More businesses allowed to sell liquor in Macomb
Macomb city council members agreed to create a new liquor license classification. Class D licenses will allow liquor to be sold for consumption on-site at businesses such as a spa or clothing store or even a fitness center.
But not everyone is on board with the plan.
“It appears to me that we are loosening and loosening the regulations on (alcohol)” said at-large city council member Dennis Moon. “I’m a little concerned about it.”
Moon and third ward council member Don Wynn voted against the plan.
A customer would be limited to three drinks, and the sale of alcohol would have to be supplemental to the primary business.
Preliminary work to begin on Cascade Bridge project
The Burlington city council has signed off on some preliminary work that officials said is the kickoff to repairing the historic Cascade Bridge.
The city will pay $36,500 to Impact 7G for work that needs to be done before the bridge and an equalization tank project are designed.
Assistant City manager for Public Works Nick MacGregor said these are environmental and cultural requirements.
“We have to do threatened and endangered species, wetlands delineation, and cultural investigation, which mostly is associated with the bridge as it’s on the National Historic Register,” MacGregor said.
An archaeological survey will be completed to ensure no other historic structures in the area would be affected.
Findings will be presented to local advocacy groups and project engineers before the project moves forward.
Colchester man arrested for battery in lawnmower incident
A Colchester man is accused of ramming a vehicle into a riding lawnmower that was being repossessed.
Larry Yetter,73, is charged with aggravated battery.
The McDonough County sheriff’s department said the mower was repossessed from a site in rural Colchester. It was being driven on East 600th Street toward Colchester when the vehicle rammed into it, forcing the mower off the road.
The person riding the mower displayed a knife in self-defense but no one was injured with the knife. He declined treatment at the scene.
Bridgeway advocates for disability service funding
The state of Illinois increased funding last year for services for people with developmental disabilities.
But organizations such as Bridgeway are still struggling with staffing shortages.
Bridgeway serves around 9,000 people with disabilities in west central and northern Illinois.
President and CEO William Nelson said critical staff positions remain open because other organizations can pay more for less demanding work, which has led to longer waiting lists and residential units not being filled.
With the Illinois legislature adjourning early this year, on April 8, it’s a critical time for budget decisions.
Bridgeway is asking those affected by its services to write to lawmakers in support of continued better funding for people with disabilities.
Attempted murder suspect arrested in McDonough County
A man wanted for attempted murder in Iowa was taken into custody during a traffic stop on U.S. Route 67 in McDonough County.
Brandon Branigan, 31, of Rock Island, waived extradition and was taken to the Scott County Jail in Davenport.
He is charged with attempted murder, intimidation with a deadly weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in a May 2021 shooting in Davenport in which a man suffered serious wounds.
According to the McDonough County Sheriff’s Department, Branigan’s vehicle was stopped because it had no registration and several equipment violations.
Bushnell plans final improvement plan meeting
Those developing an improvement plan for Bushnell have scheduled a final meeting as part of the process.
The meeting will be at 5 p.m. April 5 at the Bushnell Recreational and Cultural Center, 300 Miller St.
The city of Bushnell and the University of Illinois Extension have collaborated on the project during the past couple years.
According to project leaders, the town hall meeting is the final opportunity to provide input.
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