(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, are set to discuss future plans for County-owned farm crop land, and the future of the Willow Heights care facility building. Last week, KJAN confirmed the 43 bed facility that’s been open since the early 1970’s is closing because of staffing issues and a general trend in downsizing facilities where people with mental health issues are said to be better served. No action on either the crop land or facility are expected.

The Supervisors will also discuss, and take possible action on, a 28E project agreement between Cass County and the City of Atlantic, for the repair of a bridge on W. 6th Street over the Nishnabotna River. Other discussion and possible action will take place with regard to the use of American Rescue Plan funding. The Board will also receive a report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

Their meeting in the Supervisors Board Room in the Courthouse, begins at 9-a.m. (and available for viewing live, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/138870131?pwd=dnRLK2ZjcWQ2SWpMQm0wK1c0b2pwUT09)

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand’s office reports Sand was recently made aware of payments made by a City to scammers posing as vendors. Auditor Sand has determined it is in the public interest to issue this Alert to help prevent others from falling victim to email scams.

In January 2020, the Auditor issued an Alert regarding a similar scam that involved unknown parties attempting to fraudulently misdirect state and local governmental entities in Iowa into issuing payments by posing as vendors. A copy of the Alert can be found here. In the recent situation, a City in Iowa learned payments to three legitimate vendors had been sent to bank accounts established by scammers who contacted the City via email. After discovering the mis-routed payments and consulting with cyber security specialists, City officials learned a City email account had been compromised.

They believe the scammers then monitored the email account for several months. After identifying City vendors who received electronic payments from the City, the scammers sent emails to the City which appeared to be from legitimate vendors with updated bank account information. The fraudulent emails sent to the City contained logos, contact information, and formatting which were consistent with other communications received from the three vendors. However, upon close examination, it was later determined the addresses of the fraudulent emails varied from the authentic vendors’ email addresses by moving a “dot” in the email addresses one place to the left or right.

Sand says “I strongly advise representatives of all governmental entities to call any vendors to independently confirm instructions received electronically of revised bank routing information, do not respond to the email. Instead, use previously held contact information to ensure the appropriate party is reached.” He also recommends governmental entities consider implementing a notification of electronic payment to an established vendor email address. The notification should ask vendors to promptly confirm the receipt of funds and immediately contact the governmental entity or business if the electronic payment was not properly deposited into the vendor’s account. In addition, governmental entities should require vendors to provide existing bank account information when requesting an update of their bank routing information as a safeguard.

Any governmental agency suspecting a scam is required by the Code of Iowa to contact the Auditor of State at info@aos.iowa.gov or 515-281-5834.

(Updated 10-a.m.) (Braddyville, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports an Atlantic man and two other people were arrested early today (Monday), in connection with a burglary investigation in Page County. 31-year-old Keith James Land, previously of Clarinda, 29-year old Savannah Ashley Taylor, of Council Bluffs, and 27-year-old Aaron Robert Gerald Cole, of Atlantic, were arrested on two felony counts each of Theft in the 2nd Degree. Cole also has a hold from the Iowa Regional Correctional Facility, in Council Bluffs, for escape from work release. All three were being held in the Page County Jail on $10,000 bond, each, pending further court appearances. Cole was also being held without bond on the escape hold.

Aaron Robert Gerald Cole

Keith James Land

Savannah Ashley Taylor (Photo’s courtesy the Page County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities say shortly after midnight, the Page County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress at 2648 320th Street, in rural Page County (Between Braddyville and Blanchard), about one-mile from the Iowa-Missouri State line. The vehicle left the area prior to Nodaway County, Missouri Sheriffs Deputies, and Page County Deputies’ arrival. Information on the vehicle’s whereabouts was determined by Fremont County Dispatch, and broadcast throughout the area. Shenandoah Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in Shenandoah.

A 2017 Hull trailer owned by a man from Shenandoah was found to be stolen. The trailer was being towed by the stolen pickup. Authorities say an investigation into the crime is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office, at 712-542-5193.

The Creston Police Department reports officers arrested 23-year-old Stephanie Dawn Miller, at around 10-a.m., Sunday. Miller was taken into custody for Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree/1st offense. She was released from custody on a Promise to Appear in court.

The Creston Police Department says no injuries were reported following an accident Sunday afternoon, at the intersection of W. Adams and N. Elm Streets. Authorities say a 2021 Chevy Equinox driven by 42-year-old Shantrey Paulann Cochran, of Creston, was stopped westbound at a flashing red light on west Adams. A 2006 Saturn Ion driven by 42-year-old Crystal Marie Mack, of Creston, was stopped at the same red light, but heading south on N. Elm. Police say Mack failed to yield, and struck the SUV, which was already half-way into the intersection. The collision happened at around 12:51-p.m.

Damage to the vehicles amounted to $2,000. No citations were issued at the scene.

(Anamosa, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections, Saturday, said an inmate at the Anamosa State Penitentiary died Saturday morning. Authorities say 69-year-old Robert Wilcoxen was pronounced dead at 7:15-a.m.  He had been serving a life sentence out of Scott County, for Kidnapping in the 1st Degree. His sentence began April 7, 1995. No cause of death was given.