Pana to extend liquor sales hours

March 27, 2024 96

PANA — The Pana City Council voted to amend an existing ordinance regulating liquor sales on Saturday for a trial period during its regular meeting on Monday, March 25.

The change, which will move the time from midnight Sunday morning to 1 a.m., will be on a trial period of six months before further evaluation.

The decision came after some lengthy discussions and input from Pana Police Department Chief Daniel Bland.

The council had been receiving requests from establishments in town to extend their service hours until 2 a.m. on Sunday morning. The rationale for the requests surrounding increased gaming revenue.

Dena Smith, chairwoman of the Administrative Committee, said the committee was weighing the extra gaming revenue against the lack of police patrols between midnight and 2 a.m.

Bland said that previously allowing establishments to close at 2 a.m. resulted in issues in the past. However, that was when there were seven bars in town. Currently, the city has five bars with two additional establishments that serve liquor: A Great Victory, Muck’s Place, Station 502, Whiskey Bill’s, Lucky Jackpot, Pana Bowl, and the Blue Bell Club. This does not include fraternal organizations such as the lodges run by the Elks, Eagles, and Moose organizations, as well as the Knights of Columbus.

Bland notes that things are currently running smoothly at this time, but cautions that a shift change for police combined with hours as late as 2 a.m. could present an issue. He did express that he was “absolutely against” the 2 a.m. closure time.

Speakers address council about potential Pana solar farm

Bonnie Mizeur addressed the council voicing her opposition to a proposed solar farm near her property north of Pana. (Note: We checked the proposed area near the Ameren transmission site through the county GIS website, and while there is a property nearby owned by a Mizeur, it is not in the name of Bonnie Mizeur.)

The proposed solar farm is to be built adjacent to the Ameren site and could be potentially, with clearances, built on Ameren property.

More than a dozen other people spoke up on the matter.

Mayor Nathan Pastor said that he reached out to all parties involved and the city is working with the county to “get this taken care of.”

Pastor also sent a letter of opposition to the county’s zoning board of appeals. That board will have the ultimate decision to allow or prohibit the solar farm since the area is outside the scope and authority of the City of Pana.

Other business

The Pana City Council also took action on the following items:

Proposal for a topographical map near the north end of Pana Lake from Kuhn and Trello for $4,500. The map’s purpose is to assess the use of a silt trap or dredging in the area.
Reimbursement to Christian-Shelby 911 for $8,000 for the 2022-23 year for the Motorola software that the agencies use jointly. The cost is shared, and Bland said they have not had to pay the fee recently due to technical issues on Motorola’s end.
Pana Pride was permitted to permanently install the Santa house on the north side of Kitchell Park.
Approval of an offer by the Pana Youth Baseball and Softball Organization to repair the lights at the ball diamonds and the concession stand at the North Diamond inside Kitchell Park.
Passed an ordinance annexing 1109 E. Second into the city.
Passed an ordinance authorizing participation in the state’s Joint Purchase program. It allows the mayor to make a purchase once authorized by the council.
Approval of a two-month adjustment for Gary Kilmartin at 505 S. Clark for $361.47.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.