Last dry county in Alabama legalizes alcohol sales

ASHLAND, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's last totally dry county is going wet.

Residents in the Clay County cities of Ashland and Lineville voted Tuesday to legalize alcohol sales.

Alcohol sales will still be illegal outside the cities. But the vote means alcohol can now be sold legally in at least part of each of Alabama's 67 counties.

Opponents argued against legalizing alcohol sales on moral and public-safety grounds. But supporters say allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages will help stimulate business in the rural, east Alabama county.

Bootleggers have operated in Clay County for years, and possession of small amounts of alcohol in the county has been legal.

The issue last came up for a countywide vote in 1986, when church opposition killed a proposal to go wet.