Liquor-articles 1866
Get Ready to Sip: Laws Whiskey House’s New Taproom Nears Grand Opening
As a whiskey maker, Al Laws is no stranger to waiting.
Laws, president and founder of Laws Whiskey House in Denver, distilled his first batch of liquor on July 4, 2011. But because time is an essential ingredient in whiskey, it wasn’t until October 2014 that he released the first bottles.
That said, it’s been more than six years since he began the journey to renovate the distillery’s taproom. Both he and local drinkers may soon see the project get to the finish line.
Laws Whiskey House anticipates debuting its new taproom at 1420. S. Acoma St. to the thirsty public in late August or early September. When it does, the space will be significantly bigger – about 4,000 square feet compared to the previous 300 square feet – and include a bar shaking up cocktails with house spirits and mezzanine seating.
The distillery has long had what it calls a “whiskey church” – an area outfitted with pews where folks go to learn about and pay homage to whiskey, Laws said. The new taproom design leans into that ethos with a new, two-story gothic window that lends an elegant feel to the space, he added.
“It’s a great place, but it’s not gonna be open ’til 2 a.m. It’s a place you come for pre-dinner drinks or you have a date or you have a friend in town or you have a quick business thing,” Laws said.
The bar will serve only house-made spirits, but that doesn’t mean the menu is limited to whiskey. Over the years, Laws Whiskey House has no doubt honed its namesake spirit, using only Colorado-grown grains. But the distillery has also made other liquors like vermouth, rum and agave that it plans to integrate into the bar program.
To that end, there will be certain spirits that drinkers can only find in the taproom alongside longtime staples like Four Grain Bourbon Cask Strength, which was recently named the best small-batch bourbon made outside of Kentucky at the World Whiskies Awards.
Part of the expansion includes revamping the Laws Whiskey House tour and eventually adding a rooftop deck where drinkers can take in vistas of the mountains and Mile High City.
But first, Laws simply wants to open. As the distillery’s 13th anniversary approaches, he feels cautiously optimistic about the project coming to fruition.
“The fact we’re so close, it’s a weird kind of hum in your head: ‘Like, are we really? What’s going to keep us from opening?’ That’s the way we think about it now,” he said. “You just can’t feel joy about it until it’s done.”
GERS Fund Sees Losses in Rum Market, Gains in Interest Income
The Matching Fund Special Purpose Securitization Corporation Board of Directors heard the good news at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday but did not touch on the bad news.
The corporation’s capitalized interest account held by Causey Demgen and Moore PC is earning more than anticipated.
Andy Mathes, representing the firm, said the investment this fiscal year earned $5.7 million instead of the $5.1 million expected. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who chairs the board, asked where that money would go. Joel Ephross, also with Causey Demgen, said he was not sure which account it would go to, but no matter which, it would benefit the Virgin Islands.
Bryan said, “So, we have a little change in the bank.”
Another piece of good news for the board is that its operation expenses are predicted to go down. A budget of $700,000 was approved, compared to last year’s budget of $750,000. The Public Finance Authority has assumed the corporation’s administrative duties. Nathan Simmonds, the director of finance administration at the PFA, presented the budget.
Although the budget decreased overall, it will increase in two areas in the upcoming year. Board fees and expenses will go from $55,000 to $90,000, and the PFA administrative fee will go from $154,00 to $159,000.
Simmonds also asked the board to approve payment of $239,000 in PFA invoices. The board did.
The board was formed as part of the plan to prevent the Government Employees’ Retirement System from going bankrupt.
The plan is based on the territory receiving $13.25 for each proof gallon of rum sold stateside from the United States government. The bad news is that because of a lack of action from the U.S. Congress, the territory has only been receiving $10.50 for the last two years.
Simmonds recently told the Senate that there is no indication it will be raised in the upcoming year. He said the government covered the shortfall to GERS in the first year but not in the second year. He said he expected the shortfall to be larger in the upcoming year. This year, it was $34 million.
In other action, the board plans to hold an annual meeting on St. Croix this December. The meeting will include tours of Cruzan and Diageo rum distilleries.
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Now Playing: “The Exorcism”
The search for a missing diver Monday on St. Croix turned into a recovery effort, the V.I. Police Department reported Tuesday.
On Monday at approximately 5:38 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call regarding a missing diver. It was reported that the man went diving off the Fisherman’s Dock in Frederiksted around 9:00 a.m. and had not returned, according to the police report.
