County commissioners were considering a $3.5 million bond issue to help construct a bypass south of Lawrence, build a rail-served industrial park and replace some deteriorating bridges. The bypass was expected to become the priority project as it would require the bulk of the $3.5 million.

The St. Lawrence Catholic Center was planning an official groundbreaking ceremony for the coming weekend. The project, including a 392-seat church, expanded student center, and 98-car parking lot, had been delayed for two years as neighbors tried to work through the city commission and county planning commission to reduce the project’s size. An out-of-court settlement had been reached in March, calling for elimination of parking on neighborhood routes and a 15-year moratorium on further development at the site.

The number of employed residents in Douglas County was at a record high. The county unemployment figure for April was 3.1 percent, down from the 3.8 percent posted in March.