Areas of Douglas County received between 8 and 10 inches of heavy rainfall within eight hours July 31-Aug. 1, which caused widespread flooding and potentially caused damage to more than 100 homes.

If this rain had fallen over a 24-hour period, it would have been close to the 100-year rainfall event used to create Douglas County FEMA floodplain maps. Because it happened over eight hours, historical data indicates that this particular storm is similar to a 500-year flood event.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today Anthony L. Roberts, Jr, 22, of Topeka was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the multiple murders in Downtown Lawrence on October 1, 2017. 

On June 25, 2019 a Douglas County Jury found Roberts guilty of Second Degree Murder of Colwin Henderson III, First Degree Felony Murder of Leah Brown, First Degree Felony Murder of Tre’Mel Dean and Attempted Second Degree Murder of Tahzay Rayton.

Douglas County Public Works will soon treat re-emerging areas of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) in areas of Lone Star Lake with an herbicide. The treatment with an herbicide called Navigate is planned for Wednesday, August 14, and Thursday, August 15, weather permitting.

Lone Star Lake will be closed to water activities for 24 hours after treatment. Signs will be posted notifying park patrons of the closure.

Douglas County Public Works anticipates opening Route 458 (N 1000 Road) from E 1900 Road to E 2000 Road to unrestricted traffic beginning mid-morning Saturday, July 27.

Work on the project is substantially complete. Seeding and incidental work will be completed after the road is opened to traffic. Traffic will be carried through these work areas. Short-term lane closures may be required during final work activities.   

A bridge on N 200 Road, approximately 0.8 miles east of E 1400 Road, will be closed beginning Monday, July 29, for painting of the steel superstructure. The bridge is approximately one mile west of Baldwin City. Public Works anticipates the closure duration will be one week, weather permitting.

Public Works anticipates the currently closed bridge on E 1000 Road just north of US-56 Highway will be opened Tuesday, July 30. It has also been closed for painting of the steel superstructure.

Douglas County Emergency Management is seeking feedback on the Kansas Homeland Security Region K Hazard Mitigation Plan, which covers nine Kansas counties, including Douglas, and two tribes.

Douglas County Commissioners set the 2020 county budget for publication during their July 17 meeting.

They recommended a .379 mill levy increase, which raises the mill levy from 46.015 to 46.394. The owner of a $185,000 home will pay the county about $8 more in property taxes.

The 2020 budget includes additional funding for:

Douglas County Public Works now plans to close Route 1061 (E 2200 Road) to through traffic between Route 458 (N 1000 Road) and K-10 Highway beginning Wednesday, July 31, for a large culvert replacement project. It was originally scheduled to close Monday, July 29. The closure postponement is necessary since construction on Route 458 from E 1900 Road to E 2000 Road will not be completed and the road opened to traffic by Monday, July 29.

Clint Flory was born and raised in Douglas County and was active in 4-H, like his father and grandfather. That meant he spent a lot of time at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in east Lawrence, where he attended 4-H meetings, competitions and the county fair.

He also met his wife, Josie, at the fairgrounds, and now their children – ages 11, 13 and 14 – are active in 4-H as well. “We’ve all grown up here,” he said.

Douglas County Public Works announces a portion of Route 460 (N 700 Road) at Vinland will be closed on Tuesday, July 16, and Wednesday, July 17, for two culvert replacements, weather permitting.

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:

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

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

Douglas County Route 458 (North 1000 Road) from East 1900 Road to East 2000 Road will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, June 24, weather permitting, for the resumption of construction project activities. Route 1057 (E 1900 Road) will remain open to north-south traffic. A detour will be re-established following Route 1057 (East 1900 Road), Route 460 (North 700 Road), and Route 1061 (East 2200 Road).