Justices Return Liquor License to Newberry Club

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ The South Carolina Supreme Court has given a Newberry private club its liquor license back after deciding state agents and revenue officials were too strict in their enforcement of rules over who can be a guest to the club. In a 3-2 decision Wednesday, the justices said an undercover State Law Enforcement Division agent was denied entry to the Blue Moon Sports Bar and ordered to call a number. A club employee who answered the call made him an official guest. The state Revenue Department revoked the club’s license, saying a phone call couldn’t make someone a “bona fide” guest under state law. But the justices say regulations only require the club manager to make a prior arrangement to let a guest in, and the phone call was enough.