The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office released more information Monday about a crash on North 1800 Road, the Farmer’s Turnpike, that left two people dead over the weekend. A Toyota Prius, driven by 30-year-old Bryon Virtue, of Wellsville, was in the eastbound lane and was hit head-on when a westbound Nissan Sentra, driven by 61-year-old Princess Jewel Anthony, of Topeka, crossed into the eastbound lane, Jenn ...
A legal action filed Monday alleges that Douglas County commissioners are not allowing citizens to vote or petition against a plan to fund an expansion of the local jail, despite an obligation to do so under state law. The action is the latest in activists' yearslong efforts to stop the county from expanding the Douglas County Jail to house more inmates. As the Journal-World has reported, county leaders say ...
The city clerk has suspended the license of a Lawrence massage therapist who has been charged with a child sex crime, and a citizen advisory board must soon provide guidance on whether to uphold that suspension. Shawn Paul O’Brien, 48, was charged in February in Douglas County District Court with aggravated indecent liberties with a child in connection with multiple incidents that allegedly occurred seven or ...
Douglas County District Court is staying open but restricting access to courtrooms effective immediately, according to orders issued Friday. Except for criminal jury trials, members of the public will not be permitted entry into the courtrooms or adjacent hallways unless they are a party to a case, an attorney representing a party or a witness who is subpoenaed, according to the order. In addition, the court is ...
In likely the last packed Douglas County District Court hearing until further notice, Stacey Donovan was sworn in as a judge on Friday. Donovan, who was previously chief public defender in Shawnee County, was appointed to the judgeship vacated by now-retired Judge Peggy Carr Kittel. Despite concerns as the global pandemic coronavirus disease spreads and orders limit the public presence in the courthouse, ...
Inmates serving sentences in the Douglas County Jail could be released on 14-day furloughs without court hearings if they are at risk for, or actively suffering from, the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, according to a court order. The Douglas County District Court administrative order, issued Thursday, also stipulates that if the sheriff determines a “pre-conviction status” inmate who is being held on bond ...