One of the employees you’re likely to interact with when you visit the Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the Douglas County Courthouse is Ida Crawford.

With a background in customer service, Crawford said she likes “everything” about her job. She enjoys computers and helping people. “Being able to talk to customers and help meet their needs is always nice,” she said. “My co-workers make it fun, too.”

The Douglas County District Court Clerk’s Office is closed due recent flooding and current cleanup efforts.

Residents who need to make a cash or check payment can go to the Court Trustee’s Office located on the main level of Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. Unfortunately, the Clerk’s Office cannot take credit payments during this time. If residents need to file a document in their court case, they can do so by visiting the Court Trustee’s Office.

Douglas County, Baldwin City and the Kansas Department of Agriculture will host a public open house to discuss the draft Flood Insurance Rate Map from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the American Legion Hall, 705 High Street, in Baldwin City.

The Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study for some areas near Baldwin City are being updated to provide more accurate information regarding a property owner’s flood risk.

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.

The Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) will host a public presentation about the Law Enforcement Contact Study from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St.

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: