Alcohol

A bill has been introduced in the Kansas Senate, S.B. 313 that would allow people to bring full strength beer and liquor into places managed by the Department of Wildlife, including El Dorado lake. Click Here to Read the Bill Right now, only 3.2 beer or what's often called 'grocery store' beer is allowed at state parks. "From a law enforcement standpoint, it really doesn't mean a whole to us," explains Park Ranger Seth Turner. He says people are already bringing stronger alcohol into the lake and the 3.2 rule can be hard to enforce.

A 57-year-old man is improving after crashing into a tree near Mt. Vernon and Clifton early Wednesday morning. Police say they tried to pull the man over for having his brights on near Harry & Erie. They say he refused to pull over, and the officer chased him for a short time.  Police say the driver ran stop signs and reached speeds of 50 miles per hours through side streets during the chase. He then crashed into a tree near Mt. Vernon and Clifton.  That tree fell over onto a light pole and blew out a transformer.

Wichita police say nine criminal charges will be filed after a liquor store compliance check Wednesday evening. Police say 30 Wichita businesses were checked, of them six sold alcohol to minors.  An additional three charges were filed for other liquor license violations. The businesses cited are Dave's Liquor Store (847 S Oliver),  Phillips 66 Gas Station (1250 S. Rock Rd.), Wichita Suites (5211 E Kellogg), Hilton Garden Inn (2041 N Bradley Fair Parkway), Noodles and Co. (3300 N Rock Rd)

Getting drunk drivers off the road is one of the main missions for the Kansas Highway Patrol. "We spend a great deal of time in that area," said LT David Hundley with the Kansas Highway Patrol. That's why when the latest numbers of alcohol related fatalities came out, they were surprised. "Obviously it's frustrating for us being as how it's one of our largest focuses," Hundley said. While nationally, the number drunk driving fatalities fell almost 5% in 2010, they actually increased in Kansas by about 36% and according to Federal Transportation officials that's the Country's second biggest increase behind New York.

You've probably seen them on the store shelves. Retail breathalyzer tests that claim to tell you what your blood alcohol level is. How accurate are these breathalyzer tests. Many bottles will be popped open on New Year's Eve, but the last thing drinkers want is to get "popped" for drunk driving. The legal blood alcohol level in Kansas is .08 some drug store breathalyzers claim they are able to tell you what your blood alcohol level is. "I'm interested to see how it turns out compared to our Intoxilyzer," said Deputy Kenneth Kooser with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.

A Wichita Department Spokesman calls the results of a Friday night alcohol compliance check "promising". WPD officers and agents with the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Department conduction a club compliance check on 43 bars and nightclubs. They were checking for administrative violations as well as underage drinkers. Spokesperson Lt. Doug Nolte says there weren't any underage drinking violations at any of the establishments. Two businesses were cited for other violations, one was described as an "entertainment violation", the other was for not properly displaying their license.

Two Wichita State baseball players were hurt in a car crash over the weekend and investigators believe alcohol was involved.  The one vehicle crash happened late Friday night on a gravel road near Braman Oklahoma. WSU pitcher Tobin Mateychick has already been released from the hospital.  He suffered a concussion and numerous bruises after being ejected and thrown 43 feet.  His teammate, pitcher Zach Beringer wasn't as lucky.  Eyewitness News has learned the 19-year-old needs back surgery for his injuries.  He was air lifted to Wesley Medical Center Friday night and remains in serious condition.

Wichita police believe alcohol was a factor in a late-night crash that sent two people to the hospital. The accident happened on Fairview near 21st and Waco just before 10:30. Police say the 54-year-old driver lost control of the car and slammed into a large tree. The driver remains in critical condition.  His wife was also hurt, she suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries. Police believe speed and alcohol were factors.  They say the driver has a history of alcohol-related incidents.

Two people are hurt after a fight in southeast Wichita early Friday morning. Police were called to the 1600 block of S. Yale just after 2:00 after two men started fighting. Polie say a 39-year-old was stabbed. That man was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. A 50-year-old man was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the fight. No word on any arrests.