SCOTT CITY COUNCIL RENEWS WORKERS' COMP INSURANCE

SCOTT CITY -- During this week's Buy Local campaign, Scott City High School Future Business Leaders of America members are encouraging residents to spend money at Scott City businesses to help support their community.

But members of the Scott City Council recently selected a Cape Girardeau insurance company to carry their workers' compensation policy. W.E. Walker Co., represented by agent Bill Talley, was chosen to handle the city's plan. The policy was renewed so the company remained the same, said City Manager John Saxton.

In other business, the council approved liquor license renewals for Wink's Convenience Store, JJ's Pub and Grub and The Pit Stop after holding separate, 15-minute public hearings.

Another public hearing is scheduled next month for residents to discuss the possibility of a 30-bed juvenile detention center locating at the former lagoon site in Scott City. The center would create 50 jobs and have a payroll of $1 million with annual operating costs of $250,000.

The Missouri Division of Youth Services is interested in building a $3.8 million residential center in one of 28 counties in Southeast Missouri. Two centers already operate in the area: one in Cape Girardeau and another in Poplar Bluff.

Towns with a population of more than 2,000 are eligible for the project. Scott City is still in the process of applying as a potential site, Saxton said. The original March 1 deadline was extended for the city's application. A public hearing is set for April 1 at 7 p.m. at the council chambers in City Hall.

Cape Girardeau County wants the state to build a new detention center near the Interstate 55 and Highway 61 interchange. The county is offering a 99-year lease on a 32-acre tract near Klaus Park.