The Iowa State Patrol has launched a special “Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign aimed at motorcyclists. Sergeant Scott Bright says the effort is in response to the things they’re seeing happen on state roadways. “Recently we’ve seen an increase in the fatality rate with motorcycles. In 2010 we had 55 motorcyclists killed in the state and 25-percent of those were alcohol related, so we’re trying to decrease that,” Bright explains. “As they get out and ride their motorcycles, hopefully they don’t get out there and drink while they ride them.”

Trooper Bright says they hope the special effort will raise the profile of the issue.  He says troopers will be working the interstates and highways and be around motorcycle rallies, so if they find a motorcyclist who has been drinking, they’ll be arrested. Trooper Bright says drinking alcohol, more than any other single factor, can rob motorcyclists of the ability to think clearly and ride safely. “If they’ve had a lot to drink, its’ very hard to keep their stability. And especially when they come to a stop, the bike starts to sway a little bit,” Bright says. The advice for drivers is no different for those on two wheels as it is for those on four when drivers are told not to drink and get behind the wheel of their car.

“If they start to drink, don’t get on your bike and ride…and if you’re going to ride, don’t drink. That’s kind of the slogan we like to get out there to keep everybody safe,” Bright says. According to the U-S D-O-T’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists accounted for 14-percent of total traffic fatalities in 2010. Yet, motorcycles made up only three percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2010 and accounted for less than one-percent of all vehicle miles traveled.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is investigating separate incidents of burglary and vandalism, which were reported Sunday in Villisca and Stanton. A Villisca resident reported to authorities Sunday afternoon, that someone entered his garage in the 500 block of East 3rd Street, and stole numerous tools. The loss was estimated at $2,000. The incident occurred sometime between July 14th and 19th.

And, a Stanton couple reported to authorities Sunday night, that the south window of their shop located in the 2400 block of 225th Street had been broken sometime between 8:50 and 9:05-p.m., Sunday. When deputies arrived, they determined a rock had penetrated the window, causing $100 damage.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to call the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-432-1001, or the Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107.

(Updated 9:58-a.m.)…

Three people were taken into custody early this morning in connection with a recent drive-by shooting which occurred in Des Moines. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News the incident became known to authorities in western Iowa very early this morning. Danker says at 1:39-a.m there was an all-points bulletin to law enforcement about a silver sedan with Nebraska plates that was possibly involved in a shooting in Des Moines. Authorities were able to track the suspects by “pinging” a cell phone as they traveled across the state heading back to Nebraska.

The Sheriff says Cass County Deputy Ben Bartholomew was traveling west on I-80 next to a silver Oldsmobile Alero. As the car passed the deputies’ cruiser, Bartholomew pulled in behind the car and began to follow it.  The deputy ran the car’s license plates, which came back as a white Dodge van. Several other law enforcement agencies, including deputies with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa State Patrol and a DOT Enforcement officer assisted in conducting a felony traffic stop of the suspect’s vehicle at around 2:15-a.m..  near the Shelby exit.

The suspects, 24-year old Kendra Akins, 24-year old Ivory Goodwin and 26-year old Shera Goodwin, all of whom are from Nebraska, were taken into custody without incident. The vehicle was impounded at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department. Officials with the Des Moines Police Department traveled to Pottawattamie County to bring the individuals back to Polk County. Danker could not say for certain if a weapon was found in the vehicle. Additional information about the incident in Des Moines which resulted in the suspect’s arrests, is still not available.

Two Red Oak residents have been arrested on Child Endangerment charges. According to Red Oak Police, officers and officials with the Department of Human Services conducted a welfare check at a residence on Reed Street in Red Oak. 

As a result, 28-year-old Johna Christine Dolph of Red Oak, and 30-year-old Paul Earl Lemburg II, of Red Oak were each arrested on two-counts of Child Endangerment. Lemburg also faces a drug possession charge.

The pair were being held in the Montgomery County Jail. Dolph’s bond was set at $5,000, while Lemburg was being held on $6,000 bond.