Scott County Times
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2019
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Times NEWS Never forget our Veterans. See page A2 Bluffs names October Students of the Month. See page A3
Finishing touches. See page A3
SPORTS
WINCHESTER, IL 62694
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, NOV. 15
43 22 High
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SATURDAY, NOV. 16
40 27 High
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SUNDAY, NOV. 17
41 31 High
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Scott County Times
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VOLUME NO. 152 NUMBER 46
Liquor sales at Ladies Night raises questions By CARMEN ENSIGNER Scott County Times The Ladies Night Out event sponsored by the Winchester Civic Group stirred up a little controversy at the November council meeting. Alderwoman Cathy Debold mentioned that one of the venues she went to had alcohol in the drink they were serving without informing customers. Plus, many ladies were taking their drinks outside of the stores and into the streets. Several different stores taking part in Ladies Night Out were serving beverages that contained alcohol. The issue is that many of those who were serving it did not have a license to do so. This was the second annual Ladies Night Out and last year there was the same problem. “Last year I went around and told them to stop serving liquor because they didn’t go through proper channels to get a permit,� Mayor Rex McIntire said. “Our States Attorney, Mr. Hill, sent out a scathing letter to all the businesses who were serving it saying basically they were illegal serving alcohol unless they had a liquor license.� Debold, who said she has nothing against drinking alcohol, said it should not be served during such an event. “I personally think that it should not happen at an event such as this,� she said. “I don’t think it sets a good precedent because I don’t want to see us think we can take our liquor into the streets – we are opening ourselves up.� City Attorney John Paul Coonrod didn’t agree with (See, LIQUOR, A2)
Fall sports; one last time. See page A7
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VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
The Winchester grade and high school had a combined Veteran’s Day program Monday morning, Nov. 11 to honor our nation’s veterans. Members of the local VFW proudly bring the American flag forward for posting. Left to right: Larry Evans, John Grey and Chuck Roberts.
Bluffs approves contract with Electric Aggregation By BETH ZUMWALT Scott County Times Bluffs will do a two-year contact for electricity to the village after a presentation from Reg Ankrom of Electric Aggregation at the Nov. 6 meeting. “Bluffs’ contract expires in June 2020 but the bids were low and Reg thought the aggregation should take advantage of these prices at this time,� Linda Sapp, village president, said. “The latest bid is 4.584 cents per kilowatt hour.� The board voted unanimously to approve the contract with Electric Aggregation’s recommendation of Homefield Energy. Notices will be sent out to all customers. If the customer wants to opt out and stay with the Ameren price they will need to call the number on the notice. The village board also heard that Bluffs has been tentatively on the 2020 list of stores for a Dollar General.
Submitted photo
“There was a chance we could have made it this year, but it was a slim one,� Sapp said. “We are hopeful for next year.� If the store comes to town, it will be where the food pantry is now. The board also accepted the resignation of Angie Hale, who cleaned the village hall, the senior center and the water plant. Kay Sandman will take over at village hall and the board will look for someone to do the senior center and the water plant. Bluffs should be festive for the holidays. Light up Bluffs is Dec. 7. There will be burgoo or chili. At 4 p.m. the vendors will be offering their wares and at 6 p.m. the lighting of the park will be held with carolers and Santa. Yard of the month is finished for the season. The annual Christmas Lighting Contest will be held again this year with six winners receiving $25 each.
Propane shortage not a ‘big’ issue yet By BETH ZUMWALT Scott County Times National news indicates propane is in short supply, and while that may be true in northern states, Pike and Scott County aren’t feeling much of a pinch – yet. A late harvest, wet grain and the fall chill have combined to multiply demand for propane in Iowa and other states, according to agriculture and propane industry officials. “We’ve been able to cover all of our commitments,� Keith Martin, energy market manager of Prairieland FS. “But it’s been tight.� Martin said the shortage is the result of a “perfect storm.� “We had a late planting season, so a late harvest season,� he said. “That means there is a lot of wet crops that had to be dried. Now we are having an early cold snap so the home heating side is picking up and there are pipeline issues that are affecting delivery.� Record flooding along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and heavy spring
rains delayed planting and now the harvest. The corn crop’s late maturity means it had less time than usual to dry in the field. Corn normally should have about 15-17% moisture, officials said. But the average for corn currently being harvested is 21%. It could spoil if not dried. Temperatures dipping into the single digits this week also mean more propane is needed to heat homes and livestock facilities Martin said there is an abundance of propane on the coasts, but it is getting it to the Midwest.“Prices are up slightly,� Martin said. “Depending on your usage, propane is $1.25 to $1.75 and last year at this time it was about $1.50 per gallon.� Martin believes the tight supply is a short-term situation. “I think we are at the tail end of the harvest season,� he said. “One full, good week would wrap it up.� Martin also pointed out that the supply, demand and price will be based on the type of winter but grain drying should wrap up soon.
Winchester replaces zoning administrator
Š 2019
Scott County Times Obituaries listed in this issue: None
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TURKEY
Submitted photo
PAINTING
Cadence Thady works on painting the feathers on the back of her turkey by using a fork. Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, the Winchester Public Library chose a Thanksgiving theme for story hour last week.
By CARMEN ENSINGER Scott County Times Winchester City Council replaced its zoning administrator at the Nov.6 council meeting and not without some controversy. The position is appointed by the mayor with advise and consent of the council. Mayor Rex McIntire asked the council to approve appointing Public Works Supervisor John Simmons to the position, replacing Eric Tuey. “The reason I want to make this change is because John is out everyday and he sees what is going on around town,� Mayor McIntire said. “He was doing it before Eric took over and a lot of people still call him anyway when they are getting ready to do something.� Simmons work in the city also gives him advantage when it comes to the viability of putting a structure in a certain place. “A lot of times when people are wanting to put up a structure he has to go locate the utilities so they don’t build over a gas main,� Mayor McIntire said. “So he is usually involved in it anyway.� Alderwoman Cathy Debold asked if Tuey was stepping down from the position and Tuey answered the question himself “No, I was fired,� he said. Mayor McIntire corrected him saying he was “relieved of
his duties� something which is allowed in the city’s ordinances according to City Attorney John Paul Coonrod. “When you terminate an appointed officer, you have to make the decision at least five days before council and give written notice to the city,� Coonrod said. “Then you just have to bring it before the council and have the appointment confirmed by the council – that is the procedure.� Simmons said Tuey did a good job and he talked to him before taking it back. “Back when I had it the first time, I was put in temporary and did it for two or three years,� he said. “What I learned is when people come into a community and don’t know you have zoning, sometimes things get put up in town without anyone knowing it. Unless Eric is out and about, he doesn’t know that.� Simmons said it is not a glamorous job at all. “It's really a thankless job because a lot of people don’t like it (zoning) and that is one thing I wanted to explain,� he said. “It’s not that easy of a job. You have to get pictures of property markers – it really runs into some detail to do it right.� One audience member asked if (See, ZONING, A3)