FRED LOVE, Courier Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES - A Clinton bar faces the revocation of its liquor license for allegedly failing to comply with Iowa's public smoking ban, becoming the third Iowa bar to face such a penalty for smoking violations.

The Iowa Attorney General's office filed a complaint against Manning's Whistle Stop today after the Iowa Department of Public Health received 22 public complaints that the bar was violating the smoking ban between July 5 and Aug. 20.

Public health officials have sent three notices of potential violation to the bar since July, according to the complaint.

Clinton police observed individuals openly smoking in the bar and employees doing nothing to stop them during checks on Sept. 17 and Aug. 8, according to the complaint.

Police officers also noted that the required "no smoking" signs had not been posted in the establishment.

No hearing had been scheduled on the matter today.

The Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division will hold hearings in October on alleged smoking ban violations at Fro's Pub 'n Grub in Wilton and Otis Campbell's Bar & Grill in West Burlington.

The law allows for bars and restaurants to lose liquor licenses for violations of the smoking ban.

Contact Fred Love at (515) 243-0138 or fred.love@lee.net.