Beating reported outside downtown bar

A Lawrence man was severely beaten by a group of men early Friday morning after he left a downtown bar, the victim’s sister said.

The 28-year-old victim was attacked about 1:30 a.m. after leaving Replay Lounge, 946 Mass., where he had been with friends, said his sister, Lisa Hunt.

Hunt said her brother was attacked by up to four men outside the bar, beaten and left along the sidewalk. Lawrence Police and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical were called and the man was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Officers went to the scene on an initial report of a fight in progress, Police Lt. Ray Urbanek said. The victim “adamantly refused” to file a report and wouldn’t cooperate with police, Urbanek said.

Hunt said her brother planned to file a police report. She said he was treated at the hospital for a broken jaw, concussion and cuts and later released.

Hunt, who is from Oklahoma City, said her brother was gay and thought that may have been why he was attacked.

Salvation Army pushing Toy Shop, coat giveaway

The Salvation Army continues to accept applications to a program that provides low-income families with a place to obtain toys and clothes for their children.

Deadline to apply to the Toy Shop at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, which was opened in conjunction with Toys for Tots, is Friday.

“We have well over 100 families who will go through the Toy Shop,” Salvation Army Administrator Rich Forney said Thursday. “But we’ve got a lot of families that should be applying.”

The Salvation Army also is giving away winter coats, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today at 1525 W. Sixth St., Suite B in the Scotch Plaza.

For more information on either program, call the Salvation Army at 843-4188.

Events to benefit Humane Society

Treats for people and pets will be the fare at the Lawrence Humane Society’s second annual bake sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the shelter, 1805 E. 19th.

Baked goods include pies, cakes, cookies, candy, bread and dog biscuits, all provided by shelter volunteers, staff and supporters.

Santa also will help the Humane Society this weekend by posing for pictures from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the shelter. Professional photographer Homer Frank will photograph Santa with pets, children and adults. Pictures will come in two 4-by-6-inch glossy photographs with negatives for $10.

The society also will hold a raffle Sunday for a Christmas tree with stuffed animals or a quilt for suggested dollar donations. All proceeds from these events benefit the shelter.

For more information, call 843-6835.

KU unclassified staff lecture series begins

A Kansas University organization has started a lecture series for staff members.

The Unclassified Professional Staff Assn. Professional Development Lecture Series will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Jayhawk Room at the Kansas Union.

Kathryn Tuttle, director of the Freshman-Sophomore Advising Center, will speak about “Tales of ‘Harvard on the Kaw’: How Hogback Ridge became Mount Oread.” She also will discuss extraordinary female deans and faculty at KU.