WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Advisory board recommends city reclaim over half a million dollars after Bert Nash steps away from housing project

After the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center stepped away from a permanent supportive housing project, an advisory board is recommending the city claw back more than half a million in affordable housing funds — a first for the city. As the Journal-World reported, Bert Nash said last week it would step away from the supportive housing project planned for the intersection of Sixth Street and Rockledge ...

Douglas County commissioners approve one-year extension on permit for North Lawrence solar farm

A solar project planned for north Lawrence got more time to move forward Wednesday after county commissioners approved a one-year extension to keep its permit alive. The County Commission voted 4-1 with Commissioner Erica Anderson opposed. The applicants of the Kansas Sky Energy Center – which would span 8 million square feet and produce enough electricity to power about 30,000 homes – told commissioners ...

Welcome center, preschool expansion, more college credit options among Lawrence school district's plans for 2026 and 2027

A new family welcome center, expanded preschool classrooms and additional college credit opportunities are among the Lawrence school district initiatives planned for 2026 and 2027, and school board members got an overview of them at their meeting this week. The district is planning to create an “Open Engagement Welcome Center” this year at its Education Support Center at 110 McDonald Drive, Superintendent ...

Lawrence school board to consider $3.5 million in renovations to prepare for district's new Choice Campus at Centennial

Lawrence school board members on Monday will consider a more than $3.5 million renovation contract to prepare for the district’s new Choice Campus at Centennial program launching this fall. The renovation services from Centric Projects LLC will cover improvements necessary to bring the building into alignment with current safety, code, and programmatic requirements and to support the long-term use of the ...

Haskell educators, activists rally community to protect Wakarusa Wetlands from future development

Daniel Wildcat said his opposition to a proposed development in the Wakarusa River Valley is rooted in an understanding of wealth — one measured not by land or money, but by relationships with people, the Earth and all living beings. “We understood wealth resided in the number of good relatives you have,” Wildcat, a professor at Haskell Indian Nations University, told a crowd on Saturday. “We've lost a ...

Douglas County commissioners to consider one-year extension for North Lawrence solar farm permit

The future of a controversial 1,105-acre solar farm proposed for farm fields just north of North Lawrence once again will be in the hands of Douglas County commissioners. The County Commission on Wednesday will consider a one-year extension for the Kansas Sky Energy solar farm project, which has been unable to start construction due to an ongoing lawsuit that alleges the project violates county codes. ...