25 years ago: Most Lawrence eateries score high on inspections

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 11, 1988:

  • State officials in charge of inspecting about 1,250 food establishments in Kansas reported that restaurant operators were becoming better about food safety. “As for real disasters, it’s been a long time since we had any,” said Stephen Paige, director of the state’s Bureau of Food, Drug and Lodging. On the basis of a review of inspection reports on 210 Lawrence food service establishments, the Journal-World had discovered that 3 percent, or seven locations, had a score of 100, which was the best possible score. Most of the local restaurants had scores in the 90s, with only 1 percent, or three locations, falling into the below-70 category, indicating that they did not meet the state’s minimum regulations. (The three establishments were not named in the article.)
  • Douglas County commissioners this week were scheduled to discuss an agreement with the city of Lawrence allowing 12th Street access to the county parking lot just south of the Judicial Center. The county was planning several improvements to its lot, including better circulation, which would require the new entrance on the south side, but the city needed to approve the curb cut.