(Radio Iowa) — A former employee of the Food Bank of Iowa is accused of embezzling a lot of dough — about 35-thousand dollars from the non-profit.  Thirty-one-year-old Lauren Phillips of Bondurant has been charged with first degree theft as well as forgery and identity theft. Authorities say she created fake invoices and stole the identity of the Food Bank’s C-E-O.

Officials say the embezzling scheme started in August of last year and continued through this past May when Phillips handled accounting for the Food Bank.

The Food Bank of Iowa has a Des Moines-area warehouse that distributes food to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and schools in 55 Iowa counties. According to the organization’s website, one million pounds of food moves through its warehouse each month.

Cass County Health System (CCHS) is now scheduling appointments for their Fall Health Fair that includes low-cost blood screenings for people ages 18 and older. Held in Atlantic, Anita, Griswold, and Massena, the Fall Health Fair includes free blood pressure checks, low-cost blood screenings, flu vaccines, and Medicare Annual Wellness exams.

“We added some services to our usual blood screenings to make it more convenient for busy adults,” said Mitch Whiley, Director of Laboratory Services. “Not all adults will need all of these services, but you don’t have to sign up for all of these options to make an appointment.”

In Atlantic, the health fair is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 am from September 27^th through the 29th. Patients should use the Main Entrance at Cass County Health System to check-in for their health fair appointment. Screenings will be held in the clinics in Anita on October 1, Griswold on October 2, and Massena on October 3.

Appointments are needed and can be made by calling 712-250-8091. The cost for the blood profile is $35, and it includes the following: Lipid Panel (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), Glucose, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Liver Function, Kidney Function, and Thyroid Screening. With the $35 blood profile, patients can also add these screenings for an additional fee: A1c $12, PSA $20, and Vitamin D $30.

Medicare Annual Wellness exams are also free. Flu shots and other vaccinations can be given during the Fall Health Fair; out-of-pocket cost will vary based on insurance coverage and vaccines needed.

FOREST CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman has been accused of stealing more than $51,000 from her employer in northern Iowa. Winnebago County court records say 49-year-old Amy Richter, of Titonka, is charged with theft and two counts of forgery.  She’s due in court for a hearing Monday.

A criminal complaint says that, between March 2017 and June 2018, Richter used company credit cards, payroll advances and forged checks to take the money from her employer, Eddy’s Glass & Door in Forest City.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Officials say heavy rainfall has overwhelmed Waterloo’s sewer system, letting untreated sewage reach rivers and streams. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says Waterloo Waste Management Services reported three locations where sewage escaped manholes and six more spots where workers bypassed sanitary sewer lines into street drains to relieve pressure and prevent other spills.
Service director Steve Hoambrecker says the untreated wastewater has been heavily diluted, owing to the nearly 8 inches of rain in the past week, “minimizing the sanitary concern.”

Rain runoff and groundwater are meant to go into storm sewers, while human waste and other contaminants are go into separate sanitary sewer lines. But cracks in sanitary mains and home footing tiles connected to sanitary lines let groundwater infiltrate the sanitary sewer system during heavy rain.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Thursday, of 45-year old Michael John Kidder, from Clarinda. Kidder was arrested at the Page County Courthouse on a Page County warrant for Probation Violation. He was transported to the Page County Jail bond was set at $10,000, pending future court proceedings.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests. On Thursday, 23-year old Alfred James Hutchings, of Omaha, NE, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana 1^st and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,900. And, 39-year old Jacquelyn Renee Pratt, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance-2^nd Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. her bond was set at $2,300.

30-year old Aaron Wade Opdyke, of Malvern, was arrested Thursday at the Mills County Jail for Violation of Probation, with bond set at $2,000. And, 41-year old Sean Joseph Cecil, of Leavenworth, KS, was arrested on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. He was also arrested at the Mills County Jail, where bond was set at $1,000.

On Wednesday, 55-year old Timothy John Digiacomo, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI 1^st Offense, with bond set at $1,000.

The Atlantic Area ATHENA award recipients have announced a scholarship to the Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC) Conference in Des Moines in November. The scholarship will be given to a woman who is interested in improving her leadership skills while in college or in her career. The Iowa Women Lead Change conference will be held November 6th & 7th in Des Moines. It will include speakers Cy Wakeman, Elias Johnson, Gale V. King, Geena Davis, Jeannette Walls, Jeffery Tobis Halter, Joanne Lipman, Sabrina Ahmed and Stedman Graham. Past conferences have included introductions by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

Interested applicants, or those interested in nominating an individual, can pick up a nomination form at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street, or visit www.atlanticiowa.com. Nominations are due Friday, September 28th to Dolly Bergmann at bsktcola@gmail.com or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

The ATHENA Leadership Award identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of women’s contributions to leadership: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. Over 7,000 recipients around the world have been honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award since its inception in 1982. Presented to leaders, woman and men, in the professional sector, the ATHENA Leadership Award is on of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive – and Atlantic is one of the few communities in Iowa with an active ATHENA Leadership group.

Local winners include: LaVon Eblen, Judy Marnin, Leanne Pellett, Denise O’Brien, Margaret Slepsky, Glenda Farrier, Carole Schuler, Jan Kinnison, Janelle Hansen, Ann Pross, Wendy Richter, Dolly Bergmann, Pat Markham, Lanette Plambeck, Kathie Hockenberry, Dr. Tressa Wilcox and Heather McKay.