Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that a jury convicted Joe Hunter, 53, of one count of Theft.

On January 18, 2018, Lawrence Police Department was dispatched to Hurst Diamonds, 520 W 23rd Street, Lawrence.   The manager of the business reported that a black male, later identified as Hunter, took a loose diamond and a gem stone valued at $1,696.00 from a display case inside the store.

At trial the State presented surveillance video which captured Hunter reaching into a display case and removing the merchandise. 

For additional information visit Douglas County Fair website.  
Summary of events, dates, and times listed below.

Tuesday, July 31 Building 21 & Dreher Building Open 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this afternoon that a jury convicted Lawrence resident Christopher Maier, 30, of one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Aggravated Battery. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this afternoon that a jury convicted Eudora resident Carrody M. Buchhorn, 44, of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, Reckless.

On September 29, 2016, emergency personnel was dispatched to a 911 call at the Sunshine Kids Group Daycare Center in Eudora in reference to an unresponsive child.  Fire and medical personnel arrived to find daycare staff performing CPR on an infant.  The infant was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by ambulance where he was later pronounced dead.

As of 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 28, the bridge carrying E 1000 Road (Queens Road extended) over the Kansas Turnpike (I-70) has been reopened to traffic.  Damage to a bridge girder has been repaired by the Kansas Turnpike Authority and its contractor.

On July 21, the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) closed the E 1000 Road bridge over the Kansas Turnpike (I-70).  The bridge was struck by an oversize vehicle on the turnpike damaging one of the bridge girders.

Douglas County Public Works will soon treat reemerging areas of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) in isolated areas of Lone Star Lake with an herbicide.  The treatment with an herbicide called Navigate is planned for Thursday, August 9, weather permitting.

On Saturday morning, July 21, the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) closed the E 1000 Road (Queens Road extended) bridge over the Kansas Turnpike (I-70).  The bridge was struck by an oversize vehicle on the turnpike.  The western-most girder sustained damage from the impact.

KTA has scheduled a contractor to begin repairs Thursday evening, July 26.  The contractor will work evenings and overnight through Saturday, July 28.  The goal is to open the bridge by Sunday morning, July 29.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that earlier today Lawrence resident Michael L. Henderson, 38, was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of Electronic Solicitation following a three day jury trial that began on April 9, 2018.  At today’s hearing the Court denied Henderson’s motion for probation and sentenced him to serve 55 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for the single charge.  When Henderson is released, he will have 36 months post release supervision and he will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. 

To find a licensed fireworks stand for your Independence Day celebrations, Douglas County GIS has created an interactive web app of permit locations. Please visit our Firework Stand Permit Locator map at http://gis.douglascountyks.org/fireworks to find the nearest stand to your location and get driving directions.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a jury convicted Lawrence resident Willie Kenith Franklin, 28, of involuntary manslaughter and criminal possession of a firearm.  Both convictions are felonies. 

Notice of Sheriff's Sale of real estate situated in Douglas County, Kansas on July 19, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Pro Tem Courtroom, on the first floor of the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th Street, Lawrence, Kansas.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces a Behavioral Health Court (BHC) graduation ceremony was held yesterday for three graduates who have spent the past year working with BHC.  As a result of their graduation from the program, the three associated pending criminal cases will be dismissed with prejudice – meaning they cannot be refiled.