(Radio Iowa) — A special investigation by the state auditor’s office indicates a former part-timer who worked for the Webster City Chamber of Commerce was responsible for 263-thousand dollars worth of payments that were either improper or lacked proper documentation. Leah Mulholland was a financial and administrative assistant for the Webster City Chamber of Commerce. Auditors report she overpaid herself by 190-thousand dollars over a four-and-a-half year period. Auditors flagged another 35-thousand dollars worth of spending to cover things like what auditors believe were Mulholland’s cell phone bills, the purchase of a sex toy and 27-hundred dollars worth of hotel bills in Webster City. The auditor’s report also mentions improper spending at a Webster City hair salon and for food and meals at restaurants.

According to the auditors’ report, Webster City Chamber of Commerce officials “did not provide sufficient oversight of the Chamber’s financial transactions.” The chamber’s board of directors has released a written statement, indicating “all recommendations” outlined in the auditors’ report already “have been implemented.” The statement indicates this is an “ongoing criminal case” and goes on to say the “chamber board and staff are supporting and cooperating with the county attorney, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Iowa attorney general’s office.”

(Radio Iowa) — Residents who were preparing to move into a new senior living center in Rock Valley are trying to deal with the shock of a fire Tuesday that heavily damaged the facility. The board president for the RiverView Ridge Senior Living Center says, Todd Van Tol, says this is hard for the community as they were preparing to open after at least three years of work. “There’s a group of people who have sold their homes that are expecting to move there in the next 30 to 90 days. So essentially their home was burned down. So we’ve got to help them come up with the next plan, Tol says.

The police chief estimated flames were shooting 50 feet in the air when he arrived on the scene around six in the morning. Van Tol says 14 of the 40 rooms had already had tenants. The initial assessment was that the building was a total loss — but Van Tol says they will look at what is left. “I don’t have all the answers yet, but it’s pretty devastating for at least three-quarters of the building,” Van Tol says. “We’ll have to see what we can do with some of the rest of it with smoke damage and that kind of stuff, but right now it’s incredibly devastating.”

The center was built to help with a shortage of assisted living options in Rock Valley and the nearby area. Van Tole says the board will be meeting with its insurance company and hopes to see it rebuilt. There is not word yet on the cause of the fire.

(Radio Iowa) — State Fire Marshal, Dan Wood, reminds you to do a little planning and takes some precautions before setting off any fireworks as you celebrate the nation’s birthday. He says you should try to be 300 feet away from any structure, have a bucket of water nearby to put things out that you are using to light fireworks, and have a fire extinguisher close by. Wood says local officials set the regulations and times for legally shooting off fireworks and you should check your location to be sure you are legal before lighting up any firework. This is the third year that fireworks have been legal and many cities have adjusted their rules.

In Atlantic, fireworks may be used from Noon until 11-p.m. Today (Thursday), and from Noon until 11-p.m. Friday. Any person who violates the provisions of the fireworks discharging ordinance or without reckless intent causes injury, property damage or a fire will be guilty of a scheduled municipal infraction punishable by a $250 fine in addition to established court costs. It is unlawful in Atlantic, to set off fireworks within 300-feet of a public school building, assisted living facility, or hospital. They can only be used on private property.

Newton city leaders considered a total ban on fireworks this year before deciding to restrict their the size of fireworks. They also limited their use to between eight p-m and 11 p-m today (July 4). Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik says the city council will be watching to see if the changes alleviate some of the complaints. “We’re urging people to follow the rules, make sure that if you want to continue to see fireworks be able to be used in the community — you’ve gotta follow the rules that are set out,” Wellik says.

Wellik says a few rule breakers could ruin the whole thing for everyone. For example, he says he saw people shooting off fireworks the other night behind the fire station.”That’s just the example that people are setting that’s gonna give council the ammunition to say ‘we are not going to allow that anymore, if you are not going to follow the rules, we are not going to allow it at all,” Wellik says.

A person who violates Newton’s fireworks regulations faces a fine of at least 250-dollars. Wellik says any fireworks that are allowed by state law can be used outside of the Newton city limits.

Red Oak Police, Wednesday, arrested 19-year old Courtney Ann Hall, from Red Oak. Hall was taken into custody at around 8:12-p.m. in the 300 block of Prospect Street, for Driving While Suspended. Her bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at slightly more than $566.