Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers is pleased to report that the Clarinda Police Department’s “Operation Blessing” program was a tremendous success. Christmas gifts were provided to 85 children in Clarinda thanks to the generosity of citizens, civic groups, businesses, church groups, club groups and foundations within the community. The most often requested items this year were clothing and Lego toys.

Retired Clarinda Police Chief Joe Newton and Retired 911 Dispatch Supervisor Diane Newton again worked countless of hours this year, coordinating the program from A-Z. Brothers extends a special thank you to the Newton’s for the work they put into the program each year, all of the members of the community who support the program year in and year out, and the 911 dispatchers at the Clarinda 911 Dispatcher for taking the requests and the area media for helping spread the word about the program.

This year’s program concluded on December 19th.

Two people were arrested recently, in Creston. On Friday, 21-year old Jose Salomon Pascual, of Osceola, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation related to a Controlled Substance violation. Pascual was later released on $5,000 bond.

Early Sunday morning, Creston Police arrested 35-year old Nathan Shinn, of Creston. Shinn was charged with OWI/1st Offense and later released on $1,000 bond.

And, Creston Police received a report Friday from a resident who said someone had tried to break into his garage in the 400 block of north Pine Street. No entry was gained and nothing was taken. The incident, which happened sometime between 1:30-p.m. and 7:30-p.m., Friday, remains under investigation.

(9-a.m. News)