Here’s a list of local issues that have been covered recently in the Gazette-Times and the status of those stories:

Premature

campaign signs

The story: In August, two Philomath residents were cited for placing their political lawn signs out too early. The city has an ordinance prohibiting political lawn signs more than 60 days before an election.

The latest: Clint Johnson and Jenifer Runnion pleaded not guilty on Friday. They were initially scheduled to appear in court on Monday, but instead will have a bench trial on Nov. 17, where a municipal judge will determine the case. “The city will let the court handle the matter,” said City Manager Randy Kugler.

Slain girl’s dad’s

lawsuit against DHS

The story: Shawn Wesley Field, 36, was convicted in November 2006 of beating 3-year-old Karly Sheehan to death in 2005. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 46 years and five months. Field was the boyfriend of Karly’s mother, Sarah Sheehan. The Oregon State Legislature enacted “Karly’s Law” in May 2007, tightening requirements for investigation of potential child abuse cases. Sarah Sheehan has since moved to Bend and started a nonprofit organization for single parents called Karly’s Angels.

The latest: Karly’s father, David Sheehan, filed a $2 million lawsuit in June 2007 against the Department of Human Services, the state agency responsible for investigating child abuse cases, alleging that the agency contributed to Karly’s death by failing to follow up on child abuse reports. The lawsuit was scheduled for a jury trial Sept. 15 but has been rescheduled for Dec. 8.

Burright’s lawsuit against the county

The story: On Feb. 15, 2007, former Benton County sheriff’s Sgt. Jack Burright filed a lawsuit against Benton County, former Sheriff Jim Swinyard, Sheriff Diana Simpson and former District Attorney Scott Heiser.

Burright’s lawsuit claims wrongful termination, interference with his employment relationship with the county and wrongful public release of details of a state police investigation.

Burright was a candidate for Benton County sheriff, but withdrew from the race after allegations surfaced that he had exaggerated his qualifications and training when applying for a promotion and had purchased a phony degree from a non-accredited online university. He was fired in August 2006 by then-Sheriff Swinyard after Heiser refused to prosecute Burright’s cases.

The latest: Several legal motions have been made on both sides and a jury trial was scheduled for Aug. 25, but the defendants filed for a summary judgment the same day. A summary judgment is where the defendant claims there are facts to support the defendant’s claims and they are requesting that the case be dismissed. Motions in support and opposition to summary judgment were filed, and Judge David Connell has been considering judgment since Sept. 3.