Suggestions sought for new city projects

The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission wants to hear from residents who have an idea for a new road, bridge, park or other major city project.

Commissioners at their 6:30 p.m. meeting today at City Hall will begin the annual process of updating the city’s capital improvements plan with a public hearing to receive project ideas.

The capital improvement plan helps guide city commissioners in deciding which major building and construction projects deserve funding. Planning commissioners are looking to add projects that would be completed before 2011.

Residents also are able to submit their ideas in writing through March 25 to the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Office. Mail suggestions to planning officials at P.O. Box 708, Lawrence 66044.

Unitarians

Fellowship opposes marriage amendment

The Lawrence Unitarian Fellowship is speaking out against the proposed state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages.

The Unitarian Fellowship’s Social Concerns Committee this week released a statement expressing opposition to the proposal, which would define marriage as being solely between a man and a woman.

Forrest Swall, chairman of the fellowship, said the statement was consistent with the position of the Unitarian Universalist Assn. He noted the association was among the first religious organizations in the United States to formally recognize the rights and responsibilities of members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered.

Event

Jayhawks visit Capitol

Crimson and blue will be common colors today in the state Capitol as Kansas University has its second annual “KU in the Capitol” event.

The event, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will feature representatives and booths from more than 40 university programs. The displays will be set up in the rotunda on the first and second floors of the Capitol.

6Productions

‘River City Weekly’ examines Lied scenes

Preparation for last month’s performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Lied Center will be featured this week on “River City Weekly.”

“Fiddler” dramatizes the ordeal of Russian Jewry in the early 1900s under various czars, with a story that continues to speak to those experiencing social and cultural change today.

Among those interviewed were Lied Center technical director Doug Wendel, associate technical director Andy Hause and assistant technical director Ann Hause.

“River City Weekly,” with host Greg Hurd, premieres on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays with replays at 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Mondays, and 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Police make arrest in liquor store theft

Lawrence Police arrested a man suspected in a Tuesday night theft from a cash drawer at a liquor store.

Police were called about 7:50 p.m. to Spirit Party Shop & Liquor, 600 Lawrence Ave. The suspect distracted the clerk and then grabbed an undisclosed amount of money, Police Sgt. Craig Shanks said.

Officers found a suspect matching the clerk’s description a few blocks away in the area of Ninth Street and Murrow Court. Charges are pending.