Lottery fever is expected to hit a lot more people in Iowa and nationwide after the 524 million dollar jackpot in the Powerball drawing went unclaimed last night. Iowa Lottery spokesperson Mary Neubauer. “Nobody won the jackpot nationwide in lst night’s Powerball drawing, so we are now into historic territory,” she says. Neubauer says the next jackpot will surpass the Powerball record jackpot of 590-point-five million dollars won by a Florida woman on May 18, 2013.

The latest figures from the Lottery show Saturday’s jackpot at $700-million. That tops the largest lottery jackpot in the world, which was a 656 million dollar Mega Millions prize won on March 30, 2012. It was split by three tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland. If you choose the lump sum payout instead of the annuity, that would give you $428.4-million dollars.

Iowa Lottery players bought more than four million in Powerball tickets for Wednesday’s drawing, including more than two-point-seven million dollars in tickets on Wednesday alone. The Powerball tickets were selling at a rate of more than 68-hundred dollars each minute in Iowa during the busiest stretch from five to six p-m.

“Something that we are already seeing here in Iowa is that retailers are running out of paper for our terminals. We did our best to provide extra ticket stock in advance. We are doing our best to get out to those terminals that have run out of paper already,” according to Neubauer. The excitement of the big jackpot has added another set of ticket buyers to the regular mix.

“Not only are regular Powerball players playing — but first-time players are jumping in — which is great, but then we’re trying to explain an entire game to someone who has never played before,” Neubauer says. “We are just answering lots and lots of questions about Powerball. It’s very fun, but it’s very hectic at the same time.” There are 292 million different combinations of numbers you can select when you buy a ticket. Neubauer says more people buying tickets could mean more of the combinations are chosen and there could be a winner. But, that is not a certainty.

“We knew heading into last night’s jackpot drawing that the coverage was relatively low — it was only about 40 percent. I’ve seen coverage much higher than that,” Neubauer says. “I would anticipate that the coverage — meaning how many of all of those possible combinations of those numbers have been purchased — would be much higher on Saturday night, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.” The numbers drawn Wednesday’s drawing were: 2-11-47-62-63 and the Powerball was 17. While the jackpot went unclaimed, Iowa Lottery players won nearly 74-thousand lower tier prizes.

(Radio Iowa)

In the past week, three more skimming devices were found on gas pumps in Omaha-Council Bluffs, gadgets identity thieves use to gather data from credit cards customers swipe at the pump. Back in October, skimmers were found on pumps in Davenport and Omaha. Ron Murtaugh, police chief in the Omaha suburb of Ralston, says these devices are more sophisticated, utilizing advanced technology to steal data. “Now, they’re Bluetooth-enabled,” Chief Murtaugh says. “Somebody can pull up within relatively close proximity and download it into either a cell phone or similar device.”

The chief recommends gas station owners everywhere have their equipment checked regularly as these crooks are wily, sometime installing redundant skimmers. “One of the business owners was proactive and contacted their maintenance folks who came out and located an additional skimming device in one of their pumps,” he says. The experts say it’s impossible for consumers to know if a skimming device is on the pump or even -inside- the pump. You may not know your card has been compromised until strange charges start to appear on your bill.

“The skimming device captures the information as it gets transmitted to inside the building to their credit card processing,” Murtaugh says. “They then take that data and generate new credit cards off the data that’s captured or they’ll take that data and purchase things online where you don’t have to have a physical card.” If you use a credit card, authorities recommend you closely review every line of your bill every month.

(Radio Iowa)

Atlantic Public Library Director Natalie Struecker updated the City Council Wednesday night on activities at the library over the next couple of months. Many of the activities, she said focus on things for kids to do. Including special program from Iowa Public Television [IPTV] at 2:15-p.m., on Jan. 20th.

Struecker says they’ll also be celebrating “Winnie the Pooh Day” for Pre-K through 3rd graders on Jan. 25th, at 3:30-p.m., and making Valentines Feb. 9th at 3:30-p.m. for grades K-through 3. Later on in February (the 22nd, at 3:30-p.m.), the Atlantic Public Library will host “Fairytale Day.” There are activities designed for those in their “Tween” years, as well, including Harry Potter Trivia and Coding.

Adults have no shortage of activities at the library. Struecker says a new group “Coloring and Conversation” has formed. They meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, from 9:30-until 11-a.m, on the 1st Thursday, and from 5:30-until 7:30-p.m. on the third Thursday. Supplies will be provided. There are also Technology classes, including one for those who want to learn about their Iphone and Ipad. Those sessions are set for today (Thursday, 1/7), at 2-p.m., and Monday, Feb. 15th, at 6-p.m.

Android Smartphone and Tablet users can learn more about those devices 2-p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14th and on Monday, Feb. 29th, at 6-p.m. Adults can also learn how to download books. The next session is Feb. 18th at 4-p.m. Representatives with the Alzheimer’s Association will be at the Atlantic Public Library Jan. 12th, beginning at 2-p.m. to talk about the 10 warning signs of memory loss.

Struecker also spoke about their online tutoring service called “HelpNow.” She said students grade K-through those in their second year of college can connect with a live tutor from 2-pm until 11-pm every day of the week. All you need to use the service is your library card number.

For more information on programs and activities at the Atlantic Public Library, go to www.atlantic.lib.ia.us , or call 243-5466.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Session Friday morning at the courthouse in Greenfield. During their meeting, which begins at 9-a.m., the Board will hear Fiscal Year 2017 funding requests from: The local Department of Veteran’s Affairs; The county libraries; County Attorney, and County Fair Board. The Board will also hear from the County Engineer, with regard to various departmental matters. They’ll conclude with a Budget Work Session.

During their meeting held Wednesday, the Adair County Board of Supervisors received FY 2017 funding requests from various organizations, including: Home Care; R-C & D; the Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG); Midwest Partnership, and the Adair County Board of Health. Afterward, they held a Budget Work Session.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County said today (Thursday), a woman from Adair County was arrested late Wednesday night. 34-year old Cynthia Ann McIntosh, of Orient, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for probation violation. McIntosh was being held without bond, in the Ringgold County Jail.

(8-a.m. News)