Signs that focus on connecting people experiencing crisis to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are now placed at public parks and recreational areas in Douglas County. A dedication ceremony was held April 30 at Wells Overlook Park. | You Matter: Community partners in Douglas County launch 988 Lifeline sign initiative | |
Signs that focus on connecting people experiencing crisis to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are now placed at public parks and recreational areas in Douglas County.
“Suicide prevention is a community responsibility. As law enforcement officers and first responders, we are too familiar with people unfortunately visiting some of these sites with the intention of taking their own life,” Douglas County Undersheriff Stacy Simmons said. “These signs represent a collaborative effort among so many groups to come together and share the message that everyone needs to hear: ‘You matter.’”
Douglas County Public Works crews began placing signs in April at locations around Clinton Lake, Wells Overlook and other public spaces in the unincorporated areas of the county. The City of Lawrence has also added numerous signs, and the plan is to expand and place more signs in parks and public places in Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton.
This intervention originated from the first Suicide Fatality Review Board meeting after the Sheriff's Office and first responders identified a pattern of crisis calls in parks and recreation areas. The Sheriff's Office provided funding for the project as well as dispatch data to identify hot spots.
Engage Douglas County interviewed Sheriff Jay Armbrister and Capt. Chris Johnston about their hopes for the 988 signs in our community, the videos can be viewed here:
| Douglas County Public Works staff has installed 44 new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline signs in parks and recreational areas to help connect people to life-saving support when they need it most. Pictured at the sign-dedication ceremony on April 30 are, from left, Lead Operator Joe Stadler, Superintendent Brad Ayres and Director Chad Voigt. | Sheriff's latest podcast focuses on mental health | |
In "Episode 09: Care & Community," Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister sits down with Dr. Kirsten Watkins, CEO of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and Emily Farley, Chief Advancement Officer, to explore how a community of Lawrence’s size has built one of the most comprehensive behavioral health systems in Kansas.
They outline the Bert Nash Center’s role as a safety-net provider for all ages and all levels of need, describe its network of facilities and explain the vision for the forthcoming Youth Recovery Center, an “urgent care for the mind," where youth can receive crisis stabilization and ongoing outpatient care under one roof.
- Listen on your favorite podcast app or on Buzzsprout.
- Or watch the episode on YouTube.
| | Douglas County’s specialty courts marked National Treatment Court Month with a tree planting ceremony. From left, Tim Shoulderblade, Judge Mark Simpson, Judge Amy Hanley, Shannon Bruegge and Judge Stacey Donovan are shown preparing to shovel dirt for the ceremonial tree planting on May 12 on the lawn in front of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. | | Specialty courts celebrate National Treatment Court Month with tree planting ceremony | |
This month, Douglas County’s specialty courts marked National Treatment Court Month with a tree planting ceremony on the lawn in front of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.
The ceremony included brief remarks from Drug Treatment Court Officer Shannon Bruegge; Judge Stacey Donovan, who presides over Behavioral Health Court; Judge Amy Hanley, who presides over Veterans Treatment Court; and Tim Shoulderblade, a 2024 Drug Treatment Court graduate and active member of the alumni group. Chief Judge Mark Simpson, who presides over Drug Treatment Court, also participated.
Behavioral Health Court launched in 2017, followed by Drug Treatment Court in 2020 and Veterans Treatment Court in 2025. These programs are for adults charged with felonies. If participants complete the program, their charges are dismissed.
A total of 140 individuals have graduated from the programs which provide treatment and community resources. Graduates often describe the programs as life-saving.
Story: Breaking the cycle: Tim Shoulderblade's story of recovery and giving back
| | The Public Safety Building, 3605 E. 25th St., will house Emergency Management, Emergency Communications and the Sheriff's Office. All of the departments are expected to be operating from the new building by August. | Emergency Management, Emergency Communications moving into Public Safety Building | |
During the past week, Douglas County Emergency Management moved into the basement level of the new Public Safety Building at 3605 E. 25th St., near the Douglas County Correctional Facility. Emergency Communications is in the process of moving into the building.
Both departments have been located on the third floor of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. Eleventh St., in downtown Lawrence. The Public Safety Building provides a storm-hardened structure where staff can safely provide services during severe weather.
In July, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to move into the building’s main level.
The Public Safety Building includes a garage that houses equipment and vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Communications. Those vehicles and equipment were previously stored in multiple locations, and the new centralized space will give staff quicker access. The building also provides additional room for operations, improving overall efficiency.
| Douglas County Emergency Communications (911) staff test equipment on May 27 in the Public Safety Building. | | The Emergency Operations Center in the new Public Safety Building is now larger and equipped with expanded technology. | |
JLEC addition
Construction on the new addition to the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center is expected to be finished by mid-July. The addition will include six courtrooms, judges’ chambers, office areas for District Court staff and new holding areas for people in custody making court appearances.
These services are expected to be operating in the new space by late July or early August.
