Seventh-grader Daniel Dao and ninth-grader Lawrence Dao, of Lawrence Virtual School, received first place in the 2024-2025 Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Feb. 7 at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. The brothers received a $1,250 check and now qualify for the state competition in April in Manhattan. Their business idea, “Don’t Panic AI Tutors,” offers tutoring and workshops that aim to demystify AI, spark curiosity and equip students with the skills they need for a tech-driven future.

With jury trials scheduled to begin the week of Feb. 3, parking will be significantly limited in the lot south of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center at 111 E. Eleventh St., due to ongoing construction. Potential jurors, attorneys, and anyone with court-related business at the building should plan for extra time to find parking.

A map of public parking in the area is available on the county website. 
 

Douglas County Emergency Management, in partnership with KU Emergency Management and the Topeka National Weather Service, is hosting a severe weather training at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Capitol Federal Hall, 1654 Naismith Drive, on the University of Kansas campus in Room 1111.

The two-hour workshop will include information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of storm features and safety tips. The free training is open to anyone, and it is being held in conjunction with Severe Weather Preparedness Month.

Kansas personal property owners are no longer required to file an annual reporting form, known as a rendition, with the County Appraiser’s Office if there have been no changes.

However, personal property owners are still required to notify the County Appraiser’s Office if there are changes to their personal property. Examples of changes that should be reported include:

• Purchase of new personal property
• Sale of personal property
• Changes in the use
• Changes where the property is stored

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC) addition and renovation project, along with the Public Safety Building, has been rescheduled to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. The event will take place on the south lawn of the JLEC, 111 E. Eleventh St.

The event, originally scheduled for Jan. 17, has been postponed in consideration of those impacted by a trial hearing.

The City of Lawrence, Douglas County, eXplore Lawrence and the University of Kansas, along with organizations throughout Douglas County, have established a Unified Command to coordinate preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The Unified Command aims to centralize efforts and streamline the community’s readiness for this major event.

Douglas County is offering a one-year property tax rebate program for low-income seniors and disabled veterans. The maximum rebate payment per household is $300 or the county portion of property tax, whichever is less. Rebates will be mailed to applicants by July 2025.

The program is for Douglas County residents who are ages 65 and older or disabled veterans. Eligibility requirements also include:

Douglas County invites the community to a groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, for the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC) addition and renovation project, as well as the Public Safety Building. The event will be held on the south lawn of the JLEC, 111 E. Eleventh St.

The Youth Services Division of Douglas County Criminal Justice Services is offering “The Parent Project,” a 10-week program that gives parents, grandparents and caregivers tools to guide their strong-willed teens (ages 10 and older) and build healthy families.

Classes are held every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting Feb. 4 and ending April 15. There is no class on March 18. The classes are held at 1006 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence. The program is open to Douglas County residents, and there is no cost.

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) is accepting applications for funding through the Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program. Up to $210,000 is available for grant awards in 2025. The Board of County Commissioners allocated funding for the program as part of the county’s annual budget. Award amounts range from $5,000 to $75,000.

HCC encourages applications that focus on cultural heritage, natural heritage or historic preservation. All projects must take place in Douglas County, Kansas, and be completed within two years.

Douglas County Government offices and District Court will be closed Monday, Jan. 6, due to weather-related safety concerns. Douglas County is under a Blizzard Warning until 9 p.m. today, Jan. 5. Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. 

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory from midnight today, Jan. 5, until 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6. Very cold wind chills as low as 21 below are expected.

The Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) has three community member seats under the new bylaws that are open for applications. Terms are for two years. The CJCC meets bi-monthly with meetings scheduled for the second Tuesday of the following months: February, April, June, August, October and December.