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San Antonio councilman calls for state to shut down bar where man was killed
Read full article: San Antonio councilman calls for state to shut down bar where man was killedThe nightclub where a man was killed and three others were injured could potentially be shut down if the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rejects its license renewal next month.
TABC investigating bar lounge shooting that left 1 dead, 3 injured
Read full article: TABC investigating bar lounge shooting that left 1 dead, 3 injuredSan Antonio police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission are investigating a shooting outside a bar lounge that left one man dead and three others wounded.
There were 127 violations of selling alcohol to minors during Spring Break, TABC says
Read full article: There were 127 violations of selling alcohol to minors during Spring Break, TABC saysThe Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced on Monday that they found 127 instances of businesses that sold alcohol to minors during this year’s Spring Break.
Aging state vehicle fleet fuels tens of millions in new money requests by agencies
Read full article: Aging state vehicle fleet fuels tens of millions in new money requests by agenciesMany state-owned vehicles are aging past the standards for replacement. Early budget drafts signal that lawmakers are considering funding some $237.6 million in requests for new ones.
Galveston bartender arrested, accused of overserving alcohol to drunk driver before deadly crash
Read full article: Galveston bartender arrested, accused of overserving alcohol to drunk driver before deadly crashA Galveston bartender was arrested after authorities said he overserved alcohol to a driver involved in a crash that killed four people last month.
East Side sports bar where 3 people were fatally shot has liquor permit permanently canceled by TABC
Read full article: East Side sports bar where 3 people were fatally shot has liquor permit permanently canceled by TABCAn East Side sports bar where three people were gunned down earlier this month had its liquor permit permanently canceled by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
TABC temporarily suspends liquor license for East Side sports bar where 3 people were fatally shot
Read full article: TABC temporarily suspends liquor license for East Side sports bar where 3 people were fatally shotThe Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission temporarily suspended the liquor license for an East Side bar where a gunman opened fire on a group early Sunday morning, leaving three people dead and two people wounded.
Texas warns Austin restaurants that their liquor licenses could be revoked for requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations
Read full article: Texas warns Austin restaurants that their liquor licenses could be revoked for requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinationsSenate Bill 968, signed into law in June, allows the TABC and other agencies to revoke businesses' state licenses if they make vaccine proof a requirement of getting service.
Texas law now allows alcohol to go from restaurants after Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill
Read full article: Texas law now allows alcohol to go from restaurants after Gov. Greg Abbott signs billAlcohol to go is now law in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed a bill to permanently allow Texans to include alcohol in take-out orders from restaurants, achieving a shared goal of Abbott and restaurateurs.
Affidavit: Underage woman had been drinking at River Walk bar prior to deadly crash in Helotes
Read full article: Affidavit: Underage woman had been drinking at River Walk bar prior to deadly crash in HelotesSAN ANTONIO – An arrest warrant affidavit says a 20-year-old woman involved in a deadly crash in Helotes earlier this year had been drinking at a bar on the River Walk less than two hours prior. Woman arrested in January crash that killed couple, injured 4 childrenThe crash killed husband and wife, Craig Smith, 54, and Susan Smith, 39. Parents of four young children killed in crash in Helotes, officials sayThe employee who conducted the sale also could face misdemeanor charges, according to the TABC. Helotes police are still trying to determine whether the bar involved in this case will be held accountable. Because no violations have been found at this time, KSAT 12 News is not mentioning the bar by name.
TABC agents go undercover to keep alcohol away from minors during spring break
Read full article: TABC agents go undercover to keep alcohol away from minors during spring breakSAN ANTONIO – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is working to keep alcohol away from underage people this spring break by having undercover agents visit liquor stores, bars and other locations where alcohol is sold to ensure laws are followed. With the statewide coronavirus restrictions lifted, agents with TABC will be busy this spring break. AdPorter said that, in years past, the agents conducted anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500 inspections statewide during spring break. “Of those, we generally see about a 95% to 98% compliance rate statewide, including at places like liquor stores and convenience stores,” Porter said. The agency said businesses that sell alcohol to people younger than 21 could face a civil fine or suspension of their license to sell alcohol.