The addition will improve security by creating separate circulation areas for the public, staff and people in custody. It also allows room for future court system expansion.
| | The Judicial and Law Enforcement Center addition is pictured on May 27. It is expected to finished by mid-July. | | Construction work is underway May 27 on a new courtroom inside the new Judicial and Law Enforcement Center addition. | |
Background
The Board of County Commissioners approved an $81.9 million total project budget on Dec. 11, 2024. The project did not require a tax increase. It is funded with bonds covered under existing sales tax authority and with cash on hand. It is the largest capital improvement project in county history.
Treanor Architects and J.E. Dunn Construction are the design and construction team.
A groundbreaking ceremony for both the Public Safety Building and the JLEC addition was held Jan. 24, 2025.
| | 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 May. They unanimously approved:
- an engineering services agreement with HNTB Corporation to complete an environmental assessment for the Wakarusa Drive extension project at a maximum cost of $276,835.
- a State of Local Disaster Emergency Declaration for the FIFA World Cup base camp operations, effective June 7. The declaration allows the county to access additional resources if needed.
- a revised request for one-time supplemental funding for the Treatment and Recovery Center, not to exceed $700,000, in 2026 from Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.
- a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide permanent supportive housing for 12 households.
- authorizing the County Administrator’s office to proceed with a proposed Youth Apprenticeship Challenge Grant in partnership with the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center.
- voted to defer implementation of the Every Day Counts truancy program and the release of the truancy fund balance of $87,500 from the commission budget to Criminal Justice Services and to bring the item back when they have a five-member board present. Commissioner Willey was absent from the meeting.
On a 4-1 vote, the Commission approved a comprehensive plan amendment, AMDT-26-0009, to Plan 2040 for general cleanup and updating. Commissioner Anderson was opposed.
On a 3-2 vote, the commission authorized the county administrator to enter into agreements with Kansas Legal Services and Kansas Holistic Defenders for the Tenant Eviction Defense pilot program at a maximum cost of $40,000 total for fiscal year 2026. KLS and KHD will each receive $20,000. Commissioners Gene Dorsey and Erica Anderson were opposed.
** 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. Here's the schedule:
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June 3 – Flexible Housing Pool
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June 10 – Supportive housing for women
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June 17 – Detox overview
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June 24 – Crisis system gaps
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July 1 – Consolidated Fire District No. 1 budget hearing
| | A view of the proposed Wakarusa Drive extension. | Commissioners approve environmental assessment for Wakarusa Drive extension | |
County Commissioners unanimously approved an engineering services agreement with HNTB Corporation to complete an environmental assessment for the Wakarusa Drive extension project at a maximum cost of $276,835. They approved the agreement during their May 13 business meeting.
The project will extend Wakarusa Drive south from Kansas Highway 10, across the Wakarusa River to Douglas County Route 5, also known as E 1000 Road. This extension project is expected to improve response times for first responders who are called to areas south and southwest of Lawrence. It is also intended to improve overall traffic and pedestrian safety by diverting traffic away the Clinton Lake dam, which is currently the connecting route.
Douglas County Public Works will present the results of the environmental assessment when they are completed, and the assessment will be available for public review and comments.
The project has been listed in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan since 2016.
| | County Route 442 is closed between E 2300 and E 2400 roads for a bridge replacement project. | | Bridge repair projects underway across county | | |
Public Works announced several bridge repair or reconstruction projects this month that have resulted in road closures.
They are:
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N 700 Road, between E 2300 Road and E 2400. The project began May 4 and is expected to take seven weeks.
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N 1100 Road, between U.S. 59 Highway and E 1400 Road. The project began May 4 and is expected to take nine weeks.
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N 1400 Road (Route 442), between E 2300 Road and E 2400 Road. The project began May 18 and is expected to take four months.
Access will be maintained for nearby properties.
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Clerk's Office recognized for excellence in election administration with national Clearinghouse Award | |
The Douglas County Clerk’s Office is being recognized for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents these awards annually to highlight best practices. This year’s winning programs took place during the 2025 election cycle.
The Douglas County Clerk’s Office was honored in the small-jurisdictions “Innovations and New Practices in Election Administration” category for innovation in workflow using Microsoft 365. Deputy County Clerk Ed Healy led the multi-year project.
“This work has significantly improved our efficiency, accuracy and chain-of-custody tracking, and it reflects the dedication of our entire elections team,” County Clerk Jamie Shew said.
It was one of 46 programs recognized with a Clearinghouse Award.
| County Commissioners Shannon Reid, left, and Erica Anderson, recognize County Clerk Jamie Shew for 20 years of service during an Employee Service Awards luncheon in February. Shew has been elected chair of Standards Board executive committee for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. | County Clerk is first Kansas representative elected to chair U.S. Election Assistance Commission board | |
On May 5, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission announced that Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew was elected chair of the Standards Board executive committee during its annual meeting April 28-29 in Washington, D.C. He is the first representative from Kansas to serve as chair of the board.
