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Fall library sale canceled because of bedbugs Popular event usually raises tens of thousands of dollars
By Ian Cummings icummings@ljworld.com
The Friends of the Lawrence Public Library’s Fall Book Sale has been canceled because of a bedbug infestation in some of the books intended for sale. The board governing the annual book sale, which was
scheduled to begin in two weeks, voted Monday night to cancel the event. The sale is organized by the nonprofit Friends of the Lawrence Public Library and was to be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Sept. 26-29.
The bedbug problem was discovered last week, when the group received a call from a person who had donated books for the sale, said Ruth DeWitt, a Friends organizer. The person reported that his donated books
had contained bedbugs, which book sale organizers were able to confirm after inspecting them. DeWitt said the group has sought advice from pest control companies in handling the problem, removing the con-
taminated books and any others that could have been stored near them. The donated books were never intermingled with the Please see LIBRARY, page 2A
Safety concerns cited at sex predator program
Lettin’ it fly
By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
TOPEKA — A state audit of the sexual predator treatment program at Larned State Hospital found problems that could affect the safety and security of staff and offenders. “Quite frankly, I think this facility is a disaster waiting to happen,” said state Sen. Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka. The report released Wednesday depicted an un- Hensley derstaffed facility manned by overworked employees. Under these conditions, some safety and security precautions have been overlooked and need to be improved, the audit said. During a meeting of the Legislative Post Audit Committee, state officials said staffing levels at Larned were improving, and that
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photos
PEOPLE WATCH AS FLOYD FORD, 87, of Baldwin City, tries to knock the head off of a dummy by throwing a skillet at it during the third annual Skillet Throw Wednesday in Baldwin City. Contestants gathered in a shady spot of a parking lot across the street from the Ives Methodist Church, 1018 Miami, for the event, which was organized by the Ives Chapel United Methodist as a recreational activity. See the photo gallery online at LJWorld.com.
Please see PREDATOR, page 2A
Audit: Economic development programs have many problems IVES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PASTOR Kate Carpenter watches her skillet soar toward the dummy during one of her three attempts.
By Scott Rothschild
CONTESTANT KAREN CONSTANTINESCU lets her skillet fly during the competition.
srothschild@ljworld.com
City to consider closing Mass. St. for ‘Goonies’ venue in downtown. But Granada owner Mike Logan said he felt like he also needed to do something to Soon enough, Lawrence leaders recognize the facility’s more than will have to figure out how goofy 50-year run as a downtown movie they are for “The Goonies.” theater. The owner of the popu“A lot of people have a lar downtown music lot of fond memories of and events venue The The Granada as a movGranada, 1020 Masie theater,” Logan said sachusetts, has filed of the building, which A list of concerts a plan at City Hall to ceased operations as associated with close a portion of that a movie theater in the the celebration. street later this month late 1980s. Page 6A to host a free, outdoor People also have showing of the 1980s cult fond memories of free classic “The Goonies.” movies shown outdoors The event, scheduled for Sept. downtown. Until a couple of 26, is part of a celebration meant to years ago, Downtown Lawrence mark the 20th anniversary of The Please see MOVIE, page 2A Granada serving as a live music By Chad Lawhorn
clawhorn@ljworld.com
Going Out
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Storm chance Business Classified Comics Deaths
High: 87
Low: 53
Today’s forecast, page 12A
Special to the Journal-World
A PROPOSED DOWNTOWN outdoor showing of “The Goonies” would be part of a celebration for The Granada, which was a movie theater for more than 50 years before it became a nightclub and music venue.
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TOPEKA — A state audit released Wednesday found numerous problems in the Kansas Department of Commerce’s handling of major economic development programs, including exceeding the statutory cap on tax incentives by $1.5 million in the past fiscal year. The audit also found that the Department of Commerce has made commitments exceeding that legal cap by $22.5 million over the next 10 years. Republicans on the Legislative Post Audit Committee defended the administration, saying it is doing a good job using the economic development programs to develop jobs. Sen. Julia Lynn, R-Olathe, said that while the Commerce Department may have fallen behind on providing reports on the programs, the department was luring companies to Kansas, and that’s what is important. “I question whether we’re looking at the right things,” Lynn said. The audit said assessing the benefits of the program called Promoting Employment Across Kansas, or PEAK, was “difficult bePlease see PROGRAMS, page 2A
Blue in the face The popular Blue Man Group is set to appear, along with a percussive four-piece band, at the Lied Center next Monday and Tuesday. Page 5A
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