For at least a year and a half, those who rely on Lawrence's homeless shelter have also had to contend with the shelter’s chronic bedbug infestation. One woman staying at the Lawrence Community Shelter, who did not want to be publicly identified, told the Journal-World she had received multiple bites and that the bugs had burrowed into her personal belongings, which she was carrying with her. Trails of red ...
City of Lawrence officials say the city is losing specialized staff at a high rate, and that significant pay raises could be required to stem the tide of outgoing employees. More than 20 highly specialized city staff members whose jobs require formal technical and scientific training have resigned in the past few years, according to information the city provided the Journal-World. About 10 of those ...
Fees at the city’s three cemeteries will see the first of five rate increases this year, funds that city officials say will help to better maintain the cemetery grounds. The fee increase was approved as part of the city’s annual budget process and will increase rates for lots and burials by $50, excluding interment rates for infants, according to a city news release. The rates will increase by $50 each ...
As part of an unusual school project, 14-year-old Milo Bitters went to downtown clerks and shop owners with a question: could he check out their basements? In one, he found what he was looking for. In the basement of The Etc. Shop, he was shown to a door that opened to a dugout space that the shop now uses for storage. Milo found that some think the dugouts were likely used for hiding — perhaps people or ...
Veteran and nonprofit board member Dustin Stumblingbear has filed again for election to the Lawrence City Commission. Stumblingbear, 40, who has lived in Lawrence since 2009, ran unsuccessfully for City Commission in 2017, finishing fourth in a race for three seats. Stumblingbear said he decided to run again for the commission because he thinks his perspective — including his experiences as a veteran, ...
City leaders have taken a key step in the construction of the Lawrence Police Department’s new $18.5 million headquarters — hiring a firm to oversee the project. The Lawrence City Commission recently approved a construction management agreement with Turner Construction, under which the firm will be paid $35,000 for preconstruction services and 2.45 percent of the project's cost, according to a city staff ...