Douglas County leaders have approved a study that aims to identify what services, programs and support are needed for the community to achieve its goal of eliminating chronic homelessness. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the Douglas County Commission voted 2-0, with Commission Chair Shannon Portillo abstaining, to approve a $71,525 agreement with the University of Kansas Center for Research to perform a homeless needs assessment for the county. The county will pay for the study using pandemic relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur told the commission that the study would comprehensively assess what programs and services are available in the community for those experiencing or at risk for homelessness, who is being helped by those resources and who is not being helped. She said that information was important to know as the county prepared to begin distributing the $23 million it will receive from the American Rescue Plan Act over the next two years.
Source: LJWorld.com.

As two longtime city horticulture employees embark on their retirements, they leave a bounty of colorful blooms, green landscapes and trees in their wake. Horticulture and Forestry Manager Crystal Miles and Horticulture Field Supervisor John McDonald are both retiring this month, ending 40- and 36-year careers with the City of Lawrence. After decades of adding to the city’s landscapes, they hand over the care of more than 70 flowerbeds, 120 landscape areas and 34,000 street trees in the city right-of-way, plus additional trees on city and park property. Miles, who grew up on a farm near Lawrence and attended Lawrence schools, said she’d always enjoyed being outdoors and had an interest in natural resources. Eventually, that would lead her to her position with the city. “Being a farm kid, you’re outside a lot and it’s interesting to know your surroundings,” Miles said.
Source: LJWorld.com.