Ottawa firefighters get Homeland Security grant
The Ottawa Fire Department recently was awarded a grant from the Homeland Security Department to improve operations and fire safety.
The $22,815 grant was one of 18 Homeland Security awards made to fire departments in Kansas and one of 635 such awards made nationally.
The money will be used to purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs and conduct fire prevention and safety programs.
This most recent distribution was the 24th round in the program. Eventually a total of $750 millions in direct assistance will be given out.

Horse-drawn trolley rides available downtown
Horse-drawn trolley rides will make their way through downtown this week.
The trolleys, pulled by two Belgian mares, will operate from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Rides, about 15 minutes each, start and end near the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Mass., and tickets cost $2 per person. Proceeds benefit two nonprofit organizations, Therapeutic Horse Riding Instruction of Lawrence and Horses for Kids.
Black Shire draft horses, from Free State Farm north of Lawrence, will be on display nearby in a white tent. There is no charge to view the horses.

Body identified as missing teenager
Hill City — The death of a teenager who went missing Nov. 22 is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said.
The body of Esmeralda Gonzales, 15, who was last was seen just blocks from her home in central Hill City, was found east of town Nov. 24.
An autopsy was performed Friday, Graham County Atty. Tony Potter said.
“All indications are that she died from unnatural means,” Potter said.
Potter said rumors that authorities already had arrested someone were unfounded.
“Law enforcement is still continuing the investigation. I understand everybody wants things to move at the speed of light, but we are going to do things correctly,” he said.
Gonzales was the youngest daughter of Juan and Marsella Gonzales. She had three sisters and one brother and was a sophomore at Hill City High School.