Free Republic

Credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office ******************************************************************** Someone find the world’s smallest violin. An illegal alien and an alleged Tren de Aragua gangster broke down like a baby being arrested in connection with a violent liquor store robbery spree across central Florida, authorities said. Ramon Jesus Carpintero-Luna, 26, was caught alongside four other suspects tied to a series of armed heists that targeted more than 30 liquor stores, netting an estimated $30,000 in stolen goods. Many of the thefts involved threats of violence and a specific focus on high-end liquor, including bottles of premium scotch, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s...

DOLTON, Ill. – Embattled Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard was found in contempt of court Friday morning in a case over her alleged refusal to sign off on promised liquor licenses. Attorneys for the owners of St. Patrick’s, a three-story restaurant and banquet hall, said the business will finally be able to open after a judge found Henyard in contempt and forced her to sign the liquor licenses she’d allegedly been stonewalling for months. “It’s been a challenge to put it mildly. It shouldn’t be so difficult. This is an ordinary event to get liquor licenses issued,” Adrian Vuckovich, an attorney...

Photograph shows a metal flask casting a huge shadow that looks like a looming monster, symbolizing hangover anxiety. Is there a way to prevent the unpleasant symptoms that come with a heavy night of drinking? Experts weigh in on common hangover myths. Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Hangover cures are a dime a dozen. Guzzle a few raw eggs. Take an aspirin before bed. Chug a beer in the morning. These remedies promise to banish some of the nasty symptoms that can come with drinking way too much alcohol: headache, nausea, vertigo, anxiety — or all of the above. But...

New Jersey officials are “reviewing” how former President Donald Trump’s liquor licenses for several golf clubs may be impacted by his recent conviction. Officials within the New Jersey Attorney General’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control are “reviewing the impact of President Trump’s conviction” on his liquor licenses for the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, Lamington Farm Club, and Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia in Pine Hill, a spokesperson from the state’s attorney general’s office confirmed to the Hill. The spokesperson added that each of the liquor licenses for the former president’s golf clubs are still active.

A program that offers free booze to the homeless alcoholics that roam San Francisco caught flak this week when a tech CEO questioned the logic of feeding the addictions of the city’s street dwellers. Adam Nathan, founder and CEO of the small business AI marketing tool Blaze and the chair of the Salvation Army San Francisco Metro Advisory Board, posted a thread on X slamming the program after watching a string of unhoused drunks line up for their shots, stating it “just doesn’t feel right.” “Did you know San Francisco spends $2 million a year on a “Managed Alcohol Program?”...

When 2024 Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Dean Phillips took over his family's booze business in 2000 he oversaw a raunchy ad campaign used to sell Revelstoke, a spiced Canadian whisky. The ad campaign used strippers to sell the whisky and suggested men needed to drink more of it to deal with overweight, undesirable women. It also used creative technology so that the name of the whisky brand would show up in urinals as male customers went to the bathroom. Phillips has used his business background as a benefit since launching a political career in the aftermath of former President Donald...

An investigation is underway in Florida after burglars used tractor trailers to steal more than $1.6 million worth of alcohol from a distribution company that carries brands including Jose Cuervo and Malibu. The theft began during the early morning hours on July 8 at Republic National Distributing Company, located in Hillsborough County south of Tampa, according to a newly unsealed search warrant obtained by CNN on October 5. Between between 4:10 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., the thieves removed 4,277 cases of liquor from the company that also distributes alcohol from Franzia Wines and Sutter Home Winery, according to the search...

All Philadelphia Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, as well as one across the border in Cheltenham Township, will be closed Wednesday after at least 18 locations were broken into on Tuesday night. A few stores were open and staffed when people began stealing items. “Fortunately, no employees were hurt, although some were understandably shaken,” Shawn M. Kelly, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, said Wednesday in a statement.

The DeSantis administration stripped a major Miami hotel of its liquor license after hosting a Christmas-themed drag queen show in December with children present despite warnings. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation warned the Hyatt Regency Miami against hosting a "sexually explicit show with children present," but the hotel did anyway, according to a statement from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's office. "Therefore, the Department is revoking the venue’s license for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages," the statement adds. "Sexually explicit content is not appropriate to display to children and doing so violates Florida law. Governor DeSantis...

SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into allegations that senior officials in the state's alcohol regulatory agency violated ethics laws by diverting rare, sought-after bourbons for personal use, the state attorney general said Friday. The officials said they were paying for the whiskey, which can cost thousands of dollars a bottle, but they allegedly used their knowledge and connections at the commission to obtain the products, according to an internal investigation by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The practice had purportedly been going on for many years and involved not only state...

