From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for April 2, 1986:

• Sandy Praeger, a former planning commission chair and current city commissioner, was chosen unanimously by her fellow commissioners to take over as Lawrence’s mayor. Praeger was to replace Mike Amyx, who had held the position for the past year. Both Praeger and Amyx received standing ovations at the meeting, and traditional exchanges included a gavel and a key to the city. Amyx’s year had seen hotly contested issues such as handgun regulation, flood plain development and the Western Hills annexation.
• An $8 million improvement project was underway for a 10.8-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 59 in Jefferson County. The project, begun in March, was intended to eliminate sharp curves, reduce steep hills, and improve shoulders. The road was scheduled to be reopened to through traffic no later than Nov. 1.