Two southwest Iowa men were transported to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha Monday night, following a rollover accident northwest of Malvern. The Iowa State Patrol says 46-year old Robert Gene Ryan, of Shenandoah, was flown by helicopter to the hospital after he was ejected from a 1994 Mazda pickup truck. The vehicle was traveling west on Highway 34, when it entered the south ditch and crossed 288th Street, before rolling over. Another man in the vehicle 29-year old Lyle Francis Stogdill, also from Shenandoah, was transported by Malvern Rescue to Creighton. Neither man was wearing a seat belt. The accident happened at around 10:50-p.m. Officials say it’s not clear which man was driving the vehicle. The accident remains under investigation.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A terrorism charge filed against a Sioux City man over comments he made on his Facebook page has been dismissed. Woodbury County prosecutors say Gabriel Rodriguez wrote suicidal and homicidal-themed messages between Aug. 2 and Aug.9. According to court documents, Rodriguez asked if he needed to “shoot up a mall before people understood.”  Assistant County Attorney Terry Ganzel says there was insufficient evidence to meet the legal requirement of the crime in order to prosecute Rodriguez.

Ganzel says words that don’t constitute a true threat are protected under the First Amendment. He says there isn’t enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Rodriguez made “true” threats and, even if they were, that the act was “imminent.” Rodriguez’s attorney didn’t immediately comment.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County say three people were arrested Saturday on drug charges. 19-year old Tiffany Danielson, of Tabor was arrested during a traffic stop on Highway 275, and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs. Her bond was set at $2,000. 20-year old Joseph Muellner, of Randolph, was arrested Saturday morning, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000. 42-year old Adrian Lapour, of Omaha, was also arrested Saturday in Mills County, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $5,000. And, 47-year old Dennis Villhauer, of Corning, was arrested Saturday in Mills County, for 1st offense OWI. His bond was set at $1,000.

It’s not clear whether they were all connected with last Friday’s “Knotfest” in Mills County, but sheriff’s officials said today (Monday), that six people were arrested, three of them at the concert site. Taken into custody at the Mid America Motor Plex near Pacific Junction, was: 23-year old Bradley Hawkins, of LaVista, NE; 48-year old Kenneth Schonher, of Omaha, and 24-year old Justen Logen, of Council Bluffs. Hawkins was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Schonher was arrested on a warrant out of Monona County for theft in the 5th degree, and Logen was arrested for Possession of drug paraphernalia. Their bonds were set at $1,000, $500, and $300 respectively.

There were three arrests last Friday, near Pacific Junction: 21-year old Anthony Schovanec, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond was set at $1,000; 29-year old Jeremy Hogue, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300; and, 29-year old Robert Riley, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Friday for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300. Most of those who were arrested, were taken into custody late Friday evening.

Authorities in Union County are investigating a reported shooting that took place Sunday night in Arispe.  At around 10:45 PM, the Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for assistance at 203 Park Place in Arispe, with regard to a  shooting.  At the scene, deputies located two people suffering from gunshot wounds.  52-year old Laura Maxfield-Anderson, and 60-year old Ronald Anderson were taken by life flight to a Des Moines hospital for treatment.  A report on their conditions is not available at this time.

Officials say the shooting appears to be a result of a domestic dispute, and they’re not actively seeking any additional persons. They also do not believe the public is in any danger.  An investigation into the incident continues, however.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assist in the investigation.  The Afton Police Department and the Creston Police Department are also assisting.

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.

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert said today (Monday), that the Fire Danger level will remain in the “HIGH” category until further notice. Seivert cited the lack of precipitation expected over the next several days.  The Fire Danger rating in Shelby County is based on input from local fire chiefs and the Emergency Manager, and weather factors.

Signs indicating the increased fire threat are located at fire stations within the County, and on the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency’s website, at www.shelbycountyema.com.  Shelby County is currently not included in a ban on open burning.

Anyone who wants to conduct any type of open burning outside, on their property, should contact the Shelby County EMA at 712-755-2124, and inform the on-duty dispatcher of your intentions. The dispatcher will put residents in contact with their local fire chief. Permission for you to conduct an open burn is at the sole discretion of your fire chief.

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.