Read story: stcroixsource.com/2024/06/25/body-of-missing-diver-found-in-frederiksted/
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Body of Missing Diver Found in Frederiksted
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Cherry Pie Vodka Makes a Splash Just in Time for National Cherry Festival
Gypsy Spirits is releasing a new Cherry Pie Vodka this summer. It’s a collaboration with King Orchards in Northern Michigan. Photo provided by Gypsy Spirits. High Five Spirits
PETOSKEY, MI – Gypsy Spirits’ new liquor is meant to taste like you’re sipping a slice of a favorite summertime dessert.
Cherry Pie Vodka is slated to be available at its Petoskey distillery and hit store shelves around July 1. The fruit-forward vodka was born of a collaboration between Gypsy Spirits and King Orchards in Northern Michigan, near Torch Lake.
“This delightful new spirit captures the essence of Michigan’s famous cherry pies, offering a unique and flavorful experience that is sure to become a new favorite among our fans,” Gypsy Spirits staff said. “Cherry Pie Vodka is crafted using the finest cherries from King Orchards, ensuring a rich, authentic taste that embodies the spirit of Michigan. This collaboration combines the expertise of Gypsy Spirits with the exceptional quality of King Orchards’ produce, resulting in a vodka that is as delicious as it is distinctive.”
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The sleek bar area inside Gypsy Distillery near Bay Harbor, in a space that used to be a tack room for the Bay Harbor Equestrian Club. Now, you can get cocktails mixed with award-winning Gypsy vodka, whiskey, and more. Photo provided by Gypsy Distillery.
This new cherry vodka is also a hat-tip to Gypsy Spirits’ announcement that it plans to open a tasting room this fall in Traverse City – a spot that’s been dubbed the Cherry Capital of the World. The new spirit makes its debut around the same time as Traverse City hosts the National Cherry Festival, set to begin this weekend.
The new Gypsy Spirits tasting room is set to open on West Front Street, according to the Traverse City Ticker. MLive plans to bring you a sneak peek before the opening.
“We love the Grand Traverse area and are beyond excited to bring Gypsy Spirits to downtown Traverse City. Bringing our passion for spirits, hospitality, and community to an area that has meant so much to us since we were kids is a dream come true” said Michael and Adam Kazanowski, the twin brothers who own the brands Gypsy Spirits and High Five Spirits along with the Gypsy Distillery production site, tasting room and events center near Petoskey. Their partner, Michael Kolkmeyer, is the company’s director of operations.
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“This new tasting room will allow us to connect with more of our customers and share our passion for crafting exceptional spirits. We can’t wait for everyone to try our new Cherry Pie Vodka and experience the Gypsy Spirits magic firsthand.”
The brand is known not only for its Gypsy Vodka, but for a spirits line that includes gin, flavored and aged rums, whiskey and canned cocktails. You can see all their products on the website here.
A comfortable lounge area inside Gypsy Distillery near Bay Harbor. Grab a cocktail or drink at the bar and settle in to sip and savor. Photo provided by Gypsy Distillery.
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General Hospital Recap: Finn’s Tough Choice – Violet or Vodka? (June 25 Episode)
After Finn’s drunken night landed him with a restraining order against his daughter on General Hospital, the doctor made his choice between Violet and a bottle of vodka on the June 25, 2024 episode.
Diane (Carolyn Hennesy) arrived at Finn’s (Michael Easton) bearing paperwork that explained not only Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) temporary custody of Violet (Jophielle Love, who recently made a new career move), but the restraining order that was granted. Finn fought the lawyer on her actions before calling his own, and when Scott (Kin Shriner) arrived, things only got worse.
When Scott questioned what happened to make Chase do this, Finn claimed the documented events were exaggerated, but Scott saw right through him. “I can’t fix this legally… you have to fix yourself,” Scott told him, even turning down Finn’s offer to let him keep any money they’d receive from the case.
Feeling like everyone had turned against him, Finn sat hugging one of Violet’s stuffed animals before placing a delivery order for a handle of vodka. “Actually, make it two.”
When his order came, he immediately opened the bottle and was about to take a sip when he looked back down at the restraining order on the table. With a shaky hand inching the bottle to his lips, he suddenly threw the bottle against the wall. The glass bottle shattered while vodka splattered all over the colorful piece of artwork that hangs in his hallway.
