As a hot air balloon pilot, Douglas County IT employee Darrin Harrison gets to explore the countryside from a unique perspective.

“Geese fly around us. In the fall when the Monarch butterflies are migrating through, depending on where you’re at, you might find yourself in a cloud of butterflies,” he said. “People will come out when they hear the balloon burners, so you can talk to people 400 feet below you.”

The Board of County Commissioners reached a tentative agreement July 16 on an approximately $202.6 million budget for 2026. Commissioners agreed on a mill levy of 40.669 mills, a decrease of 0.629 mills from last year.

For the fourth consecutive year, the County Commission has lowered the mill levy. In 2024, the Commission approved a reduction of 2.9 mills for the 2025 budget, building on previous reductions of 2.0 mills in 2023 and 1.2 mills in 2022. These reductions total 6.7 mills over four years. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 assessed value.

Beginning Monday, July 21, a portion of U.S. 40 in Douglas County will be closed to traffic while Kansas Department of Transportation maintenance crews replace a drainage structure under the roadway.

U.S. 40 will be fully closed between mile markers 375 and 376 from Monday, July 21, until Friday, July 25, conditions permitting. The area is just east of the East 600 Road intersection.

No detours will be posted, and motorists will need to use alternate routes.

A team of archaeologists from Augustana University and the University of Kansas has launched a yearlong survey aimed at uncovering Douglas County’s historic past.

The project, which began in June, is focused on identifying and documenting archaeological sites across the county. Researchers will analyze existing artifacts and conduct field surveys to better understand the area’s history.

The Douglas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) today recognized firefighter and paramedic Tiffany Saturday and Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1 with the 2025 Preparedness Partner Awards during a meeting at the county’s Public Works building.

The awards highlight exceptional service and leadership in emergency preparedness over the past year.

The LEPC, composed of about 50 representatives from local agencies and businesses involved in emergency response, also functions as the board for Douglas County Emergency Management.

Public Works has contracted with Vance Brothers to apply chip seal on 26.5 miles of roads in the southeast portion of the county. Work is expected to start in mid-July and take three to four weeks.

Flaggers and a pilot car will control traffic through one lane, so expect up to 15-minute delays to pass through the project. The work zone will be roughly two miles each day. Other roads will remain open.

The Board of County Commissioners will begin public hearings on the proposed 2026 budget at 9 a.m. Monday, July 7, in the Commission meeting room on the second floor of the historic Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

The proposed $191.4 million budget includes a mill levy of 41.298 mills, which remains flat from last year. One mill equals one dollar per $1,000 of assessed property value. Commissioners may consider lowering the tax rate and adding services during the review process.

Starting July 14, North 900 Road will be closed between East 1050 Road and East 1100 Road for a bridge replacement project. Access will be maintained for nearby properties. Public Works will provide detailed notification to emergency services.

The existing narrow bridge was built in 1935 and carries vehicles over a tributary to Washington Creek. The project (2022-31) is included in Douglas County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and is estimated to cost $1 million. The project is expected to take four months, weather permitting.

With Independence Day on the horizon, Douglas County is reminding residents of the rules for enjoying fireworks responsibly in unincorporated areas of the county. Fireworks may be legally discharged only on private property with the owner’s permission and supervision. Use on public streets or roadways is strictly prohibited.

Fireworks are permitted during the following times:

Starting July 15, Route 460 will be closed two miles east of U.S. 59 Highway. Public Works crews will replace culverts at three locations between East 1400 Road and East 1500 Road. The first location is marked on this map. 

The road will be closed to all traffic at the work zone. Access will be maintained for nearby properties. Public Works will provide detailed notification to emergency services.

Douglas County Emergency Management encourages residents to stay weather aware and supplement and diversify how they receive information.

At 9 years old, Tim Shoulderblade took his first sip of beer. At 13, he started to use meth after losing both his father and older brother in the span of months.

“I lost my father figures – my role models. I started following the wrong people,” Shoulderblade said. “After that, I just spiraled.”

Shoulderblade became addicted to alcohol and drugs, which led him to dropping out of school, participating in escalating criminal activity and homelessness. For 20 years, he lived a turbulent life.