September 2025 Newsletter | | Senior Resource Center joins Douglas County as official department | |
The Senior Resource Center (SRC) for Douglas County, located at 745 Vermont St. in Lawrence, is now a department of Douglas County government. SRC’s mission is to enrich the lives of older adults by providing services and resources as well as opportunities for connection and growth.
Services include:
Each year, the SRC delivers:
- Over 10,000 rides through its Senior Wheels program
- About 1,500 Medicare counseling appointments
- Approximately 20,000 total services
The SRC is led by Manager Megan Poindexter, who oversees 22 employees and approximately 40 dedicated volunteers. The SRC operates with an annual budget of approximately $800,000.
“We’re proud to be part of Douglas County and to continue serving our community’s older adults with compassion and care,” Poindexter said.
| | Dream Flights provided rides in a WWII-era biplane on Sept. 25 to military veterans who are residents of Meadowlark Estates Gracious Retirement Living. | Sheriff, Undersheriff participate in Dream Flights to help recognize senior military veterans | |
Sheriff Jay Armbrister and Undersheriff Stacy Simmons flew over Lawrence and Douglas County in a restored WWII-era biplane on Sept. 25 in support of local senior military veterans as part of Dream Flights.
Dream Flights is a national nonprofit that offers flights to senior military veterans to thank them for their service and allow them to experience the adventures of flying. The crew gave rides to nine military veterans who are residents of Meadowlark Estates Gracious Retirement Living.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars invited Simmons and Armbrister because of their work to support mental health for first responders and community members.
"Just to be able to see the community and all the places that we get to serve in this place, both the city and county, it was a great view and a great experience,” Simmons said. “To the veterans, you're not forgotten. You are such a huge part of this community and the shape of this country by the sacrifices that you've made and people that you served with have made. We just wanted to come out here today to recognize that.”
| | Sheriff Jay Armbrister gives a thumbs up before takeoff on Sept. 25 at Lawrence Regional Airport. | | Undersheriff Stacy Simmons and Dream Flights pilot Chris Stratton are pictured at Lawrence Regional Airport. | | Deputy Marcos Soliz, at podium, addresses fellow members of the 346th Basic Training Class during a graduation ceremony in Hutchinson. | | Sheriff's Office deputy selected class president of Basic Training Class; four other deputies graduate | | |
Douglas County Sheriff's Office Deputy Marcos Soliz was selected as class president by fellow members of the 346th Basic Training Class of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. The class included new certified law enforcement officers from agencies across the state, who graduated on Sept. 13 at the center in Hutchinson.
Soliz addressed the graduating class, instructors, family and friends during Friday's ceremony: "The academy may end today, but the true test begins tomorrow. Every choice made in and out of uniform will reflect not only on ourselves, but on this class and on the entire profession of law enforcement," he said. "Carry the same determination, teamwork and resilience that brought us here into every challenge ahead. This moment is more than a graduation. It is a commitment, a commitment to serve with honor, to protect with courage and to uphold the trust placed in us by our communities."
Congratulations to Deputy Soliz and four other DGSO deputies who graduated, Sebastian Daniel, Ethan Moyer, Alicia Villegas and Ronald Wanda.
| | Emergency Communications Center (911 Dispatch) employees practice utilizing the center's POD Runner, a mobile dispatch console that can be deployed for events and emergency situations. | | 911 Dispatch employees participate in training to gain experience with mobile equipment | |
This month, Douglas County Emergency Communications Center (911 Dispatch) employees completed an innovative team-building and training exercise.
Each shift entered a specially designed escape room intended to test their knowledge of emergency medical dispatch and agency procedures. The challenge required participants to solve puzzles related to medical dispatch protocols, perform CPR, and locate critical information without relying on their normal system.
As part of the escape room exercise, employees got more hands-on experience with the Emergency Communication Center’s POD Runner, a mobile dispatch console that can be deployed for events and emergency situations. Shift leads and supervisors showcased how the system is assembled, deployed and utilized, explaining its critical role in emergency operations. Teams then worked collaboratively to disassemble and correctly store the POD Runner, reinforcing both technical proficiency and teamwork.
Deputy Director of Emergency Communications Sonya Baeza said the training was made possible through the dedication of staff members across the center who worked to ensure shift coverage during the training. Supervisor Heather Belcher organized and facilitated the training.
In recognition of their efforts and success, each participant received a commemorative Hazmat duck.
| | Douglas County offers access to Teladoc Health's mental health service at no cost | |
Teladoc Health’s mental health service offers support for people managing depression, anxiety, stress, sleep issues, grief, relationships and more. Users can set health goals, track progress and receive personalized plans with suggested activities tailored to their needs.
According to Teladoc Health, 90% of users report feeling better after using the service.
Residents can sign up at TeladocHealth.com using access code: DouglasCounty.
Douglas County has funded an online resource since 2019 through a quarter-cent behavioral health sales tax at an annual cost of about $28,500. Previously branded as myStrength, the mental health service was recently renamed as part of its integration into the Teladoc Health brand. Existing myStrength users received instructions on how to activate their new accounts with all prior data carried over.
