Published: May 28, 2008 09:36 am         

Holiday weekend a busy one throughout county, at jail

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

PALO PINTO COUNTY – On a weekend denoted as a time of remembrance for those who’ve served their country, area law enforcement saw an increase in weekend arrests as many residents and visitors enjoyed the recreational outlets across the county.

According to the records at Palo Pinto County Jail, officials booked in 45 people over the weekend.

“Everything was hopping,” Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer remarked. “The county was pretty well saturated.” He said the canoe rental facilities along the Brazos River were busy as were the area lakes. A bike rally in Mingus also drew additional visitors.

Brazos River Authority’s Chief Lake Ranger Mike Cox estimated there was a slight increase of visitors this year at Possum Kingdom Lake.

“More local people utilized our public use areas,” he said. “They were heavily utilized.”

With an influx in visitors and vacationers, additional law enforcement personnel were called in to assist. Mercer said all of his deputies were out in the county as well as eight out-of-county game wardens.

“DPS [Department of Public Safety] had a strong showing and the BRA was in full force,” Mercer said. “The TABC [Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission] was on scene.”

According to Cox, the BRA had two boats patrolling the waters at Possum Kingdom Lake and six officers working to enforce the law.

“There were two boating while intoxicated and one driving while intoxicated and the rest were public intoxication or disorderly conduct,” Cox observed. “They were all alcohol-related in one form or another.”