WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Humane society, pig rescue offer highway 'jumper' a web of support

After tumbling off a truck on the highway, a young pig was rescued and is now on the road to recovery thanks to a dedicated network of rescuers and caregivers. Gilbert — the pig who was rescued by someone driving close behind the truck and witnessed the fall — is known as a "jumper," or a pig that leaps or falls from transport trucks, typically while being moved from a breeding facility to a slaughterhouse. ...

Some July 4th celebrations in the Lawrence area, plus rules for shooting off fireworks

With Independence Day just around the corner, here’s what to know about various events and how to celebrate safely and legally. Fireworks have been prohibited in Lawrence for 23 years now, with the exception of novelty items like party poppers, sparklers and snappers, but folks who want to shoot off fireworks can do so in parts of Douglas County, as long as certain rules are followed. The use of fireworks ...

Douglas County proposes $191.4M budget for 2026 with flat property tax rate; partners ask for help to offset cuts

Douglas County staff is proposing a $191.4 million budget for 2026 that holds the property tax rate flat, and the county administrator said Thursday that many partner agencies are making "serious, substantial" requests for extra funding to offset federal cuts. Last year, county commissioners approved a $201 million 2025 budget with a 2.911-mill property tax rate decrease, for a total mill levy of 41.298 mills. ...

Douglas County to submit grant application to continue mental health program for juveniles in detention

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to submit a grant application to continue funding a mental health program for youths in juvenile detention. As the Journal-World reported, the grant the county is applying for will support the ongoing partnership between the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center to ensure continued access to mental health and ...

Douglas County commissioners to seek grant funding to continue mental health program at juvenile detention center

Douglas County commissioners at their Wednesday meeting will consider a grant application to help fund mental health and substance abuse care to youths who are in juvenile detention. The grant opportunity supports the ongoing partnership between the Kansas Department of Corrections, or KDOC, and the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center to ensure continued access to assessments and related services. As ...

Bert Nash CEO resigns effective immediately; interim CEO named

UPDATED: 4:40 P.M. JUNE 24 Patrick Schmitz resigned his role as CEO of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center effective immediately on Tuesday, and the center has announced clinical director Kirsten Watkins as its interim CEO. On Tuesday during the Bert Nash Governing Board meeting, members of the board announced Schmitz’s resignation. Schmitz told board members in a written statement read aloud at ...