The Douglas County Elections Office is located at 711 W. 23rd St., Suite 1, in Lawrence. | Elections Office launches new website tools | |
The Douglas County Clerk’s Office has launched two new online tools on its website – dgcoks.gov/elections – to provide residents with easy access to up-to-date voting and election information.
The new Election Data Dashboard allows users to explore current voter registration data in Douglas County, including the number of registered, active and inactive voters, along with demographic information such as average age, median age, gender and location.
As of April 27, the dashboard shows:
- 80,078 registered voters
- 66,707 active voters
- 22,481 voters ages 45-64, compared to 8,127 voters ages 18-24
- 2,370 voters in Palmyra Township, compared to 306 in Grant Township
Users can refine the data using an interactive search tool that filters by affiliation, precinct, state senate and representative districts, U.S. representative districts, state Board of Education districts, geographic area and school districts.
In addition, the Clerk’s Office has launched the “Ballot Box” blog, where staff will regularly post updates about voting and elections. Residents may subscribe to receive blog posts by email.
“These tools help us share timely, accurate information directly with the community,” County Clerk Jamie Shew said. “We want residents to have confidence in the election process and to easily access the data that informs how elections work in Douglas County.”
| This is a screenshot of the new Election Data Dashboard. | | Engage Douglas County hosting Leading Causes of Life 5K & Festival on May 2 for suicide prevention | | |
Engage Douglas County is hosting its third annual Leading Causes of Life 5K & Festival from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Broken Arrow Park, 2800 Louisiana St., in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month.
The family-friendly event features live music, free food and a 5K to raise awareness about suicide prevention. There will also be community resource providers with tables of information and giveaway items as well as a place to share messages of hope or memories of loved ones.
The festival is free to attend. Participation in the 5K is $20, and it supports youth suicide prevention efforts in our community.
| | Town hall to focus on challenges facing youth | |
Join Engage Douglas County on Monday, May 4, for a community-led event focused on youth in Douglas County. The “Healthy Futures Town Hall” will be 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.
Parents, students, experts and educators are invited to come together and share their concerns and views on underage drinking, marijuana use, building protective factors and making community connections.
This event is free and open to all, but please register here.
| | Nominate someone who is making a difference in Douglas County by May 15 | | |
The Engaged in Action Awards shine a light on the youth, adults and organizations making an impact in Douglas County. Award recipients exemplify the mission and values of Engage Douglas County:
- Demonstrated commitment to reducing substance misuse and suicide and/or promoting mental health.
- Active engagement in issues that affect residents in Douglas County, such as drug and alcohol use, suicide prevention or other behavioral health issues.
- Dedication to serving the Douglas County community.
The deadline for nominations is May 15. Awards will be presented at a ceremony on June 25.
| | Board of County Commissioners | | |
Douglas County Commission meetings are at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the historic Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., on the second floor in the Commission meeting room. Meetings are also available on Zoom.
Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in April. They unanimously approved:
- the 2026 Vegetation Management Plan.
- the 2026 Natural and Cultural Heritage grant awards.
- a new 0.2 FTE property crime compensation coordinator in the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.
- a plan design and compensation rates for the Douglas County healthcare plan for the 2026-2027 plan year.
On a 3-1 vote, they approved a proposed Tenant Eviction Defense pilot program and authorized the County Administrator to solicit proposals from qualified nonprofit legal service providers. Gene Dorsey voted no, and Erica Anderson was absent.
* Recordings of County Commission meetings can be found on the Douglas County YouTube channel.
County Commissioners have work sessions to study and discuss various topics through the year. No action is taken during work sessions. The work sessions are held at 4 p.m. Wednesdays before the business meeting. One session is scheduled:
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May 6 – Battery Energy Storage Systems and data centers text amendment
| | Heritage Conservation Council awards $250,000 in grants to 22 projects | |
The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) announces the recipients of the 2026 Natural and Cultural Heritage grant program after receiving approval from the Board of County Commissioners on April 15. A total of $250,000 was awarded to 22 projects.
