Colleen Surridge/Sun photo Alyssa Stephens, 3, of Oswego enjoys playing in a ditch full of rainwater as temperatures crept up to the mid 60s Friday afternoon.

Colleen Surridge/Sun photo Maj. Gen. Al Aycock paid a visit to the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant Thursday as part of a tour of Army bases impacted by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act. Aycock is the director of operations, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management (OACSIM), responsible for overseeing the development and coordination of program requirements, strategy and policies pertaining to facilities, military construction, energy and BRAC properties that support Army objectives and improves the quality of life for soldiers, civilians and families. Aycock began his visit to Parsons with lunch that included Don Dailey, KSAAP commander’s representative (far left); Dan Goddard, Great Plains Development Authority (GPDA) CEO; Ann Charles, GPDA deputy director; and other Army personnel. He was joined on his visit by Pentagon officials Tom Lederle and Hank Procter, who are assisting in the transfer of KSAAP property to GPDA.

Colleen Surridge/Sun photo Rainwater forces its way out of a manhole cover over which city workers placed a protective barricade in the middle of Grand Avenue near Heacock and the Frisco Hiking and Biking Trail at Forest Park. Heavy rains Monday night and Tuesday led to the city’s storm drains filling to capacity and flooding occurring in various places around town. As of Tuesday morning, the city had received 3.2 inches of rain, according to the Kansas State University Southeast Agricultural Research Center. Rain continued throughout much of Tuesday and is forecasted for today and Thursday as well.

Jamie Willey/Sun photo Three helicopters from the 285th Aviation Unit of the U.S. Army National Guard in Tulsa fly over Harmony Grove Cemetery near Dennis Sunday during a burial ceremony for Joe Helms Jr. of Dennis, who served in the 285th. A funeral detail from Fort Riley gave Helms’ a 21-gun salute, and a bugler from Fort Riley played “Taps.” Dozens of motorcyclists, including members of the Patriot Guard, also honored Helms.

Jamie Willey/Sun photo Parsons Girl Scouts march on Main Street in the St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday. The Scouts wore uniforms of the past in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

Jamie Willey/Sun photo Students and parents of St. Patrick Catholic School march on Main Street Saturday in the St. Patrick's Day parade.