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.

District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today the office received the majority of the investigation regarding the May 29 officer involved shooting in downtown Lawrence.  It is expected that follow-up investigation will be received as it is completed.

Review of the investigation will begin immediately.  There is no timeline on when the review will be completed, but a press release will be distributed when a charging decision is reached or if further information becomes available.

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On the afternoon of June 4, 2018, detectives with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office presented an update to District Attorney Charles Branson and several of his Senior Assistant District Attorneys with respect to the May 29 officer involved shooting in downtown Lawrence. 

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation of the shooting as a result of a mutual aid agreement.  The purpose of the update was to provide an overview of how the investigation is being conducted and the progress of the investigation.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a jury convicted Kansas City, Missouri resident Danneisha Nesbitt, 28, of aggravated robbery.  The case proceeded to a jury trial after Nesbitt rejected a plea offer made by the State.

On May 29, 2018 at approximately 5:45 p.m. the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office was notified of an officer involved shooting in downtown Lawrence. The District Attorney’s Office was informed that the Lawrence Police Department had requested assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation of the incident.  The Lawrence Police Department held the scene until the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office arrived.  

The date to close Route 458 (N 1000 Road) from E 1800 Road to Route 1057 (E 1900 Road) for the start of a project to improve roadside safety has been rescheduled from June 4 to June 18.  Both E 1800 Road and Route 1057 will remain open for north-south traffic.  The full project is two miles long on Route 458 from E 1800 Road to E 2000 Road, but only the west mile of the project will be closed initially.  The east mile of the project is anticipated to be closed in early-July.

The District Attorney’s Office announces changes to its criminal diversion program and the introduction of a new pre-file diversion program.

While diversion has been offered for years as a method of conviction avoidance for a person charged with a lower-level crime, the office is now implementing extensive updates to the diversion policy.  The policy is being overhauled both to expand the reach of the current program and to ensure fees do not limit access to diversion by people who may be experiencing financial instability.