The Fargo City Tobacco Compliance Hearing held on July 25, 2025, focused on the sale of tobacco products to minors, as mandated by Fargo municipal code chapter 35. Municipal Court Judge Dan Phillips presided over the proceedings, which are non-criminal in nature and require the city to prove any violations by a preponderance of evidence.

The hearing began with a review of Casey's General Store, located at 1901 University Drive North. Store manager Stephanie Altman admitted to the violation of selling tobacco to a person under the age of 21 during a compliance check conducted by Fargo Police on June 27, 2025. The store had received prior notice of the hearing, which was served at least 15 days in advance. Since this was identified as a first offense, Judge Phillips imposed a $500 fine, which will be processed through the public health department.

The hearing continued with the next case involving PetroServ USA at 2903 Main Avenue, where store manager John Bannerman was present. The details of this case were not discussed in the provided transcript, but the proceedings indicate a systematic approach to enforcing tobacco compliance within the city.

These hearings are part of Fargo's ongoing efforts to regulate tobacco sales and protect minors from access to tobacco products. The outcomes of these hearings will contribute to the city's public health initiatives and compliance enforcement strategies. Further written findings and legal orders will follow the oral decisions made during the hearings.