NATIONAL HOT BUTTERED RUM DAY On January 17th, National Hot Buttered Rum Day warms us up during mid-January. #HotButteredRumDay Depending on where you are on this January day, it may be warm, chilly, cold, or frigid. Enjoying a hot buttered rum drink would sure be a good way to warm up if you are in one of the latter three. A mixed drink containing rum, butter, hot water or cider, sweetener, and spices (typically cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves), hot buttered rum is especially favored during the fall and winter months and is sometimes associated with the holiday season. In the...

This week shockwaves were sent through the liquor legal world when Privo filed an antitrust lawsuit against Southern Wine and Spirits (Southern) and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). The complaint takes aim at alleged anti-competitive behavior of Southern and RDNC acting together to destroy Provi’s business and create their own model based on Provi’s success. It shines a light on the concept of wholesalers behaving badly in the marketplace. [snip] Provi, started in 2016, gained momentum with its great and convenient service and signed up national accounts such as Chili’s, Red Robin, Benihana, P.F. Chang’s, Cinemark and AMC Theatres.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The panel that regulates the sale of alcohol in Pennsylvania has ordered the removal of Russian-made products to show solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board took the action Sunday in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The board’s action comes as some other U.S. states have made similar moves, and bars and liquor stores have pulled Russian vodka off their shelves and promoted Ukrainian brands instead. “Given the evolving political-economic climate, it’s just the right thing to do,” said chairman Tim Holden in a statement. Pennsylvania ’s board...

Search resumes of 'vast' preserve for boyfriend of missing 22-year-old Senate Democrats hit roadblock in bid to help millions become U.S. citizens BOSTON (CBS) — Sam Adams is adding even more “spirit” to its brew. The 12th edition of Samuel Adams Utopia has 28% alcohol by volume – so strong that it’s illegal in 15 states, including New Hampshire. The beer is legal in Massachusetts, where bottles can be found at select specialty liquor stores at a suggested retail price of $240 starting on Oct. 11.

South Africa bans liquor sales amid coronavirus surge © Getty Images South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced a new swath of COVID-19 restrictions, including shutting down bars and reimposing a ban on liquor sales. Medical experts are warning that the country’s health system is at risk of being overwhelmed due to rising coronavirus cases coupled with those needing urgent care due to alcohol-fueled incidents. A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus has recently been detected in South Africa that has caused many countries to limit or ban travel to and from the country. According to a report from...

Maryland is ramping up enforcement of coronavirus restrictions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday as the pandemic surges just as people usually gather with family and socialize in bars, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday. In addition to family gatherings on the holiday itself, the night before Thanksgiving has become one of the biggest bar-hopping nights of the year as people return to their hometowns and catch up with old friends over drinks. “I cannot emphasize how reckless that behavior would be this year,” the Republican governor said during a news conference in the State House rotunda in Annapolis. Health officials already...

If I remember correctly, the state of Pennsylvania liquor store employee union voted not to work during the corona state shutdown by our governor. From the standpoint of virus spread our governor's decision to close the state stores did not make a lot of sense. (I drove to Ohio and spent money out of state!!!!!!!!!!!) Does anyone know if Pennsylvania's liquor store employees are getting paid during this shutdown??? What's the chance that the public is ticked enough to now oust the State from the liquor business??

Pennsylvania's system of state-owned liquor stores, closed because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, resumed limited online sales Wednesday only to have the state’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits website fail to keep up with demand. The state's website is accepting a "controlled number" of daily orders but plans to expand as it develops more capacity. The website had an apology posted Thursday morning that told customers that “due to overwhelming demand, the online store is not available at this time.” People looking to reload their booze supply are urged to try again in the coming days.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced an executive order that mandates 100% of the state's workforce "must stay home, excluding essential services," until further notice. That order does not apply to liquor stores, the New York State Liquor Store Association clarified later Friday. "Liquor stores have been deemed an essential business and may remain open," the association said in a press release. "You do not need to reduce your workforce. This applies to all SLA licensed entities as per the SLA." Beverage manufacturing, including alcoholic beverages, is also considered an essential operation, and is included under the state's...

Pa Governor has on short notice closed the Pa unionized liquor licensed stores, which in PA are the only stores. This will cause these horrible bums to be paid while not working and get votes for the worst in life governor. We in PA need your support in defying this ban, which is a socialist government ban on free trade. Here is the number of the PR person for the PLCB (1 717 919 1905 Liquor Board) Elizabeth Brassel and the PA gov's number is 1-717-787-2500 These jerks need a lot of calls. Thanks for your help George