LUFKIN - It's been just a couple of days since residents got word, a petition was circulating about potential beer and wine sales in portions of Smith County.

Now, we talk to the men behind it all.

Andy Osborn and John Robbins both own Road Island Exxon off of Highway 271 and the Loop in Smith County.

They tell us, they want to be able to sell beer and wine at their store.

And they're not alone.

They say, people are tired of driving to a different county to get alcohol and they have the signatures to prove it.

They tell us, they've already got the amount they need to go to the next level.

Again, the group is asking the people in J.P. Precinct 4 to sign the petition, to help get two propositions on the May ballot.

The first, would allow gas stations and grocery stores to sell beer and wine.

The second, would allow people to drink alcohol at a restaurant without having to buy an alcohol membership.

The group needs 1,509 signatures on the petition by February 6th.

Then - it'll be up to the Commissioner's Court to call for an election.

They'll have until March 9th to do that.