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Alcohol compliance checks were conducted the evening of May 4, 2012 on 28 local businesses' which are licensed to sell alcohol beverages. The checks were coordinated by the Cass County Sheriff's Department and the Working Together Coalition. Four students assisted Law Enforcement as underage buyers. The underage youth entered these businesses and attempted to illegally purchase alcoholic beverages. Congratulations to all the businesses that passed! The efforts of the following businesses are commended for not selling to the underage buyers:

•Jerry's Bar and Steakhouse

•Abes

•Docksider

•Patrick's

•Remer Municipal Liquor Store

•The Pub

•Deer Haven Super Club

•Benson's

•Walker American Legion- Spencer Ross Post 134

•Café Zona Rosa

•Chase on the Lake 502

•Lucky Moose

•Charlie's UP North

•Y Bottle Shop

•Hoss Liquor Store

•The Liquor Store in Hackensack (on- and off-sale)

•Hackensack American Legion

•River House

•Lucette's

•Lake Country Grocery and Liquor

•Narrows on Roosevelt

•Village Inn Dining Saloon

The five businesses that failed to comply with the law and sold to the underage buyer have been referred to the Cass County Attorney's offices for appropriate action.[[In-content Ad]]Illegal alcohol use by underage people contributes to crime, car crashes, injuries and death. Law enforcement officers find that alcohol also has a role in many of the more frequent minor crimes and nuisances that degrade the quality of life in our community. Many noise complaints, vandalism, littering and similar nuisances involve young people who have been drinking. Public health officials report that alcohol use and abuse is also connected with teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other health problems. We have learned that the community and our youth are safer and healthier when they don't start using alcohol until after they turn 21 years of age. Providing alcohol to an underage person is a Gross Misdemeanor offense punishable by fines up to $3000.00 and up to one year in jail. Typical offenders are fined several hundred dollars.

Please help us keep the next generation safe, keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth. If you would like to help with this mission, please contact Kelly Felton, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Working Together: A Coalition for Safe and Healthy Communities at 218-330-8129 or please visit their website at www.workingtogethercoalition.org.

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