Officials consider suspect in fires

Fire officials continue to investigate a series of suspicious trash-bin blazes last week in central Lawrence.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Deputy Chief Mark Bradford said police developed a suspect Thursday but no arrest was made. No one had been arrested as of Saturday.

Four arson fires were set in a half-hour period Wednesday night on Ohio Street, West 11th Street and Vermont Street.

Bradford said the fires didn’t cause major damage but could have slowed the department’s response time if another incident occurred.

A series of similar fires happened late last Sunday and early Monday. There were no trash-bin fires Friday or Saturday, according to fire department reports.

Craft show

Local choirs to sing at Holiday Bazaar

More than 90 arts and crafts exhibitors are expected to participate today in the city’s 28th annual Holiday Bazaar.

The event, hosted by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Building, 115 W. 11th St.

In addition to arts and crafts from regional vendors, the event will feature holiday music. From noon to 1 p.m., the Central Junior High Honor Ensemble Choir will perform. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. the Plymouth Congressional Church Festival Bell Choir will perform, and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Lawrence High School Orchestra will be featured.

The event is free and open to the public.

Travel

KDOT to increase patrols during holiday

The Kansas Department of Transportation this week will increase surveillance for impaired drivers on the state’s highways.

With help from the Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement, KDOT’s Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) will put more officers on the road looking for drunken drivers.

The program, which runs from Monday through Nov. 28, also is intended to ensure Kansans follow seat-belt and child passenger safety laws.

Separately, KHP is tying red ribbons to its vehicles as part of Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s “Tie One on For Safety” campaign.

The campaign is intended to remind motorists of the dangers of drunken driving, especially during the holiday season. Last Thanksgiving, there were 54 alcohol-related crashes in Kansas.

According to Kansas MADD, about 20,000 people are arrested each year in the state for driving under the influence. In 2003, alcohol played a part in 3,433 wrecks and 97 car fatalities.

School board to honor gymnastics champs

The Lawrence school board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive.

The agenda:

l Recognition of Lawrence High’s gymnastics team for winning the state championship.

l Recognition of Lawrence Free State High’s gymnastics team for winning third place in the state.

l A proposal to get boiler and machinery insurance coverage for one year for nearly $15,000.

l High school course description changes.

l An energy conservation program update.

Commission meeting to begin earlier

Douglas County commissioners will meet earlier on Monday morning.

The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the commission chambers at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.

The meeting is starting early because one commissioner has to attend another morning meeting in Overland Park.

Commissioners will reconsider a request from Phil and Kerry Metsker, 796 N. 600 Road, to have an entrance along a road that runs on the north side of the east part of Lone Star Lake.

Commissioners considered the item in October, but no action was taken because the county public works department was surveying the boundary of Lone Star Park.