2016 Pursuit of Preparedness

Douglas County Emergency Management successfully completed our 7th annual Pursuit of Preparedness Campaign on Monday, March 21st, 2016 with a presentation by Emergency Management staff to students at Baldwin City Elementary School Intermediate Center. The presentation included information on severe weather hazards for our area, as well as information on making an emergency plan, having an emergency kit, and staying informed before, during, and after an emergency/disaster.

Route 1055 (Haskell Avenue extended) south of 31st Street will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, April 4, to complete rehabilitation work on the bridge over the Wakarusa River.  Work on the project was suspended, and the bridge was opened to traffic through construction, on December 23, 2015.  Public Works anticipates it will take four weeks to complete work and re-open the bridge to traffic.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today a jury convicted Lawrence resident Dustin D. Walker, 31, of first degree felony murder in the 2014 shooting of Mr. Patrick D. Roberts. A jury found Walker guilty of Aggravated Burglary in a February 2015 trial but the jury could not agree on a verdict about felony murder.  Branson said of the verdict, “Justice has finally been served.”

The Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, through the Public Works Department, is again making available a  "user fee" dust palliative program to interested county residents.  The  program consists of applying liquid calcium chloride or magnesium chloride to rock roads in front of houses in an effort to reduce dust created by vehicles.  The cost of the program is borne by individual residents who sign up to participate in the program.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that former Lawrence resident Orion M. Graf, 38, was sentenced late Wednesday in the Division Two courtroom of the Honorable Sally D. Pokorny following his May 12, 2015 no contest plea to attempted rape and attempted aggravated criminal sodomy. The plea negotiations were done in close consultation and with the input of the victim of the crime.

Notice of Sheriff's Sale of real estate situated in Douglas County, Kansas on January 26, 2016

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that Tuesday afternoon Kansas City, Missouri resident Christopher J.G. McKay, 22; plead guilty as charged to attempted first degree murder.

Douglas County has hired Sean Reid as Director of Zoning and Codes.  Sean has over forty years experience in the construction industry and has been working in the enforcement and administration of building codes since 1982.  Mr. Reid has led the Johnson County Contractor Licensing Program for the last ten years as the Program Manager.  Previous to that, Sean was Building Inspector and Plan Analyst for the City of Lenexa, Kansas.... 

Route 1055 (Haskell Avenue extended) south of 31st Street will be opened to traffic through construction by 5:00 PM, Wednesday, December 23.  Remaining project work will be suspended until spring 2016.  A work zone speed limit of 35 mph will be in place through the project.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office has received a large number of calls regarding the City of Lawrence’s investigation into the 12th & Oread Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment Agreement.  The District Attorney’s Office is not an investigative agency that conducts investigations into criminal matters.  Investigations are commenced by law enforcement agencies and the results of those investigations are then forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for review and consideration for prosecution.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Eudora resident Ronald Eugene Heskett, 49, was sentenced today in the Division Six courtroom of the Honorable Peggy C. Kittel following the September 2015 jury trial for the September 12, 2014 second degree murder of 65 year old Lawrence resident Vance F. Moulton.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced Friday that Chen Li, 51, was sentenced in the Division One courtroom of the Honorable Robert W. Fairchild following his October 13 plea to the charges of attempted human trafficking and promoting the sale of sexual relations. 

The Court sentenced Mr. Li to 41 months in the Department of Corrections for count one and 6 months in the Department of Corrections for count two, which will run concurrently to count one. It is expected that Mr. Li will be deported after serving his sentence.