Fire destroys barn west of Lecompton

An early-morning fire Friday destroyed a barn and five Harley-Davidson motorcycles stored there, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department said.

Lecompton and Kanwaka Township firefighters responded to the blaze about 3 a.m. at 1938 E. 175 Road, about 5 miles west of Lecompton. Tim Kilburn was living at a residence on the property according to a sheriff’s spokeswoman.

Also damaged or destroyed in the fire was a skidloader and a camper-trailer. A calf died in the blaze.

Neither a cause for the fire nor damage estimates had been determined late Friday.

Police test computer program to share crime information

Lawrence Police think they now have a computer program that will provide neighborhood groups with information on crime and nuisance problems.

Police Chief Ron Olin met this week at City Hall with neighborhood representatives from the Centennial Neighborhood Assn. to discuss the new program.

Developed by the department’s own computer technicians, the program separates the information neighborhood groups want from the police intelligence information that isn’t for public consumption.

A sample neighborhood report prepared by the police showed where parking, noise and other problems had occurred.

“We know that initially it will be imperfect, but it will be better than nothing,” said Arly Allen, a Centennial neighborhood resident. “Eventually we’ll get to the point where I think this will really help us.”

Area city councils list meeting agenda items

The Eudora and Tonganoxie city councils will discuss roads and building permits and wastewater treatment plants, respectively, at their Monday meetings.

The Eudora City Council will consider approving a request to add a wheelchair ramp and steps on the city sidewalk in front of Quilting Bits & Pieces, 736 Main St. The council also will discuss building permits and bids for improvements to Winchester Road. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

In Tonganoxie, city council members will consider approving a contract with BG Consultants, Lawrence, to start the design work for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant. The estimated $2.3 million project includes upgrades and expansion to the existing plant, which has not received major renovations since the late 1970s.

The Tonganoxie meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.