Catastrophic engine failure has taken the Washington Police Department's current canine vehicle out of commission, perhaps forever.
That's made it impossible for police canine Styx and his handler, Officer Joe Dubois, to work together. But the Washington City Council came to the rescue.
During this week's meeting, the council approved an emergency purchase of a new 2025 Ford Explorer canine vehicle for a little more than $49,800 from state low bidder Sutton Ford of Matteson, which has the vehicle in stock.
The police department was looking at as long as a six-month wait if a replacement for the current 2021 model needed to be built at a factory.
Funding for the new vehicle, along with transferring equipment from the old vehicle and putting the appropriate markings on the new one, will come from donations to the department's police canine unit.
"Police canine vehicles must be equipped with specialized systems that protect the canine when it's left in the vehicle while the handler is on call," said Washington Deputy Police Chief Brian Simpson.
Washington Police Chief Jeff Stevens said the 2021 Ford Explorer was already slated for replacement during the upcoming fiscal year. The new police canine vehicle is believed to be the department's fourth.
Styx is the third police canine in Washington since the program began in 2013. He's following in the paw steps of Thor and Loki, whose handlers were officers Dan Foster and Ron Moore, respectively.
Thor died in 2024 at age 13 of age-related conditions after serving the city from 2013-22. Loki died in 2024 at age 4 from medical complications while under veterinary care.
Also at this week's council meeting, Stevens unveiled an expanded monthly Washington Police Department report to the council that includes traffic crash data, a report on investigations, and a report from community resource and DARE [Drug Abuse Resistance Education] officer Dramane Taylor.
First cannabis dispensary?
Washington may be getting its first adult-use cannabis dispensary.
Jon Oliphant, the city's planning and development director, reported to the council this week that Key Cannabis has requested a special use for a dispensary at 2691 Centennial Drive, at the intersection of Centennial and McClugage Road.
Oliphant said the Planning & Zoning Commission [PZC] will discuss the request at its monthly meeting April 1 and make a recommendation to the council.
The city's adult-use cannabis dispensary regulations were approved in late 2019, just before the state's Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act became effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Among the city's regulations are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. operating hours, no outdoor seating, and no drive-through services or sales.
The PCZ also will discuss and make a recommendation on a preliminary plat covering 53 acres of property owned by OLM Farm LLC Farm Series on the south side of Tazewell Road, just west of Nofsinger Road.
Oliphant said OLM proposes to subdivide the property into 14 rural residential lots.
More discussion on proposed billboard allowance zoning changes will take place at the PZC's April or May meeting, Oliphant said. A public hearing on the changes was held at the March meeting.
The PZC meets on the first Wednesday of the month.
'Let's Talk' at township building
Mayor Lilija Stevens announced to the council this week that her next monthly "Let's Talk Washington" discussion with residents will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. April 15 in the Washington Township building, 58 Valley Forge Road.
The March "Let's Talk Washington" session at the VFW Hall on Legion Road attracted 18 residents.
Mayor Stevens said the status of the Candlewood Bridge project and future of the former Knights of Columbus and Prep Freeze Cook buildings on Walnut Street were among the topics of discussion.
$80K splash for water fund
The council held first readings for two ordinances this week, with votes are scheduled for April 6.
One ordinance changes water infrastructure fixed fees so they're based on meter size.
The proposed 2026-27 city budget includes an additional $80,000 in the water fund because of the change.
Additional revenue is needed in the fund to cover debt service on future Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loans for capital projects.
The other ordinance is an intergovernmental agreement with Tazewell County for the city to accept a $28,000 recycling grant, $1,000 more than last year.
Grant funds have been used in the past to pay for the city's Christmas tree recycling program, offset costs for the twice- a-year brush pick up program, and fund the glass recycling program.
Two paramedics needed
Also at this week's council meeting:
- Brian Barron, president of the Washington Fire Department board, reported the department is down two paramedics. Anyone interested in filling those positions should contact the department. The department responded to 205 EMS calls in February, 34 more than in February 2025.
- Public Works Department Director Brian Rittenhouse said his employees are repairing an ADA ramp on Cummings Lane and Kingsbury Road, and installing a sewer main on Harvey Street to help the sewer main that runs behind St. Patrick's Church.
- Council approved spending up to $50,000 to rent a large excavator and purchase pipe, manhole structures and backfill material so DPW employees can save the city money by doing an Adams Street sanitary relief sewer project.
