(Atlantic, Iowa) – Last week it was announced an Atlantic resident was the victim of a BitCoin scam, now another Cass County resident has come forward to say they too have become a victim of the same type of scam. Rural Atlantic resident Denise O’Brien told KJAN NEWS she wants to warn people that the scam started with a message on her personal Facebook page that resulted in O’Brien’s page being hacked.

She says anyone who goes to her personal Facebook page is seeing an imposter. She says you can help her deal with the scammers, by simply blocking the page.

A message on her now fake Facebook page says “Congratulations to me!!! So this just came in today after months and months of endless study and training. I’m happy to announce that I’ve been certified as an Expert Crypto Trader after undergoing the rigorous training which lasted for over 24 months. I’ve been keeping this secret for a long time. Getting here wasn’t that easy but l’m not a quitter. I always work hard so I can achieve my goals . I’m really thankful to my family for supporting me throughout the whole process . A CERTIFIED CRYPTOCURRENCY EXPERT (C.C.E)”

It also shows a fake Trading Certificate. O’Brien says people may think she’s selling BitCoin, but that is absolutely NOT TRUE. She does however, have a legitimate business on her farm.

She says if you’re a Facebook user and you see a suspicious message pop-up on your timeline, don’t click or respond to it.

Atlantic business owner Ann Bruck was also the target of a BitCoin scam. She wants her customers, prospective clients and followers of her business “Designer Portraits,”to know both her personal and business Facebook paged were hacked. Scammers began sending similar messages and tagging her customers and friends about BitCoin. Like Denise O’Brien, Bruck has been trying to get her pages back but she faces the same brick wall.

If any of her followers have been affected by the scam, an FBI form is available to fill out to try and clear things up. She too, stressed Ann Bruck and Designers Portraits are still in business, but she is not selling cryptocurrency, and that she is currently unable to book appointments through social media.

(Radio Iowa) – The longest-serving member on the state board that oversees the operation of the Iowa Lottery is retiring. Mary Junge is a certified public accountant and practicing tax attorney from Cedar Rapids who didn’t expect to end up with the longest tenure on the board when she started in May of 1999. “I don’t know, it just happened I guess, it’s just I came to enjoy it so much it was something so different than what I was doing in my work,” she says “… and the knowledge just kept building year after year and then…. it takes a while to really think that you kind of understand what’s going on. And then you get to that point and then you get to that point and you want to continue to contribute.” She served until 2014 and then was off the board for a time before being reappointed in 2016. Junge says a lot changed through those 23 or so years.

“Technology and just the, I mean I was just commenting to some people just the changing locations…first there was the old really old building on Grand Avenue and then moved into the Insurance building and then here, all that progression and the growth that went with that,” Junge says. She says there’s one thing she will really miss about being on the Board. “Well definitely the people, I mean you can’t be on the board this long and that develop friendships and relationships with people here it’s just been really monumental,” Junge says. Junge was honored at this week’s Lottery Board meeting.

Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn told Junge the Iowa Lottery is grateful and it “is stronger and improved because of your service.”

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests:

On Tuesday (March 26th), 72-year-old Daniel James McDermott, of LaVista, NE, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Failure To Appear. His bond was set at $2,000.

On Wednesday (March 27th), 41-year-old Jeffrey Dale Hankins, of Malvern, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $10,000.

(Mills County, Iowa) – The former Superintendent for the Atlantic Community School District is among three Superintendent finalists for the shared East Mills and Sidney School Districts. In a press release (shown below), school officials with the two districts announced Thursday they had narrowed their search to Steven Barber, Michael Brown, and Troy Damman. Barber served as the Atlantic School District Superintendent for six-years before resigning in June, 2023. He currently serves as the interim superintendent of the Grinnell-Newburg School District.

Barber holds superintendent licensure in advanced studies and a master’s degree in education from Iowa State University.

Michael Brown previously served as superintendent of Boyd County Public Schools in Spencer, Nebraska. He currently the director of the Quest Forward High School in Omaha, and holds an education specialist degree in school administration from Wayne State College and a master’s in education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Troy Damman is currently superintendent of the Erie-Galesburg School District in Erie, Kansas and was also previously superintendent of the Waconda School District in Cawker City, Kansas. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Baker University.

Both school boards contracted with Grundmeyer Leader Services to assist in the search and plan to conduct final interviews with the three candidates on Wednesday. The boards plan to discuss and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews.

The next superintendent would officially begin leading the two school districts July 1st, succeeding Tim Hood who announced his retirement as superintendent of the two schools last month.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met in special session Tuesday morning, and held a public hearing on the proposed property taxes. Members of the public expressed interest in how to interpret the School, County and City Budget Year Statement to Owners and Taxpayers mailing sent as required by Iowa Code (24.2A).

The board explained that the mailing does not reflect the actual amount the taxpayer will pay for the coming fiscal year.

The hearing concluded with no action taken on the proposed taxes.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board, during their Work Session, Wednesday evening, discussed the prospect for Summer Program & Summer School. Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said she spoke with the District’s Principals, and decided they would NOT recommend Summer School for grades K-through-6, but it would likely be available for certain High School classes if the student needs them for credit recovery.

Dr. Johnsen said “School if ends on May 22^nd and we start-up Summer School, and they come in and let’s do the same thing. we’re not seeing any improvement or increase in their skill set from having that Summer School.” She says studies have shown students need that Summer break.

Having the break, she said, also puts less stress on parents who might otherwise have to adjust their routine to get their kids to Summer School for an hour of reading four-to five-days a week. Board member Josh McLaren said it doesn’t make sense to him, but he trusts those who have a better understanding of productive education, to make the right decision.

Atlantic High School

Dr. Johnson says the other reason for not holding Summer School, has to deal with funding, especially with regard to ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency [Pandemic] Relief) funds.

