Dry Utah town to keep alcohol ban despite tourist influx

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — One of Utah's last "dry" communities will keep its prohibition on alcohol sales

The southeastern city of Blanding appeared to vote down Tuesday a proposal to allow beer and wine sales for the first time in more than 80 years.

Unofficial results Wednesday showed residents in the town of 3,500 voted by a margin of more than 30 points to continue making it illegal to sell booze.

Blanding has seen an influx of visitors in recent years, especially with the naming of the new Bears Ears National Monument in the town's backyard. Some restaurant and hotel owners say even though most locals are Mormon and avoid alcohol, Blanding needs to accommodate drinkers.