News

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA – Making more resources and funding available for communities through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is helping increase safety and improve the health and wellness of students as they walk, bike or roll to school.

The program helps provide the framework for local areas to enhance multimodal infrastructure and non-infrastructure plans now and in the future.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Those looking to help fund a great local cause while also having some fun will soon have that opportunity thanks to Southwest Miracles.

Southwest Miracles will be hosting its 16th annual Shindig event, which will be Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Seward County Activity Center at 810 Stadium Ave. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and as a BYOB event, patrons must be 21 years old or older to come. The event will feature a steak dinner, a live and silent auction, and there will be live music from Lendon James and his band. Tickets are $25 each, and anyone wanting tickets can call (620) 626-5035 or any Southwest Miracles Committee member, as they will not be sold at the door.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

A home in south Liberal suffered significant fire, smoke and water damage from a residential fire Friday afternoon.

In a press release, Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk said shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, firefighters were dispatched to 213 W. Curtis Street for a reported house fire with unknown occupants.

“The first arriving fire and law enforcement personnel encountered a two-story residence with heavy smoke issuing from the entire structure,” he said. “Neighbors to the residence advised they believed the home to be vacant.”

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

A Hooker, Okla., man is dead following a fatality accident Friday afternoon involving an SUV and a train in Kismet.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported around 4:30 p.m. Friday, a 2003 Chevy Suburban was traveling southbound on Main Street in Kismet.

KHP said the Suburban drove around the railroad crossing arm and was struck by a train traveling eastbound. The driver, 35-year-old David Vargas of Hooker, suffered fatal injuries and was taken to Hornung Funeral Home in Liberal.

KHP said Vargas was not wearing his seat belt at the time.