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.

The Douglas County Public Works Department announces that beginning Monday, September 14, Route 1055 (E 1700 Road) will be closed to through traffic between N 400 Road and N 600 Road.  The closure beginning September 14 extends by one mile the current Route 1055 closure between N 500 Road and N 600 Road.  The closure of Route 1055 between N 400 Road and N 500 Road is for Phase II project work to rehabilitate the pavement and improve ditches in the one-mile section and to reconstruct the N 500 Road intersection.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today in the Division Six courtroom Dashawn C. Clayborn, 23, plead no contest to attempted second degree murder. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today in the Division Six courtroom a jury convicted Texas resident Julius Aaron Fugate, 24, of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and felony criminal threat. 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is in the process of developing a preferred solution to upgrade the K-10 West Leg SLT  to a four lane freeway from I-70 to Iowa Street/U.S. 59. Please review the latest project update factsheet and provide your input on the two alternatives for review through the online survey.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today in the Division Two courtroom a jury convicted Lawrence resident Ritchie L. Moore, 49, of reckless aggravated battery. 

The criminal case stems from Mr. Moore’s January 3 attack on a fellow inmate at the Douglas County Jail.  The victim exited his cell and was unaware that Mr. Moore was waiting just outside his door.  Mr. Moore repeatedly punched the victim in face.  The attack left the victim with two broken facial bones.

On June 17, 2015, the recently established Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (KCDAA) Best Practices Committee met in Wichita, Kansas to discuss options and efforts to advance positive improvements in the criminal justice system.  Representatives from fourteen counties attended.