Fireworks signs stolen

Less than a week after they were installed around town, nearly half the signs reminding Lawrence residents of a new fireworks ban have been stolen.

Lisa Patterson, the city’s communications coordinator, said Wednesday that eight of the 18 signs — each saying “Fireworks prohibited in city” — had been taken.

“They were just put out on Thursday,” she said. “They were cool signs. I’m sure people were attracted to them, and unfortunately, they’re gone.”

She said the signs cost $50 each. The city was evaluating replacement and means of securing the signs to make theft more difficult.

Government

Today is official end to legislative session

Topeka — The 2003 Legislature will meet today to officially end its business.

The Legislature adjourned May 7, but as is custom, it will meet one more day before concluding the session.

Usually the final meeting — called “sine die,” which is Latin and means “without day” — is a brief, simple ending with many legislators returning to Topeka to clean out their desks and offices.

But sometimes issues emerge, such as attempts to override gubernatorial vetoes or the need to quickly reconsider bills that had been approved earlier but contained errors.

Offices of both House and Senate leaders said they didn’t expect any major business to come before the Legislature today.

Public comment

Sesquicentennial group seeks input on plaza

The Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission wants to know what residents think about a proposed amphitheater and plaza to mark the city’s 150th birthday in 2004.

The commission will meet from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. today to get comment as it puts together a legacy project for the sesquicentennial.

The meeting will be at the proposed amphitheater site. The site is north of the off-leash dog park and east of Clinton Lake. To find it, take Clinton Parkway east to Dam Road and turn left. Turn left from Dam Road onto East 902 Road and left again onto the road that goes by the dog park. Turn left into the proposed amphitheater area.

Crime

Gun incident on road leads to one arrest

Ottawa — A Williamsburg man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman while driving along Interstate 35.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office gave the following account:

Shortly before 7 a.m., a 28-year-old Kansas City, Mo., woman used a cell phone to call sheriff’s dispatchers. She said a man driving a pickup truck pointed a handgun at her several times while they were driving side by side north on I-35 near an Ottawa exit.

At 7:07 a.m., the truck was stopped on I-35 near Gardner by Johnson County Sheriff’s officers and Gardner Police, who were assisted by Franklin County officers. A BB handgun found in the vehicle was confiscated. The 36-year-old suspect was arrested; charges are pending. A 35-year-old Franklin County man and an 8-year-old boy who were in the truck were not detained.

Officers said the suspect told them he was upset because the woman cut him off in traffic.

No shots were fired, and no one was injured.