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.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that a District Court Judge has signed a warrant for the arrest of Samantha C. Elmer, 33, on two counts of aggravated interference with parental custody.  It is believed Ms. Elmer fled the United States with her two daughters and we are seeking international assistance in safely locating and returning Ms. Elmer and her daughters. 

The Douglas County Jail & Mental Health Court Study was presented at the Town Hall meeting on Monday, November 2, 2015. Below are links to the study document (3 sections) and the summary presentation as shown at the Town Hall meeting.

Improvements to Route 1055 between N 400 Road and N 700 Road are substantially complete, and this section of Route 1055 will be opened to unrestricted traffic by Friday, October 16. 

Minor asphalt surface adjustments are needed, and will be done the week of October 26, weather permitting.  Traffic will be controlled with flaggers through the work areas.  Also, an epoxy coating of the bridge deck 0.1 miles north of N 500 Road will be completed next Spring 2016. 

Recognizing the importance of cyber security awareness, President Obama designated October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). Now in its 12th year, NCSAM is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its public and private partners, including the National Cyber Security Alliance, to raise awareness about the importance of cyber security and individual cyber hygiene.

Route 1055 between N 400 Road and N 500 Road will be opened to traffic through construction on Tuesday, September 29, weather permitting.  Traffic will be carried on the milled asphalt pavement through October 4.  Route 1055 between N 500 Road and N 600 Road will remain closed.

A Douglas County jury convicted Eudora resident Ronald Eugene Heskett, 49, of the September 12, 2014 second degree murder of 65 year old Lawrence resident Vance F. Moulton.

The City of Lawrence is conducting a comprehensive revision of its urban agriculture policies.  The Douglas County Food Policy Council (DCFPC) is hosting a public meeting to take feedback on a proposed draft of the urban agriculture policy changes. 

The meeting will take place September 28th from 6pm to 8pm at the Union Pacific Depot, Community Room, at 402 North 2nd St. in North Lawrence. A brief presentation about the draft and community input responses will occur between 6:00 and 6:30, followed by small-table discussions by key topic areas.

Beginning Monday, September 21, Route 1055 (Haskell Ave. extended; E 1700 Road) will be closed to traffic between N 1175 Road and N 1250 Road for road reconstruction and bridge rehabilitation work.  The Route 1055 closure will occur immediately following the opening to traffic of relocated Louisiana Street (E 1400 Road; new Michigan Street) south of 31st Street.  The Route 1055 closure will last into December 2015.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today in the Division Five Courtroom the Honorable Paula B. Martin sentenced Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinn, 21, to a hard 50 sentence for the January 2014 slaying of Harold Sasko in his own home.  This sentence ultimately means Ms. Gonzales McLinn must serve at least 50 years before she can be considered for parole.