Real estate

Commercial agent moving to De Soto

Marty Henderson is moving his commercial real estate practice to De Soto, joining RE/MAX Kaw Valley.

Henderson is counting on De Soto giving him access to more projects throughout northeast Kansas, after working for three years at RE/MAX in Lawrence.

“I have found a strong need for a more regional presence,” Henderson said. “De Soto sits at the epicenter of one of the strongest market areas in the Midwest.”

Early morning fire kills person, dog in Emporia

Emporia — Fire destroyed a one-story house on the city’s south side early Friday, and firefighters found the bodies of one person and a dog inside, authorities said.

A neighbor reported the blaze to the Emporia Fire Department about 4:40 a.m. Battalion Chief Jerry Schrock said flames filled the house when firefighters arrived.

Neighbors said they believed the house was occupied by a man and his dog, but the victim’s name was not released Friday morning and an autopsy was planned to confirm the person’s identity, the fire department said.

Investigators from the city and state were looking for the cause of the fire.

Donations

Used cars on charity’s holiday wish list

The National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Missouri doesn’t need anything new this holiday season. A used car donated to the Kidney Cars Program will do just fine.

The foundation will give those who donate a vehicle a letter of acknowledgment for tax purposes and encourages them to check with their tax adviser about a deduction.

For more information or to donate a car, van, truck or boat, call (800) 488-2277 or visit online at www.kidney.org.

Recognition

Teachers selected for Horizon awards

Two northeast Kansas teachers have won awards from the Kansas State Department of Education.

Shawnee’s Mill Valley High School teacher Natalie Goodwinand Basehor Elementary School teacher Hillary Raple were notified last week they had won Kansas Horizon Awards.

The education department gives up to 32 of the awards each year to outstanding teachers who have completed their first year of teaching.

Kansas City woman dies in house fire

Kansas City, Kan. — An 80-year-old woman died late Thursday when an electrical failure caught her house on fire.

Kansas City, Kan., fire officials said Justina Quijas died of smoke inhalation.

The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. Quijas lived alone with two dogs, one of which also died in the fire. The other dog was taken in by relatives.

Investigators said the fire started on the home’s first floor. A smoke alarm sounded, but officials said they don’t know if Quijas heard it because it was installed incorrectly.

Quijas’ body was found in the kitchen.

Officials said the house suffered between $30,000 and $40,000 in damages.