Washington police dog Styx loves his tennis ball.
So much that he accidentally swallowed it and had to have it surgically removed. But he's OK.
"Styx has recovered nicely and will be 'working from home' for two weeks," Police Chief Jeff Stevens told the Washington City Council this week in his report to the council.
The tennis ball incident took place after Styx and canine handler Joe Dubois attended a Saturday Night Lights cruise-in April 12 at the Connect Center in Washington.
Cruise-in organizers had made a donation to Styx's care before the tennis ball drama.
Alcohol retailers
Stevens also reported to the council that nine alcohol retailers in the city failed a compliance check and allegedly sold alcohol to a minor. They are:
• Bernardi's Restaurant, 2137 Washington Road
• CVS, 1101 Peoria St.
• Blue Margaritas, 661 N. Cummings Lane
• The Blue Ox, 120 N. Wilmor Road
• Brickhouse BBQ, 1021 N. Cummings Lane
• WA Conoco, 1218 Peoria St.
• Casey's General Store, 2201 Washington Road
• Walmart Supercenter, 1980 Freedom Parkway
• Christy's Place, 1221 Peoria St.
These 18 alcohol retailers passed the check:
Aldi, 1997 Freedom Parkway; Parish's Pub, 118 S. Main Street; Beck's Oil, 1301 Washington Road; Plaza Lanes, 1500 Washington Road; Circle K, 2279 Washington Road; Tangled Roots, 140 Washington Square; Casey's General Store, 902 Walnut St.; The Peak on Summit, 210 S. Summit Street; Kep's Sports Bar and Grill, 313 Muller Road; VFW Post 9016, 300 Zinser Place; Kroger, 20 Cherry Lane Shopping Center; VP Racing Fuels, 802 Peoria Street; Lindy's Downtown Market, 110 Peoria Street; W Down Under, 105 N. Main Street; Liquor Oasis, 1600 Washington Road; Walgreens, 1011 Peoria Street; and Monical's Pizza, 6 Cherry Tree Shopping Center.
Here are highlights of other department heads' reports to the council:
After receiving an application for a tourism grant from the organizers of the inaugural Five Points Art Fair and Handmade Market on June 20, the city has offered a $1,800 grant.
The event will be held in conjunction with the Paint the Path Washington BRIDGE Education Foundation fundraiser. The grant would help with costs for artist hospitality and entertainment.
Work continues on replacing 44 ADA ramps on roads southeast of the downtown square.
City Engineer Dennis Carr said he's emphasized to contractor Stark Excavating that the project must be done by the end of the fiscal year April 30.
Matt Moehle, who owns an undeveloped parcel on the south side of the square adjacent to South Main Street, plans to install planters with plants.
A building permit has been issued for two additional buildings for M4 Steel at 500 N. Cummings Road.
Raises for non-union employees
Council approved 2026-27 fiscal year raises ranging from 3% to 5% for non-union employees.
The raises for those getting a 3% increase will cost the city about $105,700.
Members of the city's management team will get a 4% increase. That cost is about $8,700, offset by savings from starting-level salaries for recently filled positions.
Police sergeants will receive a 5% increase.
No raise is proposed for new City Administrator Jeff Fiegenschuh. That will be determined after his initial annual performance review early next year.
Back to the library for 'Let's Talk Washington'
Mayor Lilija Stevens said her next monthly "Let's Talk Washington" informal discussion session will be in the Washington District Library at Five Points Washington in May.
The library was the site of Stevens' first "Let's Talk Washington" session in May 2025 after she was sworn in as mayor.
The recent April session attracted about 30 community members, a "Let's Talk Washington" record. The hot topic? The proposed adult-use cannabis dispensary in Washington.
$30.6 million budget approved
Also at this week's meeting, council:
• Approved the city's 2026-27 budget, which calls for spending about $30.6 million. Among the changes in the budget since an April 13 public hearing are an additional $35,000 to $312,500 for Economic Development Commission activities and an additional $13,500 to $21,000 for sponsorships of community events.
• Approved a preliminary plat for the Legacy Lake Estates Subdivision. The nearly 54-acre parcel is located just west of Nofsinger Road and is accessed from Tazewood Road. Landowner Troy Reed plans for 14 residential lots ranging from two to close to eight acres. The lots would be served by private streets.
