The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office will mail Change of Value Notices for real estate properties for the 2026 tax year on Feb. 27.

The office’s annual market study found overall increases in residential and commercial real estate prices, with roughly 90% of properties seeing an increase from 2025 to 2026. The analysis reviewed more than 2,000 sales, cost data from the Marshall & Swift Valuation Service, and rent and expense information for leased properties. Demand continues to outpace supply in several neighborhoods and property types.

Eighth-grader Daniel Dao, of Lawrence Virtual School, received first place in the 2025-2026 Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Feb. 20 at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. He received a $1,250 check and now qualifies for the state competition in April in Manhattan. His business idea, BrainQuest, is an app that offers carefully curated exercises grounded in educational research that is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills for users of all ages and backgrounds.

After nearly two years of preparation and planning, it’s official: Lawrence will be a base camp for the Algerian men’s soccer team during this summer’s FIFA World Cup™.

K-State Extension Douglas County invites residents to learn how fire shapes our landscapes and how to protect lives and property from wildfires from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 14, at Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

Douglas County Emergency Management is accepting registrations for its Spring 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 April 17-19 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., in Flory Meeting Hall. It is held on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.

Public Works is accepting applications for the 2026 user-fee dust control program. The deadline for applying is Friday, March 6.

The program consists of applying liquid calcium chloride or magnesium chloride to rock roads typically in front of houses in an effort to reduce dust created by vehicles. Both products consist of a brine solution found naturally in various regions of the United States. The products have been found to control dust by attracting moisture from the atmosphere causing dust to clump together.

Topeka-based Omni Circle Group, host organization for the Shawnee Startups eCommunity, is expanding its “Ignite: New Venture Discovery” program to the Lawrence area through a collaborative partnership with the Douglas County eCommunity. The partnership represents the first time two Network Kansas eCommunity partners have teamed up to expand access to resources for Kansas entrepreneurs.

The small parking lot on the south side of the historic Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., is scheduled to be closed Thursday, Feb. 5, through Sunday, Feb. 8, to install stormwater utilities that are needed due to the expansion of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC).

With significant construction happening around the courthouse and JLEC, we appreciate the community’s patience as this work progresses.

With thousands of visitors expected in Douglas County during this summer’s World Cup events, local organizations are partnering to help area businesses strengthen their online presence. The Lawrence Chamber, KU Small Business Development Center, Multistudio and Douglas County will host two free social media workshops designed to help businesses prepare for increased visibility and customer engagement.

Douglas County Emergency Management, in partnership with KU Emergency Management and the National Weather Service - Topeka Office, is hosting a severe weather training at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 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.

Douglas County Emergency Management is hosting an Extreme Heat Readiness Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, March 9, in Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

The free workshop will cover how to recognize health-related illnesses, understand National Weather Service alerts, adjust operations safely and communicate effectively during periods of extreme heat. The training is geared toward local businesses, chambers of commerce, event organizers, leaders of sporting and recreation events, and communications professionals.

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. 17 and ending April 28. The classes are held at 1006 New Hampshire Street in Lawrence.

The program is open to Douglas County residents, and there is no cost.