Lawrence will host Team Algeria base camp | | |
Viva l’Algérie! Lawrence will be a base camp for the Algerian men’s soccer team during this summer’s World Cup, meaning Lawrence and Douglas County will be the team’s “home away from home.”
Algeria's first match is scheduled for 8 p.m. June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., against Argentina. The team will also play in Santa Clara, California, on June 22, and then back in Arrowhead Stadium on June 27.
While the team trains, rests and prepares during the tournament, players and staff will become short-term residents in the community.
To learn about this summer’s activities in Douglas County and to stay up-to-date on community preparations, visit lawrence2026.com.
| | On Feb. 25, Douglas County Commissioners issued a proclamation welcoming the Algerian team and its fans to the community. Back row, from left, Commissioners Gene Dorsey, Erica Anderson, Karen Willey and Patrick Kelly, are are pictured with eXplore Lawrence Executive Director Kim Anspach, front left, and eXplore Lawrence Director of Community Relations Ruth DeWitt. | | Training aims to help businesses, event organizers prepare for summer heat, World Cup fans | |
To prepare for an influx of visitors this summer, Emergency Management is hosting an Extreme Heat Readiness Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, March 9, in Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.
The training is free, and it is geared toward local businesses, chambers of commerce, event organizers, leaders of sporting and recreation events, and communications professionals. The goal is to help keep visitors and residents safe before it becomes a medical emergency and could potentially overwhelm our first responders and the LMH Health emergency room.
The workshop will include a panel discussion, followed by facilitated group conversations and “what-if” scenarios that ask participants to think through how they would respond in real-world situations. Scenario topics will include:
- Safely managing outdoor events
- Keeping customers and staff safe in busy retail and hospitality settings
- Communicating effectively
To register, visit: https://dgcoks.gov/form/heatworkshop.
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Risk Management Coordinator Julie Sackrider was recognized for 30 years of service with Douglas County during the Employee Service Awards luncheon on Feb. 19 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. | County recognizes employees with Service Awards | |
Douglas County hosted its fourth annual Employee Service Awards luncheon on Feb. 19 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. During the event, 62 employees who celebrated a milestone work anniversary – 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years – in 2025 were recognized. They represented a combined 690 years of service to Douglas County.
This year’s longest serving honoree was Risk Management Coordinator Julie Sackrider, who celebrated 30 years of service. Julie oversees the Workers’ Compensation program and the county’s professional and property liability insurance, which is a significant responsibility in an organization with 500 employees and more than $146 million in insured facilities and structures.
She also manages the county’s cell phone contract and purchasing card program, coordinates legal services with county counsel and insurance-assigned attorneys, oversees the coroner contract and services for unattended deaths, manages fixed assets, and organizes public auctions and the document storage facility at the fairgrounds.
Sackrider first worked for Douglas County in the late 1980s for the county counselor and personnel director. During that time, the Board of County Commissioners created the county administrator position and the Administration Department. She recalls that the county counselor, Chris McKenzie, became the first county administrator.
After a brief time away, Sackrider returned in 1995 and has since worked with all three county administrators. Over the years, she has supported purchasing functions, including printing services and office supply contracts, served as clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, managed agendas and board records, and spent 11 years as executive assistant to longtime County Administrator Craig Weinaug, who retired in 2018.
County Administrator Sarah Plinsky described Sackrider as adaptable, dependable, personable and kind.
"Julie has shifted responsibilities and duties multiple times over the years, and she does it seamlessly," Plinsky said. “Julie’s work may go unseen to lots of employees and the public, but she is part of the glue that binds our organization together. The community is better off for her service."
During the luncheon, four employees were recognized for 25 years of service: Betsy Anderson, Emergency Communications Manager, Emergency Communications; Trecia Goodrick, Recording Specialist, Register of Deeds; Stephanie Mora, Corrections Office Supervisor, Criminal Justice Services; and Casey Crane, Detention Operations Manager, Criminal Justice Services.
