WRITER: Elvyn Jones

Lecompton volunteer group turns old school building into community hub once again

One of the volunteers who helped reclaim a closed and vacant school in Lecompton says he is pleased the building is once again a hub of community activities. “There’s something going on down there all the time,” said Greg Howard. “That’s satisfying, because we’ve done a great deal of work.” The approximately four-year old project has gone so well that community leaders are preparing to invest ...

Vinland Fair to return for annual 3-day run

The organizers of the Vinland Fair believe people can entertain themselves without the help of a carnival. “Instead of a carnival, we have sack races, a tug of war, a children’s pet parade and the tractor pull,” said Tamara Hagerman, Vinland Fair Board member with her husband, Rex. “It is old-time family entertainment.” The 111th annual Vinland Fair will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the hamlet ...

No independent candidates file for 1st District Douglas County Commission

The noon Monday deadline for independent candidates to file for the 1st District Douglas County Commission passed with no activity, Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew said. That means the winner of Tuesday’s three-way Democratic Party primary contest will have no opponent on the November general election ballot. The candidates are Patrick Kelly, director of the Lawrence College & Career Center, Lawrence ...

Democrats in Douglas County's 1st Commission District to choose from 3 candidates Tuesday

In all likelihood, Democratic Party voters in the 1st Douglas County Commission District will elect a new county commissioner Tuesday. Three candidates — Patrick Kelly, John Magnuson and Leslie Soden — are vying for the Democratic nomination for the 1st District seat that represents most Lawrence neighborhoods north of 19th Street and west of Massachusetts Street. The winner will not face a Republican ...

One Douglas County Commission candidate now employed by another's insurance agency

Douglas County Commission candidate Leslie Soden is now working as an agent for the Farmers Insurance office of fellow candidate John Magnuson. Both candidates are seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 1st District County Commission seat, which represents most Lawrence neighborhoods north of 19th Street and west of Massachusetts Street. Patrick Kelly, director of the Lawrence College & Career ...

Father: Girl, 5, recovered from Kansas River was 'really sweet girl and a great big sister'

The father of the 5-year-old girl whose body was recovered Saturday from the Kansas River said he hadn’t seen his daughter in 18 months and was worried about what he said was the deteriorating mental state of her mother. Clinton Tyler Bradley, of Columbia, Mo., said his daughter Amiyah Bradley was the girl whose body was recovered Saturday morning from the Kansas River. The girl was born during a two-year ...