IN 1977 – After a three-hour, closed-door session that was termed “frank, open and very productive,” Lawrence city manager Buford Watson was given a vote of confidence by the Lawrence City Commission. The occasion had been the annual evaluation of the manager and the city staff.

The costs of benefits by employees in county government continued to mount, and the commission was studying ways to cut the upswings.

Many Douglas County farmers said they would increase their soybean plantings to take advantage of a recent price rise to around $9 a bushel. A number were plowing under wheat and going to beans because of the weak price structure of wheat and the boom in beans.

Leaden skies promised badly needed rain for the Lawrence area, but only .02 of an inch of moisture resulted during a harsh windstorm.

Legislation establishing a guaranteed student loan program in Kansas had the potential to substantially increase the number of students receiving financial aid, according to Jerry Rogers, director of aid at Kansas University.

The KU Student Senate said it hoped to discover other sources of financing for the women’s athletic program in addition to the more than $54,000 allocated by the Senate.

IN 1962 – Springtime was having a difficult time getting a toehold in Lawrence. Lows kept dipping below freezing, and daytime highs had difficulty pushing beyond 50 degrees. There was, of course, the traditional “forecasters'” remark: “You can be sure we’ll have plenty of rain soon with the Kansas Relays just around the corner.”

Most local Christian churches had combined for Union Holy Week services in preparation for Easter. It was the largest list of participating churches on record, some for all time.

Freezing temperatures were due with the mercury expected to drop to as low as 25 degrees after there had been earlier prospects for several days in the 80s. The weather’s April Fool joke was running a bit late.

IN 1902 – On April 16, 1902, the Lawrence Journal said: “Prize fights are fizzling out. This is not because the fighting are afraid to fight; it’s because the fools who put up money to see the scraps are either dead or broke.”