Local Bars Complying With Smoking Ban

Mr. and Mrs. Bense have their last cigarette inside Randy’s RR Bar in Waterloo on New Year’s Eve. Bars restaurants and all other businesses in Illinois were required by the state to eliminate smoking within 15 feet of their establishments.

The initial reports coming in from around the county since Jan. 1 is that area bars are complying to the new Illinois law prohibiting smoking inside all businesses and public places, including bars and restaurants. Bars which also serve a full food menu, so far, have not been greatly affected by the new rule.

“We’ve had good crowds the entire weekend,” said Don Voelker, owner of Tiny’s in Columbia.

Jeff and Denise Vogt, owners of JV’s Downtown Bar and Grill in Waterloo, also said business has been fine the first week of the new year.

“We had a full dinner crowds both on Friday and Saturday,” said Jeff Vogt.

Vogt added that taverns which rely mainly on alcohol sales may be hurt more in the coming months.

“Studies taken in other states with similar laws show that bar sales go down about 20 percent in the first year,” said Vogt.

So far, no fines have been issued to patrons or bar owners in Monroe County.

“We will not be checking places for smoking,” said Columbia Police Joe Edwards. “But if we receive a complaint, we will investigate as the law requires.”

During an interview Friday on 1230 AM, Illinois State Rep. Dan Reitz said that legislators are still working out the details of the law and how it will be enforced.

Goose On The Loose In Columbia – Cornered At Gruchala’s

A large grey goose caused a minor disturbance in Columbia late Friday night. At about 9 p.m., the goose was reported to be walking down the center of South Main Street. Passing cars had to swerve around to avoid hitting the feathered animal. The goose eventually made its way to Gruchala’s back parking lot. Columbia Police Officer Shawn Westfall was able to lead the goose into a gated section behind Gruchala’s.

The goose, apparently unable to fly, remained there until it was decided to transport it to a nearby lake.

“The goose went to Herbeck’s Lake,” said Shirley Bergmann, a Columbia emergency dispatcher.

Patrons of Gruchala’s said they have seen a lot of strange things waddle passed the bar through the years, but this may have been the first walking on two legs and covered in feathers.

“This seems just like a prank Sifford would pull,” said one unnamed bar regular, referring to jokester and former Columbia resident Larry Sifford, who now resides in Branson, Mo. “Sifford is just as fun and crazy as that Ernest T. Bass from the Andy Griffith Show,” added the bar regular. “Something interesting always happens when he’s in town.”

Ironically, Bergmann confirmed Sifford was in town this weekend visiting friends back home. “I was out with his wife, Judy, earlier this week,” said Bergmann.

Sifford could not be reached for comment and is believed to have already safely fled to the hills of Branson.

Dennis “Boog” Pieper is making excellent progress after suffering a heart condition on New Year’s Eve. He has been released from intensive care and is recouping at St. Anthony’s Hospital. “I hope to be home soon and start getting ready for next year’s Lakers season,” said Pieper, manager of the Valmeyer Lakers baseball team.

Attorney Robert Hayes is on the mend with a broken foot he incurred in a recent fall.