Lawrence was enjoying an especially colorful autumn in 1985. According to an editorial appearing on this day, “The bright yellow leaves on the ash and locust trees are rapidly falling to the ground, but the gorgeous hard maples with their vivid variegated red leaves perhaps never before have been more striking.”

Residents near Yankee Tank Creek in west Lawrence had won their fight against a developer they said would increase flooding in their neighborhood.

Dist. Atty. Jim Flory announced that he did not plan to file charges in connection with a Sept. 9 arson fire in a stairway at the Pinecrest Apartments at 2526 Redbud, citing insufficient evidence. Six people had escaped from the fire and damage had been estimated at $2,000.

The Lawrence United Fund drive was reported to have reached 27 percent of its goal of $500,000.