From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for August 8, 1974:

• The city building permit total for July almost hit the $1 million mark, but the 1974 cumulative total, now $6,640,513, was still lagging behind the 1973 figure for the same seven-month period. The July total of $967,625 was aided considerably by the replacement of the fire-damaged Dillon’s and Calhoun’s stores, estimated at $350,000, and by the construction of the $135,000 Lawrence National Bank branch, 2701 Iowa. Housing construction remained low, with only 79 houses built so far this year, compared to 112 at this time the previous year. Apartment construction was headed for a record low, with only 34 units, mostly four-plexes, begun this year, contrasted with 134 units in the first seven months of 1973. The least expensive house built in Lawrence this month cost $32,000.
• Denver Sounds, Inc., with an office at 701 Massachusetts Street, was cleared this week of all possible copyright violations in re-recording eight-track tapes, and its 60,000 tapes and recording equipment in nearby warehouse had been released by federal officials. Glen Kelly, assistant U.S. attorney for Kansas, said impounding of the tapes had been made “on probable cause until a determination could be made as to the source material;” however, a check of the materials had determined that they were not in violation of copyright law.
• Water-use restrictions in Baldwin were lifted this week for the first time in nearly a month. Water use for car washes was reinstated, Mayor Virgil Reeves said, but Baldwin residents were being urged to “use discretion” in watering lawns and gardens. The water level in the north and south water storage tanks were expected to be about two-thirds full by the end of the week, and the city lake had increased two inches as a result of recent rainfall and cooler weather, according to Bill Randel, Baldwin city superintendent.