COVID hospitalizations shut down bars in Texas county
Read full article: COVID hospitalizations shut down bars in Texas countyHOUSTON – A Central Texas county has closed its bars after area hospitalizations for COVID-19 exceeded a state mandated limit. McLennan County Judge Scott Felton on Sunday closed bars and reduced capacity to 50% at stores, restaurants and other businesses. In an email, the TABC said it is investigating the Houston night club after last week’s incident. The TABC has received about 3,000 requests from bars seeking reclassification as restaurants in Texas and about 2,800 have been approved. “TABC takes the safety of Texas businesses and their customers extremely seriously,” the agency said Monday in an email.
‘This place is probably going to be gone’: Neighborhood bar unable to convert to restaurant faces closure
Read full article: ‘This place is probably going to be gone’: Neighborhood bar unable to convert to restaurant faces closure“If it lasts for more than two months, this place is probably going to be gone,” Yumol said. According to the TABC, an establishment must have a kitchen, food truck or a designated area where food is prepared. Some bar owners told KSAT they had spent thousands of dollars upgrading plumbing, kitchen equipment, adding staff and creating a menu. Yumol also lacks the staff, and he is frustrated the TABC loophole doesn’t help neighborhood bars like his. “I’m going to be shut down again, and we’re going to have to work second jobs instead, and I’m still going to be angry about this,” he said.
Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas counties can allow bars to reopen. Only 1 of the state’s 10 biggest counties has said it will.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas counties can allow bars to reopen. Only 1 of the state’s 10 biggest counties has said it will.Greg Abbott said Texas counties could allow bars to reopen, only one of the state’s 10 most-populous counties — Denton — has decided to take him up on the offer. “Therefore, following the doctors’ advice, I won't be opening bars at this time.”The same path was followed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. But Denton County announced Wednesday that bars would be opening in the North Texas county. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said he would continue consulting with health authorities before deciding whether to opt in. Among the undecided Texas counties, their own health indicators and how reopening bars could affect progress amid the pandemic are top concerns.
San Antonio-area veterans stage protest urging Gov. Greg Abbott to reopen VFW posts
Read full article: San Antonio-area veterans stage protest urging Gov. Greg Abbott to reopen VFW postsSan Antonio veterans are urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to allow VFW posts to once again reopen their doors. Abbotts office told KSAT 12 News last week that the issue would be resolved, but veterans are asking for more. I want the VFW to open so my friends will come back, Bob Austin, a veteran, said during the protest. Read also:These San Antonio bars have reopened as restaurants under new TABC guidelinesAll citations issued in September for violations of San Antonios Public Health Emergency Declaration
San Antonio bars reinvent themselves with plans to reopen
Read full article: San Antonio bars reinvent themselves with plans to reopenSan Antonio – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has been making changes to the requirements necessary to receive a Food and Beverage Certificate to help more bar owners meet those requirements. Bar owners like Tony Keogh, of Main Street Bar, is adapting to keep their businesses alive. The latest TABC amendment eliminates the need for the business to have a commercial kitchen. The certificate from TABC to be able to reopen will cost about $800, money Keogh says he really cannot afford. Related: Emergency TABC amendment relaxes requirements for Texas bars to reopen as restaurants
Emergency TABC amendment relaxes requirements for Texas bars to reopen as restaurants
Read full article: Emergency TABC amendment relaxes requirements for Texas bars to reopen as restaurantsSAN ANTONIO A new amendment approved by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Tuesday is opening a new path for bars to reopen as restaurants. The amendment to Rule 33.5 will allow bars to more easily qualify for a food and beverage certificate by removing certain requirements that make obtaining the certificate difficult. Texas bars were closed in mid-March, allowed to reopen at 25% capacity on May 22, got the go-ahead to increase capacity to 50% on June 3, and then on June 26, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order to reclose all bars with roughly 3 hours notice. Emergency rules adopted under Government Code 2001.034 may be effective for not longer than 120 days and may be renewed for not longer than 60 days.Read the full amendment below:
These San Antonio bars have reopened under new TABC guidelines
Read full article: These San Antonio bars have reopened under new TABC guidelinesSAN ANTONIO Several San Antonio-area bars have reopened this month after reclassifying as restaurants with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. At the end of July, the state allowed bars with full kitchens to reopen under certain guidelines that fall under Gov. According to TABC guidelines, bars with full kitchens can either apply for a food and beverage certificate or submit an alcohol sales reporting affidavit. You cant serve food from, you know, 8 to 9 p.m., then serve alcohol the rest of the time. In San Antonio, more than two dozens bars have reclassified as restaurants as of Tuesday, according to TABC records.
