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 parents weigh advantages, concerns of cell phone-free schools; school board to vote on policy
A new policy imposing a cell-phone free instructional day is on the table, and while some Lawrence parents believe it would better support teachers, others said they’re worried about the safety implications.
Letter to the Times: Haskell needs self-determination; BIA has been negligent
”Haskell students, staff and officials should not have to surrender their civil rights to receive treaty-obligated education from the federal government. Indian education is not a gratuity,” Steve Cadue writes in this letter to the Times.
Snapchat alerts FBI to threat of gun violence to Lawrence High; police say it wasn’t credible
Snapchat alerted the FBI to a threat a student allegedly made to Lawrence High School, but a local investigation found that the threat wasn’t credible, school officials said Friday.
Reminder: Lawrence Municipal Court moving into City Hall starting Monday
Lawrence’s Municipal Court proceedings will be held in city hall beginning Monday.
Emerging blueprint spells out details of Kansas initiative to improve literacy instruction
Developers of the state’s new student literacy initiative are pushing ahead with plans to create university centers of excellence and a special credential tied to retraining teachers in a quest to have 90% of third- to eighth-grade students read at or above grade level.
Obituary: Janet Louise Ashburn
Janet Louise Ashburn, 6/15/1954 – 3/27/2024
Lawrence holiday markets: Where to shop for gifts that support local makers
Here are almost 20 Lawrence-area opportunities to shop local and support artists, farmers and small businesses this holiday season, starting with this weekend.
Young artists of Van Go to release newest works for annual Adornment art show and sale
The young artists of Van Go will soon welcome the community to their annual Adornment holiday art show and sale.
Annual downtown Lawrence holiday lighting, Santa rescue tradition set for day after Thanksgiving
Lawrence firefighters will once again rescue Santa Claus in downtown Lawrence this year with holiday lights aglow.
Clare’s Community Closet opening in new space in eastern Lawrence
A local organization that provides free clothing, care kits is moving into a new space and leaning on community collaboration.
O’Connell Children’s Shelter employees announce drive to unionize
Residential workers with O’Connell Children’s Shelter have filed for a union election, citing concerns of administrative bloat, inadequate pay and feeling a lack of support.
Obituary: Lowell Dean Janzen
Lowell Dean Janzen, 9/28/1935 – 11/19/2024
Vigil remembers transgender lives lost in Lawrence and beyond
A solemn but hopeful gathering at Ecumenical Campus Ministries on Wednesday honored 74 transgender and gender-nonconforming people who died across the United States during the last year.
Douglas County commissioners open to bringing Senior Resource Center in as a department
The Senior Resource Center for Douglas County provides a wealth of resources for older people and their families, but at a cost. Becoming a county department could help the center find stability, the SRC’s director told county commissioners on Wednesday.
Last Lawrence Farmers’ Market of the season coming up; save the date for Holiday Market
The Lawrence Farmers’ Market’s regular season is winding to a close, but the annual Holiday Market will be coming up in mid-December.
Lawrence performer creating new sources of laughter despite dealing with fire fallout
Richard Renner, the creative behind the Lawrence Busker Festival, said his community’s support is sustaining him after he recently lost his home to a fire. He’s determined to bring new laughs to Lawrence in spite of the loss.
KHDE awards funding to KU program for sexual assault prevention initiative
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment awarded a grant to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program at KU for a new prevention initiative that will extend beyond just the university.
Obituary: Randall Paul Spiker
Randall Paul Spiker, 6/9/1961 – 11/13/2024
Lawrence school board committee to recommend prohibiting cell phone use during school
A draft cell phone policy would prohibit Lawrence school district students from using their phones during school hours, but some exceptions are included and discipline is not a focus of the policy.
Lawrence city commissioners defend city staff amid divided community opinions on pool renovations
City commissioners on Tuesday approved a nearly $550K payment to an architecture firm to design a renovation of the outdoor pool, but most of the discussion centered on broader frustrations from community members.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for Nov. 19, 2024
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Lawrence City Commission favors lot near 8th and Vermont for downtown transit station
Most Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday indicated that they prefer a parking lot in the 700 block of Vermont Street for the site of the planned downtown transit station.
Lawrence City Commission votes to increase solid waste, stormwater rates in 2025
Residents will pay the City of Lawrence about $1.50 more per month on average, or $18 more per year, for trash service and stormwater in 2025.
The Raven Book Store’s bestsellers for Nov. 19, 2024 (Sponsored post)
”Another ’only book store in the world with this Top 10 list,’” the Raven Book Store writes, as Lawrence locals including Louise Krug, Kelly Kindscher and Meg Heriford have books on this edition.