DUI patrol in force tonight

Anyone who drinks and drives tonight runs an increased risk of encountering a law enforcement officer in Douglas County.

Five extra deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be on patrol looking primarily for drunken drivers, Sheriff Rick Trapp said.

In addition, the Kansas Highway Patrol is sending nine troopers to assist with the DUI patrols from its Roving Aggressive Violations Enforcement Unit, or R.A.V.E.

The officers and troopers will be patrolling from 11 p.m. today to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Last year the sheriff’s office received a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation to help pay for the extra on-duty personnel needed for DUI saturation patrols.

Police arrest transient for threatening people

A 52-year-old man was arrested by Lawrence Police about 2 a.m. Friday for threatening people with a knife in a downtown parking lot.

The man, described by police as a transient, had gone into Fatso’s, 1016 Mass., and had approached a woman about either getting a ride or using her cell phone, Det. Dave Anderson said.

Later, outside the bar in the parking lot in the 1000 block of New Hampshire Street, the man became angry because he didn’t get what he’d requested of the woman, Anderson said. The suspect became involved in a confrontation with several men and pulled a knife.

Police were called and the suspect was taken to the Douglas County Jail. He remained in jail on $5,000 bond Friday night. No information was available about possible charges.

Storm disaster assistance still available through FEMA

Though FEMA’s Traveling Disaster Recovery Team moved from the Douglas County area a few weeks ago, disaster assistance is still available.

Residents who live in the 35 declared Kansas counties and were affected by the severe ice storms that began Jan. 29 have until April 8 to register.

People who wish to register, have questions about assistance programs or want to check on the status of their application can call (800) 621-FEMA (3362) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those who are hearing- or speech-impaired can call TTY (800) 462-7585.

Disaster assistance programs include housing assistance, grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other programs, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for residential and business property.

More than 8,200 people have registered for state and federal assistance. Officials have approved $1.2 million in disaster grants for eligible applicants.

Retirement reception honors Presbyterian Manor director

A reception March 28 will honor the retiring executive director of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

The community is invited to the reception for Dorothy Devlin, who will step down after 20 years of service at the manor.

The festivities will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the manor, 1429 Kasold Drive.

Devlin has participated in Leadership Lawrence, served as a board chair for DCCCA and volunteered for various organizations in the community.

For those unable to attend the reception, cards may be sent to the manor to the attention of Judy Fabert. They will be presented to Devlin at the reception.

The manor is the only nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Lawrence.

Couple pledges funds to KU Business School

A Lawrence couple has pledged $200,000 in unrestricted funds to the Kansas University School of Business.

Dan and Sally Hare Schriner are both KU graduates. Dan Schriner received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1980 and received a master’s degree in business administration in 1981. He is a retired partner of Accenture, an investment advising firm, and now is a full-time artist who does weaving, woodworking and goldsmithing.

Sally Schriner, who received a bachelor’s degree in human development and family life, is a volunteer and advocate for children with learning disabilities.

Retirement reception planned for Bert Nash clinical director

A 29-year veteran of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center will step down at the end of this month.

A retirement reception for S. Douglas Witt, clinical director, will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 28 in the second-floor meeting rooms at the center, 200 Maine.

When Witt first started at the center in 1973, he was adult services director. He was promoted to program evaluator in 1981 and had various positions  including court services coordinator, children services director and outpatient services director  between 1983 and 1989.

He has been clinical director for the past four years.

Grant provides funding for new pumper truck

The Stranger Township Fire Department in Leavenworth County will get a new pumper truck, thanks to a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan to Leavenworth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative Inc.

The McLouth business will offer a zero-interest $160,000 loan to the fire department for the new truck, which will replace an older model and will meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Assn. The borrower is providing $40,000 toward the purchase. The fire district serves about 2,283 rural residents.

The USDA’s rural development program helps develop rural communities by administering programs designed to strengthen the economy and infrastructure of rural areas.

Rural Economic Development loans and grants are made to the program’s electric and telecommunications borrowers, who in turn relend the funds for projects that create new job opportunities and ensure the safety and security of rural citizens.