From late-August through Labor Day, city, county and state police will be out in force as part of the annual nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk driving. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Iowa, will run from August 26 through September 8, 2013.

The effective nationwide drunk driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb drunk driving in August and through the Labor Day holiday weekend. Iowa ranks 2nd as having the lowest number of alcohol related fatalities in the nation.

While it is illegal to drive drunk (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher) in all 50 states, far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.

“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more drunk drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Colonel David Garrison – Chief of the Iowa State Patrol. “In 2011 9,878 people died across the nation in crashes involving drunk drivers. That is approximately one drunken driving fatality every 53 minutes.” During last year’s Labor Day Holiday, there were no reported alcohol related fatalities, however there were 4 fatalities.

“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign reduces drunken driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Iowa’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the Labor Day period,” said Colonel Garrison.

“Driving drunk is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ said Colonel Garrison.

For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign headquarters at www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

BEDFORD, Iowa (AP) – A Bedford woman quietly told a dispatcher that her husband shot an escaped inmate who broke into their home. Carolyn Mauderly placed the 911 call after Rodney Long had broken into the couple’s home Monday night and held them against their will for several hours.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the termination of a former Fort Madison police officer who had an affair with the police chief’s wife. The court ruled that William Bowker’s affair with the woman, who was a reserve officer, violated departmental rules. Bowker was seeking a reversal of a district court’s ruling.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state ethics board will not remove its executive director from an investigation into whether the National Organization for Marriage violated Iowa law. A complaint filed in June alleges NOM did not disclose donors or all of its contributions when funding campaigns against Iowa Supreme Court justices up for retention in 2010 and 2012.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Rock Falls man has been given more prison time for leasing the same piece of farmland to several individuals. Raymond Schaefer pleaded guilty to a third-degree theft charge and was sentenced to two years in state prison. Schaefer will serve the sentence concurrently with a federal prison sentence.

The Harlan City Council approved to surface Maple Road from Highway 44 to the Wasterwater Treatment Plant. In a regular meeting Tuesday, The council approved the bid from StaBilt Construction for $36,185.90. City Administrator Terry Cox said the city will maintain the road following the surfacing. The city has never put an overlay on the road as Cox said it has been rock for thirty six years. In other business, the city approved a solar light school crossing blinker sign for Highway 44 and 19th Street crosswalk. However, the city still needs to go through the proper channels on getting the sign approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Cox said at the meeting he submitted the sign to the DOT office in Atlantic but it now has to be sent to the office in Ames for approval. Cox says the solar powered lighting will be much more noticeable for traffic,

Cox1: “When you push the button to cross it will flash these lights. It won’t be 24/7. Once the person crosses, it will be a green light going east and west. We did get the LED light from the utilities. This is a safety thing to help the neighborhood kids.”

The cost for the new LED lighted cross walk will be $6,280. Currently there is a crossing sign on Highway 44 but the city will have to install the new signs with the LED lights. In other news, Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys reported there are four seats up, 3 on the council and the mayor’s position, for election in November on the Council. If you are interested in a seat on the Harlan City Council, stop at City Hall to pick up a packet as the due date is September 19th. Gettys also announced the “Today in America” film crew will be in the area on Monday, August 26th to start filming the city of Harlan for the program.

(Joel McCall KNOD)

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest today (Wednesday) of 20-year old Jarret Christensen of Exira for OWI/1st offense. He was transported to Cass County Jail and booked in.