Lone Star Lake is no longer under a watch advisory for harmful algal blooms.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment tested the water on Monday, Oct. 26, and notified Douglas County Public Works today, Oct. 30, that the toxin levels are now below advisory thresholds, allowing the HAB advisory to be lifted.

Lone Star Lake had been under a watch advisory since July 24.
 

Discipline is a skill that has been instilled in Reginald “Reggie” Demby, 59, throughout his career — from football player to Marine to his current role as an equipment operator lead with the Douglas County Public Works Department.

All require teamwork, but more importantly, discipline, he said. 

Douglas County Emergency Management will host a Winter Weather Readiness Workshop from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St.

The free workshop will help attendees recognize cold weather-related injuries and illnesses, understand National Weather Service alerts, adjust operations safely and communicate effectively during winter weather events such as blizzards, ice storms and extreme cold. The training is designed for local businesses, nonprofits, event organizers, and agency communicators.

The Douglas County Zoning and Codes department will host a community drop-in session about battery energy storage systems from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Zoning and Codes/Public Works building, 3755 E. 25th St. in Lawrence.

Planner Karl Bauer will provide 15-minute presentations at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. covering what a BESS entails and the regulations process. Staff will seek community input on topics such as location, notification areas, setbacks and size limitations.

The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office is warning homeowners, particularly seniors, about a property tax scam circulating through online videos and social media. The scam falsely claims that homeowners can reduce or freeze their property taxes by submitting a federal IRS form called “Form 1098-SR.”

No such IRS form or federal property tax relief program exists.

The false claims promote a nonexistent federal program that supposedly allows seniors and other homeowners to freeze their property taxes, lower tax bills or avoid local taxes.

Lone Star Lake remains under a Watch Advisory for blue-green algal blooms that may be harmful to humans and animals. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment tested the water on Sept. 28, and the results kept the advisory in place.

KDHE placed Lone Star Lake under a Watch Advisory on July 24. The lake is in southwest Douglas County.

KDHE discourages swimming, wading and water skiing near visible blooms. Do not let pets or livestock drink from affected water. Watch Advisory recommendations include:

Douglas County Emergency Management is accepting registrations for its Fall 2026 CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) weekend class. The course is designed to teach individuals to be better prepared to help themselves, their families and communities before, during and after a disaster.

The training will be Oct. 9-Oct. 11 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., in Flory Meeting Hall. The approximate schedule will be:

On Sept. 1, the small parking lot on the south side of the historic courthouse closed for construction. The construction project will nearly double the number of parking spaces in the lot, increasing capacity from 20 to 36. It is expected to be completed by the end of November. The drop boxes for the Treasurer's Office and the Elections Office have been relocated near the front steps, those facing Massachusetts Street, of the historic courthouse.

Also on Sept. 1, 18 additional spaces reopened in the parking lot south of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC).

This story is part of a series published in recognition of Supportive Housing Week, highlighting programs in Douglas County that combine affordable housing with services to help people maintain stability, improve their health and live independently. We are grateful to those who have agreed to share their experiences to show how this investment is making an impact.

Mark, 67, and his dog, Tank, are settling into their new home in North Lawrence.

“This hasn’t just changed my life. It has saved my life,” he said. “It’s a new home and new beginning.”  

This story is part of a series published in recognition of Supportive Housing Week, highlighting programs in Douglas County that combine affordable housing with services to help people maintain stability, improve their health and live independently. We are grateful to those who have agreed to share their experiences to show how this investment is making an impact.

Mary Rodriguez, a wellness and support advocate employed by Mental Health of America Heartland, works with homeless individuals who have received a voucher through Douglas County’s Flexible Housing Pool program.

This story is part of a series published in recognition of Supportive Housing Week, highlighting programs in Douglas County that combine affordable housing with services to help people maintain stability, improve their health and live independently. We are grateful to those who have agreed to share their experiences to show how this investment is making an impact.

This story is part of a series published in recognition of Supportive Housing Week, highlighting programs in Douglas County that combine affordable housing with services to help people maintain stability, improve their health and live independently. We are grateful to those who have agreed to share their experiences to show how this investment is making an impact.

Trudy, 78, is among the first tenants to move into Delmar Place Apartments, which opened this year.

“I’m extremely grateful,” she said. “I love being here.”