25 years ago: Utility company to remain independent

Before approving the sale of Lawrence’s privately owned natural gas utility, city commissioners wanted further assurance that the utility would remain independent. The controlling commission was considering the sale of Kansas Public Service to Missouri Public Service with headquarters in Raytown, Mo. Nearly $5 million was in the mix.

A Topeka-based hotel management company was purchasing Holidomes in Lawrence and Manhattan as a package deal, according to Gery Keller, president of Landmark Hotels. The sale was to be closed after Nov. 15. Brock Hotel of Irving, Texas, held the leases and industrial revenue bond obligations for both hotels. The $10 million Lawrence Holidome had opened in 1982 but never had been profitable because of the size of the investment.

Anne Louise Willie, 25, was touring the nation as Miss Indian America and made a number of appearances at Haskell Indian Junior College.

Lawrence got a dose of cold rain but it was a far cry from the heavy snows up to 36 inches in Colorado. So far, Kansas had received no more than 4-inch snows in some sectors.