NC liquor stores in limbo as panel is short-handed

RALEIGH -- Hundreds of alcohol violation cases and three North Carolina communities who want to open a tax-generating liquor store are in bureaucratic limbo. The three-member state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is down to a single member. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Tuesday that means plans to open liquor stores in Pilot Mountain, Spruce Pine, and Currituck County are on hold until the state commission approves them. About 250 violation cases are backlogged. The ABC Commission's chairman resigned in May after forwarding an e-mail message containing a racist illustration. Another commission member stepped down last year. Gov. Beverly Perdue's administration said appointments filling the empty seats could come this week. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)