By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A sting conducted by area law officers and members of Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control resulted in the arrest Wednesday night of a bartender and a manager at Twisters Club, 136 S. Highway 69.
Fletcher Hill, lead agent for the investigation with the state agency, said two 18-year-old women who were undercover showed their IDs to the bartender before being served drinks.
Bartender Jennifer R. Bishop, 27, of Pittsburg, was arrested on two counts of furnishing intoxicants to minors.
Club manager Daniel R. Hofer, 47, of Arma, also was arrested. He is accused of violating a county resolution that mandates that a drinking establishment maintain a ratio of food sales of 30 percent if people younger than 21 are to be allowed to enter.
In addition to court hearings on the charges, penalties could be imposed on the club, according to Hill.
“It could be anything up to a monetary fine and revocation of the liquor license,” he said. “That’s a separate administrative hearing (from the charges).”
Hill said he did not know whether any previous stings had been conducted on employees of Twisters, but he noted that his agency previously had assisted the state fire marshal’s office with some “capacity concerns.”
Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton said the owners of Twisters were “flagrantly violating” the county’s ordinance regarding food sales.
“They were in direct violation,” he said. “They were not selling food. There was no food on the premises. They did not even attempt to comply in the slightest way.”
Horton said Wednesday’s sting is the latest in a long string of incidents at the club, including a report of shots fired last Wednesday after the bar closed.
“Deputies responded and found a small pool of blood in the parking lot,” he said. “No local hospitals reported gunshot victims. At this point, we still don’t have a clear understanding of the event.
“There’s nothing close to this anywhere else in the county. To date in 2007, we’ve responded to 12 fight calls and arrested four people, two burglary calls, two hit-and-runs. Glancing at 2006, there are at least 35 calls at Twisters. You’re talking about a place that’s only open three days a week.”
Twisters is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Pittsburg police said they also have responded to calls at the club.
When reached Thursday at the club for comment, owner Pete Hofer Jr., also of Arma, declined to comment, pending a discussion with his lawyer.
“I really don’t know what’s taken place,” said Hofer, who said he was not at the club on Wednesday night when the sting was conducted.
Sheriff’s plan
Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton said Thursday that he plans to speak with state officials and the Crawford County prosecutor about filing an injunction against the club.
“I will ask, but I don’t know if I’ll get one,” he said. “There’s nothing that would restrict their operation at this time. As long as they’re open, they can certainly expect frequent law enforcement visits.”
Local News
Alcohol sting latest incident at bar
- Local News
-
-
Volunteers from Tuscaloosa paying it forward in Joplin
As the teens moved farther along the bleachers they were painting, splotches of bright red paint kept appearing where it didn’t exactly belong. On the ground. On their arms and legs. On their clothing.
-
Webb City mural taking shape at corner of Main, Broadway
Last Thursday, the north wall of the Middlewest Building at Main Street and Broadway was white. Eighteen gallons of paint and a whole lot of red Solo cups later, it will be a completed community mural depicting the Webb City Farmers Market.
-
Filing deadline approaching for county offices in Kansas
The candidacy filing deadline for those seeking Kansas county offices that are subject to the Aug. 7 primary election is noon Friday.
-
Economic development strategies emerge from Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative meeting
More than 30 people shared ideas Wednesday on ways to promote economic development in the seven counties that are participating in the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative.
-
Mike Pound: Singing the praises of music teacher
When I was in sixth grade, Sister Susan, the music teacher at St. Xavier’s Catholic School, walked over to me while I and my fellow students were singing at Easter midnight Mass and said a bit loudly: “Mike, don’t sing.”
-
Electric bill to drop $6 a month in Joplin
The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by The Empire District Electric Company, based in Joplin, to lower the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) on the bills of its electric customers.
-
Mo. Legislature officially ends its 2012 session
Missouri's annual legislative session has officially come to a close.
-
Strong to severe storms forecast for Joplin region
Storms developing across the central and southern plains this afternoon are expected to migrate into the Joplin region this evening.
-
Economic-development strategies posed for Joplin region
More than 30 people shared ideas Wednesday on ways to promote economic development in the seven counties that are participating in the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative.
-
Kansas primary filing deadline near
Kansas candidates have until noon Friday for file for county offices in the Aug. 7 primary.
- More Local News Headlines
-
