County News

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 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. 

Route 458 from E 800 Road to just north of N 1156 Road will open to motor vehicle traffic through construction by 8:00 PM, Friday, April 27.  The full road closure that has been in place between N 1050 Road and N 1116 Road has been removed.  Bicycle traffic is still prohibited throughout the project length. Side roads N 1075 Road and E 1135 Road have also been opened to traffic.

Douglas County Counselor states that petition may not be able to force an election

LAWRENCE, KS (April 20, 2018) –After issuing the April 16 advisory opinion to Justice Matters on the legality of the petition, the County Counselor was subsequently asked to consider whether the petition can lawfully seek a referendum election to increase the County property tax levy.