County in top 10 percent in quality-of-life ranking

Douglas County ranked 293rd for quality of life out of all 3,141 American counties in a survey released this week by American City Business Journals.

The ranking puts Douglas County in the top 10 percent of all American counties. The survey looked at 20 statistical indicators, including the length of commute times, the availability of a public transit system, home values and unemployment.

The county ranked 14th among Kansas counties, behind Johnson — which ranked seventh in the nation — Scott, Stevens, Gove, Sheridan, Lane, Greeley, Wallace, Hodgeman, Ness, Thomas, Haskell and Rawlins counties.

The full report can be found at www.bizjournals.com.

History

Storyteller to relate tale of Lewis & Clark traveler

Jim Two Crows Wallen will bring to life the story of George “Peg-Leg” Shannon, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lawrence Public Library.

For 16 days during the summer of 1804, Shannon wandered alone through what is now Nebraska after he became separated from Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery. Shannon earned his nickname after losing a leg. He later became a lawyer and U.S. senator from Missouri.

Wallen, of Independence, Mo., will illustrate the story with an authentic costume and artifacts.

The all-age presentation will feature musical entertainment, crafts for children, snacks and lemonade.

It will be held outdoors on the west lawn of the library, 707 Vt. Bringing blankets and lawn chairs is suggested. In case of rain, the program will take place in the library auditorium.

6Productions

WWII POWs interviewed on ‘River City Weekly’

Don Binns, a former prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp and a two-term Lawrence mayor, plus some of the World War II veterans with whom he was imprisoned, speak with Bill Snead about their war-time experiences this week on “River City Weekly.”

The former POWs were interviewed early in May in a hotel near Kansas City International Airport, where the group has met regularly each of the past 15 years.

“River City Weekly,” with host Greg Hurd, premieres on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays with replays at 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Mondays, and 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.