Douglas County has 16 departments and 526 full-time and part-time regular employees.
Plinsky describes employees as the heart and soul of the organization. “The Employee Service Awards Luncheon brings us together to celebrate everyone who makes Douglas County exceptional.”
| From left, Trecia Goodrick, Register of Deeds; Betsy Anderson, Emergency Communications; and Casey Crane and Stephanie Mora, Criminal Justice Services, were recognized for 25 years of service with Douglas County. | | From left, County Clerk Jamie Shew; Jennifer Carlson, Sheriff’s Office; Kristin Colahan-Sederstrom, Treasurer’s Office; and Gerald Richter, Public Works, were honored for 20 years of service with the county. Not pictured are: Lisa Garcia, Troy Miller and Brad Schwab, Sheriff's Office; and Jarod Lewis, Information Technology. | From left, Reggie Demby, Public Works; Andrew Haney, Sheriff’s Office; Tony Foster, Emergency Communications; Cricket Mercer, Appraiser’s Office; and County Administrator Sarah Plinsky were recognized for 15 years of service with Douglas County. Not pictured are Mark Mehrer, Sheriff’s Office, and Kathleen Taylor, Clerk’s Office. | | Daniel Dao earned first place in the Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Feb. 20 at The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. He is pictured with Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur who organizes and facilitates the annual event. | Lawrence Virtual School student Daniel Dao wins Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge | |
Eighth-grader Daniel Dao, of Lawrence Virtual School, received first place in the 2025-2026 Douglas County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on Feb. 20 at the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center. He received a $1,250 check and now qualifies for the state competition in April in Manhattan.
His business idea, BrainQuest, is an app that offers carefully curated exercises grounded in educational research that is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills for users of all ages and backgrounds.
Dao, who also took first place last year with his brother, was among 13 students, representing nine businesses, who competed in the challenge.
The other top-prize cash winners were:
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Second place – Senior Ian Bryan, of Baldwin High School, $1,000. His business, IB Western Supply, provides handcrafted leather goods such as wallets, clips, belts and everyday tools.
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Third place – Freshman Trudy Kirkland, of Lawrence High School, $750. Her business idea, Mindful Machine, is a vending machine stocked with snacks and drinks made from clean, simple ingredients that fuel the body.
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Fourth place – Eighth-grader Abhirup Maity, of Billy Mills Middle School, $500. His business idea, Ecofy, aims to spread healthy and affordable plants globally.
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Innovate Globally Prize – Eighth-graders Libya Elshekhi and Abigail Poindexter and seventh-grader Penny Whittier, all of Billy Mills Middle School, $250. Their business idea, Pure Plate, is a restaurant rooted in both sustainability and culture.
The judges for the competition were: Chris Miller and Seth Johnson, of KU Small Business Development Center; Quinlan Carttar, of K-State Extension Douglas County, Allyssa Foster, entrepreneur; Kurt Spachek, Jack Oglesby and John Harrison, of Douglas County E-Community, and Sandy Gantz and Seth Johnson, community members.
Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur organized and facilitated the event with support from Nicole Rials, an Douglas County E-Community coach and local entrepreneur. Sponsors were Douglas County, Network Kansas and KU Innovation Park.
| | The cash prize winners in this year's Youth Entrpreneurship Challenge are, from left, Daniel Dao, first; Penny Whittier, Libya Elshekhi and Abigail Poindexter, Innovate Globally Prize; Abhirup Maity, fourth place; Ian Bryan, second place; and Trudy Kirkland, third place. For more photos of the competition, check out our Facebook page. | | 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. The commission will not have a meeting on March 4.
Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in January. They approved:
- year-end transfers for 2025 and authorized the transfer of additional funds from reserves to the general fund.
- a conditional use permit for equipment storage use at 1805 E. 200 Road, near Big Springs
- authorizing the Emergency Communications Director Tony Foster to enter into a contract with Motorola to upgrade the Emergency Communication Center’s current radio system.
