When Dagna D’Ercole started as a Lawrence Police Department dispatcher in 1989, the dispatch center looked much different than it does today with all the technology in the now-consolidated Douglas County Emergency Communications Center.

K-State Research and Extension – Douglas County, in partnership with the Douglas County Community Foundation, is hosting a four-part series, “Welcome A-Board: Board Leadership Basics,” that begins Feb. 16.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has begun a 30-day public comment period for the draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): Transportation 2050. The plan identifies future needs and makes investment recommendations for all modes of transportation including automobile, public transit, bicycle, pedestrian, etc. This plan reflects the feedback and perspectives provided from the community engagement conducted in 2022. This plan is required by federal regulations to ensure funding for transportation projects throughout Douglas County.

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council is conducting an intensive historic resources survey of downtown Baldwin City. A public information meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Baldwin City Public Library, 800 Seventh St., with survey consultants to provide details about the survey and answer questions. The work consists of research, field survey and a project report. The survey focuses on buildings and structures that are at least 50 years old.

In partnership with the Douglas County Community Foundation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Network Kansas, and Forward Cities, Douglas County is excited to kick off the E3 Nation Tour. This event will help our community take next steps on the path towards designing, leading and sustaining equitable entrepreneurial communities in Lawrence and Douglas County.

Douglas County’s annual operating budget serves as the most significant policy document, maintaining core County services, while prioritizing key investments that support the prosperity and health of our community.

Notice of Sheriff's Sale of real estate situated in Douglas County, Kansas on January 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. in the County Commissioner Chambers, 1100 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Review document below for property details. This is a public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash in had for all real estate described in the document.

Before the year winds to an end, we want to give a very special shout-out to Eudora machinist Wayne Neis who fixed the Courthouse clock!

County Commissioners approved a map for five districts during their Dec. 21 meeting. They also will recommend waiting until the 2024 general election for election of the two new Commission districts. They will send their recommendation to Governor Laura Kelly. 

• Click here for a downloadable copy of the map along with maps by district with precincts.

Douglas County Commissioners will discuss a map option for five districts during their next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., on the second floor in the Commission meeting room. The meeting also is available by Zoom. Meeting information is posted here: http://dgcoks.org/commissionmeetings. There will be an opportunity to hear from the public during the meeting.

Engage Douglas County received the Coalition of Excellence Award for Coalition in Focus from CADCA, the nation’s leading substance use and misuse prevention organization. The Coalition of Excellence award is part of CADCA’s Got Outcomes! award program, which gives national recognition to exemplary coalitions that have clearly documented their impact on population-level substance abuse outcomes. Engage Douglas County will receive this prestigious award on Feb. 2 during CADCA’s 2023 National Leadership Forum at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

Douglas County Commissioners will continue their discussion about map options and the process for moving to five Commission Districts during their Wednesday, Dec. 14, meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., on the second floor in the Commission meeting room. The meeting also is available by Zoom. Meeting information is posted here: http://dgcoks.org/commissionmeetings.