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Police close alleged speakeasy in downtown Birmingham
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BIRMINGHAM Police are being mum on the details of an alleged speakeasy operation downtown that reportedly was busted up last month.
During his regular report to the City Commission April 26, City Manager Tom Markus detailed an illegal bar and music venue operating in an empty retail space in the 200 block of Willits Street. He said police closed the establishment and issued 16 citations for misdemeanor offenses ranging from illegal occupancy where a special land use permit is required to selling alcohol without a liquor license.
“We had what I call a blind pig or a speakeasy running in the community, and we put them out of business,” Markus said. “I think it went on longer than most people realize but, in its later months, probably got a little more cranked up. They were clearly in violation of the law.”
Children play at South Park Wading Pool in this photo from the early 1950s.
Perhaps it is fitting that what led to the creation of a city department whose business includes organizing games, hanging holiday lights and planting flowers was actually the community’s hardship.
In the late 1930s, Lawrence, like the rest of the country, was still in the midst of the Great Depression, and while the adults worked longer hours and dealt with the struggles of the time, the activities that once entertained the children had become scarce.
“All of these organized activities that would have occupied young people, scouting trips, outings and hikes, they weren’t happening as much,” said Watkins Museum of History Curator and Collections manager Brittany Keegan. “So what the city started noticing was groups of kids around without an activity.”
Lawrence City Hall is pictured in September 2018.
Lawrence city leaders will soon discuss an outside study of the city’s agreement with Douglas County to jointly fund and provide emergency medical services, the results of which call for the county to increase how much money it provides toward the service.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive a report regarding the EMS study, which was recently completed by The Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University. Currently, the city pays about three-quarters of the cost for the service and the county pays the remainder.
Pair of spring events canceled in Birmingham due to COVID-19 hometownlife.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hometownlife.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.