The city has approved a new local option petition that would limit alcohol sales to restaurants. The petition has more than the 418 signatures necessary to put it on the ballot, which means voters will have another chance to decide if they want liquor stores operating in Bethel.
Last year, voters turned down a stricter local option, which would have prohibited restaurants from selling alcohol as well as banning liquor stores.
City Clerk Lori Strickler also announced that she expects to approve an application for a marijuana local option petition. This is just the application, which means that it still needs to reach the 299 signatures required to put it on the ballot. The signatures must be submitted by August 15 for marijuana local option to be on the ballot in October.