From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 4, 1974:

• The proposed new bridge over the Kansas River at Massachusetts Street was to be a divided structure, with a northbound lane at Massachusetts and a southbound lane near Vermont Street. That was the conclusion of a meeting of the Douglas County Commission and Lawrence City Commission with John Frazier and Marlin Cramer of Finney and Turnipseed Consulting Engineers, Topeka. Four bridge alignments had been discussed at the meeting, and all had agreed that the split bridge was the best option. Geologists were soon to begin to determine how deep the bridge pilings would need to go. The city bridge and more than 50 county bridges were to be paid for through a countywide bond issue election planned for November.
• Lawrence residents were using more electricity than ever before to keep cool during this summer’s high temperatures and humidity. The use of electricity had peaked on Tuesday of this week along with a high temperature of 96 degrees. The area had used 1.2 percent more electrical power than at any time in its history, according to Austin Stedham, vice president and district manager of Kansas Power and Light Co. “When the weather is moderate, conservation methods are practiced, but when it becomes extreme, more power is used,” Stedham said.
• Americans marked the 198th birthday of the nation today with traditional parades, picnics, and fireworks displays. In Washington, D.C., Vietnam veterans said they would demonstrate near a display at the Washington Monument for more education and employment benefits.