WRITER: Dylan Lysen

Lawrence district plans to keep COVID-19 protocols through summer as nearly 60 students quarantine from recent exposure

As the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs and the community reopens further, the Lawrence school district and dozens of its students recently learned that public spaces still pose a virus threat. A few days after the students were exposed, the Lawrence school district announced that it would keep its COVID-19 protocols through the summer, even if Douglas County chooses to rescind public health orders soon. Meanwhile, ...

Lawrence school board to hear report about how students, staff view police officers in schools

The Lawrence school board will soon receive a report on the district’s use of police officers in its school buildings, including the results of a student and employee survey in which many respondents said they'd had positive interactions with the officers. During the board’s meeting on Monday, Superintendent Anthony Lewis will share the results of a recent ThoughtExchange survey about the district's use of ...

Lawrence man charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child

A Lawrence man is facing multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child for allegedly possessing child pornography in 2019. Benjamin L. Pelofsky, 21, was recently charged in Douglas County District Court with four counts of the level-five felony. A level-five felony conviction can result in prison time up to 136 months, or a little more than 11 years, according to Kansas’ sentencing guidelines. Pelofsky ...

Lawrence man charged with several child pornography crimes

A Lawrence man is facing several child pornography charges in Douglas County District Court. Justin E. Lewis, 24, was recently charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of internet trading in child pornography, all of which are level five felonies. A level five felony conviction can result in prison time up to 136 months, or a little more than 11 years, according to Kansas' ...

Lawrence man accused of felony sexual assault at pool party pleads no contest to lesser charges

A Lawrence man facing a felony sexual assault charge was convicted of lesser charges on Monday through a plea agreement. Matthew C. Hart, 42, pleaded no contest to two counts of battery, which are misdemeanors. With his plea, Judge Stacey Donovan convicted Hart of the charges and ordered a suspended sentence of 12 months in Douglas County Jail. With the suspended sentence, Hart will serve 12 months of ...

Meet the 2021 Academic All-Star finalists

Every year since 1997, the Journal-World has invited administrators and counselors from public and private high schools in the Lawrence area to nominate their most outstanding seniors for the Journal-World’s Academic All-Star team. As in previous years, a panel of three judges reviewed applications for the award and $500 scholarship. The top 12 All-Stars were chosen based on their strong academics, ...