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Commissioners request patience as townships work to repair roads

Unusually severe winter weather conditions and recent wet weather have combined to significantly damage rock-surfaced roads in rural Douglas County.  Local rock-surfaced roads that are maintained by the nine townships in Douglas County have been particularly impacted.  Township resources are severely strained in trying to repair damaged roads.  The Board of County Commissioners requests patience from residents and travelers on township-maintained local roads while the townships work diligently to repair damaged roads.

Community event to provide update about behavioral health initiatives

Douglas County and partner agencies will provide an update about behavioral health initiatives during a community event “New Directions in Behavioral Health” 5:30-7 p.m. May 6 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. The event is free, open to the public and being held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month.

Douglas County county reporter named honorary bailiff for Supreme Court's special session

Mary Kay Howe is a staunch advocate of the country's judicial system.

"I'm proud of our court system and the way it works. It's a very fair system, and I enjoy being a part of that," she said.

Her part—since 1975—has been as a court reporter. She records a court's oral proceedings so that what was said can be read back in court or referenced later. "I've enjoyed the whole atmosphere of the courts, listening to the stories. I think I've heard everything after 43 years, but it seems there's something new every week," she added.

Douglas County employees recognized for years of service

The Kansas Association of Counties along with Douglas County Commissioners recognized 31 Douglas County employees for their years of service during the Feb. 27 commission meeting. Together, these employees had a combined 504 years of service.

Employees earned certificates for eight years of service, and then certificates and pins for 16, 24 and 32 years of service. Three employees were recognized for 32 years of service: Information Technology Director Jim Lawson, Appraisal Manager II August Dettbarn and Public Works Administrative Officer Donna Miller.

Douglas County reminds land owners about state's noxious weed law

Douglas County’s Public Works Department wants to remind Douglas County residents about the Kansas Noxious Weed Law. It requires residents who own or supervise land to control and eradicate weeds declared noxious by state legislative action. The prominent weeds in Douglas County are: Field Bindweed, Musk Thistle, Canada Thistle, Johnsongrass and Sericea Lespedeza.

Control is defined as preventing the production of viable seed and the vegetative spread of the plant.

Former Lawrence Man Sentenced for September 2016 Rape

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that former Lawrence resident Albert N. Wilson, 23, was sentenced yesterday (4/3/2019) after being found guilty at his January 2019 jury trial for crimes committed in September of 2016. The Court sentenced Wilson to the mitigated sentence of 147 months for rape by force or fear. As part of his sentence Wilson will be subject to lifetime post release supervision and lifetime sex offender registration.

 

Nominees sought for judge vacancy in 7th Judicial District

The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district judge vacancy in Douglas County created by the June 15 retirement of Judge Paula Martin.

The 7th Judicial District is composed of Douglas County.

Justice Eric Rosen, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 7th Judicial District, said individuals can apply or be nominated, but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.

A nominee for district judge must be:

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