LIQUOR CONTROL SUSPENDS AREA BUSINESSES' LICENSES

State regulators have suspended the liquor licenses of several area establishments, effective this week, for charges ranging from assault to unlawful sale to a minor.

Two Cape Girardeau businesses and one Sikeston convenience store had their liquor licenses suspended, said Hope Whitehead, state supervisor of the Division of Liquor Control. In Cape Girardeau, licenses were suspended for Peppy's Sports Bar in Cape Girardeau, Cut-Mart Convenience Store on Route K, west of Cape Girardeau near Gordonville. Larry's Quick Sack & Deli in Sikeston also has a suspended license.

The revocation of the liquor license of a second Sikeston business, Ella's Package Store, has been stayed pending an appeal.

Liquor Control chief enforcement officer J. T. Taylor said the suspensions were based on police reports and investigations, and range from six to 30 days.

If upheld on appeal Ella's Package Store's license revocation will be permanent.

Peppy's Sports Bar, whose Cape Girardeau liquor license was not renewed by the city council following a recommendation by Chief Rick Hetzel, had its state license suspended for 30 days on two counts of failing to report a violent act.

State regulations require bars and liquor stores to report any violent, illegal or improper acts that occur in or around the facility. The management of Peppy's failed to report fights that occurred on the premises on April 15 and June 22, 1997, Taylor said.

Violence also was at the heart of the suspension of Larry's Quick Sack's license, Taylor said.

On Aug. 16, police allege that the store proprietor, Larry Tetley, caught a 12-year-old girl shoplifting and called the police.

When the police arrived, Tetley allegedly became disorderly and an fought with police. Sometime during the fight, police reported Tetley grabbed and shoved the 12-year-old girl.

Although the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney has not filed formal assault charges against Tetley, his license was suspended under the regulations of the state liquor control.

"No matter what prosecutors do, we can still file charges," explained Charles "Speedy" Wagoner, District Supervisor of the Division of Liquor Control.

The charges leveled by liquor control are administrative charges, not criminal charges, Wagoner said.

Cut-Mart had its license suspended for six days, beginning Monday, for two incidents of selling liquor to a minor. The store, which was on probation for a September 1995 violation, sold liquor to a minor on Jan. 20, 1997.