Community health partners also use the platform with clients and promote the resource. Partners include LMH Health, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Heartland Community Health Center, Heartland RADAC, HeadQuarters Kansas, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, Lawrence Community Shelter, Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and Community Children’s Center.
| | 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. There will be no meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in September. They unanimously approved:
- a financing agreement and joint ownership agreement with the City of Baldwin City for the acquisition of the Black Jack Battlefield property located at 163 E. 2000th Road in Douglas County.
- a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Douglas County and Friends of the Senior Resource Center Inc.
- a request to rezone about 20 acres at 205 N. 1700 Road from agricultural district to transitional agricultural district.
- a special event permit request from Eric J. Garrett of Garrett’s Entertainment LLC doing business as Garrett’s Haunted Farm to allow an outdoor Halloween-themed festival to operate daily and a zombie gel blaster hunt to operate Friday and Saturday evenings between Sept. 26 and Nov. 3 on property located at 1387 E. 1650 Road.
- a special event permit request from Nancy Thellman of the Save Our Soil Kaw Valley Foundation to allow an outdoor concert and agricultural exhibition on Oct. 11, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on property located at 1359 N. 1900 Road.
- Approved 555 Stoneridge as the selection location for LDCFM Station 6.
Work sessions
Commissioners have work sessions to study and discuss various topics throughout the year. No action is taken during work sessions. The following work sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays before the business meeting:
- Oct. 1 - Supportive housing case management
- Oct. 15 - Pre-apprenticeship and scholarship challenge grant follow-up
* Recordings of County Commission meetings can be found on the Douglas County YouTube channel.
| | Treasurer's Office urges use of larger Sixth Street location, adjusts title work hours | |
The Douglas County Treasurer’s Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at two locations:
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Treasurer’s Satellite Sixth Street Office, 2601 W. Sixth St. This new location offers accessible entry with nearby parking, no stairs and a large lobby with seating.
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County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St. Accessible entry is available on the northeast side of the building. Take elevator to first floor. (Please note: Parking is limited due to ongoing construction at the Courthouse and the nearby Judicial and Law Enforcement Center).
The Treasurer’s Office is responsible for collecting and distributing property tax funds to the State of Kansas and local tax districts, including townships and school districts. It also manages the county’s motor vehicle department, completing more than 130,000 vehicle transactions each year.
New title work cutoff time
Starting Oct. 1, motor vehicle title transactions will no longer be processed after 4:30 p.m. This change affects services such as new vehicle purchases, title name changes, and adding transfer-on-death designations. These transactions often require extended processing time and support from the Kansas Department of Revenue, which is unavailable after 4:30 p.m.
“Title work is our most complex service with some transactions taking over an hour to complete with support. We hope this change reduces stress for both customers and staff,” Treasurer Adam Rains said.
For more information, including how to renew vehicle tags and pay property taxes online, visit the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office website.
| | Coneflower Consulting to present findings of heritage partner needs assessment on Oct. 15 | |
There will be a town hall meeting about the findings of a Douglas County heritage partners needs assessment from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., in Flory Meeting Hall.
The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council, in collaboration with Coneflower Consulting, conducted a needs assessment to better understand the strengths and challenges facing local heritage organizations. Coneflower Consulting worked with staff and volunteers at heritage organizations as well as community members to complete focus groups, interviews and surveys.
Coneflower Consulting will present the findings and facilitate a brief question-and-answer session to reflect on the results of the project.
The meeting is open to the public, and refreshments will be provided.
| | Kaw Valley Farm Tour is this weekend, Oct. 4-5 | |
The Kaw Valley Farm Tour is Oct. 4 and Oct. 5. It’s a great opportunity to visit farms, wineries and vineyards in Douglas County and the surrounding area. There are 33 farms and six historical heritage sites on the tour. Participants can sample and buy products and participate in fun activities.
Tickets are $15 per vehicle and good for both days. The self-guided tour is:
- Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
More information, visit: https://www.kawvalleyfarmtour.com
| | Explore the history and beauty of the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Oct. 11 | |
K-State Extension, LiveWell Douglas County and the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council invite residents to explore the rich history, natural beauty and community spirit of the Douglas County Fairgrounds at "Past, Plants & Pathways," a free public event on Saturday, Oct. 11, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.
The event will include information about Extension programming, LiveWell and SafeKids activities, and the Heritage Conservation Council. Event highlights include:
- 9 a.m. - Discover the history of the Means House.
- 9:30 a.m. - Tours of the arboretum and gardens.
- 10 a.m. - Guided walks
For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/past_plants_pathways
| | Health department hosting information session about progress on CHIP | |
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health is hosting a community event about the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine St., in the second floor meeting room.
It's an opportunity to hear from the facilitators of each key area and celebrate the progress made on the initiatives in 2025. The key areas are behavioral health, food security and healthy built environment, safe and affordable housing, and poverty and jobs.
The following Douglas County employees serve on the CHIP Steering Committee: County Administrator Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur, Director of Behavioral Health Projects Bob Tryanski and Senior Resource Center Manager Megan Poindexter.
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Courthouse:
1100 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
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Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:
111 East 11th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
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