Greeted by parties, receptions and Texas hospitality, three Lawrence residents participating in the current Republican National Convention in Dallas said they were having an outstanding time. There were no surprises due to the eminence of incumbent president Ronald Reagan as the surefire candidate, but the side events were drawing a lot of attention. The three local attendees were Ken Martinez, Donna Shultz and Bernice Todd.

A city staff approval of a sign permit for the Southern Hills Merchants Assn., after the city commission had denied the request, could lead to a serious review of all sign ordinances, City Commissioner David Longhurst said.

Douglas County commissioners quickly approved a 1985 budget of $15.47 million and all revenue-sharing requests in a hearing that raised not a single public objection. The revenue-sharing fund total was $608,000.