WRITER: Rochelle Valverde

County leaders to consider extending health order that requires masks for kids ages 2-12 in schools and other public indoor spaces

Douglas County leaders will consider extending a health order that requires children who are not yet eligible for vaccination to wear a mask while indoors. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the Douglas County Commission will consider extending the current health order that requires children ages 2 to 12 to wear masks while in indoor public spaces, with some exceptions. Local health officers are recommending the ...

Lawrence City Commission supportive of changes to strengthen city’s rental inspection program

City leaders are supportive of moving forward with changes to strengthen the city’s rental inspection program, and discussion will continue on which specific changes will best accomplish that. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission considered the first draft of amendments to the city’s rental inspection ordinance, which includes provisions to increase the number of units inspected and ...

Lawrence City Commission expresses interest in citizen-led concept for pedestrian bridge, other infrastructure; group says grants could potentially help fund it

City leaders expressed interest in a proposal developed by a group of Lawrence residents to build a pedestrian bridge and other pedestrian infrastructure for the Kansas River near downtown Lawrence. As part of its study session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission reviewed the design concept created by RiverFront & Center, an eclectic group of Lawrence residents. The design for the project, Kaw River ...

Lawrence City Commission to consider budget amendment that includes $4.7M toward new financial software system

Amid recurring accounting issues in recent years, Lawrence city leaders will soon consider a budget adjustment that includes an approximately $4.7 million addition for a new financial software system. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider the 2021 third quarter budget amendment, which would result in a net increase of about $5.7 million and includes spending of some grant ...

City of Lawrence asks downtown visitors and businesses if they want outdoor dining setup to be a permanent option

The City of Lawrence wants to know whether residents would like to see a long-term version of the patio and outdoor dining areas constructed in parking stalls downtown amid the coronavirus pandemic. The city recently launched an online survey to collect feedback from downtown visitors and business owners about the idea and will be hosting three public meetings in the first week of October. The program has ...

Downtown Lawrence Inc. to host forum for City Commission candidates on Wednesday

Lawrence City Commission candidates will discuss issues related to downtown Lawrence as part of a forum Wednesday. Downtown Lawrence Inc. will host the forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. The public can also watch the forum via Zoom and can register to do so at https://bit.ly/3nPxK5E​. As part of the forum, candidates typically respond to various questions ...