From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Nov. 12, 1986:

• Not even halfway through the month yet, the Lawrence area was well on its way to having the coldest November on record. Today’s high temperature in the mid-20s had already been reached by early morning, and it was all downhill from there, with forecasters calling for the mercury to plummet throughout the day to an overnight low of 3 below zero. Furnace companies in Lawrence were reporting several calls from people without heat.
• For those not only without a working furnace but without a home, the Salvation Army was ready to help. The organization had announced in September their plans to open the building’s gymnasium for those needing shelter during the colder months this year. “From what I hear, at this point in time there are 25 to 30 people nightly who are on the street,” said Lt. David Jones, who added that the shelter would be open nightly from tonight until the weather was expected to warm up in February or March.