Some Bexar County bars reclassify themselves as restaurants in order to reopen
Read full article: Some Bexar County bars reclassify themselves as restaurants in order to reopenSan Antonio Some Bexar County bars are beginning to reopen under a new classification, thanks to some changes by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Bars with full kitchens now have two options: They can apply for a Food & Beverage Certificate or submit an Alcohol Sales Reporting Affidavit. If you operate as a restaurant, you have to be willing to serve food for your entire opening hours, Porter said. You cant serve food from, you know, 8 to 9 p.m., then serve alcohol the rest of the time. City of San Antonio officials said they are aware of the reclassification of these bars to restaurants and there are concerns.
Restaurants, bars and breweries scramble to reinvent themselves to get around Gov. Greg Abbott's bar shutdown
Read full article: Restaurants, bars and breweries scramble to reinvent themselves to get around Gov. Greg Abbott's bar shutdownHundreds of Texas bars and restaurants are scrambling to change how they operate, maneuvering through loopholes that will allow them to reopen after being closed by Gov. It allows bars and restaurants to use projected sales numbers instead of requiring past sales to determine if alcohol sales exceed food sales. The Texas restaurant industry is already struggling, with Knight projecting that up to 30% of restaurants in the state could go out of business. Kaufman estimates that the entire process, from hiring new chefs to deal with increased food sales to applying for the permits cost him around $10,000. However, the TABC later released a clarification saying that businesses with more than 51% alcohol sales were not eligible.
TABC says it will shut down bars, revoke licenses if they remain open despite Gov. Abbotts closure order
Read full article: TABC says it will shut down bars, revoke licenses if they remain open despite Gov. Abbotts closure orderSAN ANTONIO The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced Friday that their biggest challenge is handling businesses that are failing to comply with the Governor Abbotts executive order and remain open, forcing the commission to continue revoking alcohol licenses. Before Abbotts order went into effect, bars in the state were able to operate at 50% capacity. The biggest challenge I see lies with industry members who choose to operate in violation of the governors executive order. Not everyone who wants to be in this industry qualifies to do so under the strict requirements imposed by the Alcoholic Beverage Code. According to Nettles, TABC agents will be out in communities across Texas this weekend, just like every other weekend, enforcing the law.
Store clerk sold beer to DWI suspect before fatal Kerr County crash involving motorcycle club members, TABC says
Read full article: Store clerk sold beer to DWI suspect before fatal Kerr County crash involving motorcycle club members, TABC saysAUSTIN, Texas A Hill Country store clerk sold beer to an intoxicated 28-year-old man who crashed his vehicle into a group of motorcycle club members near Kerrville, killing four of them, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officials said. Ranelle Diane Welch, 37, of Center Point, turned herself in to Kerr County authorities Thursday, a news release said. According to TABC officials, Welch was working at a Dollar General store in Center Point around noon on July 18 when she sold beer to Ivan Robles-Navejas, of Center Point. Investigators believe Robles-Navejas was already intoxicated when Welch sold him the alcohol. TABC will hold accountable all businesses and employees who may have contributed to this case by illegally selling alcohol.
Texas Restaurant Association pushes for change to help reopen certain businesses
Read full article: Texas Restaurant Association pushes for change to help reopen certain businessesSAN ANTONIO – Back-and-forth bar and restaurant closures have led to a push for change from the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA). In June, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order which forced Texas bars to close after a surge in COVID-19 cases. “I just had a huge food order come, and he gave us exactly three hours,” he said. The Texas Restaurant Association is showing support for businesses like Specia’s. Specia said Highlanders qualifies as a restaurant, but he is not sure if his business will return.
