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Forest City council suspends L&H Stores’ tobacco and alcohol permits after revocation motion fails
Summary
At a special meeting April 20, 2026, the Forest City Council voted to suspend City Permit No. 2025-26-7 (tobacco) for six months and suspend License No. LE0004397 (Class E retail alcohol) for six months for L&H Stores LLC; an earlier motion to revoke the tobacco permit failed 3-4. The minutes record the council’s action as based on alleged illegal activity at the premises.
The Forest City Council voted on April 20, 2026, to suspend two permits for L&H Stores LLC after recording an intent to take action based on alleged illegal activity at the business that the council said created "an immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare." Mayor Ron Holland called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmember Brad Buffington moved and Councilmember Marcia Tweeten seconded a motion to revoke City Permit No. 2025-26-7 (Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor). The minutes record roll call votes as follows: Al Stokka—No; Karl Wooldridge—No; Brad Buffington—Yes; Carly Carper—No; Dan Davis—No; Marcia Tweeten—Yes; Nicolas Determann—Yes. The motion to revoke failed by a 3-4 vote.
Councilmember Dan Davis then moved and Councilmember Karl Wooldridge seconded a motion to suspend Permit No. 2025-26-7 for six months. The minutes record the subsequent roll call as carried unanimously; the permit suspension was adopted.
Separately, Councilmember Karl Wooldridge moved and Councilmember Nicolas Determann seconded a motion to suspend License No. LE0004397 (Class E Retail Alcohol) for six months. Roll call votes were recorded as Al Stokka—No; Karl Wooldridge—Yes; Brad Buffington—Yes; Carly Carper—Yes; Dan Davis—Yes; Marcia Tweeten—Yes; Nicolas Determann—Yes; the suspension passed 6-1.
The minutes state the actions were taken "based on illegal activity conducted on the premises that creates an immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare." The record does not include statements from L&H Stores LLC or other evidence presented at the meeting; the minutes do not record an appeal or a staff report in the text provided.
With no further business, Councilmember Marcia Tweeten moved and Councilmember Karl Wooldridge seconded to adjourn; the motion carried unanimously. Betty Burress, city clerk, attested the minutes.
The council’s actions are recorded in the minutes as suspensions; the record does not state whether further administrative or enforcement steps are planned or whether the licensee has remedies available under local code.
