Liquor stores outside of the city limits of Hopkinsville in Christian County can now stay open an additional hour five nights a week.

After a similar ordinance failed last February, enough magistrates changed their mind Tuesday morning to pass the measure on a 6 to 2 vote. Squires Terry Bowman and Mark Cansler have been opposed to the idea from day one and stuck with their “no” votes.

Squire Bowman said he’d rather see the sale of alcohol reduced in Christian County instead of increased, when interviewed after the first meeting of the year.

On the other side of the spectrum, Magistrate Jack Lackey of the Pembroke area said he doesn’t see the measure as a wet-dry vote, but rather a way to put liquor stores in the county on a more even playing field.

Second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for January 24^th. In other business, Court approved budgets for the Christian County Sheriff’s Office and County Clerk’s Office.

Jailer Brad Boyd said the local jail ended up losing 32 inmates due to provisions of House Bill 463, which was the penal reform bill dealing with how drug offenders are punished.

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01/10/2012/am