(Radio Iowa) – Federal officials have announced a plastic surgeon in Des Moines has agreed to pay 800-thousand dollars to settle allegations he improperly billed government health care programs.  The government’s allegations covered a seven year period, from 2013 to 2020, and a whistleblower who prompted the investigation will get part of the settlement.

Dr. Ronald Bergman, who operates Bergman Cosmetic Surgery, was accused of billing Medicare and Medicaid for services performed by others. In some instances, federal investigators say medical fellows did the work without Bergman present as their teaching physician.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bergman was also accused of billing Medicare for medically unnecessary and unreasonable applications of skin substitute products which are used in surgery and for treating wounds.

Bergman’s attorney says his client is a well-known plastic surgeon who focuses on serving others while his office staff manages the billing side of the practice. The doctor’s attorney did not name the whistleblower, but said it’s both interesting and suspect that the person who sparked the federal investigation worked in Bergman’s office for 12 weeks and notified authorities of improprieties in another medical office where she worked.

(Radio Iowa) – The statewide median home sale price in July was nearly 240-thousand dollars — a record high. Iowa Association of Realtors data shows just over 37-hundred homes were sold in the state in July. That’s a nearly 29 percent drop in sales volume compared to the same month last year. There also was a 22 percent drop in the number of Iowa homes listed for sale in July. Those trends fueled the record median price for an Iowa home sold in July.

It was up 17 percent compared to July of 2021. The Realtors’ report indicates Iowa homes are selling quickly — averaging just 24 days on the market in July — and that’s 20 percent faster than July of last year. However, the president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says the housing market is cooling off, as home prices and mortgage rates rise.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Syed Ben Al-Amin, age 34, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, to over eight years in prison (100 months) following his plea to a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On August 7, 2020, Al-Amin was involved in a hit and run accident on Interstate 80. Iowa State Patrol located Al-Amin driving on Interstate 80 and attempted to stop the vehicle. Al-Min refused to stop his car and a chase ensued into Council Bluffs. Al-Amin drove into a hospital parking lot where he lost control of his vehicle. Al-Amin then fled on foot before being arrested.

In the center console of Al-Amin’s vehicle, law enforcement located baggies of pills containing methamphetamine, which Al-Amin planned to distribute.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa State Patrol, the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force investigated the case.

(Radio Iowa) – A man involved in a nearly seven-hour standoff with law enforcement in a small northwest Iowa town has been transferred into federal custody. Late Friday afternoon, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department located 46-year-old Timothy Steinbeck, who was wanted on a federal warrant for a narcotics violation. Authorities say Steinbeck barricaded himself in his home in Royal.

Steinbeck finally emerged and was arrested at about 11 o’clock Friday night after law enforcement released tear gas into his home. Steinbeck was treated at a local hospital, then held in the Clay County Jail until his transfer into federal custody yesterday (Tuesday).

In June, Steinbeck was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

(Radio Iowa) – Testing of Iowa public school students in third through 11th grades shows gains in science proficiency, but mixed results in math and reading. The results come from Statewide Assessment tests taken last spring. Third through eighth graders returned to pre-pandemic levels in reading proficiency, but the reading scores for 11th graders dropped four percent. Math scores improved among students in third through seventh grades, but declined in higher grades — with 11th grade test results in math dropping five percent. The third subject area tested was science.

Students in fifth, eighth and tenth grades were tested and the results were higher than they’d been in the spring of 2019. In a written statement, Iowa Department of Education director Ann Lebo said the results show public schools in Iowa are moving in the right direction in many areas, but there is still work to be done.

National test results released last week showed declines in math, science and reading scores.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), approved the use of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act – Covid relief) funds, to purchase hand-held radios for County fire departments, that will enable better communication between departments and the County. Board Vice-Chair Supervisor Jerry Walker advocated for two radios for some departments, and one radio each, to others.

The radios cost $5,000 each ($60,000 total). As of last week, the County had approximately $406,000 available from its share of ARPA Funds, that will allow for the purchases.

Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on a Bridgewater Culvert Project. The Board tabled action on the matter until their meeting on Sept. 13th, while additional information is obtained with regard to project jurisdiction and cost. Kauffman spoke also about his department’s maintenance and activities.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans to ensure they are registered to vote at their current residence. September is National Voter Registration Month, and with the November 8 general election approaching this is an ideal time for eligible Iowans to register for the first time or update their registration to ensure their information current. Tuesday, September 20 is National Voter Registration Day.

It has never been easier to register to vote in Iowa. There are a variety of options available, including online, through the mail, at many government agency offices, and at the polls before your cast your ballot. Ensuring you are registered at your current residence allows for a much quicker check-in process on election day. 2022 marks the 20th year since the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) established September as National Voter Registration Month. Established in 2002, it is a non-partisan means of encouraging voter participation and increasing awareness about state requirements and deadlines for voting.

To register to vote in Iowa, you must be at least 17 years old. The deadline to pre-register before November’s general election is Monday, October 24. Approximately 90 percent of eligible Iowans are registered to vote, and Iowa is consistently one of the top 10 states in the nation for voter registration and participation.

To check your voter registration status, register to vote or update your information, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Saint Jacob, Illinois, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, following a report of suspicious activity. Authorities say 40-year-old Michael Anthony Bourdo was arrested after Deputies were called to the 60-mile-marker of Interstate 29 southbound, for a vehicle on the side of the road and a male going through the vehicle. The man – identified as Bourdo – was found to have no ownership or right to the car or its belongings. Following a full investigation, Bourdo was arrested for Burglary 3rd Degree – Vehicle, 1st Offense. His bond was set at $2,000.

Deputies in Pott. County arrested 52-year-old Brian True Richards (no address given) a little after 4-a.m. Today (Wednesday), for Driving While Barred. He was transported to Pott. County Corrections and turned over to Corrections Staff.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, two inmates from separate jails were transported to the Jail in Council Bluffs to face charges in Pott. County. 39-year-old Joseph Michael Barnes (no address given), was picked up at the Douglas County, Nebraska Jail. Hewas wanted on a Pott. County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Offense.

And, 41-year-old Gerardo Silva Jr., of Sergeant Bluff, was transported from the Woodbury County Jail to the Pottawattamie County Jail, to address a warrant in Pottawattamie County for Theft in the 3rd Degree. His bond was set at $2,000.

Police in Red Oak, late Tuesday night, arrested a man on an aggravated misdemeanor charge of Harassment in the 1st Degree. 43-year-old Kim Jack Douglas Trost, of Red Oak, was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.