"The Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program continues to be a critical funding source for important heritage conservation projects across Douglas County,” Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan said. “Spanning many different topics and places across the county, this year’s award recipients will host community events and uplift living heritage, protect heritage resources that may soon be lost, and promote and share our rich heritage stories to both residents and visitors."
There were two grant categories:
- Target grants, which support projects that have a significant and lasting impact on the conservation of the county’s natural and cultural resources. Eleven projects were awarded a total of $210,000.
- Seed grants, which support smaller-scale projects. Eleven projects were awarded $40,000.
To see the full list of awardees, funding allocations and their projects, visit: dgcoks.gov/news/041626
Since the program launched in 2011, Douglas County has awarded more than $3.6 million to over 150 projects. A story map of past projects is available at http://dgcoks.gov/hcc/grantmap.
| | Commissioners honor 911 telecommunicators for life-saving work with proclamation | | |
The County Commission recognized Emergency Communications Center (ECC) staff for their vital role in keeping the community safe by proclaiming April 12-18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
The ECC is staffed by 35 highly-skilled 911 telecommunicators who serve as the critical link between residents needing emergency assistance and the law enforcement, fire and medical response agencies that provide it.
“When the seconds count, we provide step-by-step guidance such as CPR instructions or bleeding control until responders arrive,” Emergency Communicator Eavie Vess said during the April 15 commission meeting. “During those high stress situations, callers are often overwhelmed or terrified. It takes a unique skill set to offer calm reassurance while giving lifesaving instructions. All the while, we’re counting down the seconds until responders reach the scene.”
Last year, the ECC received 49,000 emergency 911 calls and 89,000 non-emergency calls.
“With every call, we strive to make a difference and have a real impact on the lives of our neighbors, families, first responders and the community. I’m proud to work alongside such dedicated people who share a passion for helping those in need,” Vess said.
| | Sheriff's Office offering trainings for how to respond during an active shooter event | |
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is offering two upcoming C.R.A.S.E. (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) classes to community members.
Classes are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 2, and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 11, at Consolidated Fire District 1, Station 111, 300 W. 31st St., in Lawrence.
"We know what to do if the fire alarm goes off and there's a fire. We know what to do if there's a tornado drill,” Master Deputy Troy Squire said. “If you don't know what to do in case of an active shooter, this is the class for you. Come learn some techniques and tactics and plans. Anyone in the public can come, and we encourage as many folks as possible to come out."
To register, visit: https://tr.ee/DGSOactiveshooter
| | Score Lawrence unveils community events to celebrate soccer tournament | |
Area cultural organizations are rolling out the red carpet — or rather the green turf — to welcome visitors and engage residents in the cultural context for the international soccer phenomenon coming to Greater Kansas City this summer.
The Lawrence community is getting the ball rolling on a full playing field of fun during tournament season, from exhibitions to events to viewing parties and other celebrations. Here are some pre-game highlights:
- The Lawrence Public Library presents World Cup Warm Up, an educational series of free talks through June 3 aimed to get community members primed for the big event. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the cultures of participating countries and the global significance of the sport of soccer.
- The KU Natural History Museum invites visitors to see flora and fauna from several countries participating in the World Cup in the newest temporary exhibition, “Collections from Around the World,” on view May 11-July 27.
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Lawrence PRIDE is June 6 and kicks off with a parade followed by a free block party, drag performances, live music, vendors and a children’s area. This year, the fun is extended with a month's worth of events such as weekly film screenings, drag bingo, queer bowling and more in downtown Lawrence.
- The Community Kickoff Soccer Street Party starts at 5 p.m. Friday, June 12, at 11th and Massachusetts streets. The USA vs Paraguay match will be at 8 p.m.
| | While checking out the inside of a Consolidated Fire District No. 1 fire truck, this kid gives a thumbs up at Discovery Day, which was April 21 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. | | Discovery Day showcases county services | | |
We’re wrapping up National County Government Month by sharing photos from our Discovery Day event, which was April 21 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
From touch a truck activities and a cake walk to Emergency Management’s Wheel of Misfortune and District Court’s selfie station, Douglas County staff enjoyed connecting with the community in a fun, hands-on way. We hope participants also learned more about the many services county departments provide.
