DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Republican Party is calling planned police traffic checkpoints in western Polk County this weekend unnecessary and are urging motorists who are stopped to comply albeit minimally.   The position by the state GOP is being criticized by influential Republican establishment figures as outside the party’s charge.

It marks another in a series of disagreements over strategy between the party’s statewide organization, led by supporters of former Texas Congressman Ron Paul, and longtime party leaders led by Gov. Terry Branstad. State party spokesman Steve Bierfeldt says the police checkpoints announced Friday don’t improve public safety and are a waste of the officers’ time.

Longtime Republican fundraiser and strategist Doug Gross of Des Moines says the party’s statement was “nuts,” and a distraction from the goal of winning elections.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers, Friday, released a summary of his department’s recent activities, including arrests and incidents. Brothers say on Wednesday, Savannah Ashley Race, of Clarinda, was arrested on a Page County District Court warrant for Conspiracy, Theft in the 2nd degree, and misdemeanor trespass. And, on Tuesday, James Linly Moses, of Shambaugh, was arrested on a Page County warrant for Simple Assault.

Last Sunday, Ronda Jean Jackson, of Clarinda, was arrested for Theft in the 5th degree (shoplifting), and Samantha Ann Wright, of Clarinda, was arrested for Driving While Barred.

The Clarinda P-D also investigated an incident early last week (Sept. 27th), of a male 16-year old allegedly possessing drug paraphernalia. The matter was referred to Juvenile Court. That same day, officers dealt with escape of a 16-year old male from the Clarinda Academy. And, on Oct. 3rd, a Clarinda resident reported an incident of arson which resulted in the destruction of her property located in the 500 block of South 10th Street.

An annual fundraiser for the Defiance Fire Department will be held this weekend at the fire hall. The Defiance Fire and Rescue Department is hosting their pancake breakfast from 8am to noon on Sunday. Fire chief Al Wilwarding says they will kick off Fire Prevention week by serving up a delicious breakfast.

“We’re kicking it off with a pancake, sausage, biscuits and gravy and scrambled egg breakfast. There will be juice and coffee all for a free will donation. Everybody is very invited to come. We do have carry-outs available.” He says the whole breakfast is all homemade. “We crack and scramble our own eggs. We make our own pancake mix. We have a company that donates a hog and we process it into sausage and then we grill it outside to make it extra good.”

The money donated will go towards the Defiance Fire Department to upgrade equipment.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

This coming week is the start of National Fire Prevention Week but one Shelby County Fire Department is kicking it off this Saturday. The theme this year is preventing kitchen fires. The Harlan Fire Department has teamed up with the American Red Cross to help spread the word about fire prevention week. Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen says the department is getting a little help from the boy scouts to hand out fire prevention materials.

“The Red Cross is providing the materials and we are working with the boy scouts. The boy scouts do the leg work and will go to each house in Harlan and dropping off the materials at your doorstep. It will come in a little bag that says Red Cross. Inside there will be different fire safety literature and I will provide a cover letter. If you want to make some changes in your home after reading the material, now is the time to do it.”

Bissen says the project with the Red Cross benefits everyone including the citizens. “We’re sending out the safety message out to our community and you know our goal as the fire department is to prevent fires. It’s also a good project for the Red Cross because they are involved with the safety and well being of our citizens. And it works really well for the boy scouts because they are always trying to reach goals to get awards and achievements. They also get involved in the community. It is really a good community event for everybody.”

The chief says next week the department will be at the Harlan Community schools. “Each we head to the schools and give tours at the fire station. We have three to four groups come to the station. We will also send trucks to the elementary schools. We will be there quite a few days from Monday through Thursday.”

This is also the time of year to be checking your smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. The Harlan Fire Department received a grant for about 200 smoke detectors and if you are unable to purchase a new one or do not have any inside your residence, contact the Harlan Fire Department at 712-755-5354. If you would like to talk with one of the 34 members of the department, the Harlan Fire Department will host an open house and breakfast on Sunday morning. The fire hall will open at 7am and serve biscuits and gravy, eggs, pancakes, bacon and a drink for a free will donation until noon.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)