Douglas County was named a 2019 Leadership Transformation Grant Partner by the Kansas Leadership Center.
Through the grant, Douglas County is able to offer leadership training to 40 members of the Food Policy Council, Heritage Conservation Council, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Behavioral Health Leadership Coalition, Board of County Commissioners and county staff in 2019. The grant is valued at up to $25,000 worth of leadership training and support.
Beginning March 6, Douglas County Commission meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. to help make it easier for the public to attend. Currently, meetings are at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Douglas County Commission meetings are held on Wednesdays on the second floor of the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street. The day of the week and location will remain the same.
Assistant to the County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur said she “fell in love” with local government while pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Kansas. “Local government impacts every aspect of the community. It impacts people’s daily life, but often is the least appreciated and recognized.”
District Attorney Charles Branson announces that on Monday, February 4, 2019 a jury convicted Lawrence resident Tria L. Evans, 39, of first degree murder and other felony crimes for her part in the November 2017 murder of Joel Wales. The jury also convicted her of conspiracy to commit first degree murder, arson, and aggravated burglary.
Douglas County, in partnership with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, will provide for free the MyStrength app to Douglas County residents. MyStrength offers individuals support for managing depression, anxiety, stress, sleep and other health issues. It also allows users to set health goals and track their changes over time.
The Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) will host a public presentation about the Law Enforcement Contact Study at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, in Flory Meeting Hall at Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. The presentation is free and open to anyone.
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.
