Western Courier / January 16th, 2019

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Opinions: Government shutdown affects the TSA.

Sports: Take a closer look at the MLB offseason.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019 - Vol. 119 Issue 44

Sports: Women's basketball goes 3-6 over break.

Crafty Coop seeks liquor license

felicia selmon/ courier staff

devon greene/ editor-in-chief

City Attorney Kristin Petrie discusses conditions of potential liquor license for Crafty Coop.

By Steven Barnum news editor

Macomb aldermen met on Monday evening to discuss a water main project, additional financial opportunities and liquor licenses.  City officials are working on an agreement that would allow customers of a Macomb business to consume alcohol on site. The “Class Y Patron Supply Alcohol and Liquor License” may soon be awarded to a paint and pottery studio in downtown Macomb, The Crafty Coop.

City Attorney Kristen Petrie talked about the conditions that would come with the liquor license.  “This would be for beer, wine or cider brought by the patron with no more than 35 persons occupying the business at one time,” Petrie said. “That would keep the group at a relatively small and workable size. It cannot just be a social gathering, it would only pertain to paint parties and classes or something related to the business.”  Another stipulation of the

license requires all employees at The Crafty Coop to complete training in The Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET) program. Once certified, employees would be clear on how to be compliant with the law and how to detect signs of over-intoxication.  Additionally, customers are not allowed to supply everyone in the studio with alcoholic beverages. Instead, they are only able to share with their group. Per the laws regarding alcohol

in public, beverages leaving the business must be properly sealed. When it comes to the potential dangers of alcohol, Lacie Todd will take the proper precautions.  “I would card everyone to make sure that they are all 21,” the owner of The Crafty Coop said, “and I’ve already looked into the BASSET training.”   Todd also referenced a similar business upstate in Galesburg, Ill., which doesn’t allow employees under 18 years old to pour, serve or clean up alcoholic beverages.

She says she would follow the same rules if Macomb agrees to grant her business the license.   Alderman Gayle Carper asked if the business could be subject to compliance checks, similar to checks that police officers do in bars. Petrie confirmed that the police could check in with the studio since it’s a public place, and that the employees should be aware of the potential consequences.

City Council page 2

Jimmy person/Production Manager

By Steven Barnum news editor

Fire departments in Fulton County and McDonough County responded to a train derailment near Table Grove, Ill.   Several cars on a BNSF train left the track shortly before

5 p.m. Sunday evening. The tanker cars were carrying isopropyl alcohol, which is a flammable chemical. Fortunately, the chemical did not leak into the environment. Edgar Rodriguez is the Director of the McDonough County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency,

and he says that the situation could have been a lot more dangerous.  “Some of the tracks go through our community,” Rodriguez said, “but luckily, this happened in a rural and unpopulated area. None of the tankers burst and there were no injuries to the crew

or the public.”  As part of his job description, Rodriguez would be involved in protecting the public in situations of natural disasters, like tornadoes and blizzards that recently hit McDonough County. Additionally, Rodriguez said that his agency would also assist

in threatening situations to the area, like if there was an active shooter.  When it comes to derailments, they do not occur very often in McDonough County, according to Rodriguez.

Derailment page 2


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