Members of the Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's Mobile Access Team are seeking information about our community's mobile response for those experiencing mental illness and addictions. They would like to hear about experiences directly or indirectly as well as recommendations about what the ideal response would look like. This session will help inform community work, budget proposals and pilot projects.
Both the City of Lawrence and Douglas County announced today (April 19) that they recently joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership. The honor was bestowed in recognition of both organization’s commitments to using green power.
Douglas County Commissioners on April 14 unanimously approved an updated public health order recommended by local health officers that keeps a countywide mask mandate and social distancing requirements in businesses and most public venues.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Office is teaming up with After the Harvest, a Kansas City, Mo.-based produce rescue nonprofit, and Community Organized Gleaners (COGs), a grassroots volunteer group of experienced farmers, to expand food recovery on Douglas County farms. The goal is to rescue nutritious fruits and vegetables from farm fields after the marketable harvest and distribute them to Douglas County agencies providing food and shelter assistance to community members.
Douglas County nonprofits, agencies and businesses have spent the $24.9 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds that were provided by the State of Kansas and distributed through Douglas County Government. The state approved Douglas County’s direct aid plan in September 2020 and all of the funding was spent by the state’s deadline of March 1, 2021.
Chief District Court Judge James McCabria announced today (March 18) that District Court plans to start hearing jury trials in April.
Public health leaders have updated the local public health order to expand the mass gathering limit and have now removed restrictions on hours of operation for venues and establishments serving food and drinks indoors. The new order is the next step in recognition of fewer COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the community in recent weeks.
Shannon Portillo, Chair of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, has signed a burn ban for March 9-15 for the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. She authorized the ban following recommendations from Douglas County Fire District Chiefs. Following several days of responding to multiple grassfires, county firefighters need the opportunity to recover and repair equipment.
The Douglas County Courthouse and Administrative Offices for Public Works/ Zoning and Codes are closed today (Feb. 16) due to power outages at the historic County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street, and Public Works and Zoning and Codes building, 3755 E. 25th Street. Courthouse offices include Administration, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Treasurer's Office and Appraiser's Office. The offices were closed about 11 a.m. today. They are scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Douglas County Government’s general and satellite offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of 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.
To learn more about how Douglas County is working to honor the work and legacy of Dr. King, visit: http://dgcoks.org/raceandequity