Lawrence police officers were seeking a base salary increase of about 18 percent for the coming year as city-police negotiations began. A beginning pay of $17,500 a year was one of the goals. Jackie McClain, city personnel director, was chief negotiator for the city.

Fewer patient admissions and shorter stays at Lawrence Memorial Hospital were going to mean fewer jobs at LMH. “It’s an effort to bring our work force into balance with the number of patients we’re taking care of,” said Bob Ohlen, executive director at the hospital. About 35 full-time workers were to be dropped following a $113,000 revenue decline for the past review period.

A charge of vehicular homicide was filed against the young truck driver involved in a recent double-fatality accident at Clinton Parkway and Kasold Drive. Bessie Johnson and Hazel Williams of Lawrence were killed when their car was hit from behind by the truck.