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.

The Douglas County Courthouse and Administrative Offices for Public Works/ Zoning and Codes are closed today (Feb. 16) due to power outages at the historic County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street, and Public Works and Zoning and Codes building, 3755 E. 25th Street. Courthouse offices include Administration, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Treasurer's Office and Appraiser's Office. The offices were closed about 11 a.m. today. They are scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Lawrence, Kan. – On January 12, 2015, the State charged Rontarus Washington with Murder in the First Degree and Aggravated Burglary in connection with the death of 19-year-old Justina Altamirano Mosso.

After Mr. Washington waived his Constitutional and Statutory Speedy Trial protections through his defense counsel, Mr. Washington remained in the Douglas County Correctional Facility awaiting trial.

Douglas County Government’s general and satellite offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Dispatch Center and Criminal Justice Services will be operating. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you have a non-emergency, call 785-843–0250.

To learn more about how Douglas County is working to honor the work and legacy of Dr. King, visit: http://dgcoks.org/raceandequity