WRITER: Rochelle Valverde

Public health clinic assistant Rachel Stumblingbear files for election to school board

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health clinic assistant Rachel Stumblingbear has filed for election to the Lawrence school board. Stumblingbear, who grew up in Gladstone, Missouri, and moved to Lawrence in 2009 to attend the University of Kansas, serves as a clinic assistant for the WIC Nutrition Program, a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children. Stumblingbear said she meets a lot ...

City leaders to discuss enforcement, fines and cost of proposed ban on single-use plastic bags

After expressing support earlier this year for moving forward with a ban on single-use plastic bags, city leaders will soon review particulars of a draft ordinance, including the process, fines and costs associated with enforcing the ban. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive an update on the single-use plastic bag draft ordinance and provide direction to city staff ...

Pallet Shelter Village for those experiencing homelessness delayed 6 months; city hopes to have it open before cold weather

This story was updated at 9:39 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023. Due to delays in several components of the project, the construction of a temporary shelter site the city plans to open on North Michigan Street has been delayed by approximately six months, with the city now hoping to open the site before cold weather moves in. Initially, the city anticipated the Pallet Shelter Village — comprised of ...

Workshop series throughout June to precede upcoming return of sacred prayer rock stolen from Kaw Nation

The project team that has been working for more than three years to return a sacred prayer rock that was stolen from the Kaw Nation will host a series of community workshops this month as preparations for the return to get underway. Beginning this Sunday and continuing each Sunday thereafter in June, the project team will host a guided tour and interactive workshop in Robinson Park, where ...

Lawrence school board has agreed to $3M to increase teacher salaries; teachers union proposing another $500,000

With savings from recent district budget cuts and increases in state funding in play, the Lawrence school board has agreed to a proposal that would provide about $3 million to increase teacher pay — amounting to an average raise of about $3,000. However, that amount could potentially increase, as the teachers union has proposed another $500,000 be added to that amount. The school board came to agreement on ...

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2023 Election roundup: Primary election to be held for Lawrence City Commission and Lawrence school board special election

Updated at 2:48 p.m. Thursday, June 1 In the wake of several recent candidate filings, a primary election will be held for both the Lawrence City Commission and the special election for the Lawrence school board. The filing deadline for local city and school board races was noon Thursday. The primary will take place Aug. 1, and the general election will be on Nov. 7. The cost of the primary will be split ...