40 years ago: Brief rain brings some relief to crops and gardens

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 9, 1973:

  • Lawrence residents were thrilled to welcome a brief round of thunderstorms this morning. The .89 of an inch of rain brought the total precipitation of the past two days to 1.31 inches, Commercial crops such as milo and corn were expected to benefit from the showers. Local gardens also seemed to be enjoying the recent rains; several growers around town were reporting tomatoes weighing as much as two pounds.
  • September 15 was to be a big day for Vinland residents. At 1 p.m. on that day, telephone customers in the town would be able to dial direct. The 120 Vinland customers of United Telephone Co. were to be sent telephone books and instructions on how to use their new connections, according to John Green, area manager for the phone company.
  • First National Bank of Lawrence said today it had been granted its national charger to build a branch bank at 23rd Street and Ridge Court. Construction was to begin in the fall and the building was expected to be complete by early spring or summer of 1974. Other Lawrence banks had received state approval for branch facilities and had federal applications pending.
  • In Washington, a federal crime commission delivered a report today urging all states to outlaw handguns except for those carried by law enforcement and military officers. The report, which was the culmination of a two-year study funded by a $1.75 million federal grant, also called for states to seize all handguns in civilian possession and to stop imposing jail sentences for gambling, marijuana use, pornography, prostitution, and private sexual acts between consenting adults. The 22-member National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals, made up of present and former governors, state and local police officials, and judges, stated that “the violence, fear, suffering and loss caused by the use of handguns must be stopped by firm and decisive action.” The commission recommended no change in the present laws regarding rifles and shotguns.