LMH sees record births

Lawrence Memorial Hospital handled a record number of births in 2003, officials said last week.

In all, 1,109 babies were born at the hospital last year. That’s up from a previous record of 1,076 in 2002, spokeswoman Belinda Rehmer said.

In 2001, 1,061 babies were born at the hospital.

Crime

Compensation fund helps beating victim

The state’s crime-victim compensation fund is helping pay the medical bills of a 21-year-old Mayetta man injured in a near-fatal beating March 10 at a North Lawrence motel.

The state-funded program, overseen by Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, gave $1,248 last month to KU Physicians Inc. and University of Kansas Hospital to help pay medical bills for Josh Greemore.

Greemore was beaten, bound, stabbed and left for dead at Riverfront Park after an attack at the Jayhawk Motel, 1004 N. Third St.

Five people from the Emporia area have been convicted in the case of charges ranging from aggravated battery to attempted murder.

Recognition

Reception to honor 4-H scholars, sponsors

The Douglas County 4-H Foundation will recognize scholarship winners and their sponsors during a reception today at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The reception will be at 3 p.m. in Building 21 at the fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St.

About 70 people are expected to attend the event, which will recognize about 25 winners of 4-H scholarships. The scholarships are given to former 4-H’ers now attending college.

A dozen current 4-H’ers also will present information gathered during a June trip to Washington, D.C., during a program called Citizenship Washington Focus.

Health

Center appeals for donors

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, and Community Blood Centers are making a special appeal for donors.

January is usually a difficult month for blood centers to collect, blood center officials said. It is the highest blood usage month because many people postpone elective surgeries until after the holidays.

People who register to donate blood could win two airline tickets to anywhere in the United States or a two-month test drive of a 2004 Dodge Durango, courtesy of Sunflower Automotive Group. Drawings will be held to determine winners, who must be at least 18.

The Lawrence Community Blood Center is at 535 Gateway Drive.

Government

City study to examine water, sewer rates

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday is expected to approve a study that will help set new water and sewer rates for the next five years.

The city will pay $52,000 to Black & Veatch, a Kansas City-area engineering firm, to perform the study. Assistant City Manager Debbie Van Saun said Friday the public would be asked for its input.

“We’ve included meeting opportunities for the public in this process,” she said.

The commission meets at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.