Westover council learns of break-in at business, discusses property purchase

WESTOVER — Westover passed its annual state-mandated audit with flying colors, Sandie Weis, city clerk, reported during Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Weis said Ferrari and Associates conducted the audit Jan. 16 and 17. She was told there were no flaws found, and the full report will be available in February.
The council — minus Ralph Mullins, who was out sick, according to Mayor Dave Johnson — held an executive session for about
45 minutes to discuss the purchase of commercial property.
Following the executive session, Johnson announced no action was taken.
Councilwoman Edie Viola asked Jason Stinespring, city building inspector, if anything could be done to alleviate trash blowing into neighborhoods from Family Dollar. Stinespring said he would look into it.
Chief of Police Rick Panico informed the council his department is looking into a burglary at Plum Crazy Motorsports on Fairmont Road.
He said the thief took money from a cash box, a .380 pistol, a cell phone and a quart of oil. The oil was recovered from someone’s yard and Panico said there is video evidence and a suspect he expects to bring in for a discussion this week.
Panico also reported the arrest of Cecelia Bowles in Marion County last week. Bowles is also wanted in Westover for several shoplifting charges.
The department also answered about 125 fewer calls than normal over the previous two weeks — just 447, Panico reported.