Fire damages house in North Lawrence

A house fire in North Lawrence caused about $15,000 in damage Sunday afternoon.

The fire caused smoke damage throughout a one-story house in the 700 block of Elm Street. No one was injured, said Capt. Lexie Engleman of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical.

About a dozen firefighters responded at 3:37 p.m. The fire was under control in about 10 minutes, Engleman said, but investigators remained on the scene until about 5 p.m.

The cause and origin of the fire were still under investigation Sunday night. Arson is not suspected, Engleman said.

Sebelius to speak at Democratic assembly

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will be a speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Sebelius will address the convention at an as-yet-undetermined time Tuesday.

She will also participate in several seminars and roundtables during the week.

EPA to conduct emergency exercise

Leavenworth — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week will conduct a radiation emergency training exercise in Leavenworth County.

No hazardous material will be used during the exercise but there will be a presence of debris, emergency vehicles or other unusual vehicles taking part in the exercise.

The areas primarily affected during the exercise will be Fort Leavenworth, the Tonganoxie quarry and the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds.

September bike tour to benefit MS chapter

Riders are being sought for the MS 150 Bike Tour, a 150-mile ride to benefit the Eastern Kansas Branch, Mid America Chapter, of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The ride will take place Sept. 25-26. The tour will begin each day at Washburn Rural Middle School, southwest of Topeka. The route goes through Dover, Eskridge, Lake Wabaunsee, Harveyville, Burlingame, Scranton, Carbondale, Overbrook and Berryton.

Cyclists must pay a registration fee and raise a minimum of $200 in contributions to participate.

Last year, more than $180,000 was raised for Kansans living with multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system that afflicts 400,000 Americans.

For registration information, call (785) 272-5292, (800) 745-7148 or visit www.msmidamerica.org.