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Kansas lawmakers want to crack down on homeless crime. Law enforcement says it won’t help
Law enforcement officials say arresting people who are unhoused for minor crimes like trespassing and vandalism will not help reduce homelessness. Experts say it will cost a lot of tax dollars and actually makes homelessness worse.
Kansas lawmakers want to crack down on homeless crime. Law enforcement says it won’t help
Law enforcement officials say arresting people who are unhoused for minor crimes like trespassing and vandalism will not help reduce homelessness. Experts say it will cost a lot of tax dollars and actually makes homelessness worse.
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Lawrence, KS WeatherMORE
Family members mourn Lawrence man dead from suspected fentanyl overdose
When emergency responders confirmed the death of Tony Cipollaro, residents of the North Lawrence campsite who called the 26-year-old a friend cried, cursed, and consoled each other. Some screamed.
Tony had a family and friends who loved him. He knew this.
City staff members assert alcohol & drug program funds’ distribution is legal; advisory board member says questions remain
After more than a year spent questioning the process and legality of how the city allocates its special alcohol tax revenue, an advisory board will meet Friday to discuss a staff memo that says the city’s appropriation of the money adheres to the law.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s homeless programs coordinator position will be filled, city manager says
The Lawrence city manager says staff members will evaluate and seek to fill the homeless programs coordinator position, following the resignation of the first person to hold the job.
City of Lawrence’s homeless programs coordinator to step down
Jenn Wolsey, homeless programs coordinator for the City of Lawrence, is resigning from her position.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Man dies at North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness
A man died Friday at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness. Some camp residents said they believed the man had overdosed.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Lawrence activist’s New Year’s Eve Unhoused Project aims to offer ‘a little hope’
Kevin Elliott-Snow will celebrate the new year at the Winter Emergency Shelter as part of his New Year’s Eve Unhoused Project. On that night, he will distribute up to 200 goodie-like gift bags for anyone experiencing homelessness.
Contributed photo
Mother and son ask community members to join them at North Lawrence campsite on Christmas Eve
Trina Tinsley and her 9-year-old son, Jax, want to fill the North Lawrence campsite for unhoused community members with love and support this Christmas Eve.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
How to help Lawrence people experiencing homelessness during the cold snap
Advocates for people experiencing homelessness are looking for supplies and volunteer help as snow and dangerously cold wind chills approach Lawrence.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City hopes to keep Lawrence Winter Emergency Shelter open 24/7 during extreme cold snap
With dangerously cold temperatures in the forecast over the next several days, the Community Building will be open around the clock if the city can get enough volunteers.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City staff member says management ignored her input on North Lawrence campsite for unhoused people
The city’s homeless programs coordinator says a decision to close a North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness was solidified before she was consulted, and though she advocated against it, her supervisors dismissed her concerns and moved forward with the plan anyway.
Jenn Wolsey: Our unsheltered neighbors in the Lawrence community deserve better (Column)
”I wanted the full truth to come out because this community deserves transparency. I messed up. The city messed up. We need to do better. Our unsheltered neighbors deserve better,” Jenn Wolsey, homeless programs coordinator for the City of Lawrence, writes in this column.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
‘Who made this decision?’ City administrators address move to evict people from North Lawrence camp, reversal
Over a span of five days, people living at the campsite in North Lawrence were told they would soon need to move; then the city reversed course. In addition to the emotional rollercoaster the ordeal brought for residents of the camp, it has raised questions about decisions made behind closed doors.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City to keep North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness open
After hearing concerns from dozens of community members Tuesday night, the City of Lawrence announced Wednesday that the North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness will remain open for the winter.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission takes no action on North Lawrence camp after pleas from residents to reverse evictions
Thirty people pleaded with city commissioners at their meeting Tuesday to reverse a staff decision to close the camp in North Lawrence for people experiencing homelessness. City commissioners did nothing in response.
Lawrence City Commission will delay final approval of source of income protections to hear from landlords
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday voted in favor of an ordinance change to create a protected class based on source of income, but will delay final approval in order to seek feedback from landlords.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
City: ‘Best to refocus resources’ from North Lawrence camp to Winter Emergency Shelter
The City of Lawrence said Tuesday morning that people experiencing homelessness are being cleared out of the camp in North Lawrence in order to “refocus resources” to the overnight Winter Emergency Shelter.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
City clearing residents out of North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness
Jennifer Adams’ eyes were red Monday morning from crying off and on since Friday, when the city issued a batch of eviction notices to people experiencing homelessness at the support camp in North Lawrence.
Ending source of income discrimination in Lawrence will be a key step toward solving housing crisis, panelists say
Only about 10% of Lawrence landlords participate in housing voucher programs, and right now, people in 51 households with vouchers in hand are struggling to find housing, panelists told a crowd Thursday evening at the library.
Lawrence City Commission interested in $4.6M housing project but holds off on decisions for ARPA funds
Members of the City of Lawrence’s Housing Initiatives Division requested the city spend $8.29 million left from federal COVID-19 relief funds on housing solutions, but city commissioners stopped short of adopting that recommendation Tuesday.
Panel at Lawrence library to address housing problems and solutions
Local housing experts will discuss rental problems and the shortage of affordable housing options during a panel Thursday at the Lawrence Public Library.
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