Through a back and forth effort last week, it was ruled the four liquor stores in Whiteclay will not be able to legally sell alcohol after April 30th.
The stores closed up one day early - shutting their doors Sunday.
SEE RELATED: Whiteclay beer stores to halt sales after all
The four stores provide about 3.5 million cans of beer a year, mainly to a dry Pine Ridge Reservation, a walking distance away from the town of Whiteclay, and a community that suffers from alcoholism and a high rate of fetal alcohol syndrome.
SEE RELATED: State denies liquor licenses in Whiteclay
Last year the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission requested the four stores reapply for liquor license renewal. During a hearing in early April, the commission heard 10 hours of testimony, and ultimately ruled there was not enough law enforcement in the area and denied the license renewal.
SEE RELATED: NE Liquor Control Commission holds Whiteclay liquor licenses hearing
Thursday Judge Andrew Jacobsen overturned that decision stating:
1.) The NLCC’s decision was arbitrary and unreasonable
2.) The NLCC’s decision exceeds NLCC’s statutory authority
3.) The NLCC’s decision is contrary to Nebraska statutes and prior ruling of the Nebraska Supreme Court.
The Attorney General’s office appealed Jacobsen’s decision and then the NLCC said they will not renew the licenses.
People who drink in the town of Whiteclay were angry they stores are being shut down.
"I am mad they shut down my hometown, I live up here too,” said one man who was drinking Saturday night, “This is all my people around here man, so why you white people come up here and shut us down?”
With the supply of beer being cut off in Whtieclay, nearby towns are worried they will now become to supplier.
“As long as they are on the road, they are drinking and up putting everyone else in danger,” said Gordon resident Lisa Saxton.
“Probably we are going to see increase theft, burglary increase, knocking on doors begging,” said Rushville farmer Ron Fisher.
Fisher said closing the stores is violating private rights, “To take away the livelihood of someone with no legal means is probably showing our state being out of control,” he said.
Many people in town expressed concern over the alcohol problems the reservation deals with, but they don’t feel this is the answer to solving that problem.
“I understand what people are saying, I’m sorry that alcohol is there, and so many go there to purchase it, but is safer for them to be closer where they can walk as opposed to drive?” said Saxton.
There is still an appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court, but after the NLCC’s decision on Thursday to renew the licenses, the stores will not open up during that appellate process.
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