From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 3, 1975:

• The disaster warning siren near Yale and Kasold streets was expected to be out of commission for a while after having apparently suffered a lightning strike, according to Bob Doran, president of Capital Electric Co., Leavenworth. Doran said replacement parts had to be ordered from two other firms, but before the orders could be placed, the firm needed authorization from local officials. The orders could take anywhere from 10 days to six weeks to fill, he added. The siren had reportedly failed to sound during a test three weeks earlier and had been out of service since then.
• With just under a week to go, reservations for the June 14 bicentennial ball at the Free State Opera House had reached 260, according to event planner Joan Moffett. The ball was to culminate day-long activities designed to kick off local bicentennial events for the coming year.