Law enforcement officials have tweaked the criteria for issuing an AMBER Alert. The review of the criteria for activating an emergency notification to the public when a child is believed to be in danger was prompted by two high-profile kidnapping and murder cases in the state. Iowa State Patrol Major Todd Misel says the result is a “minor change” to one of the four criteria which a missing child case must meet for the activation of an AMBER Alert. The change involves striking the word “and” from the criteria language.

“We want it clarified that there is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, or the suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help,” Misel said, noting “and/or” was replaced by simply “or.” “By throwing the word ‘and’ in there, it makes you think that it’s inclusive and you need to have everything. We just want to place an emphasis on that — that’s not the case.” The review of AMBER Alert activations follows the abduction of a 15-year-old Dayton girl on May 20th and the disappearance of two girls in Evansdale in July 2012. All three girls were later found murdered. Many Iowans have questioned why AMBER Alerts were not issued in those two cases.

“In each of those cases…Evansdale, the criteria was really not there for an abduction, we weren’t aware of an abduction,” Misel says. “In Dayton, we were just getting ready to issue the AMBER Alert when we actually located the abductor and his vehicle in that case.” The man suspected in the Dayton kidnapping had hung himself. No one has been arrested in the Evansdale case. Misel says the meeting of the AMBER Alert Criteria Group also included discussion of an increased need for training of all Iowa law enforcement on the AMBER Alert criteria.

“It’s just important to make sure you have a good missing persons policy in place at your department…for example – abductions – when is it right to ask for the AMBER Alert to be issued? It would be a very good topic to train on, on a regular basis,” Misel said. A press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety states: “It is critical that local agencies notify DPS quickly to increase the chances of a successfully recovering Iowa’s abducted children. Training opportunities will be identified in the near future.”

The AMBER Alert Criteria Group is made up of representatives from the Iowa Sheriff’s and Deputies Association, Iowa Police Chief’s Association, Iowa State Police Association, County Attorney’s Association, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Northern District, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Southern District, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Transportation, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

(Radio Iowa)

A traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Adair Wednesday, resulted in the confiscation of 50-pounds of marijuana. The Iowa State Patrol told KCCI-TV the pot was seized from an out-of-state vehicle, which was brought to a DOT garage in Adair for further examination. No other details were immediately available.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education with hold a special meeting Thursday evening at the High School Media Center. During the 7:30-p.m. session, the Board will act on approving contracts, amended contracts and any resignations.

The Walnut City Council will meet Thursday (Aug. 1st), during a regular session that begins at 5-p.m. During their meeting, the Council will receive information from the Iowa DOT’s Rex Allen, with regard to speed issues, and the possible installation of additional stop signs in the City. Other discussion includes: Repair of the north “Welcome” sign, along with a reduced visibility of the sign along Interstate 80; A possible change in the day of the regular City Council meetings, and this November’s City Election.

In other business, the Council will review and update as necessary, the City of Walnut Infrastructure Needs Study and Strategic Plan.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A food inspector says most — if not all — the prepackaged salad mix that sickened hundreds of people in Iowa and Nebraska wasn’t grown in either state. Iowa Food and Consumer Safety Bureau chief Steven Mandernach said Wednesday that at least 80 percent of the vegetables were grown and processed outside both states’ jurisdictions. Mandernach says officials haven’t confirmed the origins of 20 percent and may never know because victims can’t always remember what they ate.

Officials have said the salad was infected with a rare parasite that causes a lengthy gastrointestinal illness. Outbreaks have been reported in 15 states, although it’s not clear whether they’re connected. Mandernach says state law prohibits his office from releasing the information unless there’s an immediate threat. Officials believe the threat has passed.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest this (Wednesday) afternoon of 21-year old John Morgan Rush of Red Oak at his residence. Rush was arrested on a warrant for Indecent Exposure and was transported to the Montgomery County Jail. His bond is set at $1,000.

(The following is from the Consumer Protection Division of the IA Attorney General’s Office)….

