From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 21, 1973:

• Vandals described by Lawrence police as “some of the meanest persons in town” had cut down and stolen two Scotch pines from the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2312 Harvard. The trees, an estimated 8 feet tall, had been planted in 1961 when the church grounds were landscaped and were estimated to be worth $40 to $50 each, according to Pastor Arden Dorn. Dorn speculated that the thieves had taken them to use for Christmas trees.
• In a surprise move, the Lawrence City Commission voted 3-2 against the 82 acres southwest of Lawrence known as Nieder Acres. Several residents of the area had spoken against the acreage being incorporated into the city and had watched in relief as commissioners voted down the annexation. However, commissioners warned that annexation was inevitable in three to five years as the area was bounded on three sides by the city.