The Standards Board assists the EAC in carrying out its mandates under federal law. It consists of 55 state election officials selected by their chief state election official and 55 local election officials selected through a process supervised by the chief state election official. Shew has served on the board since 2021.
| From left, University of Kansas students Emily Sirtak, Emily Syrup, Tessa Wood, Makenna Elmendorf, Luke Hackler and Chase Lucas, present their final work to their environmental studies class. | KU students partnered with Sustainability team to help improve the Douglas County Energy Hub | |
Environmental studies students at the University of Kansas recently partnered with the Sustainability Office to help strengthen the Douglas County Energy Hub, a resource designed to connect residents, nonprofits and businesses with energy-efficiency incentives, weatherization assistance and clean energy information.
As part of the project, the students researched barriers renters and lower-income households faced and developed recommendations and communication tools to make the Energy Hub more accessible and user-friendly. Deliverables included a renter-focused energy guide, testimonial and visual content recommendations, and weatherization outreach materials designed to help more residents navigate energy-saving opportunities.
On April 30, the students presented their final work as part of their KU Environmental Studies capstone course.
“We greatly appreciate their thoughtful research and contributions toward improving community access to energy resources,” Sustainability Analyst Jamie Hofling said. “Watch for updates to the Energy Hub.”
| | Douglas County court and law enforcement staff warn residents about fraudulent messages. | Residents urged to beware of fraudulent messages | |
Douglas County officials are warning residents about fraudulent text and email messages that appear to be from District Court regarding a traffic summons. These messages are not from Douglas County District Court.
Residents should be skeptical of unsolicited messages purporting to be urgent, especially those claiming legal action. Do not click on any links. Instead, contact the court or law enforcement agency directly using an official phone number listed online.
If you believe you are a victim of a scam, contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General at 785-296-2215 or https://www.ag.ks.gov/file-a-complaint.
| Sheriff Jay Armbrister, left, congratulates Citizens Academy graduate Anshul Banga during a ceremony on May 14. | Graduates of Sheriff's Office Academy get hands-on look at law enforcement, corrections work | |
Sheriff Jay Armbrister on May 14 congratulated 14 graduates of the 2026 Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy.
The six-week academy gives community members a chance to learn about many aspects of the Operations and Corrections divisions from jail programming and staffing duties to investigations, court security, patrol and more.
The academy includes a hands-on law enforcement driving course and extensive look inside vehicle stops, DUI investigations, active-shooter scenarios and training exercises with firearms, tasers and pepper spray.
“Two things solve a lot of public anxiety about law enforcement, and those two things are transparency and education,” Armbrister said. “This academy does exactly that because it provides us an opportunity to throw our doors open, show people what it is we do but also explain why we do it the way we do.”
The Sheriff’s Office has offered the Citizens Academy for several years, and the 2026 class was the fifth academy under Sheriff Armbrister since restarting it after the COVID pandemic.
During the graduation, Armbrister thanked the graduates for their dedication to the class and being willing to learn in-depth about law enforcement and the work of the Sheriff's Office.
| Sheriff Jay Armbrister talks about the Citizen's Academy program. | Tribute gallery to honor current, former public servants in Douglas County | |
In honor of America at 250, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, the Watkins Museum of History, the City of Lawrence and Douglas County are partnering to celebrate the public servants who help our community thrive.
The new "Douglas County, Kansas Public Servants Past & Present Tribute Gallery" will debut at Summerfest on July 4 and will honor current and former public servants from across Douglas County, including educators, first responders, military service members and veterans, city and county employees, university staff and faculty, and state and federal workers.
Residents of Douglas County who are current or former public servants are invited to submit a photo and basic information about their public service through an online submission portal on or before June 20 to be included in the tribute gallery.
Residents are also invited to submit profiles of family members or relatives who lived in Douglas County and were public servants at any point during their careers. Submission guidelines and requirements can be found on the project website.
| Senior Resource Center champions healthy aging with a variety of activities | |
May is Older Americans Month. This nationally observed month is led by the Administration for Community Living, which describes it as, “a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults.”
Every year, there is a different theme, and for 2026 it is Champion Your Health. This theme promotes prevention, wellness and personal responsibility in healthy aging by encouraging older adults to take an active role in managing their health, advocating for themselves and using preventive care.
The Senior Resource Center champions healthy aging year-round by offering events that support older adults in taking an active role in managing their health, such as:
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V.I.P. (Visually Impaired Persons) Coffee, every first and third Tuesday, 9-10:30 a.m. It’s a supportive group where people experiencing vision loss discuss ways to accomplish tasks, new technology and how to stay active in the community.
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Advance Directive Clinic, Thursday, June 11, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Kansas Legal Services will provide a 30-minute presentation followed by an opportunity to have advance legal documents prepared for free. Registration is required.
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My First Year with Alzheimer’s, Friday, June 12, 3 p.m. Suzanne Ellis will share her story from early symptoms and diagnosis to treatment and what is helping her live her best life. Registration is required.
To view the list of activities or sign up for the newsletter, visit the SRC’s webpage.
| | Douglas County government offices, District Court and the Senior Resource Center will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observation of Juneteenth. | | | | |
