Local briefs

Federal official to meet with parents of disabled

Parents of children with emotional disabilities are invited to meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today with Robert Pasternack, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitation services at the U.S. Department of Education, at the Camp Grange Conference Center near Perry Lake.

For directions, call Corrie Edwards at (785) 554-1431.

Pasternack’s visit is part of a conference sponsored by Keys for Networking, an advocacy group for parents and families with mentally and physically disabled children.

Much of the meeting is expected to focus on area school districts’ efforts in caring for emotionally disturbed children.

Seasons: Time to fall back, check smoke-detector batteries

The annual October switch from daylight-saving time to standard time is also a good time to put a fresh battery in your smoke detector, according to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical officials.

Clocks should be set back an hour at bedtime tonight in preparation for the official time change at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Safety officials use this opportunity to remind people to check smoke-detector batteries and replace them as necessary.

Make a difference day: Youths collecting winter clothing donations

The Youth Volunteer Council will celebrate Make a Difference Day by collecting winter clothing from 9 a.m. to noon today at the Community Drop In Center, 214 W. 10th St.

Council members will be on the center’s porch collecting hats, coats, mittens and gloves for shelters that serve low-income and homeless people in Douglas County.

To donate, go to the center and look for people with pink signs, or call the Roger HIll Volunteer Center at 865-5030 for other collection times.