Rail line work to close street

Maintenance work on the Union Pacific rail line will cause Seventh Street to be closed between Locust and Maple streets in North Lawrence today and Saturday.

Lisa Patterson, communications manager with the city, said drivers should use North Third Street or North Ninth Street to detour around the North Seventh Street closure.

Walk to raise awareness, funds for mentally ill

The Kansas-National Alliance for the Mentally Ill’s annual walk and fund-raiser begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Washburn University’s Petro Allied Health Building in Topeka. Registration begins at 10 a.m.

“By walking on Saturday, everyone there will know they’re not fighting the battle against mental illness alone,” said NAMI Executive Director Karen Ford Manza. “It’s a way to end the isolation.”

For more information, call the NAMI office in Topeka, (800) 539-2660.

In Lawrence, NAMI sponsors classes and support groups for both the mentally ill and their families. It also backs a consumer-driven recovery group called RAHN (Recovery And Hope Network).

Second-half property taxes due soon

Douglas County residents have until Tuesday to pay their second-half personal property and real estate taxes.

The payments are due to the Douglas County Treasurer’s office. Cindy Monshizadeh, interim deputy treasurer, said taxpayers won’t be getting a notice in the mail reminding them of the deadline.

Taxpayers received property tax bills in November. Taxpayers had the option of paying the full amount of the tax or paying the amount in two installments.

Monshizadeh said her office would accept any payment postmarked by May 10. People who miss the deadline will be assessed a 7 percent per year interest charge.

Her office has an online tax payment service available at www.douglas-county.com. Taxpayers also can pay their bills at the Douglas County Courthouse, 11th and Mass., or at either of two satellite offices at 27th and Iowa streets or the Dillons at Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue.

People with questions about their tax amount should call the Treasurer’s office at 832-5273.

‘Nash Dash’ fund-raiser walks, runs for causes

The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center is again calling on Lawrence residents to walk or run to support local children’s programs.

The fourth annual “Nash Dash” fund-raiser will be May 14 on the North Lawrence levee.

The event will feature a 5K fun run, a 5K walk and a one-mile walk. The 5K events will start at 8 a.m. The one-mile walk will start at 8:30 a.m.

Proceeds from the event will go to the center’s Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities program, which provides at-risk youths access to mental health workers.

The program provides mental health professionals in Lawrence, Eudora and Baldwin schools.

Proceeds also will provide scholarships for youths to attend Lawrence Parks and Recreation summer activities.

To register for the event, visit www.lprd.org/nashdash.shtml.