A number of fender-benders occurred as a surprise snowfall of about two inches hit during the night and left many drivers unaware of the slick spots beneath the cover. Melting came fast but not until there had been a number of minor wrecks. A cold snap was also at hand, with a daytime high only around 30 and anticipation of an overnight low of about 15 degrees.

The city commission refused to grant a request for an additional $13,000 to fund construction of a neighborhood center to serve as a permament home for the Lawrence Indian Center. Instead, the commission issued what mayor Ernest Angino termed “a challenge.” The city said it would allocate up to $6,500 in Community Development contingency funds, matching private fund-raising efforts on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

A nine-month study of housing needs in Lawrence for the poor, the disabled and the elderly had found a lack of affordable housing for every group of people with special needs.

District Judge James Paddock denied a motion for summary judgment to declare illegal the site plan approved for the St. Lawrence Catholic Center expansion. The case faced a trial situation if the issue was pursued further, officials said.