Election victory derailed
BURLINGTON — According to a report from The Coffey County Republican, a recently elected council member in Burlington will have to win a fight against City Hall in order to be seated.
Cara Mays won a council seat in the Nov. 7 general election. Burlington Mayor Stan Luke and City Attorney Philip Wright both have said Mays is not qualified to represent Ward 3 because she no longer resides in the ward. The city has a charter ordinance that requires city council members to reside in the wards they represent, with a few exceptions that still require residency within the city limits. Mays is temporarily living outside of the city limits while a new house is being built within Ward 3. At the city council’s Jan. 17 meeting, Mayor Luke declared the Ward 3 seat vacant and began the process to fill the vacant seat.
“Prior to Election Day, we had sold our home and I had signed a contract to build a new home at 1101 Penobscot, also in Ward 3,” Mays is quoted in the Republican. “The clerk’s office and election officers verified my eligibility before Election Day and according to the Secretary of State, did exactly what they should have done.” Following the council meeting, Mays provided the council with her certificate of election and her oath. “I will be in contact about the next step,” she said.
Hearing delayed in murder case
PARSONS — A preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 5 in a murder case has been delayed, reports the Parsons Sun. A new prosecutor in the case said neither she nor the defense attorney have received discovery material about the investigation.
Derrick Wayne Curry, 54, is charged in Labette County District Court with second-degree murder and obstructing the official duty of an officer. He is accused of murdering Kylie Caldwell, 28, on Sept. 24, 2023, the Sun reported.
Jessica Domme, first assistant attorney general, has entered her appearance in the case as lead prosecutor and has motioned to delay the preliminary hearing because of the lack of discovery. She said she doesn’t even know what witnesses to subpoena.
Cline Boone, who is representing Curry, also hasn’t received reports but he opposed the motion to delay the preliminary hearing because of his client’s right to a speedy trial, although he said he understood the need to continue the hearing. The preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for March 25. Curry remains jailed on a $150,000 bond.
Bealls Outlet coming to Chanute
CHANUTE — The Chanute Tribune reports that a Bealls Outlet store is coming to Chanute in the near future. The Chanute Regional Development Authority (CRDA) reported the store will open in the building previously occupied by JCPenney at 1425 S. Santa Fe.
Bealls Inc., an American retail corporation, has been in business for 108 years and has more than 650 stores in 23 states under the name of Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Burkes Outlet, Home Centric, and Rugged Earth Outfitters.
The Chanute store is a department store that carries home goods and an assortment of apparel, shoes, and accessories for all ages. “They have finalized the building plans for Bealls Outlet and have executed the lease,” said Bailey Schwegman of the CRDA. “We are hoping that full construction kicks off in the next 30 days.”
2.8% jobless rate for Neosho Co.
CHANUTE — According to The Chanute Tribune, Neosho County ended 2023 with a 2.8% unemployment rate in December — same as the state’s percentage. The county’s figure was 3.2% in November 2023. These statistics come from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). Of the county’s 6,179 eligible workers, 6,005 were employed and 174 unemployed.
