WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Lawrence aviation company in growth mode after winning NASA contract

A Lawrence-based aviation firm has won a new NASA contract, and it also moved into new space that will allow it to go from just designing high-tech aviation prototypes to actually building them. DARcorporation this week was selected by NASA for continued work on a project that will test how artificial intelligence can be used to pilot unmanned aircraft in the future. DARcorporation previously had done work ...

From a stone in your pocket to a several thousand dollar gemstone, downtown shop expands for rock lovers

I have learned the hard way that there are people in my life who are not a fan of fake gold. (In my defense, it did take me $5 in quarters to get the ring out of the bubble gum machine.) But maybe you are a genuine fan of pyrite — fool’s gold — or any number of other minerals. If so, I have news of a downtown Lawrence store expanding for people just like you. Summit’s Steps Minerals has moved to 11 W. ...

Lawrence-based suicide prevention organization signs deal for new space; move will allow statewide hotline to grow

A Lawrence nonprofit is undertaking a major expansion that it expects will cement its standing as the leading suicide prevention organization in the state. Headquarters Counseling Center later this month will move from its longtime, but small, home in downtown Lawrence into a new space in eastern Lawrence. The center has signed a deal to occupy about 6,700 square feet of office space in the industrial park ...

Mexican restaurant chain closes its location on 23rd Street

Story updated 10:24 a.m. Monday One stretch of Lawrence street is losing another Mexican restaurant. The city's lone Qdoba Mexican Eats announced Friday that it has closed. Qdoba was located at 1714 W. 23rd St., which is a stretch of street that at one point probably had more Mexican restaurants per square foot than any place in town. It maybe still does, but the Qdoba closing comes a few months after Taco ...

Party supply store finds new Lawrence home with demolition of shopping center imminent; look for new type of drive-thru on 23rd Street

If you are like me, a steak dinner is plenty of a reason to wear one of those pointy party hats. Throw in a loaded baked potato and we’ll have a heck of a fiesta, once I wake up from my nap. So, maybe it makes sense that Party America is moving into a space just behind the steakhouse chain Texas Roadhouse. There had been some concern that Party America’s days were numbered. As we’ve reported, the 23rd ...

Whistleblower who brought forward concerns of missing money at Clinton State Park fired by state; leader says it wasn't retribution

A whistleblower in a case involving missing documents and accounting irregularities at Clinton State Park has been fired by the state, the Journal-World has learned. At least three other park employees also have had their jobs impacted, although it is unclear whether they also were fired or placed on leave while the state investigates whether accounting irregularities led to stolen money at the park. In late ...