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Saturday, March 8, 2014
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Approved! Concealed Carry licenses Sheriff reviews every applicant By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
The first batch of Concealed Carry License applications has been approved and is ready to be printed and mailed in Illinois. The Illinois State Police (ISP) has announced 5,000 Concealed Carry Licenses (CCL) have been approved so far. Since the process began, the ISP has received more than 50,000 applications and objected to more than 800. To date, no objection has been appealed.
On Thursday, Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson said every application from a Bureau County resident comes across his desk for a 30-day review period. If there are any objections, he could intervene and file his concerns with the state police. All law enforcement agencies have that right, he said. As far as locally, Thompson said about 150 applications came across his desk during that first week. The average age of the Bureau County applicants was probably 60 years old. There were both male and female applicants. The oldest male applicant was 78 years old. The oldest female applicant was 76 years old.
Thompson said he had no objections to the applications he has received. These applicants are good people who just want to express their rights to carry a concealed weapon; they are our neighbors, the sheriff said. The CCL training is very thorough with multiple pages on all the restrictions which go along with carrying a concealed weapon, including learning the sites where weapons cannot be carried, like school grounds, Thompson said. In addition, commercial places, like businesses, have the right to post a restriction on their own properties as well.
See Licenses Page 3
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Rob Pozzi dies at 51 County board member is remembered by friends, colleagues By Donna Barker and Terri Simon news@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — After battling an extended illness, Bureau County Board member Rob Pozzi, 51, died Wednesday morning at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Pozzi was elected to the Bureau County Board in 2000 and took his seat in December of that year. He represented District 24, which includes the western portion of Spring Valley and rural areas toward DePue. A family man, a leader in the Democratic party, a problem-solver and more ... colleagues and friends didn’t hesitate to describe a man who they called passionate in all aspects of life. “We went to kindergarten together. We made our first communions together. We were friends for life. He’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had. We’ve been friends for 50 years,” said Illinois State Rep. Frank Mautino of Spring Valley. “He had a great passion for everything in life. He loved family, and he loved fun. But he could be very
See Pozzi Page 4
BCR photo/Becky Kramer
Celebrating with an international flair Princeton High School students Alex Smallwood (from left), Lexee Camp and Kira Harp get into the festive spirit of Thursday evening’s annual PHS foreign language fair at the high school. Students had prepared various international displays for visitors to see during the two-hour event. In addition, students had prepared authentic foods from their featured countries, including Germany and Mexico. Other opportunities included decorating masks representing various countries and also creating paper flowers. See more photos from the fair on Page 2.
Judge to rule on fate of Arlington animals By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
ARLINGTON/SPRINGFIELD — The outcome as to the future care of 13 Bureau County dogs and seven horses is now in the hands of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. After a three-hour hearing on Wednesday in Springfield, the Illinois Department of Agriculture judge has a five-day period in which to make his decision. Wednesday’s hearing stems from a
recent investigation into the care of animals owned by Dan Labounty of rural Arlington. At that time, there were thought to be about 20 beagles and seven horses on the property. Bureau County Animal Control Officer Scott Robbins has removed 13 beagles from the Labounty property, and those dogs remain under the county’s care. The horses remain on the rural Arlington property with the county overseeing their care. On Thursday, Robbins said he was one of seven people who testified at Wednesday’s
hearing. Also testifying were an investigator with the Illinois Department of Agriculture whom Robbins had called to the rural Arlington site, Labounty, and four representatives of Illinois Valley Animal Rescue. In addition, the Illinois Department of Agriculture also had its attorney present as well as the state’s veterinarian. The hearing went well, Robbins said. The judge heard all parties speak and has five days to make a decision, he said. Comment on this story at www. bcrnews.com.
For breaking news, sports and current weather conditions, go to bcrnews.com Year 168 No. 29 One Section - 20 Pages
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