Page County Sheriff’s Deputies today (Friday), arrested a man for Public Intoxication. 21-year old Spencer Ryan Moore, of Coin, was arrested at around 1:15-a.m., following an investigation into a reported argument at a residence in the 2700 block of F Avenue (about 2 miles southwest of Coin).  Moore was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on
$300 bond, pending further court proceedings.

Officials with the Cass and Audubon County Sheriff’s Offices are reporting two separate phone scams that are making the rounds. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says the old Social Security phone scam has popped-up again. That’s when a person calls and claims they’re a law enforcement official, and tells you your social security number has been stolen. They then tell you there’s a vehicle in your name in another state that was found that was involved with drugs and there’s blood in the vehicle. Usually the scammer will then press the person to give them personal information. Authorities say this is “Definitely a scam, don’t fall for it! Do not give any personal information!!”

In Audubon County, the COVID-19 Test Kit scam calls are circulating. During those calls, a person tells you their records show you have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. They won’t tell you who you supposedly came into contact with, and that they want to mail you a kit which you must pay for and return within 72 hours. They typically say the kit costs $50. This is a scam. Don’t give out any personal information. Just hang-up.

Audubon County Public Health has verified their office conducts the contact tracing for Audubon County, but they do NOT send out tests, and they do NOT ask for credit card information.

Iowa’s Senior Republican Senator, Charles Grassley, will pay a visit to Atlantic on Thursday, August 20th. The Senator will be in town as part of his 99 county tour. His visit will be from 9:45-until 10:45-a.m., at the Rock Island Depot, outside, between the Depot and Carriage House.

Residents and the business community are encouraged to attend and bring their questions and concerns on any topic; including the current business climate and plans Congress has to address concerns.

Face coverings are highly encouraged when social distancing is not possible

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year old Devin Brandon Jackson, of Glenwood, was arrested Thursday night on charges that include: Assault causing Injury; Interference with Official Acts, and Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. Jackson was taken into custody at the Mills County Jail and held on a $3,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The former executive director of the Des Moines area Metro Waste Authority has pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud after investigators say he improperly collected at least one-point-eight million dollars. A special investigation released by the state auditor in December indicated Jeff Dworek created a shell company, submitted fake invoices to the Des Moines area’s Metro Waste Authority and collected the checks himself. He was also accused of signing off on improper payments to a company controlled by an associate. The Des Moines Register was first to report that a federal judge has accepted Jeff Dworek’s guilty plea. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 6,700 people filed unemployment claims last week in Iowa, and the number of continuing claims is nearly 105,000, a decrease of more than 5,000 from the previous week. Iowa Workforce Development says there were 6,765 claims for unemployment insurance in the week ending Aug. 1, and benefit payments totaled more than $29.9 million for the week. Manufacturing had the highest number of claims with more than 1,400. Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits ended July 25, which means the $600 weekly additional benefit stopped and claimants will see a decrease in their benefits. However, laid off workers in Iowa may be eligible for state extended benefits.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced that $26.2 million is now available to districts, nonpublic schools, and colleges and universities primarily to increase internet connectivity for students for the 2020-21 school year. Using the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, authorized under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, $19.3 million in awards will go to all 327 school districts and nonpublic schools.The remaining $6.9 million will be earmarked for public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities.

“During an unprecedented pandemic, we have had to adapt, innovate, and change the way we do business. Expanding high-quality broadband connectivity is more important than ever for telelearning, telework and telehealth,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This funding will play a critical role in our children’s education, helping to close significant gaps in broadband access for rural schools.”

“This is an important step toward ensuring our students and teachers have reliable access to the internet,” said Ann Lebo, director of the Iowa Department of Education. “In an increasingly technology-driven world, it is essential that we overcome the digital divide.”

The education department will send the awards directly to districts, which may use them to lease hotspots, provide a discount on broadband internet service or loan devices to qualifying households. The award amount for each district is based on the estimated number of households that lack internet access or struggle to afford it. Allocations are based on a survey the state conducted in June as well as information from the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau.

The $6.9 million earmarked for public and private colleges and universities may be spent to improve connectivity for students or provide professional development for faculty in online instruction. It will require an application to the department.