Suzanne Valdez's swearing in today as District Attorney is historic

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

Today, January 11, 2021, at 8:30 a.m., Suzanne Valdez was sworn into office as Douglas County's new District Attorney. Douglas County Deputy District Attorneys Joshua Seiden and David Melton, who were both appointed by Valdez, were also sworn in.

Information session about 2021 Natural & Cultural Grant program on Thu, January 21 — 3 p.m.

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council is hosting an information session using Zoom about the 2021 Natural & Cultural Grant program. Each year, the HCC encourages applications that focus on the conservation of cultural, natural, agricultural or environmental resources or projects that produce educational programs or products on these topics. All projects must take place in Douglas County, Kansas, and be completed within two years.

Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council announces 2021 grant funding available to conserve local landmarks, natural areas

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) announces that up to $200,000 in funding is available through the 2021 Natural & Cultural Grant program.

Each year, the HCC encourages applications that focus on the conservation of cultural, natural, agricultural or environmental resources or projects that produce educational programs or products on these topics. All projects must take place in Douglas County, Kansas, and be completed within two years.

To be eligible for funding, projects must fall into at least one of the following categories:

Douglas County offices will be closed Jan. 1 for New Year's Day

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

Douglas County Government’s offices will be closed Friday, Jan. 1, for New Year's Day. Additionally, the Douglas County Commission will not meet on Wednesday, Dec. 30. 

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.

Drug Court participants describe program as life-changing

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

A handful of participants in the Douglas County Drug Court program shared their stories with members of the Douglas County Criminal Defense Bar Association through a Zoom meeting this fall. All of them described the program as life-changing.

Douglas County launched Drug Court about a year ago in January 2020. It is a 14-month program for adults who have been arrested and charged with a non-violent felony offense and are having difficulty staying substance free.

Lawrence hotel to serve as shelter for those in need of quarantine, isolation due to positive COVID-19 test or exposure

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

Douglas County and its Unified Command partners announce the opening of a new hotel-based shelter for members of the public in need of isolation or quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test or confirmed exposure. Led by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) and local community referral partners, the new shelter opened Nov. 24 at the Baymont Inn and Suites, 740 Iowa Street. Funding is being provided through KDEM.

County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for Thanksgiving

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

Douglas County Government’s offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Additionally, the Douglas County Commission will not meet on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

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.

Moody's Investors upgrades Douglas County's bond rating to top AAA

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

Amid an unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Douglas County’s bond rating from AA1 to the top rating of AAA, the highest possible rating an entity can receive, with a stable outlook.

According to Moody’s, the upgrade reflects the county’s trend of stable financial operations and strong operating reserves coupled with low debt and pension burdens. The strong credit factors are further supported by the county’s conservative budgeting practices that also mitigate the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Transitions set for Nov. 20

Member for

5 years 10 months
First Name
Karrey
Last Name
Britt
Job Title
Communications Specialist
Phone Number
785-330-2894
Submitted by kbritt on

A virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony for Transitions, hosted by the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Douglas County, will be at noon, Friday, Nov. 20. The event will be live streamed on the Bert Nash Center Facebook page at facebook.com/bertnashcenter.