City Council Briefs
Police station funding, construction under way Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck said construction and fundraising efforts are under way for the new police department but he is not sure when the OPD’s new digs will be move-in ready.
The department is making strides toward its facility upgrade with support from local business owners, who have completed framing inside the former Ranger College building adjacent to the Olney Civic Center.
We’re fortunate to have these business owners backing us up,” Chief Birbeck said. “They’re helping us complete this project without it breaking the bank.”
“The framing is done, we are fixing to start the electrical work next and then we’ll be sheet rocking it up and moving furniture,” he said.
The upcoming Law and Order Par 3 Classic golf tournament on Nov. 16 will be a key fundraiser for the new department, he said.
The event, held at Olney Country Club, will begin at 1 p.m. and follow a four-person scramble format, with a $200 entry fee per team. Sponsorships are available, with proceeds going directly toward the new police department facility. Chief Birbeck encouraged community members interested in supporting the project to participate.
“If you like golf and want to support us, join us at the tournament,” he said, adding that anyone interested can speak with OCC President Landon Rowe for more details.
Chief warns of consequences after dog bites child Chief Birbeck also noted a dog-bite case involving a child and warned residents that the consequences for dog owners whose dogs escape from their yards and bite people go beyond receiving citations.
He described the implications for dog owners, especially following a recent declaration of another local dog as “dangerous.”
He stressed the importance of proper enclosures and vaccinations, explaining the potential criminal and civil penalties that owners could face if their animals harm others.
“This isn’t just about a couple of tickets,” he warned. “There can be significant financial consequences, including medical and psychological injury claims if someone is bitten.”
He said animal control Officer Hollie Hawkins took 32 loose animals to the county animal shelter, trapped 27 and responded to 53 calls for service last month.