Sexually transmitted diseases headed a list of communicable diseases on the rise in Douglas County, a health official reported. A recently released Douglas County Health Department annual report for 1980 showed that the number of patients seen in its clinic for sexually transmitted diseases more than doubled in 1980 from 598 in 1979 to 1,580 for ’80. “I was surprised at the number of patients seen for STDs,” said Kay Kent, health department director. “In 1980, there was probably more time spent on communicable diseases than I think at any time since I’ve been here.”

A city water official said it would be four to five more weeks before Lawrence’s Clinton Water Treatment Plant could be reopened. The plant had been closed the past November to repair the 1.5-million-gallon storage tank after it was overfilled, causing dents in the top of the tank. There had been hopes of having the plant open in February.