Thursday's Internet Edition, 9:15 AM, March 11, 2010. We have moved - The Copperas Cove Leader-Press has changed websites. Go to www.coveleaderpress.com. . . . [Click for Full story] INSIDE NEWS STORIES Jones parole review met with opposition (Editor’s note: This is the first of two part series examing the parole review of Genene Jones. Coryell County congressman John Carter was the presiding judge in the case.) One . . . [ Full story ] EDC has two new business prospects The Economic Development Corporation is tweaking their contract with the American Family Entertainment Center, LLC., and soon a seven theater, eight-lane bowling alley along with a double arcade can be . . . [ Full story ] Council to honor retiring 30-year fire vet The Copperas Cove City Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. At this time, William "Skip" Rippy's retirement will be recognized. Rippy retired last month after . . . [ Full story ] Mel's Burger Joint moves to new location Mel's Burger Joint has moved. After spending the past four and a three quarter years on Avenue D, they are now located on First St., between Ave. E and Ave . . . [ Full story ] CPA hits firing range The 15th class of the Copperas Cove Citizens Police Academy conducted "Range Day" on Saturday at the Killeen Police Firing range. The Academy, sponsored by the Copperas Cove Police Department, . . . [ Full story ] Got an opinion? Do you think the non smoking ordinance will hurt local businesses? What are you most thankful for this holiday season? Do you think the short-staffedness f the Police Department affects the services to the community, and if the annexation goes through, how will that affect the department? Do you think the political action committee will be able to raise the needed funds to hire a consultant. Click here and add your vote to our On-Line Poll Local Sports Lady Dawgs wrap up second place in district with win over Temple The Copperas Cove Lady Dawgs clinched the second seed in the 13-5A district race Friday night by defeating a game Tem-Cat squad 53-50. The Lady Dawgs and Tem-Cats were billed . . . [ Full story ] Local Obituaries XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . . . [ Full story ] News Archive Sports Archive Local Obituaries Archive Petitioners seeking more support for alcohol sales By John Williams Staff writer - The organizers of the movement to permit beer and wine sales in Copperas Cove met Friday evening at the Turkey Creek Activity Center. Cove residents Penny Kinn, Dianne Steele and Susan Dick had petitions at the ready, but few people, if anyone showed up to sign. The current alcohol petition will require the signatures of 1,650 registered Coryell County voters in order for a general election on the issue to be called. The petition must be given to the City Council by April 4, which means that it must actually be complete a week before that date so that it may be checked for accuracy. “I need a week to look at it because 3/4 (75 percent) of each page will be filled with restricted voters’ signatures,” said Steele, who has been gathering signatures at a local restaurant on weekends. People who wish to sign the petition but are not registered to vote in this county may register at the Public Library, City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, or the Coryell County Department of Public Safety Annex. In order for a signature to count, one must be a registered voter and live within the city limits for at least thirty days prior to signing the petition. “It doesn’t matter if they’ve ever voted in the gubernatorial election,” said Steele. She encourages voters to carry their voter registration cards in their wallets or at least know where the cards are when she comes to their door with the petition. “There are a lot of people in town who are for this thing,” said Kinn. “They don’t want to put their names on the petition, but they say they will vote for it. That’s hypocritical.” Kinn pointed to the city’s vision statement contained in a plaque on the wall of the activity center. She drew special attention to the “protected and productive environment” portion of the statement. “This is not productive,” she said. “This is not for hard liquor. This is for beer and wine sales. Kids who drink beer have to get an adult to buy it for them anyway. If this is a city for family living, then let’s get some more families in here.” “The people who are against the special reform seem to be unified. That’s what we need to do if we want to be successful.” Dick said that this is not just an issue of convenience because the city is losing revenue. “When I go grocery shopping for the month,” she said. “I usually go to Harker Heights because I can also buy beer and wine there. It’s one stop shopping. I usually end up filling my car with gas while I’m there.” According to documents released by the State Comptrollers’ Office, Harker Heights earned $85,000 in tax revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages and Killeen earned $176,000. These figures include liquor store and restaurant sales. Beginning today, either Kinn or Dick will be gathering signatures at the RaceTrac gas station on Highway 190 in Copperas Cove from 7-9:30 a.m. and from 3-7 p.m. This is an on-line publication of Copperas Cove Leader-Press P.O. 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