Gentlemans club on the North Side remains open for business despite governors order to close
Read full article: Gentlemans club on the North Side remains open for business despite governors order to closeSAN ANTONIO Although Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Friday, forcing bars to close at noon due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases, one North Side gentlemans club decided to keep its doors open anyway. Video shows the Monte Carlo Gentlemens Club, located on Cherry Ridge Drive and Interstate 410, was open for business Friday night, despite the governors order to close. The business also posted on its Facebook page Friday night about staying open for business, saying, The only place still open for late night entertainment in San Antonio! The club did receive several calls from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; however, its unclear what measures, if any, will be taken to ensure the business closes under Abbotts order. Greg Abbott says bars must close by noon, restaurants to scale back capacity
2 bars issued permit suspensions for defying Gov. Abbotts order to shut down, agency says
Read full article: 2 bars issued permit suspensions for defying Gov. Abbotts order to shut down, agency saysThe Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission suspended liquor permits for two bars that defied Gov. Greg Abbotts executive order to shut down in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, according to a release. TABC agents visited 628 bars across Texas on Friday, finding 30 originally in violation of Gov. Abbotts order. Following conversations with agents, 28 of those bars then agreed to shut their doors, according to the release.
San Antonio bar temporarily shut down after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials say
Read full article: San Antonio bar temporarily shut down after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials saySAN ANTONIO One San Antonio bar is among 17 that have had their alcohol permits suspended as of Monday by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for allegedly violating COVID-19 health protocols. Burnhouse, located off North Loop 1604 East, was shut down on Monday, according to the TABC. These violations represent a very small number of the 3,500 licensed businesses inspected by TABC since the beginning of May, TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said. The first violation will result in up to a 30-day license suspension, and the second will result in up to a 60-day suspension, TABC said. RELATED: Some San Antonio bar owners decide to shut down amid second wave of COVID-19 infectionsThe standards for operating bars in Texas were drafted by Governor Greg Abbotts Strike Force to Open Texas.
12 Texas bars temporarily lose alcohol permits after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials say
Read full article: 12 Texas bars temporarily lose alcohol permits after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials sayA dozen Texas bars have had their alcohol permits suspended as of Sunday by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for allegedly violating health protocols that can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Protecting the health and safety of Texans during this pandemic is our top priority, Nettles said in a statement. We warned businesses (that) TABC will have no tolerance for breaking the rules, and now, some bars are paying the price. The first violation will result in up to a 30-day license suspension, and the second will result in up to a 60-day suspension, TABC said. RELATED: Some San Antonio bar owners decide to shut down amid second wave of COVID-19 infectionsThe standards for operating bars in Texas were drafted by Governor Greg Abbotts Strike Force to Open Texas.
Five Texas bars lose their alcohol permits for 30 days after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials say
Read full article: Five Texas bars lose their alcohol permits for 30 days after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials sayFive Texas bars have had their alcohol permits suspended by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for allegedly violating health protocols that can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Protecting the health and safety of Texans during this pandemic is our top priority, Nettles said in a statement. We warned businesses (that) TABC will have no tolerance for breaking the rules, and now, some bars are paying the price. The first violation will result in up to a 30-day license suspension, and the second will result in up to a 60-day suspension, TABC said. Related: Some San Antonio bar owners decide to shut down amid second wave of COVID-19 infectionsThe standards for operating bars in Texas were drafted by Governor Greg Abbotts Strike Force to Open Texas.
TABC to bar, restaurant operators: Follow governors order or face suspension
Read full article: TABC to bar, restaurant operators: Follow governors order or face suspensionAs bars and restaurants have begun reopening, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is warning all operators that they must follow the states protocols or they face license suspension. San Antonio River Walk reopens after being closed due to COVID-19 pandemicIt is essential that bars and restaurants follow the public safety checklist developed by the governors Strike Force to Open Texas, TABC Executive Director Bentley Nettles said. There is nothing more important than the health and safety of Texans as we reopen, and there are consequences for businesses that do not follow the rules. Hills & Dales Ice House to close amid COVID-19 concernsA first offense will result in a 30-day license suspension, according to TABC, and a second will result in a 60-day suspension. Click here to find all TABC resources for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
In Texas, can you buy a cocktail to-go that’s already mixed?
Read full article: In Texas, can you buy a cocktail to-go that’s already mixed?(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Greg Abbott, in an effort to reopen Texas, announced an executive order which allows non-essential retail businesses to operate via pick-up and delivery service starting on April 24. Since the announcement was made, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) received many questions on how the order impacts the alcoholic beverage industry. Here are the TABC’s guidelines for to-go alcohol sales: