Residents return home, discover house on fire

A small house fire in North Lawrence was extinguished with a garden hose before firefighters arrived.

Fifteen firefighters were dispatched at 7:28 p.m. Friday to 319-1/2 Maple St. and had the fire under control by 7:39 p.m., said Division Chief Jerry Karr of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical.

Two or three occupants of the house had been gone 45 minutes and returned home to find heavy smoke rolling out the front door, Karr said. They broke a window out and suppressed the fire with a hose, he said.

Residents believed the fire had started in the kitchen and that it was not suspicious. Karr said late Friday those details had not been confirmed.

No one was injured by the fire. Damage was estimated at $6,000, Karr said.

McLouth announces fireworks event

Those who want fireworks and the backdrop of a small town can drive to McLouth.

The city will shoot a display at dark July 4 from the hill behind the baseball fields at the McLouth Sports Complex. Onlookers are advised to bring a lawnchair or blanket and watch from Bulldog Lane by the football field.

Personal fireworks will not be allowed.

Cyclists to join fight against leukemia

The American Bicycle Assn. will have its annual Race for Life today.

The event in northeast Kansas will be at Heartland BMX in Crestview Park in Topeka. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Last year’s Race for Life united bicycle enthusiasts across the country to raise more than $330,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, making it one of the organization’s largest fund-raising activities. The society uses funds raised to research cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients with these afflictions.

For more information, call Kelly Cross, race coordinator, at (785) 249-9416 or the Kansas chapter of the society at (316) 687-2222.

Old West Lawrence street party is set

The Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Assn. is throwing an old-fashioned street party tonight.

Mississippi Street between Seventh and Eighth streets will be closed to traffic at 6 p.m. Food and drinks will be served, and a moon walk will be available for children. Music will be provided, association co-president Mike Goans said.

Ice cream also will be served from the back of one of the last documented horse-drawn ice cream wagons in the country, Goans said.

K.C. Irish festival set for September

The second-annual Kansas City Irish Fest is scheduled for Sept. 3-5, at Hallmark’s Crown Center. The festival will feature more than 20 locally and nationally known bands.

The festival also will have traditional Irish music, Celtic rock, award-winning Irish dancers, heritage displays, ethnic food and activities for children.

Tickets will be $10 per day for adults. Advance tickets are $8, children 12 and under get in free and senior tickets are $5 per day. Weekend passes cost $20. Check www.kcirishfest.com for more details.