Lawrence residents got a moment of relief from nine straight days of 90-plus temperatures and 18 days without measurable rainfall when a half-inch of rain fell overnight, bringing the thermometer temporarily down to the mid-80s.

An informal agreement was reached between Douglas County and the city of Lawrence regarding the funding of a preliminary design study for the southern and western bypass. Administrators agreed that the county would pay about two-thirds of the cost of the $150,000 study, and the city would pay the remainder.

Computer consultants were recommending that Douglas County spend about $69,000 on computer equipment for county offices. One consultant said that if their suggestions were followed, Douglas County would be about 50 percent more automated than Johnson County and 20 percent more automated than Wyandotte County. The commission took the recommendations under advisement.