Seven of nine businesses tested in Lakeside and North Bend refused to sell alcohol to minors during recent compliance checks conducted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and North Bend Police Department.

The licensees who refused to illegally sell included, in Lakeside, McKay's Market, 200 S. Eighth St.; the Hauser Store, 68964 Wildwood Drive; and in North Bend, 7-Eleven, 1988 Virginia Ave., North Bend Lanes, 1225 Virginia Ave., Bi-Mart, 2131 Newmark Ave.; Marcy's, 1903 Sherman Ave. and Mamma Mia, Pony Village Mall, 1611 Virginia Ave.

The two businesses that sold were North Lake Resort & Marina, 2090 North Lake Road, in Lakeside; and Kentuck Golf Course, 94469 Golf Course Lane, in North Bend.

Servers and bartenders or licensees whose employees provide alcohol to minors or fail to verify their aged, are subject to OLCC administrative sanctions including fines or license suspensions. Store clerks who sell are cited into court and face at least a $350 fine.

An OLCC inspector, North Bend Police officers and a minor volunteer did the compliance testing May 22 as part of the Coos County Underage Drinking Task Force's effort to curtail drinking by minors, which is a serious problem on the South Coast and throughout the state.

In a compliance test, the volunteers attempt to buy alcohol from licensees or their employees to determine if they are properly checking identification and obeying state law prohibiting alcohol sales to anyone under 21. The minors are supervised by OLCC inspectors or other law enforcement officers, carry their own legal ID and are advised not to disguise their age or encourage the sale of alcohol.

The OLCC offers training to store clerks, service permit holders and others on ID checking and identifying false identification.