25 years ago: Firefighters get new fitness equipment

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 14, 1986:

The latest fitness equipment was being used to help Lawrence firefighters. A $3,000 StairMaster, referred to as the “new ‘revolving stair’ machine,” had been installed at Fire Station No. 1 and was available to all firefighters when they were off duty. The machine not only helped firefighters stay in shape, it also helped estimate how long a 30-minute airpack would last under actual fire-fighting conditions, when breathing would likely become extraordinarily heavy.

Kurt Vonnegut was scheduled to speak at Kansas University’s Hoch Auditorium on Oct. 22. The author, who toured only two weeks out of the year, was planning to answer questions after a prepared speech and also to sign copies of his latest novel, “Galapagos.” Hunter S. Thompson and Tom Wolfe were slated to visit the university in February and April.