Briefly

Outage

Downed line stops power at school district office

A downed power line forced Westar crews to shut off power Wednesday morning at the district office for Lawrence public schools, 110 McDonald Drive, to allow workers to fix the line.

After about an hour and a half with no electricity, power was turned back on about 11:40 a.m., said district spokeswoman Julie Boyle.

The outage affected only the district office and a nearby traffic light, said Westar spokeswoman Karla Olsen.

But Boyle said shutting off the power had some impact on the schools and other buildings in the district because network servers for the district’s computer system are at the district office.

Because the servers were down, none of the computers in the district’s network would work.

Crime

59-year-old reports rape by home intruder

A 59-year-old woman told police she was raped by an intruder early Tuesday at her southwest Lawrence home.

The woman told police she awoke about 7:30 a.m. and found a man in his 20s or 30s touching her as she lay in bed. He then raped her and left through her door, which had been unlocked, police said.

It happened south of Clinton Parkway between Iowa Street and Kasold Drive, but police wouldn’t give a more precise location, citing privacy concerns for the victim.

The rape doesn’t appear to be related to any previous reports, said Sgt. Dan Ward, a police spokesman. Officers conducted an area canvass and developed some “strong leads,” Ward said.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hot line at 843-TIPS.

Entertainment

Demolition derby slated as fund-raiser

A demolition derby Saturday will benefit the Douglas County Infant-Toddler Coordinating Council.

The derby starts at 5 p.m. at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. About 100 cars are expected for the rain-or-shine event.

Tickets are available in advance — $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12 — at Hy-Vee, Checkers and Dillons grocery stores in Lawrence. Tickets at the gate will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The council provides services for youngsters between birth and 3 years old who have special needs.

Last year’s derby raised $9,000.

Gasoline Prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.77 a gallon at Zarco 66, 900 Iowa, Zarco 66, 1415 W. Sixth, Hillcrest BP, 914 Iowa, and Citgo, 2005 W. Ninth. If you find a lower price, call Pump Patrol at 832-7154.