[Updated] (Atlantic, Iowa)  – Teachers and staff with the Atlantic Community School District were out and about today (Thursday), dressed in orange t-shirts, spreading the advantage of joy, happiness and gratitude through the orange frog training method based around a book by Shawn Achor.

Ashley Mosier, Washington Kindergarten Teacher, said they braved the heat to spread some good vibes…

Mosier says “So many people in our school district and community are already doing amazing things, and we want to highlight those good things.” Mosier says “We are using small steps each day to make big positive changes for our students, our teachers, our district and our community. Being positive has proven to increase productivity and engagement, which leads to success, and success is exactly where Atlantic is headed. Choose to be happy and a part of the orange frog movement.”

Group selfie

Wendy Peterson, Washington Elementary Paraeducator, and others in the group – including Superintendent Steve Barber – also came out to the KJAN Studios to spread their messages.

To learn more about happiness in the workplace, look for iSparkHappiness on Facebook.

Phrases to make your co-worker’s day.

Update 10:07-a.m.: Phone service has been restored at the Clarinda Police Department & Clarinda City Hall.  Have a pleasant & safe day. Keep cool in the heat this afternoon.

(Previous message: All administrative phone lines at the Clarinda Police Department & Clarinda City Hall are currently down. It is unknown at this time when phone service will be restored.)

(Atlantic) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office would like to advise residents of a recent scam call. Authorities say a person called a resident and told them that they (The caller) were with the clerk of court’s office and were calling in regards to paper service. Officials warn these types of calls are NOT legitimate.

Residents are encouraged to hang up if they get a call like that, and do not give out any personal information. Please contact the sheriff’s office if you have any questions or concerns regarding fraudulent calls.

(Radio Iowa) – Police in the southeast Iowa town of Sumner are looking for a blue-green Chevy extended cab pickup after the possible attempted abduction of a 14-year-old girl outside the town’s public library. Sumner police chief Chad Koch says tips have flooded in since the incident on Tuesday morning. “We want to thank everybody for their assistance,” Koch said, “and let everyone know that we are working around the clock to try to bring this incident to a resolution and determine exactly what happened.”

Police are looking for this truck.

The pickup’s license plate is visible in several photos, but as yet, there’s no word on any arrests in the case. The driver, Koch says, has been identified. “We’ve had a lot of calls, messages, information passed our way regarding this incident,” he said, “and all that information has been useful and we sincerely appreciate that.” Chief Koch explains what happened that morning about 10:40. “A young, 14-year-old girl was at the Sumner Public Library parking lot,” he says, “at which time a vehicle pulled up and the driver attempted to entice the young lady into his vehicle.”

The chief says the girl is fine — and she did the right thing by ignoring the man, going inside the library and reporting it.

(Updated) The Creston Police Department reports the arrest Wednesday evening, of 31-year-old Clinton Harold Overton, from Creston. He was charged with Theft in the 4th. Overton was taken to Union County Jail and has since posted $1,000 bond. And, at around 8:23-p.m., Wednesday, 40-year-old Latisha Gene Breen, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant. Breen was charged with two counts of a Controlled Substance Violation, two-counts of Possession of Controlled Substance- 3rd or subsequent offense, and Failure to affix drug stamp.  She is being held in Adams County Jail without bond until seen by a Judge.

Creston Police said also, a woman reported Wednesday morning, that her daughter’s house had been broken into. A PS-4 and a laptop were reported missing, a window was broken, and her dogs had been let loose.