DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former CEO of the Iowa Lottery has co-written a book about a former lottery computer programmer who is in prison for cheating lotteries in several states out of millions of dollars. Terry Rich worked with Iowa journalist Perry Beeman to write “The $80 billion Gamble,” which was released Monday. It tells the story of how Eddie Tipton altered number-picking programs on lottery computers to win jackpots in Colorado, Wisconsin, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Tipton usually had others buy tickets and collect winnings since he was ineligible to play as a lottery vendor employee, but in 2010 Tipton bought an Iowa Hot Lotto ticket using numbers he knew would win. He urged a friend to collect the $16.5 million but his scheme all unraveled.

The book tells how a yearslong investigation uncovered the scheme.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A monthlong trial in state court has begun that focuses on whether former Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad discriminated against a gay Democratic official by pressuring him to quit or was exercising the governor’s right to hire people aligned with his political philosophy.

Branstad was sued in 2012 by Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey, who alleged discrimination by Branstad and staff members who pressured Godfrey to resign in 2011.
When Branstad came into office in 2011, Godfrey had four more years before his term ended so Branstad couldn’t fire him. However, the governor could set the commissioner’s salary, so he cut Godfrey’s pay by $39,000.

A Polk County jury will decide whether Branstad’s actions were proper or discrimination based on sexual orientation, political party affiliation or both.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man died after saving his 5-year-old daughter from a dog attack in southeast Iowa. Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber says 33-year-old Robert Quick, of Dallas City, Illinois, was one of three people attacked Friday by the dog outside a home in Fort Madison. Weber says officers had to shoot the large animal because it wouldn’t release a man who was pinned on his back in the front yard.

First responders soon found the wounded Quick lying in the home’s doorway. Weber says Quick asked medics to first help his daughter, who’d been bitten on the face. Weber says Quick “undoubtedly saved her life by his actions.” All three victims were taken to Fort Madison Community Hospital, where Quick was pronounced dead.

Weber didn’t say what actions Quick had taken or provide the names of the other man and the girl.

The Audubon Chamber of Commerce’ Flight Breakfast was held Sunday, at the Audubon Municipal Airport. Breakfast was served from 6:30-until 10:30-a.m., with the meal free to those who flew-in to the airport. 64 planes and their pilots/guests flew-in, and a total of 650 people were served ham and cheese omelets, pancakes, coffee, milk and juice. The weather was excellent, and there were bicycle clubs that rode-in on the T-Bone Trail who attended.

Twenty-one planes from Iowa were at the event, along with three from the Nebraska communities of Gretna, Omaha and Dakota City. Iowa aircraft and crew included those from: Altoona, Ames; Atlantic; Braddyville; Casey; Cherokee; Clarinda; Clive; Council Bluffs; Dallas Center; Danbury; Denison; Des Moines; Harlan; Jefferson; Jewell; Manson; Nevada; Newton; Spencer, and Red Oak.

Taxpayers can now apply for the Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit with the Department of Revenue for those who have a geothermal heat pump installed on their residence on or after January 1, 2019. Deadline to submit an application is May 1 following the year of installation. Taxpayers must apply and receive approval for the Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit with the Department before claiming the tax credit for tax year 2019 and later. Claims made on the IA 1040 without an award will be denied.

Tax credits are only allowed on residential properties located in Iowa to the resident of the home where the geothermal heat pump was installed. The Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Completing an application does not guarantee you will be awarded a Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit; application approvals are contingent upon availability of tax credits in that particular tax year.

The application for the Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit can only be completed within the Tax Credit Award, Claim & Transfer Administration System (CACTAS). Visit the Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit page on the Department’s website for full details.

A bull on the High and Dry Road in Union County, was struck and killed by a van late Friday night. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says the driver of the van, 26-year old Samantha Jolene Killion, of Creston, was not injured during the collision. The accident happened at around 11:15-p.m. as a 2005 Chevy Venture minivan driven by Killion was northbound on High and Dry Road. Immediately after crossing a bridge, the van struck a Black Angus bull that was standing in the middle of the northbound lane.

After the impact, both the van and bull went into the west side ditch. The van sustained heavy front-end damage (estimated at $3,500). The bull, owned by Stuart Ford, of Bridgewater, died at the scene. Its value was placed at $5,000.

The Atlantic School Board will hold a Public Meeting 3-p.m. Tuesday, June 4th, at the Middle School Media Center. On their agenda, is a Resolution approving the Contract and Bonds with Precision Concrete Services, Inc., of Atlantic, for the Washington Elementary School parking lot. They’ll also act on a Resolution providing for the award and issuance of General Obligation School Bonds, and providing for the levy of taxes to pay for the bonds, the sale of which takes place at 10-a.m., Tuesday.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on a resignation received by Jake Vetter, as an employee of the district’s ground maintenance department, and on contract recommendations for the Summer Lunch Program: Angela Behrens and Lori Namanny (5-hour positions), and Jodi Woodard (3-hour position). All three women have past experience in working with the Summer Lunch Program.

(9-a.m. News)