The stories are countless and convincing, but they all have something in common: a stranger or caller you think you know wants you to wire money through money transfer companies such as Western Union or MoneyGram.  These stories often end the same way: you lost the money you wired. Wiring money can be like leaving an envelope of cash on a table.  Once you send money and a stranger picks it up, you can’t get it back.  Recipients can almost always pick up the cash at multiple locations in foreign countries, making it very difficult—if not impossible—to trace.

Never wire money to someone you don’t know or haven’t met in person—even if you think you know the person who called you with a convincing story—even if it sounds like a personal emergency.  Never agree to wiring money after depositing a check.

Common Wire Transfer Scams

• Work at Home Scams: The ad says you can be your own boss as a “secret shopper” who evaluates a money transfer company’s customer service.  Someone sends you a cashier’s check.  You’re supposed to cash it, wire a lesser amount, and keep some for yourself for your time and efforts.  Although the check appears to be legitimate, days later you find out it isn’t—and your bank holds you responsible for the lost funds.

• Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams: Someone contacts you by phone, through the mail, or via the Internet, and claims that you’ve won a lottery or contest.  You’re supposed to deposit a check and pay a processing fee or taxes through a wire transfer.  Again, the check may appear legitimate—but you’ll soon find out it isn’t and you’re on the hook with your bank for the lost money.

• “Grandparent” Scams: A frantic caller—who tries to convince you they’re a relative, government official, or even a defense lawyer—says there’s been an accident, incident or misunderstanding that landed your loved one in jail, the hospital or some other sort of jam.  They tell you they need you to wire money immediately.  No matter how bad it sounds, take time to verify the story.  Ask personal questions that only your loved one would know.  Try to contact other family members, a close friend, or even law enforcement to help you gather the facts.

• Overpayment Scams: Someone responds to an ad you placed, writes a check for more than you asked for, and asks for you to wire the difference (or they may say they have reconsidered and want you to deposit their check and wire a refund).  The check will bounce and you will be out the money.

• Rental Scams: You respond to an ad that advertises a place to rent for a very low price.  The “landlord” claims they are out of the country on business or missionary work.  You wire them the first and last month’s rent.  They’re gone, your money is gone, and so, too, is the place you wanted to rent (which wasn’t theirs to rent to begin with).  You should only deal with local landlords, be suspicious of below-market rental rates, and don’t wire money.

If you wired money and fear or know you’ve been scammed, contact the wire transfer company immediately to report it.  You can report suspected fraud to Western Union’s fraud hotline at 1-800-448-1492, or MoneyGram at 1-800-MONEYGRAM (1-800-666-3947).  Unfortunately, it may be too late to stop or reverse the money transfer, but make every effort.  You should also file a police report, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.FTC.gov.  You can also file a complaint with the Attorney’s Consumer Protection Division.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), acting on orders from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, agreed to suspend for 30-days, the cigarette & tobacco sales permit for Hansen Valley Oil, located just south of the intersection of Interstate 80 and Highway 71. Auditor Dale Sunderman read a letter from the A-G’s Office which explained the County has no choice but to suspend the businesses’ tobacco sales.

The business was found to have violated for a third time, State law regarding the sale of tobacco to a minor. The owners have paid a civil penalty of $1,500, but because it was the third offense, are required by the State to cease sales of tobacco products for a 30-day period of their choosing. The owners elected to suspend sales beginning at midnight, September 9^th, through Midnight, October 9^th. According to Supervisor Duane McFadden, in addition to complying with the order, the employee or employees responsible for the illegal sale of tobacco has been terminated.

Supervisor Chuck Rieken voiced his protest of the sales suspension, but acknowledged there was nothing that could be done.

In other business, the Cass County Board approved a motion to apply for a grant from the Iowa Department of Public Health in the amount of $4,238, to promote the development, enhancement, implementation or sustainment of, identified Emergency Medical Service (EMS) System Standards, from Sept. 1^st 2013 through June 30^th, 2014. Karen Reason, Coordinator for Cass County EMS, said the grant funds would be divided among the various EMS entities within the county.