LECLAIRE, Iowa (AP) – The National Weather Service has confirmed that some damage in eastern Iowa’s LeClaire was caused by an EF-1 tornado. The service says some homes sustained damage to roofs and siding, and several trees were ravaged when the twister roared into town Wednesday evening. The service says the tornado touched down at 6:36 p.m. and traveled about 2.4 miles before lifting five minutes later. At its maximum it was 50 yards wide. No injuries have been reported.

EF-1 twisters carry winds ranging from 86 to 110 mph. Another EF-1 tornado touched down earlier Wednesday and damaged farmsteads near Avoca. Both twisters were spawned by a fast-moving storm system that dropped nearly a foot of snow on the Rockies before heading east.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Officials with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa, are warning consumers who are shopping for vehicles on Craigslist, that scammers are posing as vehicle sales companies and touting fake escrow services in an effort to defraud them out of thousands of dollars. The scammers are using phony or stolen company names and often claim to be located in Midwestern communities – luring consumers to purchase RVs and trucks online.

Recent reports to BBB indicate that escrow fraud scammers are taking increasingly sophisticated steps to instill a sense of trust in their potential victims. Over the past several weeks, BBB has received inquiries and complaints about scammers using the name “Mayer Auto Center.” Consumers state that they are advertising trucks, recreational vehicles, and heavy equipment on Craigslist.

Consumers, who have responded to their advertisements, relate having received responses by email with photo attachments of the vehicle in which they expressed interest. Emails from the phony business state that since “Mayer” is a trucking company, they will deliver the “unit.” As the sales transaction proceeds, buyers are informed that they should pay by wiring money to Spain where their money will be held for five days in an escrow account managed by JP Morgan while they inspect the vehicle. Buyers are assured that if the “unit” does not meet what was represented, they will get their money back.

Although “Mayer Auto Center” states it is located at 3914 W Jewell St. in Wichita, KS., the BBB’s investigation has verified that no such business is located at this address. One prospective customer from Iowa reported to BBB that he had driven to Wichita to check out an RV he saw advertised on Craigslist, only to learn that the business does not exist.

BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty, says “When shopping on Craigslist, always meet the seller in a public place and see the item for sale before purchasing. Following this one rule will help you avoid most scams on Craigslist.”

BBB offers these tips when shopping for vehicles online to help avoid a scam:
– Beware of sellers who want to conclude a transaction as quickly as possible. Scammers want to get your money before you have time to think or have a professional examine the deal.
– Watch out for sellers who want you to wire money or use prepaid credit cards instead of a traditional check or credit card.
– Call the seller to establish phone contact. If they neglect details agreed to via email or are unable to answer questions about their location, it is likely to be a scam.
– Make sure websites are secure and authenticated before you purchase an item online. Look for “https” before the web address and online seals that ensure your credit card and/or banking information is secure.
– Use only well-known escrow services. As mentioned above, some fake car dealer websites use escrow services controlled by scammers. Go offline and contact the escrow service through a phone number you’ve determined is legitimate. Make sure they are aware of the transaction you are considering.
– If the price seems too good to be true, there’s probably something wrong. Be wary if the vehicles price is significantly lower than what you’ve seen elsewhere.
– Do not open email attachments and links included in emails from senders you do not know. This may expose your personal computer to security vulnerabilities such as malicious malware and viruses. If you have clicked on attachments or links, you may wish to have your personal computer thoroughly evaluated by a professional.

Consumers are encouraged to research all businesses they plan on shopping with by visiting www.bbbinc.org, calling 800-649-6814, following BBB on Facebook at Facebook.com/bbb1936 for tips about scams or checking for scams on BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.

The Creston Police Department reports a man from Adair County was arrested early this (Friday) morning. 22-year old Zachary Utterback, of Greenfield, was arrested at around 4:15-a.m. in the 600 block of N. Pine Street, in Creston. He was charged with Public Intoxication and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Bond, at the Union County Jail, was set at $1,000.

And, at around 1:50-a.m. today (Friday), 24-year old Brandon Frey, of Creston, was arrested on charges that include Possession of a Concealed Weapon, OWI/2nd Offense, and Urinating in Public. He was being held in the Union County Jail on $2,000 bond.

The 7:07-a.m. Newscast w/KJAN News Director, Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.7MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The 4th Judicial District in western Iowa, is searching for a new associate judge. The Omaha World-Herald reports an applicant must be an attorney admitted to practice law in Iowa, a resident of the 4th Judicial District, and younger than 72 at the time he or she finishes the first term.

The owner of a tractor museum in Avoca received a surprise in the mail, recently. According to the Daily NonPareil, Jerry Mez, who owns the Farmall-Land U.S.A. Museum with his wife, Joyce, received word from Rep. David Young congratulating the business on 10 years in Avoca. Additionally, the Republican – who represents Iowa’s third district, which includes Pottawattamie County – commended the Mez family on the Congressional floor. He received the letter and Congressional record notice, which he now proudly displays at the museum located just off Interstate 80.

A vehicle pulled over on Interstate 29 in Fremont County for driving erratically and with a flat tire, was later found to have been carrying a loaded handgun and loaded short-barreled shotgun, along with about 20-grams of marijuana. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says the vehicle, driven by 43-year old Justin J. Patrick, of Grand Island, NE., was pulled over Thursday in the area of I-29 and Highway 2.

When deputies made contact with Patrick, and were speaking with him, he allegedly attempted to grab a handgun concealed in the vehicle. He was placed under arrest without further incident, and charged with Assault on a Police Officer by using or displaying a weapon. Patrick faces additional charges that include OWI, two-counts of carrying a concealed weapon, Possession of an Unauthorized offensive weapon, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for numerous traffic offenses.

Justin Patrick remained in the Fremont County Jail this (Friday) morning, on $16,300 bond.

More predictions point toward gloomy financial times ahead for Iowa farmers as commodity prices trend lower for corn and soybeans. Rod Johansson, an economist with the U-S Department of Agriculture, says those commodity prices have continued to drop and have now reached a crucial point. “They may be coming down so far that in some cases, farmers aren’t meeting the cost of production,” Johansson says. Despite predictions for record or near-record yields, the abysmal prices mean many farmers may have to make some difficult decisions as they plan for the months ahead.

“Producers start digging into their capital reserves and they also see a reflection in the negotiated land rent values,” he says. “We would expect to see an increase in loan activity occurring in the banking sector.” As they head into spring planting season in a few months, some Iowa farmers may chose to leave select plots of land unplanted, as it may cost more to grow a crop than the crop is worth.

Johansson says, “Marginal production acres, low-yield acres, high-cost production acres would likely exit from production if prices remain too low to cover production costs on those acres.” Some farmers may have to dip into their rainy day funds to make ends meet. He says the good news is there are back-up plans in place as many farmers have insurance and there are safety net programs built into the Farm Bill.

(Radio Iowa)