- a contract with UnitedHealthcare to provide administrative services for the county’s self-funded employee healthcare plan.
* Recordings of County Commission meetings can be found on the Douglas County YouTube channel.
| | Cardinal Housing Network Program Director Hannah Bolton speaks Feb. 19 at the grand opening ceremony for a new residence at 1128 Ohio St. that will support women in recovery. Douglas County Commissioner Shannon Reid, standing next to Bolton, also spoke during the event. | Cardinal Housing Network celebrates opening of new supportive housing for women in recovery | |
Cardinal Housing Network held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony on Feb. 19 for Lil’ Blue, a new residence at 1128 Ohio St., that will provide housing and support services for women in recovery and their children.
Program Director Hannah Bolton spoke about her family’s history and legacy as part of the project. Douglas County Commissioner Shannon Reid highlighted a bench she donated in honor of her late mother, Sue. Reid collaborated last year with Nikeyah Brunello, an apprentice artist in Van Go’s Summer JAMS program, to create the bench titled “Through the Lens of Hope.”
Douglas County has allocated $630,000 in 2025 and 2026 to Cardinal Housing Network to expand supportive housing as part of the community’s A Place for Everyone plan to end chronic homelessness.
More information:
| | Appraiser's Office mails Change of Value Notices; to host information sessions in March | |
Today, the Douglas County Appraiser’s Office mailed Change of Value Notices for the 2026 tax year to 31,250 property owners who own 41,186 parcels of land.
The office’s annual market study found overall increases in residential and commercial real estate prices, with roughly 90% of properties seeing an increase from 2025 to 2026. The analysis reviewed more than 2,000 sales, cost data from the Marshall & Swift Valuation Service, and rent and expense information for leased properties. Demand continues to outpace supply in several neighborhoods and property types.
Most residential and commercial parcels in Douglas County will see between a 1% and 8% increase in value on the 2026 notice. The study also showed significant price increases for vacant land, ranging from 3% to 20%.
The mailed notices will provide information about how to access new features on the property search section of the county website, including comparable sale reports and comparable sale location maps as well as cost reports and an electronic copy of the Change of Value Notice.
Appeal process: Property owners who want to appeal their property valuation must complete the request form on the back of the notice and submit it to the Appraiser’s Office by 5 p.m. Monday, March 30. Forms may be mailed or dropped off at the office in the basement of the historic courthouse at 1100 Massachusetts St. or emailed to appeals@dgcoks.gov.
Information sessions
In March, the Appraiser’s Office will host information sessions that include a presentation about the valuation process, current market trends, property taxes and the appeal process, followed by an opportunity to visit with a staff appraiser. All sessions will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays:
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March 9, Lecompton Community Building, 333 Elmore St., Lecompton
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March 16, Baldwin City Library, 800 Seventh St., Baldwin City
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March 23, Eudora City Hall, Commission Chambers, 4 E Seventh St., Eudora
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March 30, Historic courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., second floor, Lawrence
A walk-in session where residents can meet with an appraiser and ask questions about property values will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, on the second floor of the historic courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts, in Lawrence.
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Property tax rebate program available for
low-income seniors, disabled veterans
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Douglas County is offering a property tax rebate program for low-income seniors and disabled veterans. The maximum rebate payment per household is $400.
The program is for Douglas County residents who are ages 65 and older or disabled veterans. Eligibility requirements include:
- Own and occupy a home that is not used as a short-term rental.
- The home's appraised value is $350,000 or less.
- Household income is at or below the Kansas Homestead Refund program income limit or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s very low-income limits.
Applications need to be submitted along with proof of income and other required documents by April 15.
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The Douglas County Treasurer's office in Lawrence is at 2601 W. Sixth St. The location inside the historic courthouse in downtown Lawrence is closed to the public. | Motor vehicle and tax services provided at Sixth Street location; courthouse office closed | |
The Treasurer’s Office closed its public-facing services inside the Historic Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., on Feb. 16 as part of an effort to consolidate operations and improve customer service.