Now that Finn clearly chose Violet, a teaser for June 26 showed him finally confronting Chase about the situation. Do you think Finn will get the help he needs to get his daughter back? Let us know in the comments.
The post Finn Chose Between Violet And Vodka On The June 25 General Hospital appeared first on Soap Hub
Rum Unveils Shareholder Voting Outcomes at Annual General Meeting
EDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2024 / Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc. (TSX-V:RUM) (the “Company” or “Rocky Mountain”), listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”), today announced the shareholder voting results of its 2024 Annual General Meeting held June 25, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Shareholders voted and approved to set the number of directors at six (6).
The following individuals were nominated and received the requisite majority of votes, becoming directors of the Company for the forthcoming year:
01.
Peter J. Byrne
02.
David Delaney
03.
Chris Queitsch
04.
Allison Radford
05.
Courtney Burton
06.
Gene Coleman
Shareholders voted and approved to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizes the directors to fix their remuneration.
The Company also announces the repayment of its bank loan with Toronto Dominion Bank (“TD”). Originally structured at $2,650,000, the loan was amortized over 36 months with monthly payments of interest and principal scheduled until August 30, 2025. As of June 21, 2024, the Company has settled the outstanding principal balance amounting to $731,809. The Company maintains an ongoing credit agreement with TD, encompassing a demand operating facility with a maximum availability of up to $5,400,000.
About Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain is a public company whose shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V:RUM). Rocky Mountain is the parent to a wholly owned subsidiary, Andersons Liquor Inc. headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, which owns and operates 24 private liquor stores in that province.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “appear”, “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “approximate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “would” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as investment decisions. In particular, results achieved in 2022 and previous periods might not be a certain indication of future performance, which is subject to other risks, including but not limited to changes in operational policies, changes in management, changes in strategic focus, market conditions and customer preferences, the impact from COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and third party suppliers. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks, the risks that these events may not materialize as well as those additional factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in RUM’s Management Discussion and Analysis, which can be obtained at www.sedarplus.com. If they do materialize, there remains a risk of non-execution for any reason. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the TSX-V. This cautionary statement expressly qualifies the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information:
Allison Radford
Peter Byrne
President & CFO
Executive Chairman & CEO
(780) 483-8183
(780) 686-7383
SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc.
View the original press release on accesswire.com
Grand Valley State Athletics Launches Exclusive Canned Vodka Lemonade
GVSU Athletics announced Monday that it has partnered with Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers to create Lake + Valley Lemonade. GVSU Athletics
ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State now has its own cocktail.
GVSU Athletics announced Monday that it has partnered with Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers to create Lake + Valley Lemonade, a ready-to-drink cocktail. Long Road was founded by GVSU alumni Jon O’Connor and Kyle Van Strien in 2015.
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Whiskey of the Week: Savor the Excellence of Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon
It’s funny to think that Russell’s Reserve, master distiller Eddie Russell’s offshoot of Wild Turkey, started off to commemorate the retirement of his father, the even more legendary Jimmy Russell. The special batch of bourbon was laid down in 1998 to celebrate Jimmy’s 45th year at Wild Turkey, with the intention of bottling and releasing it when he decided to take his leave. 15 years later, Jimmy was still sharing the title of Master Distiller with Eddie, with no retirement in sight. The commemorative bourbon eventually came out in 2014, sans commemoration, as Russell’s Reserve 1998 — now one of the most acclaimed and sought-after of all Wild Turkey bottlings.
In 2024, Jimmy shows no signs of stopping, though his duties nowadays are mostly limited to greeting well-wishers and signing bottles at Wild Turkey’s visitors’ center. And Russell’s Reserve is back with another 15 year old bottling that’s already a sensation among bourbon fans and the secondary market. Officially, Russell’s is a collaboration between father and son, but in practice it’s really Eddie’s baby, especially the older expressions, which Jimmy largely eschews in favor of Wild Turkey classics like 101 and Rare Breed. Eddie tells a story that illustrates the differences in their approaches to bourbon: “When I first started tasting with Jimmy in the lab…. I’m like, ‘I get this super rich dark cocoa —’ ‘I didn’t put none-a that in my whiskey!’”
Eddie Russell has made a terrific bourbon, even if his father Jimmy doesn’t necessarily agree.
