The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Bullet from euthanized dog is evidence in crime scene

By Sally Day, The Quill

Henderson County Board members, in paying the monthly bills, learned that a pit bull dog, shot during a crime which took place in the Bald Bluff area in early December, held evidence of the crime in its body.

The Henderson County Animal Control Officer, Revonne Butler told the board the dog was removed from the scene, taken to a veterinarian, euthanized, and sent to an animal lab in Galesburg where the bullet was removed.

The crime was that of home invasion, where two men reportedly broke into a home, pistol-whipping three residents inside.

According to Henderson County Sheriff's Department, the crime remains under investigation.

In other matters, Board members discussed the importance of local businesses and how it is their desire to keep the businesses in the County. County Board Chairman Marty Lafary mentioned that the recently burned out Country Fun Restaurant and Bowling Alley may rebuild in the same location.

It was further noted that Brian Randall of Randall's Performance had recently asked for a variance from the County for property near Gladstone Lake.

Randall had not purchased the property, but needed to know if he could get the variance for the property before purchasing it.

The Board wants to do everything possible to assist in keeping this business, as others, in the county.

Randall may ask for another variance if and when he purchases the property.

A discussion ensued concerning the Biggsville repeater, which is a device capable of receiving one or two-way communication signals and delivering corresponding signals which are either amplified, reshaped or both.

This device assists them in receiving their fire and ambulance calls.

They have had a few "dropped" calls recently.

Biggsville has its own repeater, but needs the necessary cables and antennae that goes with it. They have been using Gladstone's repeater.

The County Board agreed to lease the antennae and cable to Biggsville at a cost of $1 for 25 years.

Joe Taylor, President and CEO of the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, was present to request a continued partnering resolution, from July 2012 through June 2013.

A motion was made and passed to continue the partnering.

Taylor told the Board there would be an Eagle Watch held near Lock and Dam 18 on February 4, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In other business, the Board:

• heard from Henderson County Sheriff Steve Haynes regarding security cameras for the Sheriff's Department. He has received two bids for purchasing these and having them installed. The board will make this decision next month.
•  responded to a request from States Attorney Scott McClintock to give the authority to Pat Buchanan to settle the "Mississippi case" for no money.
•  agreed to supply the Animal Control Officer with a credit card, enabling her to keep the truck clean.
•  after reviewing the closed session meetings agreed to keep them closed.
•  approved minutes of the December 13, 2011 meeting.
•  approved claims paid in December, as well as accepted Health Department claims.