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Mail Tribune Local News Section
April 17, 2007

Bone Yard Pub may reopen soon

The Bone Yard Pub, which gained notoriety two weeks ago after a wild rooftop party led to five arrests, may reopen this week after being shut down for building code violations, but the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has yet to decide whether its owner will keep his license.

Medford building officials closed the bar at 404 E. Main St. two days after the arrests, citing building code violations. OLCC's state review board is studying the case, but the board decided not to take immediate action against bar owner Duncan Hunter of Central Point, said Katie Hilton, OLCC's regional manager.

"We're not doing an emergency suspension of a license," Hilton said.

She said the state review board felt that the incident did not merit an emergency suspension.

Hilton said Hunter is scheduled to have a meeting with the district inspector today. She said she understands Hunter is trying to reopen this week.

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According to Medford police reports, officers were summoned to the area at about 7 a.m. April 1 by a 9-1-1 caller who said people were throwing bottles, pallets, a garbage can and an alternator off the roof and onto Riverside Avenue and Main Street. As officers walked into the area from Eighth and Bartlett streets, they could hear glass breaking on the pavement.

Police said Hunter was on the roof with Cassie Keesee of Medford and Devon Rose of Central Point. Hunter was arrested on charges of felony criminal mischief, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and reckless endangering. Keesee and Rose were arrested and charged them with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Two bar employees, Clarence Hildenbrand and Brooke Pilcher, were arrested on charges of consuming alcohol while working for a licensed premises and were taken to the county sobering center.

On April 3 the bar was officially closed by the Medford Building Department for permit violations, including safety and health violations.

Chris Reising, building director, said the city is finalizing the permits, which Hunter could soon pick up.

Reising said the electrical and plumbing work were his biggest concerns. He said it may be possible for Hunter to complete the work and pass inspection in time to open this week.

"Theoretically it could happen by Friday," said Reising, "if the stars align."

Hilton said she expected an OLCC decision within a couple weeks.

"We're probably going to want to keep an eye on what charges come out of that," she said. "It isn't technically unlawful until there's a conviction. He could be exonerated on those charges, he could plead down to something less."

The business and the involved employees could face fines and license suspensions or cancellations.

The deputy district attorney in charge of the case, Mandi Gould, said she had made no decision about the charges.

"They're still pending," she said.

Hunter declined an interview Monday.

"I'm not making any comments at this point," he said.

Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.

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