All motor vehicle and property tax payments in Lawrence are now handled at 2601 W. Sixth St.
The location inside the Baldwin City Market is still open during the second full week of each month.
Payment options include drop boxes outside the courthouse and Sixth Street office, as well as online payment services.
| The Treasurer's Office location at 2601 W. Sixth St. has a large waiting room and a greeter who will check to ensure customers have the correct paperwork needed for their transactions. | | Emergency Management to host free severe weather training March 12 at KU | | |
Douglas County Emergency Management, in partnership with KU Emergency Management and the National Weather Service - Topeka Office, is hosting a severe weather training at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Capitol Federal Hall, 1654 Naismith Drive, on the University of Kansas campus in Room 1111.
The workshop will include information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of storm features and safety tips. The free training is open to anyone, and it is being held in conjunction with Severe Weather Preparedness Month.
Additionally, Emergency Management staff will participate in a statewide tornado drill by activating and testing the outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 4. Douglas County residents and businesses are encouraged to use the event to test their emergency plans.
It’s important for Douglas County residents to have multiple methods of receiving severe weather alerts and other vital information. One method is to sign up for emergency alerts through the Northeast Kansas Regional Notification System at dgcoks.gov/emalerts. This system will provide notifications via text message, email or phone call at no cost.
| | K-State Extension Douglas County hosting free program on outdoor burning, wildfire safety | |
K-State Extension Douglas County will host a public workshop on the role of fire in shaping regional landscapes and strategies for protecting lives and property from wildfires. The program is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 14, at Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.
The workshop examines fire as a management tool, including prescribed burning practices, wildfire-risk reduction and practical measures homeowners can adopt to coexist more safely with fire. Participants will gain insight into the conditions under which fire supports healthy landscapes, the circumstances in which it threatens them, and the planning approaches that protect people, property and ecosystems.
Each year, Douglas County fire departments respond to dozens of wildfires. Since Jan. 1, Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1 has responded to at least 26 grassfire calls. In the state of Kansas, wildfires regularly cause widespread damage to property, injuries and sometimes fatalities. According to fire officials, 95% of wildfires result from the activity of people.
This event is free, but registration is required and can be completed at this link: https://bit.ly/living-fire-26.
| | An dispatcher answer calls in the Emergency Communications Center. | Emergency Communications implements Fire Priority Dispatch System | |
Douglas County Emergency Communications recently implemented the Fire Priority Dispatch System to better serve the residents of Douglas County in emergencies involving fire hazards.
With this new system, Douglas County dispatchers follow nationally recognized standards and research-based protocols to identify life-threatening situations and to safely prioritize calls for response. The protocols guide emergency communicators through a series of questions they ask callers to identify the problems so they can send the correct help.
“This marks the start of a great partnership with Priority Dispatch to provide guided call-taking processes and incident-specific instructions for our citizens to ensure their safety,” ECC Director Tony Foster said. “The launch of the Emergency Fire Dispatching (EFD) protocols brings to our community and our responders the same level of service for fire-related emergencies that our community has experienced during medical emergencies for many years. I want to thank our community for the support and our staff for the many hours that were spent bringing these protocols online."
| | 'Ignite: New Venture Discovery' program now offered in Douglas County | |
Topeka-based Omni Circle Group is expanding its “Ignite: New Venture Discovery” program to the Lawrence area through a collaborative partnership with the Douglas County eCommunity.
Omni’s Ignite program is for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to explore and validate new business ideas. Participants receive guidance on identifying opportunities, assessing market potential and developing a foundation for their venture. They can expect to come into the program with an idea, dream or vision, and leave with a strong market concept and business plan. Aspiring entrepreneurs from Lawrence and across Douglas County are invited to apply.
