DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa power utility is warning residents not to fall for a phone scam that has targeted power customers around the country. The Des Moines Register reports that MidAmerican Energy has received reports from its customers complaining of suspicious calls. People posing as electric company employees tell customers they are behind on their bills and must purchase a prepaid debit card, load it with money and hand over the serial number, or else face having their electricity shut off.

The utility is warning customers not to give credit card numbers, account information and personal information.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man has died after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pickup, and a woman riding as a passenger on the bike has been seriously injured. Sioux City television station KTIV reports that a man driving the truck has been arrested on suspicion of leaving the scene of a fatal crash and running a stop sign.

Sioux City police say the crash happened shortly before 11 p.m. Friday in Sioux City. Investigators say a woman who witnessed the crash performed CPR on the man driving the motorcycle until help arrived, but the man died at the scene.

The names of those on the motorcycle have not yet been released.

One of the primary annual fundraisers for the Iowa chapter of Special Olympics is next month and it involves overcoming one’s fear of heights. The event is called Over The Edge, according to Hal Pittman, president and C-E-O of Special Olympics Iowa. Participants can sign up now to rappel down the side of the Financial Center in downtown Des Moines, about 345 feet from the top, to raise money for the charity.

The unusual event will be held all day on Wednesday, September 18th, at one of the tallest buildings in the state. You can sign up through the website and then raise money for Special Olympics Iowa. The first 100 people to raise $1,000 get to take the leap. If you’re not interested in doing the deed yourself but would still like to help out the charity, Pittman says there are certainly options. Employees can get a team together at work to raise money to “toss the boss,” or you can “fling a friend” by signing up a buddy and raising the funds to get them to go over the edge.

Money raised will benefit the 11-thousand Iowans with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics. The event raised more than 35-thousand dollars last year. Learn more about Over the Edge at: www.soiowa.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak report the arrest on Friday of a woman wanted on a warrant out of Dallas County. Chrystal Rush Stewart, of Red Oak, was taken into custody for Contempt of Court/Failure to Appear on an original charge of 3rd offense OWI.

Stewart was brought to the Montgomery County Jail where she will serve a 30 day sentence before being eligible for release on $1,000 bond.

The latest area News from KJAN News Director, Ric Hanson….

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State Fire Marshal Raymond Reynolds has ordered a ban on open burning in Audubon County, effective at Noon today (Sat., Aug. 31st). No one is allowed to engage in open burning in Audubon County, except as specifically permitted by Iowa Code, or until Audubon Fire Chief John Ballou (who represents each fire department in the County), notifies the Fire Marshal that conditions have improved, and no longer threatens life or property.

The burn ban was requested by Ballou, after consulting with fire chiefs in the County, and was made due to the extremely dry nature of brush, grass and timber in the County. If fires start, they can spread rapidly and become out of control.

Authorities in Montgomery County say a Nebraska man was arrested Friday evening on a charge of Public Intoxication. 37-year old Joe Lewis Welch, of Omaha, was taken into custody at around 7:40-p.m., and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where he was being held on $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Fort Dodge will re-elect a mayor this fall for a full term for the first time in 24 years. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports that Mayor Matt Bemrich was the only person to file for the mayor’s office by Thursday’s deadline. Since he has no opposition, that will make him the first Fort Dodge mayor elected to a second consecutive full term since 1989.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three men have been charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of a Des Moines man. The Des Moines Register reports Yarvon Russell, James Shorter and Kent Tyler the Third were charged yesterday in Sunday’s slaying of 40-year-old Richard Daughenbaugh. Two of the three 18-year-old men, all of Des Moines, are in custody. A warrant has been issued for Tyler’s arrest.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A man has been accused of threatening guests at a northwest Iowa motel with a stun gun. The Sioux City Journal reports 29-year-old Richard Porter of Davenport has been accused of arguing with guests at the motel early yesterday in Storm Lake. Porter faces several charges, including going armed with intent, public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in Scott County are looking for a man they accidentally released from custody. The Quad-City Times reports Dale Blumer was released Thursday on an appeal bond in Scott County District Court. A bench warrant was later issued for him, and he remained free as of Friday afternoon.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is moving two service programs to another location in Omaha. The Community Resource and Referral Center and the Mental Health Specialty Services Program are moving closer to where they will be more accessible for veterans. The address is 825 Dorcas St., Suite 200. They’ll be open for business on Tuesday. The referral center provides an array of services, including job skills assistance and case management through the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System.

The center provides access to washers and dryers and showers on a limited basis. And the center operates the VA Pantry, which can provide canned foods, grains, meats and bread to veterans in need. Call 402-995-4010 for more information about the services.