Petitions circulating to put Sunday liquor-sales ordinance on ballot

Some Mitchell residents are circulating petitions to refer the city's new Sunday off-sale liquor law to a public vote.

The City Council recently voted to allow off-sale liquor to be sold on Sundays. The term "off sale" applies to liquor that is consumed away from the place it's purchased, such as a liquor store.

The new law was opposed by a group of pastors, but otherwise sparked little public comment.

The law was published July 13 in The Daily Republic and by state law cannot take effect until Sunday, the 20th day after publication. Anyone wishing to put the issue to a public vote must turn in valid petition signatures from at least 5 percent of the city's registered voters during the 20-day window.

For more on this story, look for updates on this site and read Thursday's print edition of The Daily Republic.

Tags: city council, news, local, alcohol, liquor, breakingnews, daily updates