The St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board on Oct. 11 approved a change to the listed officers/members for LongHorn Steakhouse and heard enforcement and prevention updates from county staff.

The board voted to delete Nancy P. Pinkham and add Robert T. Ricketts as an officer/member for LongHorn Steakhouse. The motion was approved by voice vote with no discussion recorded.

Sergeant Steve (Dr.) Myers, the county's alcohol enforcement coordinator, reported that in the most recent reporting period the unit conducted 10 alcohol compliance checks and 10 tobacco checks with zero violations; there were 14 DUI arrests during the same period. "For February, conducted 10 alcohol compliance checks, 0 violations," Myers reported, also noting one alcohol violation and citation on Great Mills Road tied to a separate police unit. Inspector Garland Thompson said he inspected 15 establishments and completed two follow-ups for the month; he and staff also taught a response-by-call service training class on Sept. 25.

Mary Ellen Kreese, prevention and outreach administrator for the St. Mary's County Health Department, told the board that interviews are underway to fill the county's Community Alcohol Coalition coordinator position and that the department has partnered with the College of Southern Maryland and St. Mary's College of Maryland on student alcohol-awareness work. Kreese also said the department will conduct high-school focus groups after survey results indicated many students obtain alcohol from private residences and neighborhoods.

Other business items noted to the board: a previously requested extension for an event at the Fireside Event Center was withdrawn after the organizer decided to hold the event indoors and thus did not need the premise extension; board administrator Tammy Hildebrand reminded licensees to update mailing addresses ahead of renewal packet mailings and reminded operators that Daylight Saving Time does not grant an extra hour of operation.

The officer/member change for LongHorn Steakhouse and the routine enforcement and prevention updates require routine follow-up by staff; no new enforcement actions or penalties were reported at the meeting.