1 a.m. alcohol sales cutoff one step closer in JC

On-premises alcohol sales after 1 a.m. in Johnson City is one step closer to becoming reality. The Johnson City Commission unanimously approved the ordinance on second reading Thursday night, but will have to pass it again on third reading for final approval. The ordinance was amended after downtown business owners expressed concern about being “singled out.” City leaders have cited public safety and increased violent crime downtown as the reason for the change. Commissioner Todd Fowler said he was open to changing the “last call” time to 2 a.m. instead of the proposed 1 a.m. before the final vote on the ordinance. Commissioners also said they wanted to hear more from the sheriff’s office about the agency’s plan to increase patrols downtown before the final vote.