Sterling votes to keep blue laws that ban alcohol sales on Sundays
On Tuesday, Sterling voters decided to keep the city's blue laws in place.
In a 45% to 55% vote, residents decided to continue to outlaw the sale of alcohol on Sundays. The vote was 251 to 203.
Kansas held prohibition in place longer than any other state, starting in 1881 and ending in 1948. According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, three counties, Haskell, Stanton and Wallace, remain dry counties, meaning they do not sell alcohol by the drink.
According to the World Population Review, 28 states continue to have blue laws, with many having the law in individual cities, like Sterling, and counties. Across Kansas, if the county or city does not have blue laws or is an area where alcohol cannot be sold - a dry county - in grocery stores, liquor is available from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. As far as bars go, they must close by 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and cannot open until noon on Sundays.
The unofficial results from Rice County officials are as follows:
Sterling Schools: USD 376
Travis Tesone: 303
Melissa Conard: 260
Jon Oden: 239
Brian Inwood: 226
Adam Taylor: 224
Joshua Sant: 185
Brice Knapp: 45
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USD 405 Lyons:
The results for the top three Lyons board members are:
George Stover: 106, 27.18%
Gary W. Smith: 101, 25.9%
Ken Troyer: 96, 24.62%
Other candidate:
Robert Ludwig: 77, 19.74%
Inman Schools USD 448:
Six school board candidates are running for three positions on the Inman School Board. This race was confirmed as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. Candidates are: David K. Balzer, Jacob Gouldie, Darren Schmidt, Brett Wiens, Josiah Wuerffel and Katy Reinecker.
Nickerson Schools USD 309:
(The majority of this district is in Reno County - The same three incumbents took the election in Reno County.)
Position 4: Luke Herren: 10, 100%
Position 5: Brent Engelland: 10, 100%
Position 6: Jay Mitzner: 10, 100%
Other Candidates:
Tyson Weber: 0
Dave Hawthorne: 0
Jeff Stroberg: 0
Little River City Council
The top two candidates are:
Barry Porter: 74, 41.57%
Jason Crotinger: 57, 32.02%
Other candidate:
Cori Johanning: 47, 26.4%
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Sterling City Commission
Two candidates ran for one position, with Stephen Wilson winning the vote.
Stephen Wilson: 225, 50.79%
Heidi McCullers: 214, 48.31%
Chase City Council
Four candidates ran for the two open positions in the Chase City Council.
Gayla Godfrey: 45, 31.47%
Jarett Mermis: 42, 29.37%
Other candidates:
Luke Kierscht: 40, 27.97%
Valerie Saunders: 15, 10.49%
This article originally appeared on The Hutchinson News: Rice County elections maintain ban on Sunday alcohol sales