MORGAN SHERIFF WANTS TO HIRE MORE DEPUTIES TO FIGHT DRUG PROBLEM

Morgan County Sheriff John McBride says illegal drugs are running strong
here and he hopes to get funding to hire more officers to deal with it.

"I need them real bad. The drugs are taking over in Morgan County, and I
want to put somebody in narcotics," he said.

The sheriff may get his wish if the federal government approves a $350,787
Community Oriented Policing Services grant for the county to hire three
deputies.

The additional officers would bring the sheriff's deputies count up to 47,
according to personnel in the sheriff's office.

The County Commission authorized Chairman Larry Bennich to apply for the
grant Monday.

The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Justice. The agency will pay
$280,629 and the county's match will be $70,158 for a three-year period,
McBride explained.

The County Commission must agree to keep the deputies one year after the
grant period ends.