Police begin sign-up for citizens’ academy

The Lawrence Police Department will begin accepting applications today for its 16th Citizens’ Academy.

The 36-hour course lets residents learn about the department’s training, procedures and philosophies. Participants have chances to speak with patrol officers, staff and Chief Ron Olin.

“Our goal is to give the public an open and honest view of the local police agency that serves them,” said Sgt. Dan Ward, a department spokesman. “We hope these contacts will improve cooperation between the public and the Lawrence Police Department.”

The academy lasts from March 3 through April 7. Classes are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday nights. Applicants must be 18 or older.

Applications are available during normal business hours at the police offices on the second floor of the Judicial & Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St., and at the Investigations and Training Center, 4820 Bob Billings Parkway.

People also may contact the department at 830-7410. The deadline for applying is Feb. 9.

Health department

Flu shots available for high-risk patients

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, 200 Maine, had about 200 doses of flu vaccine remaining Friday afternoon.

People can get a flu shot during the health department’s regular immunization clinics, which are from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Only people in groups designated as high priority by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should receive a flu shot. Generally, the list includes pregnant women, people older than 50 or younger than 2, and people with weakened immune systems.

The cost for a shot is $12 for children younger than 3 and $17 for all others. People should have their Medicare, Medicaid or HealthWave cards with them for billing purposes.

Car fire closes part of N.H. Street

A vehicle fire Saturday night caused police and fire officials to close part of New Hampshire Street for roughly 20 minutes.

A Lawrence man was driving his sedan down New Hampshire Street when he noticed smoke coming from the hood just after 6 p.m. He pulled over into the World Company parking lot just north of Seventh Street, where he exited the vehicle and called the fire department.

One of the Journal World’s pressmen, who was leaving work at the time, attempted to quell the flames with a fire extinguisher, but he backed away when the fire began to envelop the front of the vehicle.

When emergency crews arrived, flames and smoke were pouring from the hood of the car, but it took firefighters only a few moments to put the fire out.

Fire department officials said Saturday night that the cause of the fire had not been determined.