From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Mar. 8, 1971:

• The Douglas County Commission announced that the 16 acres of land offered by William H. Wells, Topeka, was to become a part of the county park system as soon as the legal details were worked out. The commissioners had passed a resolution for acquisition of the site, which was to be known as Wells Park. Wells had offered the land at no cost. A site known as Shank Hill had originally been proposed, but it would have been about one-half the size and would have cost the county $14,000 to acquire.
• According to the Douglas County Clerk, 142 voters had cast absentee or disabled voter ballots for the upcoming primary election for city commission and school board candidates. Prior to 1971, the average had been less than 25 ballots in such an election.