Fire damages house, displaces residents

A fire early Sunday morning heavily damaged a house at 420 Ala., Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical officials said.

None of the five people in the house when the fire broke out around 5:15 a.m. was injured, a fire report said. The cause of the fire was listed as a candle left burning unattended on the second floor, the report said.

Three female college students who lived in the house were forced out by the fire and were receiving assistance from the Douglas County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Director Jane Blocher said.

About 20 firefighters responded to the fire and brought it under control in 10 minutes, a report said. Damage to the house was listed at $30,000.

Accident: Driver critically injured when car hits trash bin

De Soto — A Eudora man was critically injured when a car he was driving collided with a large trash bin in the area of Lexington and Ottawa streets, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said.

Robert J. Wells, 69, was taken by LifeNet helicopter to KU Med, Kansas City, Kan., according to the sheriff’s report. A condition report from the hospital wasn’t available, but the sheriff’s office said the injuries were critical.

Officers were still investigating what caused the 1979 Chevrolet that Wells was driving to leave the roadway and strike the trash bin.

Seat belts: KDOT to encourage motorists to buckle up

The Kansas Department of Transportation will promote seat-belt use later this month during Kansas Clicks Buckle Up America! Week.

KDOT will provide funds to participating law enforcement agencies across the state to help pay for safety-belt check lanes and child passenger safety check-up events.

The increased enforcement of restraint laws reminds motorists to buckle up and helps pay officers for overtime.

Area participating agencies include KDOT, police departments in Leavenworth, Baldwin and Tonganoxie, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.

The wave of safety programs is scheduled May 19-June 1.

Transportation: Van donated to help get veterans to VA hospital

A donated van from the Disabled American Veterans will help transport area veterans to and from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth.

The DAV recently announced donation of the van to the Leavenworth VA hospital.

Paul Richard, hospital service coordinator, is in charge of a program that will recruit volunteers to drive the van. As more volunteers are recruited, the hospital hopes to increase the van’s service area.

For more information or to request transportation assistance, call Richard at (913) 651-2402.