Rice County approves temporary liquor and gambling licenses for Saint Patrick, Holy Cross and Muse Resorts

The Rice County Board of Commissioners on March 10 approved several temporary alcohol- and gambling-related permits, including multiple requests tied to the Church of Saint Patrick in Shieldsville, a temporary malt liquor license for Holy Cross Catholic Schools in Webster, and a one-year renewal for Muse Resorts on Cedar Lake.

County staff presented the requests and confirmed each had received required local and sheriff approvals. The board approved the Saint Patrick malt liquor request, two separate tax-exempt gambling licenses (one noted for March 20 and another for October 10), and a one-day consumption and display permit that staff described as allowing the holder to display liquor at a bar and serve hard liquor during the specified one-day event. Commissioners asked a brief procedural question about whether a display permit permitted advertising; staff replied the permit applies to display at the bar for the day.

The board also approved Holy Cross Catholic Schools’ temporary malt liquor license for May and accepted Muse Resorts’ renewal of a consumption and display permit for the period 04/01/2026–03/31/2027. All motions passed without recorded opposition.

The approvals are routine quorum votes consistent with county licensing practice; staff said required township and sheriff approvals were on file for the events. No new policy changes related to alcohol or gambling licensing were proposed during the discussion.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the approvals, including a lengthy drainage authority presentation and multiple procurement requests.