Two separate convenience store robberies occurred overnight in Council Bluffs.

At approximately 1:27 am Council Bluffs Police were called to the Kum & Go store at 2024 5th Avenue in Council Bluffs in reference to a Robbery. The clerk reported a man entered the store from the east wearing a mask and gloves. He went behind the counter, displayed a machete and demanded money from the register. The suspect then fled the store east bound on foot through the alley with an undisclosed amount of cash. Officers searched the area but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect who is described as being a white or Hispanic male with a dark complexion, approximately 6’ 1” tall and 18-25 years old.

Then at approximately 3:33 am Council Bluffs Police were called to a Kwik Shop store at 1602 Ave G for a report of a robbery. The clerk reports a white or Hispanic male with a light brown complexion entered the store wearing a mask and gloves and displayed a knife while demanding money from the register. The suspect then left the store west bound on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

The two robberies are not believed to be related. If you have any information regarding either incident you are asked to please contact Crime Stoppers at (712) 328- STOP(7867).

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Transportation employees have started testing a mobile driver’s license app as part of a new pilot program.

MorphoTrust USA, the company providing the software for the app, announced the start of testing Wednesday. The pilot program involves state employees testing the app in various settings.

According to department director Paul Trombino, the agency is not ready to release the app for customer use. There is not set date for when the app could be released to the public.

The company says the Iowa department employees are the first in the nation to use its mobile driver’s license software.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s top insurance regulator has approved rate increases for several health providers in the state.

Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart announced Wednesday that he approved increases on individual insurance plans provided by Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Coventry Health Care and Gundersen Health Insurance. The changes go into effect in January.

The Des Moines Register reports the rate increases include between 17.6 percent and 28.7 percent on average for plans by Wellmark, 19.8 percent on average for plans by Coventry and 9.4 percent on average for plans by Gundersen.

The newspaper reports some residents who attended a hearing earlier this year on the proposed increases criticized it. Officials for at least two of the providers say the increases were needed because of unexpected health care costs.

On Monday, August 24th Stuart Police officers recovered approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine from a Creston man after he was arrested in the 700 block of S. Division St. He was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver. He was also found to be in possession of hundreds of illegal prescription pills which he was also charged with.

This drug seizure was one of several over the last 2 weeks by Stuart Officers. In the last 10 days alone Stuart Officers have seized approximately $6,000 worth of methamphetamine, approximately $1,500 of illegal prescription pills, and approximately $1,000 worth of marijuana.