Government offices and public services in Lawrence will be closed today in observance of Independence Day.

They also will be closed in most area towns.

City offices in Ottawa, Tonganoxie, Baldwin, Oskaloosa, DeSoto and Eudora will be closed today. McLouth city offices will be closed today and Friday. County offices in Douglas, Jefferson and Leavenworth counties will be closed today only; Franklin County offices will be closed today and Friday.

Banks and liquor stores will be closed today.

Lawrence Bus Co. buses will not run regularly scheduled routes today. However, the Journal-World will sponsor free rides on Lawrence Bus Co. buses beginning about 5:50 p.m. today from downtown parking lots to Fourth of July festivities at Burcham Park, Third and Indiana streets.

The Lawrence Transit System will be closed Thursday. Neither the T nor T Lift will provide service.

City of Lawrence residential and commercial sanitation routes scheduled for today will be collected Friday.

To report a water or sewer emergency after business hours or during weekends or holidays, contact the Utilities Department at 843-2685.

Douglas County Senior Services will be closed today. All activities, including the Adult Day Program and the noon meal will be canceled today at the Lawrence Senior Center. Meals will not be served at the following meal sites: Babcock Place, Edgewood Place, Lecompton, Eudora and Baldwin. Meals will not be delivered to homes, and Bus 62 services will be canceled.

The Lawrence Public Library will be closed today.

Classes at Kansas University will not be conducted today. All KU offices and libraries will be closed.

The post office won’t make deliveries today. Express Mail deliveries will be made. UPS operations will close today for the holiday.

The circulation office at the Journal-World will be open for phone and walk-in business from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. today.

USA Today won’t be delivered today.