Pizza chain pays DHM fine in Madison County

A pizza chain in northeast Nebraska is paying a fine on Tuesday in Madison County Court. Pizza Ranch in Norfolk was cited for violating a directed health measure.

On October 23rd, the restaurant co-owner, Ryan Achterhoff, pled no contest to the class 5 misdemeanor. The case brought a fine of $100.

Despite the citation, Achterhoff doesn’t have any hard feelings.

“I think that most governments and health organizations agree with that. The science points in that direction. It’s been really challenging and difficult for everyone. We’re really looking forward to the day this is behind us.”

The Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department coordinated with law enforcement in September. Authorities say that, at the time, buffets were not allowed.

The health department also spoke on vending machines and other services, and why directed health mesures restricted some, but not others.

“You don’t have 260 people eating out of a vending machine in a day,” said ELVPHD emergency response coordinator Melanie Thompson. “In addition, the food is all individually wrapped. We were getting a lot of complaints from the public. You know, ‘why can they do it, but Valentino’s can’t have a buffet?”

The US Food and Drug Administration is currently advising restaurants to avoid having buffet style serving.