SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man who prosecutors say asked in a Facebook posting whether he needed to “shoot up a mall before people understand” has been charged with making threats of terrorism. 22-year-old Gabriel Rodriquez was arrested last week. Prosecutors say in court documents that Rodriguez wrote “suicidal- and homicidal-themed messages” on the social networking site between Aug. 2nd and 9th.  Police say the posts on Rodriguez’s Facebook profile couldn’t be seen by the general public, but Sioux City police spokesman Mark Kirkpatrick wouldn’t make any additional comments about the investigation.  A Woodbury County jailer said Rodriguez remained in custody on Thursday, pending $10,000 bail.

(8-a.m. News)

The Atlantic City Council Wednesday evening approved the second reading of an ordinance on Illegal Dumping, and the first reading of an ordinance with regard to No Parking on 8^th Street near the old Lincoln School/Wickman Day Care Center, while school is in session. The Council however failed to approve the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to Private Wells, opting instead to have the wording clarified and a public hearing on the matter, which was set for September 5^th.

The No Parking ordinance was amended to say it would not be allowed on the east side of Linn Street from 8^th Street and 100-feet north, so that school buses may unload and load students safely, and if passed on the second and third readings, would cover the hours of 7:45-a.m. to 3:15-p.m., while school is in session, only. In addition, the board approved a request from Atlantic School District Transportation Director Dave Eckles, to have an area on the west side of Linn Street, from 8^th Street and 80-feet north, designated as a School Bus Loading Zone.

The Council also heard a report from Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green, who said his officers made 296 arrests over the past year. Green said his officers also made 1,514 traffic stops, during which they issued 700 citations. The department answered and/or responded to 6,700 calls last year, as well. Green says one of his officers has accepted a job in Dallas County, will work in the West Des Moines area. The officer was the Police Department’s drug recognition expert. He’ll continue with those types of activities in central Iowa.

The Chief says he’s received applications to replace the officer, with testing to take place next week. Green said also, his future plans may call for the purchase of a drug dog for the City. He says in order for his department to be more effective during search and seizures, and in light of recent Supreme Court rulings, they need to have more people trained as Drug Recognition Experts, and he may have to acquire a dog to conduct searches for illegal substances.

He also plans to upgrade some of his police vehicles to SUV’s, because his officers are simply too tall for the cruisers. He says he’s ordered a new, Ford pursuit-rated SUV with all-wheel drive. Green also reminded persons interested in bow hunting deer within the Atlantic City limits, that the first of two qualify sessions will be held this Saturday morning. He says the session will begin at 10-a.m. in Sunnyside Park by the old school house. The next session is Wed., Aug. 22^nd, at 6-p.m. For more information, stop by the Police Department during their normal business hours.