“Jimmy … he’d just taste it,” Eddie elaborates. “But I always talk about the journey, starting with the nose, because if you walk into a restaurant and it smells good, you’re already thinking it’s gonna taste good. With taste, I want something up front, something in the middle, and something to finish, but I also want the comeback taste. So for me I want creaminess right up front, whether it’s some kind of sweetness or it’s fruity — vanilla, butterscotch — anything like that. And the mid-palate, I want some of the traditional Wild Turkey spices. And then the finish, Jimmy’s big on the super-long finish. This one has that very long finish. You definitely get some of that oakiness in there. Aftertaste is a big part of it to me, too.”
Russell’s Reserve’s 15-Year-Old 2024 Limited Release Bourbon (actually a blend of 15 and 16 year old bourbons, but only the youngest drops in the bottle can be mentioned) ticks all of Eddie’s boxes — and mine, for that matter. And if you love bourbon, most likely yours as well. More than a dozen or so years in the barrel puts any bourbon at risk for excessive oakiness, characterized by a dry, tannic, often astringent flavor. But here, sweet cherry and vanilla notes dominate on the palate, with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. At 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV), it’s no shrinking violet, and the oaky spice picks up midpalate, but it complements the sweeter flavors rather than overwhelming them. It finishes off with long, lingering toffee and oak notes. It even looks pretty spectacular, with a deep, dark, reddish amber color that resembles motor oil more than your typical bourbon.
The 15 year old is a replacement for the 13 year old expression that’s been released on a regular basis since 2021, but don’t expect a sequel of the 15 in the near future — there was only enough on hand for one bottling, the quantity of which hasn’t been made public by Wild Turkey or its parent company, Campari. At $250, this bottling isn’t cheap, and bourbon fans being as zealous as they are, it definitely won’t be easy to find once it hits shelves on July 1. But it’s more than a collector’s item, it’s a fantastic bourbon that’s worth the hunt and the dent in your wallet.
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Three Arrested After Discovery of 25 Vodka Bottles, Cash, and Gun in Vehicle
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — A call about three people who were passed out in a car near a convenience store on the Navajo Nation led to their arrests after officers found 25 bottles of vodka and a loaded gun in the car, according to the Navajo Police Department.
The department said they received the call about the trio being passed out in a car near a Speedway convenience store in Fort Defiance on Saturday at about 9:20 a.m.
Officers approached the car, a red Pontiac Vibe, and saw a bottle of Importers vodka in the cupholder in the front seat.
The officers then took a 24-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman into custody and searched the car, where they found 24 more bottles of the vodka, a “large amount of cash” and a loaded gun.
The man was charged with delivery of alcohol and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, while the two women faced charges of public intoxication. They were taken to a nearby Navajo Department of Corrections facility.
The red Pontiac Vibe was towed.
The Navajo Police Department expressed gratitude to the individual who reported the incident to the NPD Window Rock District in a post on Facebook.
“Our communities are our eyes and ears,” the post stated. “If you see something, say something, and report it to your local NPD District.”
The three people who were arrested were not identified.
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. – On Saturday, June 22, at approximately 9:20 a.m., the Navajo Police Department Window Rock…
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Taste Test Triumph: This Irish Whiskey’s Unique Aging Process Exceeds Expectations
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For decades, the Irish whiskey category was basically dominated by two distilleries: Midleton, where bands like Jameson and Redbreast are made, and Bushmills in Northern Ireland. Those days are long gone, and the country now has about 50 distilleries either making or sourcing whiskey. One of those is Teeling, which when it opened in 2015 was the first to operate in the city of Dublin in 125 years. Nearly a decade later, the distillery continues to release some very impressive whiskey, including this new single-pot-still expression aged entirely in virgin Swedish oak barrels.
Teeling, now owned by Bacardi, continues to source some of its whiskey from Great Northern, the distillery run by Teeling founders Jack and Stephen Teeling’s father, John. But the team in Dublin, led by master distiller Alex Chasko (an American), also produces its own whiskey, with a particular focus on single pot still. This intrinsically Irish style is made on a pot still at one distillery from a mashbill of malted and unmalted barley and sometimes another cereal grain, although at Teeling it’s a 50-50 blend of the two types of barley. The whiskey is triple distilled and matured in a combination of casks: virgin American Oak, bourbon, and sherry. The core single pot still whiskey, however, could not be more different from the new Wonders of Wood expression, the third in this series.
