Two Lansford residents say they’re looking out for area children, advocating a bus stop change and preparing for a regional Halloween festival.

Denise Leibensperger raised concerns about a bus stop near her home on West Ridge Street during a Panther Valley School Board meeting Wednesday night.

She addressed the matter with Lansford Borough Council, but understood that notification about a change may have been late.

Leibensperger, who witnessed near misses with children and vehicles, asked when the bus stop would be changed.

Superintendent Dave McAndrew said the district is looking for a date to change the stop, possibly the day after Columbus Day holiday in October.

The reasoning is that school just started and children are getting comfortable with the routine, and they wanted to wait for a clean break and not to confuse them too much, he said.

Another resident from Lansford, Michele Bartek, also witnessed near misses around the bus stop, which is near Klock Road. She, however, came to talk about the fourth annual Halloween Festival in Lansford.

Bartek asked if they could distribute fliers about the event at the school to get the word out. The safe trick-or-treat event features a costume contest and free treats, games and rides for kids ages 2 to 12.

The festival is Oct. 29 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Ashton Park in Lansford, but children from all of the surrounding communities as well as Jim Thorpe, Lehighton and Tamaqua are welcome.

Volunteers and donations are also welcome to continue the festival’s success, Bartek said. She added that they welcome collaboration with the school and students.

The board and administrators said they were willing to work with organizers.