Serving Kansas City (Wyandotte County) Kansas for over 50 years!
Two Kansas City, Kansas, students recently graduated from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas.
They are McKenzie Rae Dick, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; and Jessica Cheyanne Rymer, Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science.
A total of 131 students from Ottawa University’s Kansas residential campus were presented with their degrees May 11 during the 154th commencement ceremony, which was held in the Fredrikson Chapel on the OU campus.
Views
Opinion column
by Murrel Bland
Delia Garcia knows how important having a qualified workforce is to a business. She grew up and worked in a family restaurant, Connie’s Mexico Café in Wichita. She also learned the importance of good customer service.
Garcia was the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Congressional Forum Friday, May 17, at Children’s Mercy Park. The Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the forum.
Gov. Laura Kelly appointed Garcia as Kansas secretary of labor earlier this year. The Kansas Senate confirmed the appointment 38-1.
Garcia, 42, served in the Kansas House from 2005 until 2010, representing the 103rd District in Wichita. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wichita State University and a Master of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas. She also worked as a professor at Butler County Community College, El Dorado, Kansas. She was a member of the Kansas Democratic Caucus.
The Kansas Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, employment standards and industrial health and safety. The agency also records statistics for the state of Kansas labor market, keeping tract of employment and unemployment data, noting information by industry and wages. Labor force needs also are forecast.
Garcia said her agency also works with the Kansas departments of commerce and education to help assure that there is an adequate and well-trained workforce. She also said she works with the Department of Corrections to help train those who are incarcerated.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.
Burglary reported
An aggravated burglary was reported Saturday in the 3100 block of North 124th, according to a social media post by the police chief.
A suspect allegedly entered the house, took a vehicle’s keys, ran into the garage door and fled on foot, according to the report.
Battery case reported
An aggravated domestic battery case was reported Saturday at 54th and Swartz Road, according to a social media post by the police chief.
As an officer was trying to take the suspect into custody, the suspect knocked the officer to the ground and tried to flee. The officer was holding on and was dragged by the suspect, according to the report. The officer had minor injuries. The suspect was found later with a handcuff on.
Choking case reported
A victim reported that her boyfriend had tried to choke her on Sunday, according to a social media note by the police chief.
According to the report, the victim had marks on her neck. Police took a suspect into custody.