorms," said Aimee Collier, Overland Park junior. "I haven't been there since. I always go to the Kansas Union."
Illustration by Geoff Young/KANSAN
The Burge Bookstore will put
up signs to advertise and will hold a free event next August called Burge Fest, Norris said. He said the event could possibly include live music acts.
Decisions on how to stay ahead of one another are not as drastic as a lot of other businesses, said Toni Retonde, manager of Jayhawk Bookstore, 1420 Crescent Rd.
Good customer service keeps some students coming back, but sales and sponsorship keep the business names out there year-round, she said.
"We strive to have the best customer service and our customers have come to expect that," Retonde said. "Students remember things like that."
Sidewalk sales help to move merchandise and give the business a good name. Norris said.
"We do sidewalk sales to get our name out amongst the students," Norris said. "Plus, we can give a good deal to the students who attend."
Sales help, but sponsorship helps customers see the name easier. Retonde said.
Both University Book Shop, 1116 W. 23rd St., and Jayhawk Bookstore also sponsor different events to help get their name out.
Although retail merchandise is a significant portion of revenue, book sales equate into a lot of money, said Kristin Vickers, manager of University Book Shop.
All the bookstores seek to bring in students outside of their normal clientele. Whether by having a good location, or providing sales or sponsoring summer events, all the stores seek to glean the most from the student cash cow.
Edited by Lori Bettes
What is your favorite bookstore and why?
"I like the University Book Shop because they have the lowest prices and have the highest buybacks."
Justin Kaplan, Leawood senior
"I guess I like University Book Shop because it is closest to my house."
Lauren Pearce,
Lawrence freshman
"I love Jayhawk — they have the best customer service and I'm in there almost every day for one thing or another."
"I don't really have a favorite. I go to the one that is closest to wherever I am."
Elizabeth Mayhood, Neodesha sophomore
Trey Allen, Wichita junior
STATE
Gov. Sebelius signs new legislation
TOPEKA — Criminals preying on children will face harsh penalties under a new law signed yesterday by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
The governor also signed legislation protecting disabled
All the new laws go into effect July 1. The proposals combatting child predators and abuse of the disabled were advocated by Attorney General Phil Kline.
Kansans from abuse in hospitals, mental health centers or group homes, and banned racial profiling by law enforcement officials.
"We have an absolute duty
to protect our children and that means putting child predators and child pornographers behind bars," Sebelius said in a statement.
The penalty for indecent solicitation of a child under age 14 was increased, which in many cases would mean prison rather than probation for those convicted of the crime.
Under the new law, prosecu
tors will be able to charge those possessing child pornography with a crime for each image.
The new law also extends the statute of limitations for most felonies and misdemeanors from two years to five years.
"If police and prosecutors need more time to build a case, they should get it," Sebelius said.
Disabled Kansans would
receive greater protection from the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services under another new law.
It would give SRS authority to seek a court order to shut down any private psychiatric hospital or any facility for the mentally disabled that's operating without a license.
Carl Manning/ The Associated Press
Backpacks to Briefcases
"Great Expectations" Alumni Panel
Wednesday, April 20 Adams Alumni Center 5-7 p.m.
Lots of door prizes and free food! Don't miss it!
Join us for this "Backpack to Briefcase" seminar brought to you by the Kansas Alumni Association and Career Services. This event will feature mini-sessions on networking, financial planning, workplace realities and ethics. These sessions will be followed by an alumni panel from various backgrounds and occupations.
Kansas Alumni Association
www.kualumni.org
SUDAN CALL TO ACTION PROJECT
A THOUSAND CIVILIANS ARE MURDERED DAILY. LEARN HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. APRIL 12TH, 19TH, 21ST 7 PM IN THE MARKET DINING AREA 3RD FLOOR, KANSAS UNION
JOIN CC0'S LETTER WRITING EFFORT TO INFORM OUR LEADERS.
Center for community Outreach/405 Kansas Union/(785) 864-4073/cco@ku.edu/www.ku.edu/~cco
Apply for a service position with next year's CCO board
Stop by the CCO office to for any of these positions.
> CO-DIRECTOR
> FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
> COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
> TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
> PROGRAM COORDINATOR
APPLICATION DEADLINES Co-Director - April 15th Director - April 22nd Coordinator - April 22nd
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