Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Hamilton, IL-- President Barrack Obama's stimulus package has provided many financial opportunities for citizens and organizations.

But one Tri-State department has decided not to take advantage of the federal dollars.  The Hamilton Police Department decided not to apply for the Community Oriented Policing Services, also known as COPS.

The COPS grant would have allowed the department to hire a fifth full time officer for three years.  As part of that grant, the city would have to agree to fund that officer for a fourth year.  Mayor Stephen Woodruff told us the city decided not to apply for that grant, because it wouldn't be able to pay that extra officers salary and benefits when the grant expired.

Instead the city will apply for a grant for a hybrid SUV.  Currently, the city doesn't have an SUV.  Mayor Woodruff says a Hybrid SUV would benefit the city by helping officers travel on rough roads.

Q: Would this hybrid SUV save the city money?

Mayor Woodruff says,"The SUV gets about 24 to 28 miles per gallon and that's better than what our cars get."

With that grant, the city will have to pay 25%  of the total of the vehicle.  The grant will provide 75% of the total, up to $35,000.  The city should know if they will get the grant in August.