A Griswold man was arrested Saturday on an assault charge. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 33-year old Brandon Jay Frank faces a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/ 2^nd Offense. Frank was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $2,000 bond.

And, on Sunday, deputies in Cass County arrested 25-year old Rockford Glenn Yapp IV, of Chicago,  on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Yapp was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $1000 bond.

Together with agencies across the nation, Iowa’s law enforcement will participate in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP), beginning later this week. The sTEP program is an initiative of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Officials from city, county, and state law enforcement agencies will execute heightened enforcement on Iowa roads from August 23rd through September 5th.

Randy Hunefeld, sTEP Coordinator with the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says their “Work to get the motoring public to buckle up, save lives, and reduce serious injuries continues.” Hunefeld said during the upcoming  sTEP project, law enforcement officers will further focus their attention on removing drunk and impaired drivers from the roadways.  He says “We encourage anyone planning on drinking alcohol this holiday to be responsible and designate a sober driver.  With increased patrols and focused enforcement across Iowa, the odds of a drunk driver getting arrested greatly increase.”

During the July 2-8, 2012 sTEP project, participating agencies reported 295 contacts with alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, 1,172 safety belt violations, 4,660 speeding violations, 274 stop sign and traffic signal violations, and a total of 15,641 enforcement contacts.  Officers assisted 1,184 motorists, apprehended 213 wanted persons, and executed 73 felony and 152 narcotics arrests during that period.  The next sTEP project is scheduled for November 19-25, 2012.

Trial is set to take place next week in the case of a Lewis man facing two Aggravated Misdemeanor charges of Assault with the intent to commit Sexual Abuse, two counts of Lascivious Conduct with a Minor (A Serious Misdemeanor), and 46 Class-C felony counts of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd degree. 52-year old Roger Allen Ericksen was arrested following an on-going investigation into allegations he had sexual contact with a 14-year old female over a two-month period of time in, beginning around May, 2011.

Ericksen was arrested last December, and has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. His trial is set to take place 9:30-a.m. Tuesday, August 28^th, in Cass County District Court.

Youth ages 10-15 will have the opportunity to take to the sky Saturday, Sept.8th,  and learn about aviation and get a free orientation flight at the Fly Iowa Aviation Youth Rally. According to committee chair Brenda Nelson, the Young Eagles program exposes youth to the field of aviation. Sessions will be given on careers, airplanes, aerodynamics, airports and navigation.

Nelson says “The program is meant to get kids excited about aviation.” And, with the air show the Saturday after the program, she says they “Hope all the kids will attend both and really get a feel for what’s out there for opportunities for them in their future.”

Nelson said the seats are limited to 45, and registration is required on a first come, first served basis. The event is free and includes the workshop, flight, pizza luncheon and t-shirt. Students will also be invited to attend the Atlantic Fly Iowa Air Show Sept. 15th to get a certificate of completion for the Young Eagles Youth Rally.

“The Fly Iowa event is such an awesome opportunity to bring some out of this world experiences into the community,” according to Nelson. She says “It would be a shame to miss it and we want the kids especially to take advantage through the youth rally and air show event.”

For more information contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.