Top Stories

Owners of Westmoreland County tavern hit with cease-and-desist order say they plan to fight it

PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Westmoreland County tavern has been ordered to stop having outdoor concerts after neighbors complained about noise and large crowds, according to our news partners at TribLIVE.

Owners of SchoolHouse Tavern on Main Street in Claridge were served a cease-and-desist order on Sept. 18 to stop holding outdoor concerts. Penn Township officials said the concerts are not allowed in that zoning district, TribLIVE reports.

The owners, who said the business has been hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions, said they are following the rules and plan to fight the order. They also told TribLIVE the customers are outside and are told to wear masks when they can’t practice social distancing.

If you want to receive BREAKING NEWS ALERTS, please download our WPXI News App. You can also follow WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.

Neighbors complained to police that not only are the concerts loud, but they draw crowds of 250 people or more. One person told TribLIVE that a recent concert was so loud they had to take their kids to their grandparents' home because they could not sleep.

The township and tavern owners have met on several occasions according to TribLIVE, and reached an initial agreement for there to be music for people taking advantage of outdoor seating. Township officials said that has now expanded into concert events which is a violation.

The tavern has another concert scheduled for Saturday but may reconsider.

Penn Township police have referred the concert complaints to the state’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, according to TribLIVE.