Twin Ponds G&CC in New York Mills, N.Y. had its liquor license suspended by the state after staging a large wedding, and DragonRidge CC in Henderson, Nev. was fined $2,000 for four violations stemming from a charity event hosted by an NFL player.
The Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club in New York Mills, N.Y. and DragonRidge Country Club in Henderson, Nev. are in hot water after COVID-19 violations stemming from large gatherings.
Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club had its liquor license suspended by the state after investigators received reports from the Oneida County Department of Health that the licensee admitted to hosting a wedding on August 29 with more than 100 people, WSYR reported. This is twice the legal limit allowed during the pandemic and more than 50 percent of the premises’ legal capacity.
The Oneida County Department of Health reported that patrons weren’t required to wear face coverings, chairs were spaced less than two feet apart and no hand sanitizer was made available, WSYR reported. The licensee also reportedly failed to close off, clean and disinfect areas that had been inhabited by a person who later tested positive for COVID-19.
On September 29, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the state had suspended liquor licenses for 16 bars and restaurants in the state. This brings the total number of licenses suspended during the pandemic to 217.
“Our heightened enforcement efforts are clearly making a difference—leading to more compliance and fewer violations, which has always been the goal,” Cuomo said. “However, some business owners still believe these health and safety measures are optional and we will not hesitate to hold those who recklessly put their fellow New Yorkers’ health and safety at risk accountable. With the start of flu season upon us, colleges and schools opening, and localized coronavirus clusters in the state, we cannot take any chances—and we must continue to enforce the rules that helped us beat back this deadly virus.”
Over the last week, the state’s multi-agency task force conducted 8,634 compliance checks and documented violations at 40 different establishments, WSYR reported. Businesses found in violation face fines up to $10,000 per violation. Egregious violations can result in the suspension of a bar or restaurant’s liquor license.
In Nevada, Las Vegas Raiders’ tight end Darren Waller held his Beyond the Wall charity event at DragonRidge Country Club, KLAS reported. The event was to benefit and raise money for the youth of southern Nevada. Waller’s foundation helps youth avoid and overcome drug and alcohol addiction.
However, the City of Henderson said the September 28 event did not comply with the state’s COVID-19 emergency directives, so the club was fined $2,000 for four violations, KLAS reported. The violations include having more than 50 people in attendance, people not wearing masks, and the lack of getting prior approval for the event.
“On Sept. 29, the City of Henderson was made aware of an event that was held at DragonRidge Country Club on Sept. 28 that did not comply with the governor’s COVID-19 emergency directives,” the city said in a statement. “The City’s Business Operations Division performed a compliance investigation and has issued a notice of violation to DragonRidge. The business was assessed a penalty of $2,000 based on a fine of $500 for each of four violations: employees/customers were in violation of the face-covering requirement; the event caused more than 50 people to gather; common areas where personnel are likely to gather remained open; and the live event was held without prior approval from the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations. DragonRidge has 30 calendar days to respond to the notice and pay the penalty or dispute the notice of violation.”
City spokeswoman Kathleen Richards told the Las Vegas Journal Review that the city launched an investigation September 29 and determined that employees and patrons were not wearing masks, the venue did not close common areas and the event was held without prior approval from the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations. It also violated Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s directive against events with more than 50 people in attendance.
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