DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped in November but remains slightly higher than the rate a year ago. Iowa Workforce Development announced Friday that the November unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, down from 4.5 percent in October. The November 2013 rate was 4.2 percent.

The agency says the number of unemployed residents dropped to 73,900 in November. The number of residents with jobs was nearly 1.64 million. Iowa’s unemployment rate remained significantly lower than the national rate of 5.8 percent in November.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green is reminding area residents, especially those who are elderly, about the numerous, ongoing telephone scams that continue to circulate. Green says in recent weeks, the scams have been escalating to the point that the Police Dept. is receiving several complaints per week.

Green says two of the most frequent types of calls claim to be from either the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), or, from Publishers Clearing House (PCH). Some of the calls are automated. The Chief wants to stress that neither PCH nor the IRS will call you to tell you about prizes won or taxes owed. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should give provide any personal or financial information to the caller, nor should you send cash or money orders to persons who have called demanding payment for those types of services and others.

The only true way to handle the calls, is to HANG UP. Any new calls should either not be answered if they show up as being from the same number, or if your caller ID show no numbers, then don’t answer, or hang up. The scammers on the other end of the line are experts at trying to gain your confidence or compliance by tempting you to win prizes or threatening you with arrest.

Green says the P-D is aware of the scams, and individual reports to police are not necessary. He says it’s especially important that you sit down with elderly family members or friends and explain to them they may be receiving the scam calls, because those persons are most often targeted for exploitation of their finances and personal information.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court says companies that provide phone service through the Internet must be taxed the same as traditional telephone service providers. The court ruled 6-0 Friday that Voice over Internet Protocol providers operate “telephone lines” even if their service is provided through a broadband network. Therefore, justices say those companies are subject to annual property tax assessments based on the amount of cable and wire they use to provide the service.

The ruling rejected a challenge from Cable One, Inc., an Arizona-based company that provides cable, internet and VoIP service in the Sioux City area. Cable One challenged two years of Iowa Department of Revenue assessments totaling $1.4 million, arguing they didn’t apply because the company doesn’t operate a telephone line.

More area news from Ric Hanson.

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Two area newspapers have announced they will cease operations next week. The Danish Villages Voice will publish its last issue on Christmas. Officials with the publication pointed to declining revenue. The Walnut Bureau’s last issue is also set to be on December 25th, with hopes of selling the business due to declining advertising and subscriptions.

(KNOD)

No injuries were reported following two separate accidents Thursday morning, in Glenwood. According to the Police Department, the first accident occurred at around 7-a.m. at the intersection of north Linn and 11th Streets.

Officials say a 2000 Toyota Camry driven by 17-year old Jordan Grassau, of Glenwood, was traveling south on north Linn Street, as a 2003 Lincoln Navigator driven by 38-year old Molly Carr-Gross, of Silver City, was slowing to make a left turn onto 11th Street. Due to the snow covered, slick roads, the SUV was unable to complete the turn and continued south on Linn. Grassau was unable to stop quickly enough due to the slick conditions, and hit the SUV in the rear. Damage amounted to $4,000.

The second accident happened about an hour later, at 1st and north Walnut Streets, in Glenwood. Authorities say a 2012 Ford F-150 pickup driven by 58-year old Julie Snyder, of Malvern, was on 1st Street entering the intersection eastbound from a stop sign at Walnut, when a 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup driven by 18-year old Caleb Barns, of Glenwood, was unable to stop as it was traveling south on Walnut. The pickups collided, causing $2,250 damage to Snyder’s truck. Slick road conditions contributed to the crash.

No citations were issued following the accidents.

Police in Creston say a Ringgold County man was arrested Thursday morning at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a warrant for charges of Going Armed with Intent, and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. 29-year old Aaron James Mangum, of Tingley, was being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000 bond.

The 7:06-a.m. Newscast with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A traffic stop early this (Friday) morning in Montgomery County resulted on a felony OWI/3rd offense charge for a Stanton man. Sheriff’s officials say 20-year old Cody Benjamin Johnson was taken into custody at around 12:20-a.m. and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $5,000 bond.

An ethics complaint filed against the superintendent of the Treynor Community School District has prompted two charges in an administrative law court seeking professional disciplinary action. According to the Daily NonPareil, Superintendent Kevin Elwood is accused of allowing the Treynor school district to hire a custodian in the summer of 2013 who Elwood allegedly was aware had sexually assaulted a student.