DAILY EGYPTIAN State police investigate underage consumption
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ELIZABETH ZINCHUK Daily Egyptian On the eve of the drinking holiday Polar Bear, state police released the results of an investigation into southern Illinois businesses on their alcohol selling practices. The investigation involved looking into businesses that had been accused of selling alcohol to minors. A total of 23 stores in Benton, West Frankfort, Sesser, Whittington, Christopher, Ziegler and Royalton were investigated. Of these stores, three of them were cited for unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor. Carbondale was not among the investigated towns, but is still dealing with underage alcohol consumption. According to Carbondale City Ordinance, there is a minimum $250 fine for an underage possession or consumption offense. Someone who provides alcohol to a minor can receive a penalty of up to $2,500 and one year in jail, according to Illinois State Police data. A report released by the Local Liquor Control Commission in August showed Pinch Penny Pub having 64 liquor law violations, Sidetracks having 63 and Cali’s/Saluki Bar having 37 between July of 2012 and June of 2013. The Liquor Law Commission in Carbondale expressed concerned in the August City Council Meeting. Department of Public Safety Lieutenant Harold Tucker said when it comes to issuing citations for underage alcohol consumption, many times the culprits come to them and not the other way around. “Basically we will come across underage drinkers in our daily routine of patrolling the campus area,” Tucker said. “Many times we find them because they were involved with something else, like maybe a fight.” Tucker said DPS often finds underage drinkers in other situations involving domestic issues or property damage. Often times, he said they are just outside the residence halls on a picnic bench. Even though DPS is not designated to check in bars, Tucker said underage drinkers are often found walking from one bar to another. Tucker said reprimanded underage drinkers are, usually issued a pay-by-mail citation, which they have to mail with the fine amount within 14 days or make an arrangement with court for trial. Reasons for going to court, he said, could include receiving an alternative punishment such as community service. “Most people are very, very cooperative but since they have been drinking that leads to other things like resisting or causing other problems,” Tucker said. Beyond the citation, Tucker said every underage drinker cited is also reported to Student Rights and Responsibilities, which determines extended consequences beyond the law. “That kind of holds you to your obligations as a student and community member,” Tucker said. “It represents the university’s concerns of the individual’s character.” Please see ALCOHOL · 2
Signs of graduation See Pg 3
JAKE HAINES · DAILY EGYPTIAN
Libby Liston, a junior studying zoology from Hillsboro, Mo., looks through posters Monday at the Student Center poster sale. The poster sale is open all week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering a wide variety of designs in several different sizes.
Students’ return boosts area business KYLE SUTTON Daily Egyptian As students return from school, local businesses look to make up lost ground from winter break and grueling weather conditions. On Sunday, Jan. 5, southern Illinois was hit with a winter storm, bringing with it three inches of snow and temperatures stooping as low as 6 degrees. The following day temperatures fell to as low as minus 2 degrees with winds gusting up to 33 mph. Weather like this can have a direct effect on the local economy, as people try to avoid the cold at all costs, causing families to huddle around the household fireplace rather then going out to eat. However, with students returning from break, businesses remain optimistic.
CIGARETTE BUTTS FINED AS LITTERING Dropping cigarette butts can now be considered littering and result in fines starting at $50. [HB3081 - HB3243]
Dave Brown, general manager of Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza, said there were a few effects from the storm but overall, they are just looking forward to having the students back in town. “Our business is fine,” Brown said. “As the week went on business did well.” Every winter break, businesses take a hit because of students leaving town, and the weather definitely didn’t help. “A lot of students didn’t come back early because of the storm,” Brown said. He said they closed up shop early on Jan. 5, mostly for the safety of the delivery drivers. Ralph Behrens, general manager of Panera Bread in Carbondale, also expressed concern for his employees during the
SPEED LIMIT INCREASED TO 70 MPH The speed limit has been increased from 65 to 70mph for interstate drivers. [SB2356]
NO CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING Drivers are now required to use a hands-free device to talk on the phone while driving. [HB1247]
New Year New Laws
SCHOOLS CAN NOT LOOK AT STUDENTS’ FACEBOOK PAGES Schools must now have parental consent before viewing a student’s facebook account. [HB0064 - HB3038]
SOURCE: WWW.ILGA.GOV
Gravity named number one See Pg 4
Effective as of January 1, 2014
storm. Panera closed its doors at 3:00 p.m. instead of 10:00 p.m. as the storm rolled through southern Illinois. “We wanted to get our employees home and safe,” Behrens said. Safety was also his main concern when discussing the effects of last week’s storm. Regardless of weather, he said that the business is back on track. Other than a few delivery problems, the restaurant was not drastically affected. Grocery stores such as Schnuck’s and Arnold’s Market said delivery trucks being a little late were the only problems they faced as well. Please see BUSINESS · 2
CONCEAL CARRY LEGALIZED Gun owners are able to get a permit to carry their firearms with them. [HB0148]
NO TANNING FOR PERSONS UNDER 18 Even with parental consent, persons under 18 can not use tanning beds. [HB0188]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGALIZED Anyone with a prescription can purchase marijuana legally. [HB0001]
BRIANA STODDEN · DAILY EGYPTIAN
Murdale wrestling results See Pg 8