Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Oskaloosa resident Joshaua L. Back, 34, was sentenced today in the Division Two courtroom of the Honorable Sally D. Pokorny.  On April 22, a jury found Back guilty of second-degree murder for the May 25, 2015 killing of 45-year-old, Lawrence resident Tracy Dean Lautenschlager and the jury found him guilty of felony theft. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that this morning Lawrence resident Angelica M. Kulp, 40, pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder and aggravated burglary.  The plea agreement from the first-degree murder charge to intentional second-degree murder was only offered to Kulp after discussion with and approval by the victim’s family.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today a jury convicted Eudora resident Sean G. Weeks, 40, of three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.  The jury found him not guilty of a fourth count of the same charge.

The victim who is now 15 years old came to investigators and reported the abuse in September of 2014.  Investigators learned Weeks began abusing the victim at the age of six and he continued the abuse until the victim was 10 years old. 

Due to contractor's delay on other projects due to recent rains, the road closure date for Route 458 for the bridge replacement project between E 1600 and E 1700 Roads has been rescheduled.  Route 458 (N 1000 Road) from E 1600 Road to E 1700 Road will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, June 20, for a project to replace the bridge over Coal Creek.  The bridge is located approximately 0.4 miles east of E 1600 Road.  Public Works anticipates the project will be completed and road re-opened to traffic by early November 2016, weather permitting.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is hosting a public information open house to present near-term improvements for the K-10 (SLT) and E 1200 Road (Kasold) intersection as part of the K-10 West Leg South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) Study on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The public is invited to attend the open house style meeting anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church West Campus, Multipurpose Room, 867 U.S. 40 in Lawrence, KS 66049 .

Thinking about moving from the City to the Country?

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Dustin D. Walker, 31, was sentenced today in the Division Five courtroom of the Honorable Paula B. Martin.  This follows the March jury trial conviction for the 2014 fatal shooting of Mr. Patrick D.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a Douglas County jury convicted Oskaloosa resident Joshaua L. Back, 34, of the May 25, 2015 second-degree-murder of 45-year-old Lawrence resident Tracy Dean Lautenschlager.  The jury also found him guilty of felony theft.

Douglas County Public Works plans to close Lone Star Lake to all boating activities on Monday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 19.  Boat ramps will be closed those days.  The department plans to treat the infestation of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) those two days, weather permitting.  If weather prohibits the herbicide application those days, the application and lake closure will be delayed until the first available opportunity following April 19.

[Topeka, KS – April 11, 2016]  Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed into law Senate Bill 367 regarding juvenile justice reform.  The Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (KCDAA) provides the following response:

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today in the Division Three Courtroom, the Honorable Barbara Kay Huff sentenced Rachael Ann Hampton, 21 and Robert A. Long, 25 for their crimes committed on February 8, 2015, including a home invasion on West 19th Terrace.

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.