Our favorite kinds of stories to tell — highlighting good things happening in Lawrence and Douglas County.
The image at the top of this page is from the August 2022 Pooch Plunge. Check out the full gallery at this link.
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LATEST GOOD NEWS
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Rosy-cheeked rascal from the North Pole gets stranded again; Lawrence firefighters to the rescue
Lawrence was abuzz ahead of Friday’s downtown holiday lighting ceremony, wondering if Santa would once again find himself in an embarrassing predicament. The jolly man did not disappoint.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Rosy-cheeked rascal from the North Pole gets stranded again; Lawrence firefighters to the rescue
Lawrence was abuzz ahead of Friday’s downtown holiday lighting ceremony, wondering if Santa would once again find himself in an embarrassing predicament. The jolly man did not disappoint.
MORE GOOD NEWS
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Dragon’s Hoard gets a bigger den: Impassioned hobbyists are the wind beneath this Lawrence game store’s wings
As businesses throughout Lawrence close due to plummeting revenue and skyrocketing rents, The Dragon’s Hoard, with its free-to-use play spaces and safe space ethos, has roosted in a larger den thanks to a fiercely loyal community of gamers and hobbyists.
Contributed photo
Lawrence author wins World Fantasy Award for best novella
Local author R.B. Lemberg has won a World Fantasy Award —one of the most prestigious awards for science fiction, fantasy and speculative titles — for a novella in their ongoing speculative fiction series.
Doug and his dogs: Watkins Museum earns recognition for preparing puppies for service
Doug Tyler has been able to train more than two dozen puppies on their way to becoming service dogs during his Watkins Museum volunteer shifts over the last several years.
Jenny Skillman/Contributed photo
Volunteers spruce up a tunnel that connects two Lawrence neighborhoods
The two-person Pinckney Tunnel Volunteer Collective has quietly cared for the tunnel connecting two Lawrence neighborhoods for years. A larger group came together over the weekend to spruce up the space.
Grant bridging KU and Haskell will train educators to teach at schools serving Native students
With the support of a $1.5 million grant, a new project between KU and Haskell will advance tribal sovereignty in education by recruiting and training over a dozen future teachers for roles in Native-serving schools.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Local high school seniors recognized with awards from Lawrence Schools Foundation
Four Lawrence high school students were recognized Friday with the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s champion awards.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Bird Alliance welcomes community to discover the joy of birdwatching
On a sunny Saturday at the wetlands, a green heron soars across the sky. Below, Debbie Baker and Kelly Barth of the Lawrence Bird Alliance watch, sharing the experience with a new friend they made that day on the trail. This is a glimpse into birdwatching in Lawrence.
Lawrence Virtual School student qualifies as National Merit semifinalist
Lawrence Virtual School senior Emma Ryan has been named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, joining six local peers who also achieved the honor.
Six Lawrence high schoolers qualify as National Merit semifinalists
Six Lawrence-area high school seniors have qualified as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence community members bring street mural to life near ‘Little Red Schoolhouse’
After a community painting party over the weekend, a street mural was nearing completion Sunday afternoon at Seventh and Alabama streets, next to the Lawrence Community Nursery School.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Free State High School students honored with performing arts award
Free State High School students celebrated their historic performing arts award during halftime of the Firebirds’ football game Friday night.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence bookworms can look for local Easter eggs in Sarah Henning’s upcoming sports romance for young readers
Sarah Henning’s upcoming sports romance for young readers will reward close attention from locals, who might pick up on some hometown allusions.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence pups go for a dip at Pooch Plunge
As Lawrence’s Outdoor Aquatic Center wound down for the season Tuesday, wet tails wagged with joy. Doggos got to go for a swim at the annual Pooch Plunge.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Times
Pinckney bakery launches in-house production for Lawrence school district
A sweet smell from the Pinckney bakery circulates through the building and travels out the door into Lawrence schools each day. A two-man team now produces baked goods, using local grains, for all school buildings.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Sunflower season returns; farms near Lawrence welcome visitors
Sunflower fields are abloom in Douglas County at Grinter Farms and Hunsinger Sunflower Patch. Neither farm charges admission, but both welcome donations.
Clear the Shelter day at Lawrence Humane Society gets 97 animals adopted; waived fees to continue Sunday
Almost 100 animals found their forever homes during Clear the Shelter Day Saturday, and the Lawrence Humane Society is extending waived fees to Sunday to help reach their goal of 150 adoptions.
Nathan Kramer
Free State High School wins statewide performing arts excellence award for the second time
Free State High School has won a statewide award for excellence across all performing arts programs for the second time, marking a first in the award’s history.
Lawrence runner, 15, completes ultramarathon, encourages others to ‘challenge yourself’
Free State sophomore Moses Minor, 15, recently completed his first ultramarathon. While he accomplishes his running goals, he encourages others to join and stay active to their abilities.
USA Gymnastics / Contributed photo
Lawrence gymnast, 14, named to Junior Women’s National Team
Aspiring to take the 2028 Summer Olympics stage, 14-year-old gymnast Aulya Daniels, of Lawrence, has made the Junior Women’s National Team.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Art installation at Lawrence library aims to inspire wonder, curiosity about native plants
A melange of shadow boxes with seed heads, pressed flowers, prints and faerie doors is on display at the Lawrence Public Library to foster wonder and enthusiasm for native plants and ecosystem diversity.
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