IN 1978 – The City Commission met with representatives of Kansas Public Service Co., the local natural gas supplier, and were told that all “reasonable precautions” were being taken to ensure against gas explosions. The report was made by William Salome, vice president and general manager for the gas company, and Olin Petefish, the firm’s attorney. The report was requested after a past Dec. 15 explosion and fire traced to a natural gas leak had destroyed a building at 747 Mass. The incident killed two men living in apartments on the upper floors. The loss figure had been set at $350,000.

IN 1963 – A parking violation crackdown during 1962 had led to the issuance of more than 50,000 tickets in Lawrence, nearly 140 a day on a 365-day basis. Fines totaled nearly $16,000 and a number of citizens had complained about the stringent enforcement policy. Many, however, felt the city was helped by cutting down on improper parking.

IN 1903 – From the Lawrence Daily World of Jan. 26, 1903: “Lawrence seems to be treating many of its fine businessmen badly, by allowing so many of them to be struck by illness and incapacitated for long periods. Nobody is sure what is causing all the medical problems. …

“The English Lutherans held impressive installation exercises at their church, formally inducting Rev. Stauffer into the office of pastor. Rev. Altman and Rev. Yarger were in charge. …

“There were seventy people from the grade schools in the city who completed their work and this week entered the high school. In Topeka, the custom prevails of holding regular mid-winter commencements for such children. In Lawrence, those who pass at the end of the first term are left out all the way through and miss a ceremony by half a year.”