In this first month of the year, Iowans may need to be more vigilant to keep from getting ripped off by scam phone callers, identity thieves and even by fast-talking health club managers. Dan Hendrickson, a spokesman for the Better Business Bureau, says it’s not too late to make a resolution to ensure your credit is safe. “We think it’s important that people check their credit report for free at Annual Credit Report-dot-com,” Hendrickson says. “That’s a really basic step people can take just to make sure their financial history is portrayed accurately and they can also look for things that don’t really add up or questionable notations in their credit file.”

By checking your credit report, Iowans can spot signs of identity theft early. It may also be helpful to register your phone on the “Do Not Call” registry to avoid a host of questionable sales pitches and pleas for charitable donations, but it isn’t a perfect system. “This will not cut out all the calls you don’t want,” Hendrickson says. “Basically the good organizations and good companies will follow that list closely. The ones that are more questionable or outright scammers will not.”  You can register your phone at Do Not Call-dot-gov. If you resolved to get fit in the new year, he suggests you get a check-up before you sign up for a health club membership. “We recommend people get a physical first, especially if you’ve been inactive for quite a while,” Hendrickson says. “It’s a good idea to get that baseline, find out what your health status is and work with your physician to set realistic health goals.”

There are other elements to consider before joining a gym to make sure it’s the right place for you. “We recommend researching the fitness club’s background, visit BBB-dot-org,” he says. “Check out if how they’ve handled complaints in the past if they’ve had complaints, and you also want to look at customer reviews.”  If the club is offering introductory deals, be clear on the terms and know exactly when any trial pay periods may be over.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s Deputies in Montgomery County, Wednesday night, arrested 33-year old Matthew Scott Lighty, of Clarinda, for Driving While Suspended, with 27 withdrawals in effect, and 46-year old Kelly Ross Shulths, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were taken into custody following a traffic stop at around 7-p.m., south of Red Oak. Lighty was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on bond. Shulths was released from the scene on a citation.

(4-a.m. update) The Iowa Department of Transportation’s 511ia.org website is reporting two accident on Interstate 80 in western Iowa are blocking the road. I-80 eastbound near Minden is blocked due to a crash between Exit 27: I-680 and Exit 29: County Road L66, and I-80 westbound near Shelby at Exit 34: County Road M16 (Shelby), is also blocked due to a crash.

I-80 between Exit 17: County Road G30 and Exit 23: County Road L55 (near Underwood). The ramp is blocked because of emergency vehicles. I-80 between Exit 8: US 6 and Exit 17: County Road G30 (Underwood). The ramp is blocked due to a stalled vehicle.

Roads in the area are partially covered with ice this morning. For the latest road conditions visit 511ia.org, or call 511.

Members of the Atlantic School Board, Wednesday night, approved a Resolution of Intent to continue participation in the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) Program. The next step is to hold a Public Hearing and take further action within 30 days of the hearing, to act on the Resolution, which would specify: the method and amount to be used to fund the ISL; And the purposes within the general fund for which the ISL will be used.

If approved following the hearing, the ISL would be in effect for a period of five-years, levied annually as determined by the Board, commencing with the levying of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2019, and an instructional support income surtax imposed annually for each budget year, the percentage of which will not exceed 20%, to be determined by the Board annually for each budget year, commencing December 31st, 2019 and each year thereafter.

When ISL, when combined with the State Instructional Support Aid, is not allowed to exceed 10% of the regular program district cost, including the budget adjustment for any budget year. Instructional Support Program funds may be used for any General Fund purpose, but is not subject to collective bargaining, and therefore will not be used for employee pay or benefits.

The district received $708,671 from the ISL levy in the 2017 Fiscal Year. The revenues are a combination of income surtax and property taxes.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Schools, businesses and services are getting a jump on a winter storm set to hit Nebraska and Iowa overnight by announcing late starts and some closures on Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for most of Nebraska and a winter storm warning for a swath of Iowa from just east of Omaha, Nebraska, northeast through Denison, Fort Dodge and Mason City.

The forecast Wednesday night calls for rain, freezing rain and rapidly falling temperatures throughout the night into Thursday morning, when heavy snow and strong winds are expected to make travel dangerous.

Schools in Nebraska have announced late starts for Thursdays, and many Iowa schools and businesses in the storm’s path have announced plans to close Thursday. Some sporting, church and other events have also been canceled or postponed.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he’ll travel the state this year to inform the public about a new law requiring voter identification at the polls. Pate said Wednesday his plans include “educational summits” and meeting with groups that will get the word out.

Beginning in 2019, voters must show an Iowa driver’s license, Iowa non-driver’s ID, U.S. passport, military identification, veterans ID or a new non-photo ID issued by the state. A soft rollout in 2018 means voters without acceptable ID must sign an oath acknowledging they will need it soon. In 2019, those voters will be offered provisional ballots.

A special state House election on Jan. 16 is the first under the law’s soft rollout. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the law last spring, arguing it would maintain election integrity. There’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Iowa.