Latest new posts from ALL categories of The Lawrence Times:
Lawrence news, state news, Community Voices, Lawrence Life, obituaries and more.
(Please note that opinion pieces are included in this list, marked as columns or letters to the Times. Not all posts linked on this page were written or produced by the Lawrence Times staff.)
Lawrence man, 73, believed to be dead after silver alert issued
A Lawrence man who was reported missing Tuesday has been found dead, police believe.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Caleb Rahmeier wins $5K teaching prize from Lawrence Schools Foundation
West Middle School celebrated paraprofessional Caleb Rahmeier on Tuesday with the Dedication to Education award and a $5,000 prize.
The Raven Book Store’s top 10 bestsellers for 2023 (Sponsored post)
”In the end, there was never any doubt about which book would top our bestsellers of the year list,” the Raven Book Store writes. Here are the top 10 books of 2023.
Planning commission splits on plan for massive solar farm north of Lawrence
Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members voted on a 4-4 tie to recommend denial of a permit for a massive solar farm north of Lawrence after a meeting that stretched hours into early Tuesday morning.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
On day 1 of disciplinary hearing, judges, ex-employees testify about harm from Douglas County DA’s actions
Derogatory public statements by the district attorney have altered Douglas County’s criminal legal system from March 2021 forward, according to testimony in the DA’s disciplinary hearing Monday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence Community Shelter union workers demand improved wages, support
As Lawrence city commissioners are set to consider an agreement with the Lawrence Community Shelter, the shelter’s unionized workers are demanding higher pay, cohesive benefits and better support in their work.
Newest Kansas license plate design announced after 270K votes cast
After going back to the drawing board and taking input from residents, the Kansas governor’s office on Monday announced the new state license plate design.
Obituary: Chris Hartman AKA Simon Worman and Santa Claus
Chris Hartman AKA Simon Worman and Santa Claus, 8/11/1960 – 12/15/2023
‘Darkest of dark stains’: Kansas advocates call for funding of long-forsaken disability services
Kansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities are eligible for Medicaid-funded support waivers that cover a variety of needed services, such as in-home care, but they face wait times that can last more than 10 years.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 18-24, 2023
”When I was a kid in the 1960s, most years, we’d be ice skating by now,” Ken Lassman writes in the latest Kaw Valley Almanac.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Restaurant brings craft barbecue, beer and cocktails to North Lawrence
Fire Canyon Barbeque celebrated a “Grand(ish)” opening on Saturday, offering their style of barbecue brisket, chicken, sides and cocktails at the former Slow Ride Roadhouse in North Lawrence.
What can you plant in Kansas? Most areas are now warmer on the USDA’s gardening and farming map
The USDA has access to thousands more weather stations now than in the past. That, combined with 30 years of new data, led to big changes in its hardiness map of cold winter temperatures in Kansas.
Letter to the Times: Douglas County should encourage renewable energy
”Douglas County now has a draft Climate Action Plan, and kudos to the team that put it together! … However, there is one glaring omission: utility-scale renewable energy,” Joe Harrington writes in this letter to the Times.
Obituary: Candace Reeve
Candace Reeve, 4/3/1948 – 11/24/2023
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence’s first Inclusive Holiday Market draws crowd to more than 100 vendors
Shoppers on Saturday turned out to support 107 diverse art and food vendors during the first Inclusive Holiday Market in Lawrence.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Planning Commission to consider permit for massive solar farm north of Lawrence
Planning commissioners on Monday will consider whether to recommend approval of a permit for an approximately 604-acre commercial solar farm across three parcels of land north of Lawrence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Advocates for stray dog decry gaps in Lawrence’s animal control services
Shebah captured advocates’ hearts as she made her way to Lawrence Humane Society, and hopefully, toward a better life.
Kansas school district that forced Native American boy to cut hair changes dress code policy
A Girard dress code policy that led to the forced cutting of an 8-year-old Native American boy’s hair has been rescinded.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Hillcrest Elementary School, KU architecture students celebrate new shade structure at playground
Gray, rainy skies on Friday didn’t give a great preview of the capabilities of the new shade structure at Hillcrest Elementary School’s accessible playground, but its builders expect it to provide relief on hot, sunny days.
Can you be charged with a felony for helping Kansas voters get registered? That’s back in court
The Kansas Supreme Court has revived a challenge to a state law that caused advocacy groups to cancel voter registration drives.
GOP leaders reject Kansas governor’s proposal for Medicaid expansion
GOP leadership in the Legislature rejected Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest proposal for Medicaid expansion, questioning whether federal regulators would allow a work requirement and calling for alternate reforms without offering their own plan.
Courtesy of Lawrence Arts Center
Langston Hughes Creative Writing Award to accept submissions through Dec. 24
Local writers are encouraged to submit their work to an annual creative writing contest in honor of Langston Hughes. The submission deadline has been extended to offset a website error.
Lawrence Community Shelter board will complete review of agreement with city on Monday
The Lawrence Community Shelter board on Thursday did not review a draft agreement that’s set to go to the Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday. The shelter will likely seek around $2.1 million for operations in 2024.
Lawrence poet, storyteller to lead Kwanzaa storytime; limited spots available
Tai Amri Spann-Ryan, a Lawrence poet and storyteller, will lead a community storytime that aims to honor the meaning of Kwanzaa this holiday season.
