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:
Douglas County Emergency Management is providing a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training April 24-26, 2020. This training course includes information on Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, Medical Operations, Light Search and Rescue, Terrorism, Team Organization and other related safety areas. At the conclusion of the training you may register to become a CERT Volunteer or you may just take this training for educational purposes.
Douglas County Emergency Management will be hosting a severe Weather Symposium from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire Street.
Weather 101 will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper Street, in Building 21.
The program will include information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of important features, and safety and preparedness tips. Presenters will be the National Weather Service in Topeka. All-hazard radios will be sold with on-site programming available.
The program is free and open to the public.
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.
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.
Douglas County has been selected by SAMHSA’s GAINS Center to participate in a Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) workshop that will result in a community-wide strategic plan for addressing behavioral health needs for those involved or at risk for involvement in the criminal justice system. The workshop also will help the community establish priorities for change and produce a local systems map.
Douglas County Government’s general and satellite offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Dispatch Center and Criminal Justice Services will be operating. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you have a non-emergency, call 785-843–0250.
Douglas County and the City of Lawrence are hosting an informational meeting about the 2020 Census from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in the auditorium of Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. The meeting is open to the public.
Local Census experts will share information about the 2020 Census, including timing, job opportunities and next steps.
Getting an accurate Census count is important to the State of Kansas and Douglas County. Here's why: