Published: December 31, 2008 10:10 am      

Closings on tap for holiday; OHP says if you drive drunk, you'll to jail

Most government offices in McAlester will be closed on Thursday for New Year’s Day — but the jails will be wide open.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is warning motorists to be careful over the New Year holiday. OHP troopers will be continuing their no tolerance policies for those who drink and drive or who don’t wear their seat belts.

Drinking and driving is irresponsible, dangerous and deadly, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Capt. Chris West.

Highway patrol troopers will be on the lookout for offenders. He urged those who choose to drink to find a designated driver, call a cab or stay home.

“If you decide to drive hammered, you’re going to get nailed,” West said.

“We are urging the public to help us end this year without more fatality collisions on our roadways, so please obey speed limits, buckle up and don’t drink and drive.”

At McAlester City Hall, most city offices will be closed for the New Year’s holiday, but will be open for business as usual at 8 a.m. on Friday.

Emergency fire and police services will remain active over the holiday. The McAlester Municipal Landfill will be closed on New Year’s Day, but trash pick-up will continue as normal on Thursday. Like other city offices, the landfill will be open again on Friday.

Pittsburg County offices will be closed for the holidays on Thursday, but also plan to be open again at 8 a.m. on Friday. Swearing in of newly-elected and re-elected county officers is set for 9 a.m. on Friday in Associate District Judge James Bland’s office in the Pittsburg County Courthouse’s temporary offices.

Also, the Warren Clinic will be closed on Thursday for the holiday, but plans to reopen for regular hours on Friday.

The U.S. Postal Service will not be delivering mail on New Year’s Day, but will resume deliveries on Friday.

Meanwhile, the highway patrol is hoping motorists heed the warning about the dangers of drunk driving.

“We will do everything possible to keep the roads safe this holiday weekend, but we also need the cooperation of all travelers, ” West said.