Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and is working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Douglas County agencies, including Douglas County Emergency Management, city and county governments, schools and universities, health care providers, law enforcement and long-term nursing and skilled-care facilities. These agencies are working to help prevent spread of the disease and keep residents healthy and safe.

In January, Douglas County became a member of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), a national network of local, state and regional governments working to advance racial equity and increase opportunities for all. GARE members collaborate and share effective practices to advance policies and practices and develop solutions to racial equity challenges.



Douglas County’s three areas of focus will be:

For Douglas County residents who own a barn but are unsure whether it’s worth saving or how to approach repairing it, there’s an opportunity to receive an evaluation grant through the Kansas Barn Alliance’s “Let’s Get Started” program.

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council will host an informational meeting about the evaluation grant program at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Flory Meeting Hall. 

April 1, 2020, is Census Day. The census is a count of all persons living in the United States that is conducted every 10 years by the federal government and is required by the U.S. Constitution. It is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives, how federal and state legislative districts are redrawn, and the appropriation of federally-funded programs.

The one-story brick building with a partial basement located at 2518 Ridge Court in Lawrence has a long history with Douglas County. The approximately 25,000-square-foot building was built in 1960 and then owned and operated by the County as a care home for aging residents for many years.

In 1996, the building transitioned into a space for direct human service providers and other agencies.

Community leaders are working on implementing a number of new initiatives and programs in Douglas County to help prevent vaping, substance abuse, mental illness and suicide.

“We’re working to build an integrated system of care that moves from crisis and illness as a norm to recovery and prevention as a practice,” said Bob Tryanski, Director of Behavioral Health Projects for Douglas County. “Our focus is to prioritize prevention.”

Information Technology Director Jim Lawson began working for Douglas County in 1984 as an entry level computer programmer. “I’ve seen a lot of change. My iPhone has more memory and as much computing power as the mainframe we had when I started,” he said.

Douglas County used a mainframe computer to run all of its systems until personal computers became popular. Then, they designed Douglas County’s first computer network, which has grown and changed many times since then. “I’ve worked here forever. I think some people think I came with the building,” he joked.

From damaging winds and large hail to flooding and the threat of tornadoes, individuals and businesses in Douglas County are at risk from severe weather. It’s up to each of us to know the right steps to take to ensure our safety should severe weather strike. This is why Douglas County Emergency Management is hosting several severe weather awareness activities. They are:

Everyone knows to dial 911 for emergencies. But, what about 211?

By calling 211, Douglas County residents can be connected to services and programs on everything from legal services and counseling to job training, education programs, and child or adult day care.

The Douglas County Commission unanimously approved a resolution that authorized the funding and construction of an expansion of the Douglas County Correctional Facility during its meeting Jan. 29.

The project will add a tower to the facility, which would provide between 84 and 112 beds. It also will include improvements to the visitation areas and an expansion of the jail’s parking lot. The expansion project is estimated to cost $29.6 million. Replacement of the existing central air and heating system will be completed at the same time.

Kay Pesnell has worked in the Douglas County Register of Deeds office for three decades. She was hired in 1990 as a recording clerk, became Deputy Register of Deeds in 2001, and in July 2002 was appointed Register of Deeds after the retirement of Sue Neustifter. She has been re-elected every four years since then. “I’ve always liked the job because it has a lot of variety to it,” she said.

Public Works is accepting applications for the 2020 user-fee dust palliative program. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 6.