WRITER: Bremen Keasey

One Lawrence man is using his experience as a double amputee to give hope to others in a limb loss support group

Rex Ellebracht has been doing social work across Kansas for nearly 30 years by his own estimate, but it became even more personal for him after he lost a leg. Ellebracht has diabetes, and around 10 or 12 years ago when he was facing complications from the disease, the doctors — after initially thinking they could potentially save his left leg — eventually decided it needed to be amputated. Ellebracht said ...

Lawrence commissioners to consider approving temporary demolition moratorium for University Place neighborhood near KU

The city has a new development code that urges neighborhoods to become more dense by adding more buildings and homes. While that strategy may fit with the goal of creating more affordable housing in the community, there’s a worry it may cause some potentially historic homes to get torn down to make way for new development. Lawrence city commissioners next week may take action to alleviate some of those ...

Two more candidates enter race for Lawrence City Commission, bringing total up to four for 2025 election

Two more candidates have entered the race for the two Lawrence City Commission seats up for election in the fall. Ruby Mae Johnson and Alex Kerr both filed this month for the election. They join Steve Jacob and Eric Hyde in the race. Jacob filed to run in January, as the Journal-World reported, and Hyde had filed in March 2024. In a news release, Johnson said she brings a unique perspective as a transgender ...

City Commission to hold special meeting Tuesday after this week's cancellation due to weather

City commissioners will convene a special meeting Feb. 25, a week after their regularly scheduled meeting was canceled due to severe weather. The city announced Monday night that the Feb. 18 meeting would be canceled because of a winter storm warning and potentially “dangerous travel conditions” on Tuesday. At the time, Sherri Riedemann, Lawrence’s city clerk, told the Journal-World that city staff were ...

Advisory boards sign off on new master plan for Parks, Recreation and Culture department; it now goes to City Commission

The Parks, Recreation and Culture department’s new "playbook" — full of plans for generating more revenue and upgrading amenities like parks, playgrounds and trails — is now on its way to the Lawrence City Commission for final approval. Earlier this month, two city advisory boards signed off on the department's new master plan. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved it on Feb. 10, and the ...

City plans to add utility crossing projects with South Lawrence Trafficway road work, hoping to spur future development west of K-10

As the South Lawrence Trafficway begins an expansion from two lanes to four on the west side of Lawrence, utility projects might soon be underway that could help spur the city's expansion to the west of K-10. The city is considering giving a pair of construction contracts to Emery Sapp & Sons — the company currently working on the expansion of the roadway, as the Journal-World reported — to upgrade ...