Political couple could lose their bars liquor license

Derrick and Autumn Lehrke, shortly after he was elected to Cottage Grove City Council and she was elected to the Washington County board in 2010. (Ben Garvin / Pioneer Press)


The Newport City Council has decided enough is enough and issued an ultimatum to Opinion Brewing Co. owners Derrick and Autumn Lehrke.

If building inspectors and fire marshals do not sign off on improvements by June 30 — when their current liquor license expires — the city will not renew their license.

City officials say the Lehrkes still have electrical inspections that need to be completed and building and fire code violations to correct, including installing a fire alarm system. Inspection and building code problems have been an issue since at least September 2016.

Mayor Dan Lund said the renewal of the liquor license will be “on the satisfaction of four conditions,” including getting and completing the electrical permit, keeping property taxes current, receiving a certificate of occupancy, and blocking off the bowling alley area of the building until a building permit is approved.

Read more: http://www.twincities.com/2017/06/23/newport-gives-ultimatum-to-bar-owned-by-political-couple-derrick-and-autumn-lehrke/