Construction

County Commission to hear call for road gate

A rural property owner just west of Lawrence wants to put up a gate to keep people from dumping trash and tearing up sod next to his driveway.

The gate would be installed near the end of North 1500 Road, just west of George Williams Way and Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Jack Gaumnitz would pay for installation of the gate and for construction of a small turnaround area near his driveway. The road leads only to his property, although county officials would reserve the ability to remove the gate and extend the road an additional 200 feet to connect with George Williams Way, if necessary.

Douglas County commissioners are scheduled to consider Gaumnitz’s request during their meeting at 3 p.m. Monday at the County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.

Public resources

Conference to address Kansas water issues

Water experts from across Kansas will gather this week in Lawrence for the annual “Water and the Future of Kansas” conference.

The conference, conducted by the Kansas Geological Survey, will be Thursday at the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive.

Speakers will include Roger Welsch, Nebraska author and folklorist, and Don Worster, Kansas University professor of history.

Topics will include the Ogallala Aquifer, urban-rural water issues, the effect of agriculture on water quality, recreation and public water supplies and the effect of water use on wildlife habitat.

For more information or to register, visit www.dce.ksu.edu/dce/conf/waterfuture or call (800) 843-8222.

Parks and Recreation

Clinic to teach baby-sitting skills

Teens and preteens can learn the fundamentals of supervising children at Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s baby-sitting clinic. The clinic is designed for would-be sitters from 11 to 15 years old.

The two, three-hour classes focus on how to interview for a baby-sitting job, how to handle bedtime issues, first-aid techniques, activities and games for children, accident prevention, how to handle emergencies and other topics related to baby-sitting. Participants will receive a book and a first-aid kit.

The course will be offered on Monday and on March 15 at the East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 East 15th St. The cost is $38 per person and registration is required. To register for the clinic, visit www.lprd.org or a Parks and Recreation facility.

For more information on the clinic, contact Jo Ellis at 832-7930.

Severe weather safety focus of workshop

Douglas County is providing area residents with an opportunity to learn about severe weather at a weather workshop.

The workshop will begin at 7 p.m. March 18 at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Mike Akulow, warning coordination meteorologist with the Topeka National Weather Service, will provide an overview of severe thunderstorm and tornado development and discuss safety tips for when severe weather strikes.

The program is sponsored by Douglas County Emergency Management and the Topeka National Weather Service.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found Lawrence-area gasoline prices as low as $1.62 at Conoco, 955 E. 23rd St., and Site, 946 E. 23rd St.

If you find a lower price, call 832-7154.