WRITER: Bremen Keasey

Here's how local leaders are working to help reduce serious vehicle crashes in Douglas County with the Vision Zero initiative

The initiative that's aiming to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injury accidents in Douglas County might be called "Vision Zero," but make no mistake: it's really about seeing things more clearly. It's certainly about helping drivers see things around them — like with pedestrian islands that make it easier to see people who are walking or biking. But it's also about helping planners to see the trends ...

Facing budget shortfall, city to present plan to commissioners for $6M in cuts, transfers to balance 2024 budget

The city manager's office says it's time for mid-year budget cuts at Lawrence City Hall. Fire and medical, parks and recreation, and sidewalk repair are among the cuts proposed, and that would be after the city dips into about $3 million of its rainy day funds. The cuts — which still must be approved by the City Commission — are being proposed because the city's finance department now believes the city ...

Lawrence City Commission set to vote on design for Outdoor Aquatic Center renovation

The Lawrence City Commission will be asked to choose a concept next week for a major renovation of the Outdoor Aquatic Center, which would cost at least $6.1 million and add a lazy river and other new water features. As the Journal-World has reported, the city is planning to remove much of the current pool area of the center, at 727 Kentucky St., and replace it with a lazy river, splash pad and shallow pool. ...

A week after his name was removed from nomination to police oversight board, ex-deputy DA facing ethics complaint back as nominee

A former deputy district attorney in Douglas County who is facing a state ethics complaint is back as a nominee for a city board that reviews police conduct complaints — one week after his name was removed from that list. On Thursday afternoon, attorney Joshua Seiden was once again listed as one of three people the City Commission was set to consider appointing to the Community Police Review Board, according ...

Point-in-time homeless count in Douglas County up 18% since last year; county had the third-highest homeless count in the state

The 2024 point-in-time homeless count for Lawrence and Douglas County, which was completed earlier this year, is up 18% from last year, according to results that were shared with the Journal-World on Wednesday. The point-in-time count is conducted each year by state agencies as mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and it’s intended to give a picture of how many sheltered and ...

Lawrence City Commission gives OK for sidewalk improvement project, demolition of large downtown building

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved more than half a million dollars worth of sidewalk improvement projects at eight locations around the city. Commissioners voted 4-0, with Commissioner Brad Finkledei absent, to award a $562,265 bid to Sands Construction LLC as part of the 2023 Pedestrian Improvements Project. The project will construct new sidewalks on Wisconsin Street from Fifth Street to ...