Judge rules New Kensington, PA, Elks can renew its liquor license
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Harry Smail Jr. found that evidence of repeated citations and criminal activity at or near the Elks lodge 294 on Third Avenue New Kensington, PA, were insufficient grounds to support the liquor board’s decision last year to not renew the club’s license.
The judge found that criminal incidents that included shootings, disturbances and other potential criminal activity were either minimal or did not directly implicate the club.
New Kensington police officers ... testified that one incident took place when shots were fired in an area near the club. In another case, police officers testified they recovered 11 shell casings in the club’s parking lot. Officers testified they were called out to the club last November to respond to a call that shots were fired and two shell casings were found in or near the Elk’s parking lot, according to court records.
According to the state’s liquor board, the club’s alcohol license expired June 20, 2018. According to Elk’s attorney Chris Nichols, the club has remained open and continued to operate with a temporary license during its appeal.
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/judge-rules-new-kensington-elks-can-renew-its-liquor-license/
