Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a Douglas County jury convicted Eudora resident Darren Curtis Howe, 47, of criminal sodomy and indecent liberties with a child. 

The case was originally filed in Douglas County District Court on December 24, 2013.  The defense requested many continuances that ultimately delayed the jury trial.  Investigation into the case began on October 17, 2013 when an officer with the Eudora Police Department was contacted by the parents of a 14-year-old girl who had been victimized by a relative. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces this afternoon Kansas City, Missouri resident Christopher J.G. McKay, 23, was sentenced today to 100 months (8.33 years) prison for attempted first-degree murder.  The Court also ordered upon his eventual release from prison that he register as a violent offender for 15 years and he complete 36 months of post-release supervision.  The original criminal case was filed in Douglas County District Court on March 14, 2014 and McKay pleaded guilty as charged on January 5, 2016. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson  announces this morning Lawrence resident Ryan Allen Miller, 37, was sentenced to a controlling sentence of 408 months (34 years) in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for his July 18 no contest plea to aggravated criminal sodomy, rape and five counts of aggravated burglary.  The Court also imposed lifetime post-release supervision upon his eventual release from prison.

Local emergency response agencies in Lawrence and Douglas County will participate in an emergency exercise in Lawrence Wednesday morning, Aug. 10.

The Douglas County outdoor warning sirens inadvertently were activated briefly this morning at 10:01 by another siren system with similar functionality over 350 miles away during their weekly siren test. Upon notice of the activation, EM Staff assessed any risk to the public, cancelled the activation and immediately contacted Blue Valley Public Safety (BVPS), the siren maintenance company. Staff then worked with partner agencies to assess any short and long term impacts of the issue on the system.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a Douglas County jury convicted Lawrence resident Zachary J. Ortiz, 26, of the June 2014 aggravated assault of a Lawrence Police Department officer. 

On Sunday, June 22, 2014 shortly after 12:30 a.m. officers with the Lawrence Police Department were dispatched to the area of Kasold Drive and Harvard Road in reference to the sound of gunshots fired.  The 911 caller said the shots were muffled and sounded like they came from the house on the corner or the house south of that one. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that yesterday afternoon Lawrence resident Ryan Allen Miller, 36, pleaded no contest to aggravated criminal sodomy, rape and five counts of aggravated burglary. 

The Douglas County Treasurer’s Office is implementing a new way to more efficiently help our customers.  Starting Tuesday July 12, 2016, we will be using a program called Qless which will allow our customers to check in and reserve their spot in line without physically standing in line.  Once you check in, you will receive periodic status updates, including one about 15 minutes before you reach the front of the line. Please allow enough travel time to be at the office when you reach the front of the virtual line.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces this afternoon Lawrence resident Angelica M. Kulp, 40, was sentenced to 267 months (22.25 years) in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the intentional second-degree murder of Ms. Christine Kaplan and 34 months (2.83 years) consecutive to count one for aggravated burglary.  The Court ordered today’s sentence to run consecutive to Kulp’s prior Shawnee County District Court sentences and upon her eventual release from prison that she must register as a violent offender for 15 years.

KDOT has announced a revised closure date for the intersection of Noria Road (E 1750 Road) with East 23rd Street (Route 442; N 1400 Road).  The intersection will be closed for reconstruction work beginning at 9:00 AM on Monday, June 20 through Friday, August 19, weather permitting.  This work is part of the K-10 East Leg South Lawrence Trafficway project.  Due to weather delays, the start date of this project closure has been moved from Monday, June 13 to Monday, June 20.

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.