Madsen’s seeks to dismiss injunction; hearing scheduled for Wednesday

A Lincoln bowling alley and pool hall is seeking to dismiss an injunction filed by the city to shut it down for not following health measures related to COVID-19. 

A Lincoln bowling alley and pool hall is seeking to dismiss an injunction filed by the city to shut it down for not following health measures related to COVID-19.

Madsen’s Bowling & Billiards filed a motion Tuesday saying the city has failed “to allege great or irreparable injury” as required by state law.

A judge is scheduled to hear the case Wednesday afternoon.

On Saturday, the business refused to close for 24 hours after the city had received multiple allegations of DHM violations.

City Attorney Yohance Christie said Tuesday afternoon that officials tried to educate the business about the health measures, and when that was ignored they chose to take legal action.

“We have decided to treat this as a civil matter,” he said.

Answering a question of whether the business could receive a pardon if the injunction was successful, Christie said a pardon would not be applicable because it’s not a criminal complaint.

Health Director Pat Lopez said no other closure orders have been issued since the one against Madsen’s. She said officials continue to monitor complaints and are working with business – downtown bars in particular – to continue to provide education and guidance about how to navigate the measures and keep people safe.

“We want our businesses to be open, we want them to thrive as much as possible,” she said.

A 16th COVID-19 death was reported in Lancaster County Tuesday, as well as 32 new cases.