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
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Latest Douglas County drug court graduates celebrate completing this step of their journeys
Three new graduates of Douglas County drug court can now start with a clean slate and continue to build on the people they’ve grown to be throughout their time in the program.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Latest Douglas County drug court graduates celebrate completing this step of their journeys
Three new graduates of Douglas County drug court can now start with a clean slate and continue to build on the people they’ve grown to be throughout their time in the program.
MORE GOOD NEWS
Courtesy of Rising Son Plumbing
From the Caribbean to Kansas: Earl Moise, founder of Rising Son Plumbing, shares his story
Earl Moise, one of the best-known master plumbers in Lawrence, has been passionate about the craft ever since graduating from high school. With each pipe he hand-cut, he fell more and more in love.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence garden projects help youth cultivate their futures, serve community
Amid the lush leaves and neatly arranged rows of plants and trees, the orchard and gardens at West Middle School grow a bounty of food. The smells of clematis and lavender float through the air, and wherever you turn, you’ll see colorful fresh fruit and vegetables. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll also find the project grows people.
Carter Gaskins / Gaskins Photography Collection
Catherine Bell makes supporting local designers Sew Simple
Lawrence native Catherine Bell grew up with 10 siblings, but she was the only one to take up her mom’s passion for sewing and fashion design. Now she’s passing the torch — or needle — to the kids she’s had under her wing since 2019, when she started teaching sewing classes under the name Sew Simple Sewing.
Lucie Krisman / The Lawrence Times
For longtime hobbyist musicians, new instruments strike a chord
Over the last year and a half, the consistency of learning a new instrument has helped some Lawrence musicians in more ways than one.
David Sloan / The Lawrence Juice
Customers make challenges of COVID-19 pandemic bearable for owners of 1313 Mockingbird Lane
Through navigating COVID-19 as both healthcare workers and small business owners, the toy store’s regular customers have made things easier for the owners of 1313 Mockingbird Lane.
Jordan Winter / The Lawrence Times
Family-owned Evelin’s Auto Care shifts gears into a new niche
Evelin’s Auto Care, known for its wash, wax and detailing services, is tucked away in a corner off Sixth and Minnesota streets. It’s a small shop, but it’s named after someone even smaller.
Contributed
Longtime occupational therapist earns grant for learning path at Quail Run Elementary
As Lawrence school district staff prepped indoors for the new school year, Occupational Therapist Karen Lassman painted a vibrant outdoor classroom on Quail Run Elementary’s east playground.
Screenshot
Lawrence school board recognizes winners of Juneteenth essay contest and more
The Lawrence school board congratulated winners of the Juneteenth essay contest, approved a permaculture garden for Free State and more at its meeting Monday.
Contributed
Social worker, coach weaves life experiences into empowerment lessons for Lawrence youth
Audrey Trowbridge sits in her basement surrounded by glitter, wood, paint cans and her favorite crafting supply of all time — pipe cleaners. Her craft room serves as a retreat, and during remote learning, the Free State High School social worker took her video conference calls there.
Behind her, a painting of a glowing Black woman wearing a bejeweled crown draws attention. When asked if she painted it, Trowbridge says one of her sisters gifted the piece to her. Its placement is purposeful. She wants others to see it in the background, but she also hopes to glean inspiration from it when she glances at herself on screen. The powerful art serves as a self-affirmation and a reminder while advocating for herself and her students.
Kicks 4 Kids shoe drive returns; accepting shoes for distribution Sunday
Anthony Harvey Jr. and Ja’Darius Woods have partnered up again for the second annual Kicks 4 Kids shoe drive, coming up this Sunday in Lawrence.
August Rudisell/@KsScanner
Student journalists of Haskell’s Indian Leader earn 14 awards, including general excellence honor
The journalists on staff of the Indian Leader, the student news publication of Haskell Indian Nations University, earned an impressive haul of 14 National Native Media awards for their work over the past year.
Bailey Mareu / @bailann
Nearly 500 Douglas, Leavenworth County students make KU’s spring honor roll
The University of Kansas has announced its Spring 2021 honor roll, and 484 students from Douglas County and Leavenworth County made the grade. Nearly 350 of the high achievers are from Lawrence.
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
Free State High School security guard Demetrius Kemp leads by example
When Demetrius Kemp sees that someone might need help, he puts his “Superman suit” on.
He’s dedicated his free time to finding ways to help people in need through volunteer work and community projects.
Contributed
Twins Tae-Vheon and Sae-Vheon Alcorn lead double lives as KU student-athletes and entrepreneurs
Twins Sae-Vheon and Tae-Vheon Alcorn started running track in fifth grade, and their athletic journeys led them to the University of Kansas for school and collegiate track and field. They’ve also carried on family values of hard work and perseverance to become successful entrepreneurs, plus they’re now helping other Jayhawks build their own brands.
Contributed
Mental health practitioner’s new solo venture focuses on BIPOC and first responders
Nicole Rials is excited to build on the mental health work she’s done in this community for 20 years — and she’s excited to host the Black Resilience Summit online next week.
Mark Potts / The Lawrence Times
After 15 months, Ladybird Diner is back, same as before — but different
Fifteen months after the pandemic closed it down — at least in its original form — Ladybird Diner has reopened under the big “EAT” sign on Massachusetts Street.
The new version of the spunky, funky diner is a product of everything that’s happened to it and its proprietor.
Conner Mitchell / The Lawrence Times
Garcia family’s imprint on Lawrence Mexican food scene felt through museum exhibit
Starting with the El Tampico Club in the 1940s, the Garcia family quickly expanded its footprint in Lawrence. Mementos from the family’s time in town and their efforts to introduce authentic Mexican food to the community are on display through October at the Watkins Museum of History.
Contributed
Cordley teacher wins grant to teach first graders hands-on math with blocks
Sarah Rand’s first graders at Cordley Elementary School will get to learn math in a new blocks center with tactile learning tools, thanks to a grant the teacher won.
Douglas County
How a KU class and local advocates helped build an ADA-accessible platform at Wells Overlook Park
Thanks to a $44,000 state grant, Douglas County accessibility advocates, and help from a third-year architecture class at the University of Kansas, an ADA-accessible viewing platform is now complete at Lawrence’s Wells Overlook Park.
Contributed
Free State High School student earns superior rating from International Thespian Festival for short film
A Free State High School junior’s short film earned a superior rating Tuesday evening at the Virtual International Thespian Festival, her teacher said.
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