County commission to reconvene Monday

The Douglas County Commission is scheduled to reconvene Monday with all three members for the first time in two months.

During the meeting, set for 9 a.m. at the county courthouse, 1100 Mass., commissioners will consider:

Approving an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for inspection of bridge hinge pins on the Kansas River bridge at Lecompton.

Refinancing $15.8 million in county debt.

Annexations of city park land.

Acquiring equipment for emergency communications.

The possibility of temporarily prohibiting building permits along minimum-maintenance roads.

Replacing two computers.

Weather: County’s burn ban lifted

Douglas County’s burn ban has been canceled.

The ban, imposed by County Commission Chairman Jere McElhaney, had been scheduled to continue through Friday, but after rains Saturday, it was lifted.

“Commissioner McElhaney felt since there had been additional rain with cooler temperatures and a forecast for more rain, the ban wasn’t necessary,” said Paula Phillips, Douglas County emergency management director.

Above, runners in Saturday morning’s Unity Run at Free State High School brave the rain and lightning.

The ban, which prohibited fires and carelessly disposing of burning materials, had been in effect since Aug. 9.

Crime: Authorities identify body as Gardner resident

Kansas City, Mo. Police are investigating the death of a Johnson County, Kan., woman found in a van at a Salvation Army as a homicide.

The woman was identified Friday as Terry M. Ocasio, 36. Police said she lived outside Gardner.

Authorities did not release a cause of death.

A Salvation Army employee found the woman’s body about 9 a.m. Thursday while checking one of the charity’s parking lots east of downtown, police said. The employee tried to wake the woman, but found no signs of life.