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State police: Chester bar violated governor’s order

By STEPHANIE UJHELYI 1 min read
UNDER INVESTIGATION — The Veterans of Foreign Wars lodge in Chester appears to be in trouble with the State of West Virginia, after being caught serving on-site alcoholic beverages at their bar. -- Stephanie Ujhelyi

CHESTER -- A local social organization could potentially lose its liquor license for allegedly violating state coronavirus orders.

According to Sgt. C.J. Gibson of the West Virginia State Police, officers responded shortly after 8:43 p.m. April 24 to the Chester Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6450 on Carolina Avenue for a complaint by the Hancock County Health Department.

Gibson said three staff members and one patron were present in the building, where there allegedly were alcoholic beverages on the bar in violation of Gov. Jim Justice's executive orders.

Order 2-20 prohibited "on-premises consumption to avoid unreasonable numbers from congregating" in bars and restaurants, while 9-20 ordered all non-essential businesses to "temporarily cease operations."

While no one was individually charged for the violations as of Tuesday, there appears to be pending action against the VFW's liquor license by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, according to Gibson, who is the commander for the WVSP detachment in Hancock County.

Calls to the ABCA and county health department had not been returned as of Thursday.

Starting at /week.