Douglas County has unveiled a new look for the home page of its website: douglascountyks.org.

The center of the home page features the county’s latest news, quick links, popular services, and events and meetings.

Randy Ellis, webmaster, said the goal was to create a home page that's easier to navigate and find information. “We are always working to improve the website and keep information as up-to-date as possible,” Ellis said.

Douglas County Criminal Justice Services began using a new software program, CE Pretrial, in December to notify defendants about upcoming court dates. The system is similar to what many health care providers use to notify clients about appointments.

Clients who have a case in pretrial status receive two notifications through a phone call or text message. The first notification is sent two days before the court hearing, and the second one is sent on the day of the hearing.

Lawrence resident Patrick Kelly will be sworn in as Douglas County Commissioner during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street. Kelly will represent the 1st District, which includes central Lawrence.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that late yesterday a jury convicted former Lawrence, now Wichita, resident Albert N. Wilson, 23, of rape by force or fear.  The jury was hung on a second rape charge.  The Court set a hearing for January 16 at 2:00 p.m. to determine if the State will retry that charge.  Wilson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty of the second charge filed in the case.  Charges are merely allegations of criminal conduct. 

Douglas County is seeking applications for the 2019 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge!

The competition — open to students in grades 6 through 12 — consists of up to 20 teams preparing a written business plan or executive summary, a tradeshow booth, an elevator pitch and final presentation. Students compete for $3,500 in prize money.

The 2019 Legislature faces some very big challenges this year. While state finances are much improved over recent years, there are still significant challenges as the Legislature seeks to fund education as required by state law. At the same time, local governments are forced to make very difficult decisions as a result of the budget lid limitations imposed by the 2015 legislative session.

Mike Gaughan, of Lawrence, has served as Douglas County Commissioner for nearly 10 years, starting April 6, 2009. His last commission meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 9. Gaughan said his proudest achievements as a commissioner include: investment in mental health, establishment of the Sustainability and Energy Savings Reinvestment Fund, foundation of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and opening of the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center.

Here’s what he had to say about these initiatives:

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today Eudora resident Danny W.

In December, the Douglas County Commission approved an increase to motor vehicle satellite office fees from $2 per vehicle to $5 per vehicle. The new fees began Jan. 1, 2019.

Satellite offices are located at:

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council announces the 2019 Natural & Cultural Grant Program. Members of the public interested in the conservation of local landmarks and conservation of natural areas within Douglas County are invited to attend upcoming grant information sessions at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. They will be:

Douglas County Government’s general and satellite offices will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for the holidays. There will be no Douglas County Commission meetings Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

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 785-832-7509.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today that Scharron R. Dingledine, 26, Columbia, MO entered guilty pleas to Murder in the First Degree and Attempted Murder in the First Degree on Monday, December 17th, 2018 in the Division 6 courtroom of the Douglas County District Court.