Annual Sidewalk Sale to attract thousands

If history is an indicator, Downtown Lawrence will attract one of its biggest crowds of the year today when it stages its 31st annual Sidewalk Sale.

Maria Martin, co-director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. and owner of Southwest and More, estimated about 125 downtown stores would take part in the sale, and 20,000 people would browse for bargains. Merchants generally cut prices 30 percent to 70 percent.

Merchants warn that parking will be at a premium and traffic likely will be a bit slower throughout the day in the downtown area.

The sale officially runs from sunrise to sunset, but buying usually begins about 6 a.m. and continues until about 8 p.m.

Conservation: Water-saving efforts continue in Tonganoxie

Tonganoxie City officials have indefinitely extended a water conservation plan in response to declining levels in city water wells.

In early July, Tonganoxie officials asked residents to use an odd-even outdoor watering plan. Under that plan, residents whose addresses are odd would water only on odd-numbered dates, and residents whose addresses are even would water only on even-numbered dates. That plan will remain in effect indefinitely, City Administrator Shane Krull said.

The conservation plan is one step shy of an outright ban on outdoor watering.

Earlier this week, well levels dipped to about 9 feet from a normal range of 13 or 14 feet, said Kent Heskett, city water plant superintendent. If the level dips to 6 feet, the city can’t pump water.

Crime: Plea talks continue in case against priest

A Catholic priest charged with taking indecent liberties with a child is continuing to negotiate a plea bargain with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, a judge was told Wednesday.

The Rev. Dennis Schmitz, 41, and his attorney Steve Mirakian, asked Judge Michael Malone to set a preliminary hearing next month to see if a plea agreement can be reached.

Malone scheduled the preliminary hearing for 2 p.m. Aug. 14.

The charge against Schmitz states that he fondled a child 14 or 15 years old between June 1998 and May 1, 1999.

Schmitz lived and worked in Lawrence in the mid-1990s. He recruited college-age men for the priesthood.

Schmitz, who now lives in Marysville, also faces an indecent liberties charge in Nemaha County, where a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29.

Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.31 at Miller Mart, 19th Street and Haskell Avenue.

If you find a lower price, call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price.