WRITER: Bremen Keasey

Lawrence school board votes to advance 2 capital projects: creating a flexible high school program and expanding Langston Hughes Elementary

Lawrence school board members voted Wednesday night to advance two major projects — a new flexible high school program and expansion of an elementary school — into a planning and development phase. The board voted unanimously to advance the creation of a small high school program at the former Centennial Elementary School, 2145 Louisiana St., and the expansion of Langston Hughes Elementary, 1101 George ...

City Commission candidates field questions about how they would handle the city's finances during former mayors' forum

In the second of two forums hosted by former Lawrence mayors, City Commission candidates discussed Monday night how they would tackle financial issues facing the city if they were on the commission. The four candidates who are vying for two open seats in the Nov. 4 general election — Michael Courtney, Bart Littlejohn, Kristine Polian and Bob Schumm — were all present at the forum, which was held at Peaslee ...

Rehab facility in a converted Lawrence motel has turned a place of deep lows into 'a place that rebuilds lives'

It took a few years for David Hawley’s vision of an alcohol and drug treatment center in Lawrence to open, but only a few months for it to receive a big sign that it’s doing something right. Hawley, the owner of Papa Keno’s pizzeria and someone who has been in recovery for 20 years, and co-founder Aaron Thakker, the owner of a Eudora construction company, made initial steps in September 2023 to create ...

Van Go's 'Dinner on the Curve' fundraiser is next month; leader says public's support is even more important this year

Lawrence arts-based social service nonprofit Van Go's annual dinner and auction fundraiser is next month, and the nonprofit's leader says the community's support will be even more important than usual this year. Van Go will host Dinner on the Curve from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at its 715 New Jersey St. facility. A news release from the nonprofit said that the dinner will be catered by Merchants Pub & ...

With its story of mental illness and family, Theatre Lawrence's season kickoff 'Next to Normal' is 'even more relevant right now,' director says

When you think of a hit Broadway musical, you might expect catchy musical numbers and colorful sets and costumes — but you might not expect to see everyday struggles like yours and your family's playing out on stage. That's what Theatre Lawrence executive director Jamie Ulmer says makes "Next to Normal" so special. The Tony- and Pulitzer-winning show, which will kick off Theatre Lawrence's 2025-26 season ...

Lawrence City Commission candidates field questions from former mayors about housing and homelessness

Candidates for Lawrence City Commission fielded questions on Wednesday about homelessness and development challenges from people who'd made big decisions on those issues before: several former Lawrence mayors. The four candidates who are vying for two open seats in the Nov. 4 general election — Michael Courtney, Bart Littlejohn, Kristine Polian and Bob Schumm — were all present at the forum, which was held ...