Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced today that her office will not prosecute a recently enacted law that has had a chilling effect on vital work to inform and register Kansas voters.

“This is not a partisan issue,” Valdez said. “This law criminalizes essential efforts by trusted nonpartisan groups like the League of Women Voters to engage Kansans on participation in accessible, accountable and fair elections. It is too vague and too broad and threatens to create felons out of dedicated defenders of democracy.”

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Tayler James Livingston, 27, of Paola, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Deeva Sharma, 25, of Leawood.

The charge stems from a crash on U.S. Highway 56 on Feb. 24, 2020. Livingston crossed the center line to pass a vehicle on the two-lane road and struck Sharma’s car head-on. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A blood test showed Livingston was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level of .12.

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Erick Ogwangi, 36, of Lawrence was sentenced to 147 months for one count of Rape.

The charge stemmed from an incident early Jan. 27, 2017, in which Ogwangi forced himself on a woman who was staying in his home. He was convicted for assaulting the woman under circumstances when she was overcome by force or fear.

Douglas County Public Works announces that E 300 Road from north of N 450 Road to south of N 600 Road (Route 460) will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, July 19, weather permitting, for a bridge replacement project. The project location is 0.8 miles north of N 450 Road. Public Works anticipates construction will be completed by Thanksgiving 2021. No signed detour will be provided. 

In her first six months, District Attorney Suzanne Valdez wasted no time creating an office that adheres to her vision of a fair and equitable administration of justice for victims and defendants.

“I’m proud of our work to create a victim-focused approach while proceeding with compassion and empathy for all people involved in our cases,” Valdez said. “By pursuing alternatives to incarceration where appropriate, we can reduce our criminal justice footprint.”

Here’s a look at some of the work since Valdez took office:

Special Victims Unit

The Board of County Commissioners reached a tentative agreement July 7 on an approximately $148.5 million budget for 2022. They agreed on a 1.008 mill levy increase, which brings the mill levy to 47.438 mills. The increase would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $23 more a year.

The mill levy increase will cover $2.3 million in a cost transfer of ongoing expenses associated with the joint cooperation agreement between the City of Lawrence and Douglas County to finance the operation and maintenance of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical.

In celebration of Independence Day and our community’s perseverance during the pandemic, the City of Lawrence and its Unified Command partners: Douglas County, LMH Health, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, the University of Kansas and the Lied Center of Kansas have coordinated support of the Lawrence Jaycees’ community fireworks display, creating a Fabulous Fourth.

Lawrence, Kan. – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Michael Hormell, 21, of Lawrence was sentenced to 18 years for aggravated robbery and attempted voluntary manslaughter.

Charges stemmed from an incident Jan. 26, 2018, in which Hormell and a co-conspirator set up a fake drug deal with the intent of robbing the victim. The victim resisted and was shot in the chest by Hormell. The victim was airlifted to the KU Hospital and eventually recovered.

The proposed 2022 Douglas County budget is $150 million with a mill levy of 48.198 mills, which is an increase of 1.768 mills from last year. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 dollars of assessed value. A 1.768 mill levy increase would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $40.66 next year.

The increased mill levy is being proposed to cover $2.8 million in a cost transfer of ongoing expenses associated with the joint cooperation agreement between the City of Lawrence and the county to finance the operation and maintenance of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical.

Notice of Sheriff's Sale of real estate situated in Douglas County, Kansas on August 18, 2021, at 9 a.m. in the County Commissioner Room, 1100 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas. Review document for property details.

Fireworks can be legally discharged in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County as long as the property owner has given permission and provides supervision. Fireworks are allowed at the following times:

• Thursday, July 1 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday, July 2 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, July 3 - 7 a.m. to midnight
• Sunday, July 4 - 7 a.m. to midnight

Fireworks should not be discharged on a public street or roadway.

Sentencing for Michael Hormell, 21, of Lawrence for aggravated robbery and attempted voluntary manslaughter was continued by District Court Judge Amy Hanley to 9:30 a.m. on June 30, 2021, to allow the defense time to file a motion requesting mitigation at sentencing. The defense had been waiting to receive two expert reports.