Alliant Energy today reminded customers to be wary of scam phone calls, as complaints similar to those received in winter and spring are continuing into the summer. Similar to a scam that has been in occurring locally and nationally, customers report receiving phone calls that threaten electric service disconnection and ask them to purchase a prepaid card. 

Alliant Energy does not ask customers to purchase prepaid credit cards nor make immediate cash payments over the phone. This scam appears to target Spanish-speaking customers, but can happen to anyone. 

• If someone calls claiming they represent Alliant Energy and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call us. Do not give in to a high-pressure caller seeking personal information. We have several secure and convenient payment options listed at alliantenergy.com/paymentoptions. 
• Beware that scammers can spoof caller-ID displays, which means they can mask the call’s true origin and make it appear as if it the call is coming from a utility company. 
• Do not provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers or bank account information to anyone who requests that information during an unsolicited phone call or an unannounced visit. 
• Customers should report attempted scams to local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General by visiting iowaattorneygeneral.org, or calling 1-888-777-4590.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday morning, in Atlantic. During their session, which begins at 8-a.m., the Board will act on a request for funding from the Cass County HistoricalMuseum. During their meeting last Friday morning, the Board discussed, but took no action on the request for $20,000, which if approved, would be made in two installments of $10,000 each. The money would come from the Local Option Sales Tax fund. 

The Supervisors will also act on a request for a Fireworks Display permit, as required by Iowa Code, and on the appointment of two members to the County Compensation Board, which prepares a compensation schedule for elected officers in CassCounty. And finally, if the paperwork is ready, the Board will discuss and act on approving entry into a 28-E agreement for Mental Health Regionalization.

A unique, side-by-side bicycle “car” built by a Creston man, and destined to be sold at auction and used for community events, was stolen the day before the auction.

Bike stolen prior to auction.

The bike was built by Wilbur Ricks of Creston, who died in December. On June 22 his family scheduled an auction to sell his estate. The bicycle car was included. One of the civic clubs in Creston had determined that they would bid on it to make it a “parade vehicle” for community events.

Sometime in the early-morning hours of June 22, someone decided they would prefer to acquire the bike by wheeling it away from the property, rather than seeing it sold at auction. The family would still like to see it go to the service club to be enjoyed by the community

If you see the vehicle, call the Union County Law Enforcement Center at 641-782-8402, or Rick’s son at 319-269-3475 to collect a reward upon its recovery.

A pickup truck with a dump box and small equipment (including  4 new tires, a weed eater, paint machine and other, miscellaneous items) was reported stolen last week from the Harlan Wastewater Treatment plant. According to the Harlan Police Department, the incident happened sometime Thursday night. The loss was estimated at more than $36,000.

The Harlan PD, Shelby County Sheriff’s, Iowa State Patrol and other authorities in the area were notified to on the lookout for the vehicle and equipment. Authorities determined the stolen red truck with the city of Harlan logo on the side headed south from the plant, towards the interstate.

The facility, located on a mile south of Highway 44 on Maple Road, was broken into through a locked gate where the thieves used wire cutters to cut around the padlock. Anyone with information on the burglary at the Harlan wastewater treatment plant is asked to contact the Harlan Police Department at 712-755-5151 or city hall at 712-755-5137.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)