HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — Despite the lifting of the state’s curfew, Ohio agents are continuing their crackdown on liquor establishments for not following other public health orders put in place by Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.

New Manhattan, Inc. known as New Manhattan, 7262 Hubbard Masury Road, was cited earlier this week by the Ohio Investigative Unit on a charge of improper conduct-disorderly activity.

According to a news release from the OIU, agents “observed approximately 100 patrons inside the overcrowded establishment. There were no social distancing measures in place and patrons were intermingling with other social groups throughout the premises.”

Al McClung, owner of The New Manhattan said “From the beginning of all these lockdowns, our only priority was to keep our employees in a paycheck, so they could feed their families. I never feared our government until this year. When they say you can’t fight city hall, it’s true. I guess we won’t sing, we won’t dance, we won’t laugh until Gov. DeWine says we can.”

The case will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalties, including fines and / or the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.

This was the latest in a string of citations by the OIU, which is a division of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. E & E Enterprises, known as the Colebrook Lounge in Orwell in southern Ashtabula County, was cited Feb. 28 for improper conduct / disorderly activity. Agents and deputies from the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office observed patrons closely congregating and occupying consecutive seats at the bar. Little to no social-distancing measures or physical barriers were in place, according to a news release.

Titsy Bull, 1931 W. Market St. in Warren, was cited March 20, 2020, for “allowing persons to engage in disorderly activities,” the commission stated in a news release. The bar was cited again Oct. 1 for violating the state’s 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

El Cowboy Tex Mex Grille, 1739 S. Raccoon Road in Austintown, was cited Jan. 22 for improper conduct and disorderly activity under state COVID-19 restrictions

The bar was cited when OIU agents observed around 100 patrons dancing, congregating and moving freely while a live band was performing around 8:45 p.m., according to a release from the state agency. Seats at the bar were occupied with no social-distancing measure in place, and patrons were standing at the bar, the release stated.

Tommy Dogg’s on state Route 46 in Niles and The Rig on East Market Street in Howland were cited in early January for violations of Gov. Mike DeWine’s 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, which is no longer in effect.

Tommy Dogg’s was operating at 10:35 p.m. with around 25 people drinking in the bar. The Rig had around 50 people drinking at 10:55 p.m., according to a release from OUI that did not include dates. The Rig also was previously cited for the same activities.