WINONA – The Winona Board of Aldermen is giving those who have discharged a firearm in the city limits something to think about – a large fine.
Currently, the fine for discharging a firearm in the city limits is just $100. However, come January 1, the fine will be up to $1,000.
“We can leave it to the judge’s discretion,” Chief of Police Tommy Bibbs told the board at Tuesday night’s meeting. “There is a difference in shooting a snake with a shotgun and firing out of a car window.”
Bibbs said because the current fine is minimal, some residents disregard the ordinance forbidding the discharge of a firearm in the city limits. However, he told the board that firing into the air is still dangerous to the public, and something has to be done to curb the problem.
“If you shoot up into the air, those bullets have to come down,” Bibbs said.
The board voted unanimously to amend the current ordinance, with the new fine schedule set to begin on January 1.
In other city news:
• The board voted to hire Jimmy Mims as a patrolman at the Winona Police Department. He will attend the Mississippi Police Academy at a later date.
• The board accepted the resignation of Patrolman Austin Moore from the Winona Police Department.
• The board voted to allow Samuel McNutt to place a mobile home at 104 Powell Street. The city’s zoning plan allows for a mobile home to be located there, and the new 2021 mobile home meets all the city’s requirements. McNutt still has to post a notice announcing he will be bringing in a mobile home on the property for 30 days prior, as stipulated by the board’s motion.
• As part of the condemnation process, the board accepted a bid of $200 from William Yates to cut the tall grass at 500 Fairground Street. Yates was the only bidder.
• The board accepted the resignation of Javarus Amos from the Winona Street Department.
• The board voted to begin the condemnation process on properties located at 1253 Highway 51, 9 Graysport Road, the corner of Highway 82 and Middleton Road, and a property on Barron Street. A public hearing for these properties has been set for January 19.
• The board voted to advertise for bids for the city depository.
• The board accepted the resignation of Robert Beck from the Winona Water Department.
