Rogue River Bar Loses License

By Brad Smith

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. -- The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) suspended the liquor license for a Rogue River bar because of alleged violations of state social distancing and face covering requirements.

According to the OLCC, on Aug. 1, Medford regional office investigators were called to the Jammin' Salmon, located at 6401 Rogue River Hwy. The agency said they were responding to calls from both the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and  Rogue River Police Dept. Law enforcement officers were there to investigate a "large event," JCSO public information officer Mike Moran said.

"On Saturday, at 9:09 p.m., the  JCSO was requested to check on a problem with multiple vehicles parked on Savage Creek near Hwy 99 obstructing the flow of traffic," Moran said. "We also were told that people were walking in the roadway and were believed to be customers of Jammin’ Salmon. A caller indicated a live band at the bar resulted in a crowd overflowing outside. One estimate was 200 people. Reportedly, some patrons took drinks outside the bar service area."

According to a press release, both the JCSO deputies and Rogue River PD officers told patrons to move vehicles and clear the roadway. OLCC conducted their investigation regarding the violations they cited the bar operator for.

The OLCC statement reported that an inspector reported the Jammin' Salmon was "packed with patrons, many spilling out of the bar and carrying away alcohol beverages as they left."

The bar’s inside service areas and outside patios were crowded with several hundred people, with only about 10 percent of them wearing any face coverings, the OLCC said.

The bar owner has been cited for two violations: One for the Oregon Health Authority's current face covering guidance and a second for Phase II reopening rules that require enforced social distancing at bars and restaurants. A video recently posted to the bar's Facebook page showed patrons disregarding social distancing and very few masks were present.

The OLCC investigation is currently ongoing and the agency said that the licensee, listed as Savage Creek Pub and Grub LLC and Stephen Boyd, could face more charges.

The OLCC said (Boyd) could exercise his administrative hearing rights to challenge the recent actions.

"The business may continue to serve food for takeout or delivery, but is not allowed to sell any alcoholic beverages. This includes any sales of beer, cider or wine for off-premises consumption.," the OLCC said.

Since early July, a number of bars and restaurants have been under extra scrutiny as state officials began working to enforce COVID-19 restrictions that have been tightened.

A number of area residents took to social media. Some, like Brian Campbell, claimed there was no pandemic and everything was a hoax. Sue Zonca and others accused the media and even law enforcement of exaggerating the claims. Gov. Kate Brown was the usual target of being a dictator, since some feel the state's COVID-19 restrictions are a threat to their freedoms.

Some even used the racist slur, "China Virus." Not surprising, since the Rogue River community has a history of racism: Local bar owner Joe McPherson has posted similar slurs on social media and some VFW members have publicly said disparaging comments about Colin Kaepernick.

Then came accusations of the pandemic being a Democratic hoax to disrupt the upcoming presidential elections. All that was missing were claims of United Nations troops cruising across Rogue River's Depot Street Bridge or black helicopters and chemtrails.

Or Bill Gates' nefarious plan to inject people with microchips.