McMinn County Sheriff Joe GuyAuthorities in McMinn County issued 228 citations and 66 warnings and made 19 arrests over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to Sheriff Joe Guy.
The sheriff's office and police departments in Athens, Calhoun, Englewood, Etowah and Niota teamed up to conduct bar checks, convenience store checks and traffic safety checkpoints across the county, Guy said.
McMinn officers conducted six bar and tavern checks and 26 store checks, he said.
Guy said only one bar was cited for a violation.
For Friday night, authorities reported 10 citations for speeding, seat belt, driver's license or registration violations; 32 warning citations; seven arrests; one vehicle seizure; and confiscation of 30 grams of crack cocaine.
"Overall, it was a great night for all of the participating agencies," Guy said. "This kind of cooperation has helped reduce our traffic fatalities and make the entire county safer. Grants from the Governor's Highway Safety Office make it possible to pay the overtime necessary to conduct operations like this, and we are already planning additional operations in the coming year."