Development

ECO2 to present case to county commission

Members of ECO2 wrapped up their more than two years of compromising efforts Thursday, but committee members know that the real work of forging a land-use coalition is only just beginning.

Next month, ECO2 leaders will ask Douglas County commissioners to appoint a new eight-member committee to carry on the groupâÂÂs efforts to develop business parks and preserve open space in the county.

Members of the current ECO2, appointed by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, met for the last time Thursday and settled on eight names to nominate for inclusion on the new group, said Kelvin Heck, outgoing ECO2 chairman.

Heck declined to disclose the names, but did say that some of the current groupâÂÂs members would be nominated to serve on the next committee âÂÂfor some continuity.âÂÂ

Heck said the ECO2 presentation could be considered by the commission as early as Dec. 2.

Community

Fire victims receiving more than enough help

Friends, neighbors, businesses and other Lawrence residents apparently have provided more than enough goods and assistance for families who lost their belongings in WednesdayâÂÂs fire at Edgewood Homes.

Inundated by the outpourings of help, officials at Lawrence Public Housing AuthorityâÂÂs resident services office are recommending people send any additional donations to local assistance agencies such as the Ballard Center or ECKAN so the donations can be used to help other misfortunate residents.

Resident services still will take cash donations or store gift cards for the victims so they can purchase specific items that they need, officials said.

Tuesday night, the Douglas County chapter of the American Red Cross put the Edgewood fire victims up in the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive, and provided meals.

On Wednesday two of the three families who lost apartments received keys to new Edgewood Homes apartments, and the third family received keys Thursday, housing officials said.

Accident

KU freshman critical after car-bus wreck

A Kansas University freshman was in critical condition Thursday night at KU Med, Kansas City, Kan., where he was taken after a car and bus collision Wednesday night.

Jason Barker, Wichita, was driving a car southbound on Iowa Street when the car struck the back of a touring bus that was turning east onto University Drive, Lawrence Police said.

Barker had to be extricated from the vehicle.

A passenger in the car, Jasjivan S. Dhaliwal, a KU freshman from Burr Ridge, Ill., was taken by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released.