DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa State Patrol says the high number of traffic deaths in the state is slowing down investigations. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there have been 282 deaths due to vehicle accidents as of Monday. That’s 37 more deaths compared to the same time last year.

Spokesman Sgt. Nathan Ludwig says the state patrol has been assigned to investigate 125 of these cases this year, which is 24 more than a year ago. The Des Moines Register reports that the agency does not have any full-time crash investigators. Ludwig says troopers investigating these crashes also have other duties to fulfill.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff  Vandewater today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests.  Two people were arrested on drug charges, Sunday. Vandewater said 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested a little after midnight Sunday, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana. And, at around 12:40-a.m. Sunday, 18-year old Jacob Thomas Peterson, of Fontanelle, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of marijuana with distribution to a Minor. Peterson was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $150,000 cash bond, while Darling posted a $1,000 or 10-percent bond Monday, and was released.

Four people were arrested last Friday in Adair County. The Sheriff says 61-year old Richard Curtis Johnson, of Greenfield, was arrested Friday night for Possession of a Controlled substance/Marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and allowing persons to gather where controlled substances are used or possessed.  Johnson was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. 36-year old James Robert Sims, of Fontanelle, was arrested Friday evening for Driving While Barred, and was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety  bond. And, 27-year old Adam James Magill, of Casey, was arrested Friday afternoon on an Adair County Felony warrant for Forgery. Magill was later released on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 31-year old Sherri Christine Jensen, of Fontanelle, was arrested Friday afternoon on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Forgery, a Class-D felony. Jensen was turned over to Pottawattamie County Deputies for transfer to their jurisdiction.

Last month, Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones proclaimed Monday, Oct. 31st, as the official date for Trick-or-Treating, in Atlantic. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports there will be trick-or-treating in the downtown area from 3-until 5-p.m. on the 31st, for those interested.

In addition, the annual Atlantic News Telegraph Costume Contest takes place the 31st, with registration at 3:30-p.m., and the winners announced at 4:15-p.m. City-wide Trick-or-Treating is from 5:30-until 7:30-p.m. Oct. 31st.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, today (Tuesday) released a report on arrests. The Chief says 35-year old Amanda Lynn Thompson, of Audubon, was arrested Sept. 9th. Thompson faces charges that include: three counts of child endangerment; Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver; Gathering Where Controlled Substances are Unlawful; Possession of Methamphetamine; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thompson was also arrested on an active Audubon Police Department warrant for Failure to Appear. She was transported to the Audubon County Jail and released the next day by the Magistrate.

31-year old Robert Benjamin Waite, of Audubon, was arrested Sept. 9th on an outstanding warrant out of Nebraska. Waite was transported to the Audubon County Jail where he awaited extradition to Nebraska authorities. On Sept. 13th, 30-year old Jesse Allen Hoagland, of Audubon, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. Hoagland turned himself in and appeared before a magistrate. On Sept. 15th, 23 year old Dajsa May Rutherford, of Harlan, turned herself in on an active Audubon Police Department warrant for Theft in the 4th degree. Rutherford appeared before a magistrate and was released.

On Sept. 16th Audubon Police arrested 32-year old Troy Gene Mack, 32-year old Cheryle Ann Knight, and 26-year old Cole Jacob Benton, all of Audubon. All three were charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as a result of two search warrants. Their case remains active with additional charges are pending. The Audubon Police Department was assisted by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol.

On Sept. 28th, Audubon Police arrested 33-year old Kevin Greg Cahoon, Jr., of Audubon, on a Lee County warrant. Cahoon was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending transfer to Lee County authorities. And, last Thursday, 24-year old Tyler Everett Williamson, of Audubon, was arrested for Failure to Appear. Williamson was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a Griswold man was arrested this (Tuesday) morning on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court. 28-year old Eric Richard Brandt was turned over to a Pott. County Deputy at the Wings Truck Stop in Avoca by Shelby County Deputies. Brandt was transported from the truck stop at around 1-a.m. to the Pottawattamie County Jail and booked-in.

And, a man from Carson was arrested Monday afternoon following an investigation into the alleged assault of a parent. 30-year old Matthew Scott Thompson was located in Oakland and taken into custody for Domestic Assault with Injury and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. His arrest followed an incident at a home in Carson, where a 54-year old female victim suffered a possible, minor internal injury, and a cell phone valued at $400 was destroyed or damaged.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following two recent, separate accidents. An accident Friday morning in Mills County occurred as 29-year old Randall Hager, of Glenwood, was driving a 2005 Jeep southbound on 221st Street, north of Deacon Road. Officials say Hager was looking at geese at around 7:40-a.m., when his vehicle began to leave the traveled portion of the road to the right. Hager over-corrected, causing the Jeep to roll over before coming to rest on its wheels next to the bank on the east side of the road.

The other accident happened at around 10-a.m. Saturday at 195th Street and Highway 34. Authorities say a 2006 Pontiac driven by 36-year old Renne Adams, of Hastings, was traveling north on 195th and had crossed the eastbound lanes of Highway 34. She was in the median crossover and then attempted to cross the westbound lanes of the highway, but failed to yield to westbound traffic. Her car collided with a 2001 Ford driven by 30-year old Stephen Hollinger, of Glenwood, which was westbound on Highway 34. Both vehicles were disabled as a result of the collision.