A big thank you to local food trucks — Barbwire Barbecue, JB’s Tacos, and The Pretzelly Truck — for serving food during the event and to the local bakeries that donated baked goods for the cakewalk.
Next year’s Discovery Day will be Tuesday, April 13, 2027!
| | This kid is all smiles while in the driver's seat of a Sheriff's Office deputy patrol car. | | Youth enjoy Douglas County District Court's selfie station. | | Brad Eldridge visits with children about his job as the county appraiser. | | The District Attorney's Office table is popular as they offer temporary tattoos and glitter painting. | | Treasurer's Office staff were on hand to talk about motor vehicle tags. | | Emergency Management's "Wheel of Misfortune" provided safety tips. | | A Lawrence Earth Day Fair participant shows off the temporary tattoo she received from the Douglas County Sustainability Office. The fair was April 18 in South Park. | Earth Month underscores work in sustainability | |
As Earth Month comes to a close, the work of Douglas County’s Sustainability Office highlights how closely our environment is tied to the health, history and resilience of our community.
The month serves as a reminder that caring for the environment also means caring for the people, ecosystems and cultural knowledge that sustain us. Climate action is not only about reducing emissions, but also about stewardship, access and long-term well-being.
Through Adapt Douglas County, we are preparing for a changing climate by strengthening community resilience, addressing vulnerabilities and planning for a future in which people and infrastructure can thrive together. The Open Space Plan reinforces the importance of preserving natural landscapes, protecting biodiversity and ensuring that everyone has access to the outdoors — spaces that support both ecological health and human connection.
Our work in food systems also recognizes that sustainability is rooted in relationships with land, food and knowledge passed down over generations. Supporting these systems helps restore balance, honor diverse heritage and build a more just and locally-grounded food future.
Earth Month is also a call to shared responsibility. It invites residents, partners and local leaders to take part in shaping a county where environmental care, cultural respect and community resilience move forward together.
| Sustainability Impact Analyst Jamie Hofling, right, is pictured with the Cromwell Solar installation crew. They have started putting in the ground mount system at the new Public Safety Building, which will house Emergency Management, Emergency Communications and the Sheriff's Office. | Solar coming to new county buildings | |
As construction continues on the new Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC) south tower and Public Safety Building, Douglas County is planning for the installation of solar energy systems for both facilities.
The JLEC tower will include a 120-kilowatt (kW) solar array, and the Public Safety Building will include a 138.24 kW system. Together, these systems will generate clean, renewable electricity and help reduce long-term energy costs.
To put this into perspective, each system is roughly the size needed to power between 15 and 20 average homes a year. While the buildings themselves use significantly more energy than a typical home, these installations will meaningfully offset a portion of their electricity use and reduce the county’s overall environmental impact.
These projects are part of a broader effort to incorporate sustainability into new county facilities alongside energy-efficient building design and operations as outlined in Adapt Douglas County, the countywide plan for climate action.
| Sustainability Office staff and the Buildings, Maintenance and Grounds crew are planning to place a bike rack in this area that is northeast of the historic courthouse. | Departments planning to add native landscaping, bike rack near historic courthouse | |
Following the completion of exterior restoration work on the historic courthouse, planning is underway for new landscaping and site improvements around the building, including the installation of a bike rack.
County staff are working to incorporate native plant species into the design. Native plants are well-adapted to Kansas conditions, requiring less water and maintenance once established. They also provide important habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which play a critical role in local ecosystems.
In addition to supporting biodiversity, native landscaping can improve soil health, reduce runoff, and create a more resilient landscape over time. The addition of a bike rack will support alternative transportation options and improve access for visitors and staff.
| Sustainability Impact Analyst Jamie Hofling took this photo while visiting local stores and researching native plants. | | | | |