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Taste Test: Russell’s Reserve’s 15 Year Old is One of Wild Turkey’s Best Bourbons
The first Wonders of Wood release was aged in virgin chinkapin oak, the second in virgin Portuguese oak, and this new whiskey in virgin Swedish oak—not a finish, mind you, but full maturation. According to a Teeling rep, the idea to use this type of oak arose after a conversation with an employee at the distillery who was originally from Sweden. Chasko was interested in finding out how it might affect the whiskey’s flavor, which is the whole point of the Wonders of Wood series, and decided to source some barrels. Teeling is not the first distillery to use Swedish oak to mature a spirit, of course, as it has been used by Swedish brands (sparse as they are) for some time. But Swedish oak is certainly not as widely used as American, Japanese mizunara, or (I hesitate to even bring it up), Brazilian amburana wood.
Speaking of which, those of you who have read this column before might recall that I really don’t care for whiskey finished in amburana barrels. That’s being too nice—99 percent of the time, with a very rare exception, I think it’s terrible. But when I tasted this new Teeling whiskey, it kind of made me think of how I wish amburana-finished whiskey would taste, edging up to the brink of being overly spiced but pulling back just in time. Let me explain. There are notes of balsa wood, cinnamon, grape, apple, leather, and sweet tobacco on the palate. There’s a whiff of potpourri, some dry tannic notes, raisin, honey, brown sugar, and just a little barbecue smoke providing a welcome savory hint. All of this comes together to create an intriguing whiskey, with the fruity, spicy character of the pot still at its core utterly transformed but not lost in the mix.
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There’s no shortage of Irish whiskey to try these days, especially from the much better known brands I mentioned at the start of this review. Some of these are just fine, while others are truly excellent. But this new expression from Teeling stands out as being uniquely purposeful in its mission to highlight a specific type of wood, and most importantly it’s really tasty. Try this whiskey in an Old Fashioned (I did and it was great), but definitely sip it neat first to find out what it’s all about. And if you get a chance to sample it alongside the other expressions in the Wonders of Wood lineup, you’ll see just how impactful each barrel is on the whiskey’s flavor.
100 Worth trading your first born for
95 – 99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet
90 – 94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram
85 – 89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market
80 – 84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable
Below 80 It’s alright: Honestly, we probably won’t waste your time and ours with this
Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review.
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Kansas Mother Pleads Guilty After Drinking Vodka and Driving Before Fatal Crash That Killed Her 4-Year-Old Daughter
A south-central Kansas mother has pleaded guilty to one count each of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol and aggravated battery in connection with a fiery rollover traffic crash that killed her 4-year-old daughter and injured her then 2-year-old son last year.
Britne Lee Costello, 33, of Wichita, “pled guilty as charged,” said Dan Dillon, a spokesman for the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. She is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, court records show. Her lawyer did not immediately respond to a message Friday.
Emma Rae Lee Fox died on Feb. 19, 2023, two days before what would have been her fifth birthday, her obituary says.
Authorities have said the girl’s mother, Costello, tried to pass another vehicle as she was driving west on MacArthur when she overcorrected and left the roadway, causing her Ford Explorer to roll and catch fire. A probable cause affidavit released in the case says the Explorer traveled in a ditch for more than 300 feet and over three culverts before “going airborne” and rolling multiple times.
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. west of Schulte.
A Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office deputy, along with several citizens, rescued Costello and her children from the burning vehicle. However, Emma was unresponsive and succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries after the family was taken to Wesley Medical Center for treatment, the affidavit states. Her younger brother sustained a broken collarbone and other survivable injuries, while Costello had a cut on her neck and a possible broken ankle, according to the document.
The affidavit notes that a deputy who applied gauze to Costello’s neck at the crash site “could smell the odor of alcohol coming from” her and inside the ambulance that transported her to the hospital. Emma’s father later informed the deputy that he and Costello “had previously consumed vodka straight from the bottle while he was” at Costello’s home “dropping his children off and assisting with tasks around the house,” the affidavit reveals.
Blood tests showed Costello had a blood-alcohol content of .112 less than two hours after the crash, the affidavit indicates — exceeding the legal limit of .08 to drive in Kansas.
Prosecutors charged Costello in May. She previously pleaded not guilty. At the time of the crash, she lived in Douglass, authorities have said.
4-year-old died in fiery crash near Wichita last year. Now her mom faces charges
Kansas girl, 4, dies after fiery rollover crash west of Wichita