She said they would have their breakfast and lunch programs. School Board member Laura McLean said she’s frustrated by the idea there would be no Summer School, because they want to be able to support their staff and district leaders, but are getting mixed messages about the importance of those types of classes.

She said she is oriented towards those who need more support. Board President Kristy Pellett agreed. No action was taken on the recommendation to not hold Summer School, during Wednesday’s meeting, only discussion. Dr. Johnsen said she would take comments by the Board back to the District’s Principals, and have something for the regular meeting in April.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has passed a bill that would require health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing that can help doctors more effectively treat medical conditions. Republican Representative Brian Lohse, of Bondurant, says biomarker testing lets doctors avoid unnecessary and invasive tests and ineffective treatments.  “Such testing has proven itself vital in improving patient care when they have been diagnosed with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, preeclampsia and many more,” Lohse says. “In doing so, patients benefit from more effective care.” Lohse says it also reduces costs.

“A study sponsored by CVS revealed that patients who underwent a proven, broad panel biomarket testing saved an average of $8500 per person per month, based on a single test that could only average between $1500 and $5000,” Lohse says. “That’s god for Iowa. That’s good for Iowans.” Democratic Representative Megan Srinivas, of Des Moines, who is also a physician, agrees. “This is a crucial bill that can really truly save lives here in Iowa,” Srinivas said. “It’ll save lives without actually costing any extra money which is also the beauty of this, so it’s a win win win all around.”

Republican Representative David Young of Van Meter also worked on the legislation. “I think this bill here, getting it through the finish line, can be very, very consequential in terms of outcomes for Iowans and their health,” Young said. “…Detecting these things early can really go a long way.”

The bill passed the House on a vote of 96 to one. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

MASON CITY, Iowa, March 28, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today (Thursday), announced that the Agency is investing $4,780,000 in 5 grants and $23,829,320 in 8 loans to projects in Iowa that promote rural small businesses, support higher education, and improve drinking water and sanitation infrastructure. She made the announcement while participating in the annual Ag Breakfast held at the North Iowa Events Center on the Cerro Gordo County fairgrounds.

The 13 investments in 11 projects were made through three different USDA programs.

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Recipients: The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides zero-interest loans to local utilities organizations which in turn pass the funding through to local businesses.

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program Recipients: USDA’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. In southwest Iowa….

• The City of Elk Horn (IA) received a $2,739,000 loan to help improve the controlled discharge lagoon wastewater treatment facility. This project will replace aged components and remove accumulated sludge. This project will slipline and seal sewers and manholes to reduce infiltration and inflow. Once completed, the project will mitigate an imminent health and sanitation hazard, enable the city to meet wastewater standards, and promote the health of residents of this rural Shelby County community.
• Harlan Municipal Utilities received a $2,644,000 loan to provide additional funding to improve the water system for the city of Harlan in Shelby County. This project will drill four new wells, construct four new well houses, install new raw water mains to connect the new wells to the existing distribution piping, and install new electrical conduit in the well field. The aged raw water transmission main currently limits available capacity to the treatment plant, which presents a health risk during periods of extended demand. Once completed, the project will provide adequate water supplies and will promote the health and safety of the residents of this rural community.
• Regional Water, a rural water association based in Avoca, received a $4,324,000 loan to help expand water service. This project will construct 12.25 miles of rural potable water piping infrastructure to two housing developments under construction in rural Pottawattamie County. The project will promote the health and safety of residents, businesses, and visitors in this rural area.
• The City of Randolph received a $351,000 loan to provide additional financing to help improve the sewer collection system, lift station, and sewer lagoon system for this city in rural Fremont County. This project will help reduce excessive infiltration and inflow levels that have caused hydraulic overload and discharges more frequent than allowed by permit. This project will help improve water service and promote the health and safety of community residents, businesses, and visitors.

SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant Recipients: USDA’s SEARCH program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with pre-development feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. In western Iowa….

• The City of Castana received a $25,000 grant to help complete a water facility plan with options and recommendations prepared by professional engineers. The city’s water is discolored with high mineral content. Some water lines fill with sediment and block water service to customers. This project will promote the health and safety of residents, businesses, and visitors of this rural Monona County community.

(Radio Iowa) – A lifelong Iowan and author is releasing her second book showcasing the state’s many attractions. Sara Broers says her book, “Perfect Day Iowa,” details dozens of places to visit from Sioux City to the Quad Cities, to be entertained by a wide array of landmarks and events, as well as Iowa’s natural beauty. “I am passionate about telling the story of Iowa,” Broers says. “‘Perfect Day Iowa’ is a great way to get out and explore our home state. I’m an Iowa farm girl. I am an example of how you can live in rural America and still do some pretty amazing things because of how we all are connected.” This comes two years after Browers’ first book, “100 Things To Do In Iowa Before You Die.”

The new book is continuing on the original theme, but instead offers tips for day trips and weekend getaways. “It’s written as, how can you go somewhere and basically have a perfect day? What can you do in 24 hours?” Broers says. “I like that concept because that’s honestly something I’ve been doing for a long time, because that’s what I do as a travel blogger. I tell people where are the good places to go, things to experience, places to take a run, maybe ride your bike.” While the book does detail a host of great Iowa restaurants, she says there are likely a thousand more restaurants that should be in the book, that aren’t, as there just wasn’t space.

Broers says you can visit one place in Iowa during the spring and have a completely different experience by going to the same place in the fall or winter. “What I love about Iowa is we do have four seasons,” she says, “and we can experience something new every three to four months of the year.”

Broers is holding events in the coming weeks to promote the book in cities including: Mason City, Webster City, Corning, Charles City, Dyersville, Fort Dodge, Ackley, Marengo and Pella.