“In Topeka, Ignite has helped more than 65 people develop their business ideas into viable concepts. We’re excited to reach an even greater number of potential entrepreneurs by bringing this program to the Lawrence/Douglas County area,” said Omni CEO Michael Odupitan.
The eight-week course incorporates Kauffman FastTrac’s Learning Management System, uses a workbook unique to Omni’s program and includes coaching strategy that further elevates the participant experience. It is expected to launch in Lawrence on March 23, with sessions being held at The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center.
Informational sessions about the program are available:
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March 2, 6-7 p.m., online via Zoom.
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March 9, noon-1 p.m., Peaslee Tech
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March 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Peaslee Tech
For more information about the program or information sessions, visit: http://dgcoks.gov/news/020426
| | Simulation offers insight to challenges people face when transitioning from custody into community | |
The Sheriff's Office Reentry Team is hosting a 2026 Reentry Simulation in April, and it is open to anyone in the community. The educational outreach event highlights the challenges people face when transitioning from custody back into the community.
The simulation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, in Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.
To register for the free training, visit: https://form.jotform.com/253094757455063
To learn more about the importance of the Douglas County Reentry programming and how it can influence people’s lives, watch Brandon Schrimsher’s story or view the Reentry Team on an episode of the DGSO View from 100 podcast.
| | The CarFit Clinic is a free education program that provides a quick, comprehensive review of how well you and your car work together. The program is offered through the Senior Resource Center of Douglas County, in partnership with AARP. | | Senior Resource Center offering vehicle safety workshops in March | | |
The Senior Resource Center, in partnership with AARP, will host two vehicle safety workshops in March.
The CarFit Clinic will be from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, March 9, in the Central Bank parking lot, 300 W. Ninth St. An occupational therapist will meet with you and your car to optimize ergonomics, comfort and safety while driving. There is no cost to participate.
The Smart Driver course will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Senior Resource Center, 745 Vermont St. The hands-on program helps people refresh their driving skills and learn ways to stay safe on the road. The cost is $20 for AARP members with membership card and $25 for nonmembers. To register or for more information about either workshop, call Larry Woydziak at 785-727-7875.
| | Application deadline for user-fee dust control program is March 6 | |
Public Works is accepting applications for the 2026 user-fee dust control program. The deadline for applying is Friday, March 6. The program consists of applying liquid calcium chloride or magnesium chloride to rock roads typically in front of houses in an effort to reduce dust created by vehicles.
The cost to participate is $1.65 per linear foot of roadway treated plus an administrative fee of $60 per location. The expected life of dust reduction by this method is about one year, depending on weather, road and traffic conditions.
The program is available to all residents in Douglas County living adjacent to public roadways. If the road is maintained by a township, cooperation with the township’s board is needed to prepare the road prior to application and to protect it from blading as long as possible after treatment.
Applications are available online and at the Douglas County Public Works Department at 3755 E. 25th St. Pre-payment must be received in the Public Works Department office by 5 p.m. March 6 to participate in the program.
| | Public Works accepting bids for Camp Host at Lone Star Lake | |
Public Works is accepting bids for a Camp Host at Lone Star Lake. The 2026 camping season runs from April 1 to Oct. 15. The department is seeking a dependable individual who enjoys assisting visitors, caring for public lands and working in an outdoor setting.
Job responsibilities include:
- Provide friendly, professional assistance to campers
- Issue campsite permits and collect fees
- Clean and stock restrooms and showers
- Monitor conditions and report safety or maintenance issues
Public Works will provide:
- Monthly compensation
- Campsite with water and electric service
- Necessary supplies, including a cell phone, cash box, firewood and cleaning materials
The deadline to submit a bid is 3 p.m. Friday, March 13. To obtain a form or if you have questions, contact Public Works, 3755 E. 25th St. in Lawrence, at 785-832 5293.
| | Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8! Don't forget to set your clocks one hour ahead! It's almost springtime in beautiful Douglas County! | | | | |
