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More Evidence that Mandatory Carding is Working: Fort Wayne

Retailers Spend nearly $1 million in Dallas for Expanded Alcohol Sales

Today's Online Poll Question

Visit Project RAD today and take our latest poll:

Do you believe the expansion of alcohol sales boosts economic development in Indiana?

Here's the wrap-up from our last poll question:

West Lafayette Police said there were no spikes in arrests over Homecoming Weekend, reporting the numbers as similar to a "normal weekend" with a large amount of traffic from visitors.

"It was much more of a normal weekend, considering the amount of people in town," said Lt. Bill Gallagher.

There were 33 weekend arrests, of which 25 were alcohol related. Most of these arrests were for public intoxication, while a few were made for operating while intoxicated and minor consumption.

At the Purdue Homecoming game, 10 arrests were made. There were 13 incidents involving alcohol.

Andrea Neal

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers recognized Andrea Neal at its recent annual meeting with its "Excellence in Media" award. Neal has written a number of statewide columns on Indiana alcohol issues, including how difficult it is for communities to remonstrate before local alcohol boards.

Neal's attention to the issue came when the Deerfield, Illinois-based drugstore chain filed an unprecedented number of new permit requests to sell alcohol in Indiana.

Walgreens filed 183 permit applications for alcohol sales at retail locations around the state. The majority of those permits have been approved by the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.

Indiana Ortho Hospital Now Serving Booze

Would you like a glass of wine with your knee replacement surgery?

Officials at Parkview Ortho Hospital in Fort Wayne are now allowing patients or family members to bring alcohol into the hospital for those whose doctors have approved alcohol consumption.

The Ortho Hospital, which has 37 beds, serves about 3,500 patients a year for inpatient and outpatient procedures. About two-thirds of patients stay at least one night, and each patient has a coach to help with rehabilitation.

Patients and their therapy coaches share a meal just before the patient is released and can choose from steak or salmon. Dr. William Berghoff says some patients enjoy wine with the meal.

"You'd be amazed how many people do that," he said. "It's not post-op Day 1. It's usually post-op Day 2."

A Little Wine with Your Venti Macchiato?

Move over Walgreens.

Starbucks is the next large chain that wants to get into the business of selling alcohol, perhaps in Indiana and across the nation.

USA Today was given an exclusive peek inside a Starbucks in Seattle that could become the prototype for the next generation of Starbucks stores: The barista bar has been rebuilt to put customers close to the coffee; regional wines and beers are served; and customers can munch on an expansive plate of locally made cheeses and cured meats.

Click here to read the full article.

Indiana Excise Police Crack Down on Popular Evansville Festival

The Indiana State Excise Police reported that its officers issued 52 citations during the six-day West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in Evansville. Officers issued summonses for offenses that included possession of tobacco by a juvenile, consumption of alcohol by a minor, and possession of marijuana.

According to a news release, 45 of the citations were for underage possession of tobacco.

While Indiana State Excise Police officers, who work for the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission, can enforce any state laws, they primarily focus on alcohol, tobacco and related violations.

Source: Evansville Courier & Press