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Draft strategic plan sets goals for Douglas County to reach functional zero homelessness
A draft strategic plan sets a goal of 2028 for Lawrence and Douglas County to achieve functional zero homelessness. The plan emphasizes equity, inclusion, and correcting imbalances of power.
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City of Lawrence issues cease and desist order to AT&T, citing ‘reckless behavior’
Citing “numerous” complaints from both residents and other utility companies, the city of Lawrence highlighted “instances of AT&T and its contractors hitting other public utility and competitor’s facilities without utility locates being performed in advance” as the impetus for a cease and desist order.

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.

Pavilion for police headquarters gets nod of approval from Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission on Wednesday evening approved a sculptural pavilion planned to sit adjacent to the new Lawrence Police Department headquarters.

KU to lift pandemic-induced hiring freeze; administrators offer more positive financial outlook
For one of the first times since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of the University of Kansas campus and upended higher education, KU leaders on Wednesday were able to offer promising — if still reserved — news about the university’s financial outlook.

Lawrence school board candidates offer ideas for lagging teacher and staff compensation
Teacher and staff wages took the stage Tuesday as candidates vying for spots on the Lawrence school board squared off at a forum sponsored by the Lawrence Education Association and Personnel Association of Lawrence.

Traffic planning: City crews to close 9th Street from Emery to Iowa next week
Ninth Street will be closed from Emery Road to Iowa Street for all of next week, according to a Tuesday news release from the city.

Though KU athletes have started capitalizing on new name, image, likeness rules, university says it has no policy in place
Entering into legal, above-board business deals is a new endeavor for both college athletes and universities. It remains to be seen how KU will handle the changing landscape, though multiple athletes have already announced sponsorship deals.

Lawrence school board hears students’ praises on new program to boost graduation rates, renews superintendent’s contract and more
The Lawrence school board heard from students Monday about how a new alternative high school program in the district changed their lives.

Lawrence board gives initial green light to approve $1.2M in affordable housing projects this year
Lawrence’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board on Monday gave an initial approval of the funding level it intends to allocate later this year to applicants focused on housing services — an increase of 175% over the funds that were available last year.

Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in the primary election; do it from your phone in about 5 minutes
Plus: How to request a mail ballot and where to vote early

Kaw Valley Almanac for July 12–18, 2021
There are still wild raspberries and blackberries for the picking, check currants, wild plums and gooseberries, while elderberries are beginning to form and will be ripening in a few weeks.

Superintendent’s contract, efforts to halt slipping graduation rates and more on Lawrence school board agenda
The Lawrence school board will consider renewing the superintendent’s contract, hear a report on a program aiming to boost high school graduation rates and more when it meets at 6 p.m. Monday, July 12, at 110 McDonald Drive.

Firefighters work to put out barn fire southeast of Lawrence
Firefighters were working Saturday night to put out a barn fire in the 1800 block of North 1100 Road.

NAACP forum asks Lawrence City Commission candidates for ideas on housing, police reform
The eight candidates campaigning for seats on the Lawrence City Commission took questions on affordable housing and police reform, among other topics, during a forum hosted by the Lawrence chapter of the NAACP on Saturday.

Candidates for Lawrence school board sound off on staff pay, budget in forum
Eleven candidates for Lawrence school board found consensus on the importance of better pay for frontline staff, namely teachers and paraeducators, during the Douglas County Democrats forum Saturday morning. However, the candidates gave a variety of ideas for how to get there.