Douglas County Commissioners on April 14 unanimously approved an updated public health order recommended by local health officers that keeps a countywide mask mandate and social distancing requirements in businesses and most public venues.

Lawrence, Kan. – Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that a jury

returned guilty verdicts of aggravated robbery and attempted voluntary manslaughter against Michael

Hormell, 21, of Lawrence.

Charges stemmed from an incident Jan. 26, 2018, in which Hormell and a co-conspirator set up a fake

drug deal with the intent of robbing the victim. The victim resisted and was shot in the chest by Hormell.

The victim was airlifted to the KU Hospital and eventually recovered.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Office is teaming up with After the Harvest, a Kansas City, Mo.-based produce rescue nonprofit, and Community Organized Gleaners (COGs), a grassroots volunteer group of experienced farmers, to expand food recovery on Douglas County farms. The goal is to rescue nutritious fruits and vegetables from farm fields after the marketable harvest and distribute them to Douglas County agencies providing food and shelter assistance to community members.

Beginning Monday, April 5, Douglas County District Court will start using the Douglas County Fairgrounds for court proceedings. District Court will be using Flory Meeting Hall and Building 21, which should be accessed from Harper Street.

Douglas County nonprofits, agencies and businesses have spent the $24.9 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds that were provided by the State of Kansas and distributed through Douglas County Government. The state approved Douglas County’s direct aid plan in September 2020 and all of the funding was spent by the state’s deadline of March 1, 2021.

Lawrence, Kan. – On March 18, 2021, the Douglas County District Court issued a news release regarding its plans to start hearing jury trials in April.

Chief District Court Judge James McCabria announced today (March 18) that District Court plans to start hearing jury trials in April.

Public health leaders have updated the local public health order to expand the mass gathering limit and have now removed restrictions on hours of operation for venues and establishments serving food and drinks indoors. The new order is the next step in recognition of fewer COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the community in recent weeks.

Shannon Portillo, Chair of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, has signed a burn ban for March 9-15 for the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. She authorized the ban following recommendations from Douglas County Fire District Chiefs. Following several days of responding to multiple grassfires, county firefighters need the opportunity to recover and repair equipment.

A new COVID Helpline – 785-864-9000 – is available for Douglas County. This phone number will be answered by trained staff who can help answer questions about vaccination, testing, symptoms, local public health orders and other COVID-19 related questions. The helpline will be available: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Public health leaders have updated the local health order to expand the mass gathering limit and to expand hours of operation for venues and establishments serving food and drinks indoors. The new order is in recognition of fewer COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the community.

The Douglas County Appraiser’s Office mailed the 2021 Change of Value Notices on Friday, Feb. 26. On Monday, March 1, Appraiser Steven Miles and his staff became aware that some notices had the incorrect property information and value printed on them.