OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — A southwestern Iowa man has been sentenced to 14 years behind bars on for sexually abusing a child. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports that 54-year-old Christopher Donaldson, of Oakland, pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to third-degree sexual abuse and several traffic violations. He was sentenced Thursday in Pottawattamie County District Court 10 years for the abuse count and four years for the other counts.

Upon his release, Donaldson must undergo 10 years of supervision and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) said on their social media page that they have been “Notified from a resident that they received a telephone call from someone reportedly with the ‘Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office’ telling them that there was a warrant for their arrest for not showing up for jury duty.” The caller is said to be a “Lieutenant Vansberry.” During the telephone calls some names of actual Court House employees and actual Deputies are being mentioned. The number the scammer is calling from is 712-209-6266, but this number can be spoofed or changed depending on who is calling.

This is a SCAM! No member of the Sheriff’s Office is making these phone calls. This is yet another scam attempt by someone with far too much time on their hands. Why do they do this? Because sometimes people unknowingly fall for these scams.

Scammers will usually bait the unsuspecting recipients of the call into thinking there may actually be a warrant for their arrest. The scammer will then ‘work’ with the person to ‘clear’ up the issue if they pay some sort of fine. The caller will also request that the caller provide a cell number, if they were reached on their home phone, so that the caller can stay in constant contact with the victim. The main reason they want to stay on the line is so that they can walk the person through the process of purchasing a gift card or payment. This also helps the scammer verify that the victim does not speak with anyone else who may warn the victim that this is a scam.

Don’t fall for this SCAM!

Red Oak Police report a two-vehicle accident occurred this morning (Friday) at the intersection of Broadway and Cherry Streets. At 9:06am a 2007 Freightliner Semi driven by 53-year-old Gregory Henderson of Omaha was heading north on Broadway Street and could not stop heading into the intersection with Cherry Street for the red light due to wet road conditions.  The semi struck a 2009 Chevy HHR driven by 76-year-old Gregg Peters of Elliott on the driver rear side and caused the HHR to spin 180 degrees.

No injuries were reported at the scene. Due to the wet conditions Henderson was written a warning for Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device.  The semi sustained $1,000 damage and the HHR $7,500 damage.

The accident blocked the intersection for a short time period while police responded.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – University of Iowa officials say its athletics department will give $2 million to the school this year.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the announcement comes over a year after university President Bruce Harreld asked the department to find ways to use its revenue to further the institution’s core academic goals.

The funds are less than 2 percent of the athletic department’s nearly $120 million budget and will be spent on recreational services, diversity programming and student life.

The department also gave the university $2 million last year.

The state’s three public universities have lost more than $30 million due to funding reductions by state lawmakers.

Harreld has asked the state Board of Regents to increase tuition by 7 percent a year for the next five years to counteract the cuts.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials say Morningside College in Sioux City plans to eliminate some degree programs.

The Sioux City Journal reports that majors and minors will be phased out in several subject areas, including music, philosophy, physics and theater.

The programs have few students and were chosen for elimination after a task force evaluation of all 135 academic programs. The reductions are projected to save $1 million per year by cutting 12 faculty positions. In addition, a dozen administrative positions will be cut to save an additional $1.5 million. Most of the eliminated posts are open.

Some faculty positions will be retained temporarily to allow existing students to complete their degrees.

w/ Chris Parks

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

A woman from Pottawattamie County plead guilty Wednesday, with regard to a case of Identity Fraud. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa said Thursday, that Gina K. Malloy, of Council Bluffs, pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of an identification document. Malloy will be sentenced January 24th, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Council Bluffs Federal Courthouse.

According to the plea agreement, in 2014, Malloy applied for a $30,000 loan from Windset Capital Corporation. The loan application was made in the name of Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs, where Malloy was the Executive Director. The promissory note required a second signature from a Habitat for Humanity member.

Malloy signed the name of an unknowing victim, used the victim’s name, social security number, and attached the victim’s driver’s license’s copy to the promissory note. The application was then sent to Windset Capital Corporation via an electronic transfer service.

Malloy also admitted she applied for a U.S. Bank business Visa credit card for Habitat for Humanity on or about January 13, 2015. The application was sent to the U.S. Bank by Malloy, and contained the same victim’s personal data. Malloy has agreed to pay at least $13,490 to Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs and $12,100 to U.S. Bank in restitution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

A reminder from Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman: City Elections in Cass County will take place on November 7, 2017.  IN CASS COUNTY, IOWA ALL NOMINATION PETITIONS FOR A CITY OFFICE MUST NOW BE FILED WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR and not  with the city clerk.

The first day to file papers is August 28. The last day to file papers is September 21. The process for filing nomination petitions is as follows:

• Obtain an original nomination petition and candidate’s guide from the county
  auditor, a city clerk or online from the Iowa Secretary of State  (www.sos.iowa.gov ).
• Obtain the nomination signatures of the required number of eligible electors of
  the city or ward, as the case may be (The candidate’s guide lists the number of
  signatures required.  In Cass County, the minimum number of signatures required is 10 for all positions in all cities except Atlantic.  In Atlantic, the minimum number of  signatures required is 25 for all positions.*)
• A person may sign nomination petitions for more than one candidate for the same office.
• Attach a notarized affidavit acknowledging the candidate’s eligibility.
• File the petition with the County Auditor during working hours.  Petitions must be filed prior to 5 p.m. on September 21, 2017.
• Each candidate who successfully files a completed nomination petition is assured a place on the ballot.

Signature Requirements for Cities Without Primary or Runoff Provisions (Chapter 45 nominations):

• The minimum number of signatures needed is dependent on the size of the city.
• For cities with a population of 3,500 or greater: at least 25 signatures
• For cities with a population between 100 and 3,499: at least 10 signatures
• For cities with a population of 99 or less: at least 5 signatures.

Now is the time for Seniors to get their America the Beautiful — The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Lifetime Senior Pass.  The price of the pass is set to increase from $10 to $80 on August 28th as result of the National Park Service Centennial Act.

The Act will also raise the rate of an annual pass for senior citizens to $20. Four annual passes may be traded in for a lifetime pass at that point as well.

The price is being increased to better align with the regular lifetime pass price and to help fund upkeep and projects at parks across the country. The pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies. The Senior Pass covers all entrance fees and standard amenity (day use) fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites. The pass also waives the entrance fee for traveling companions.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Waukee Mayor Bill Peard joined Apple CEO Tim Cook Thursday afternoon to announce the company’s significant investment in Iowa. At special meetings earlier today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board and the Waukee City Council took action to support a more than $1.3 billion data center.

Apple plans to purchase 2,000 acres of land in Waukee. The first phase of the project is two state of the art data center facilities. They will serve North American users of iMessage, Siri, the App Store and other Apple services. Like all Apple data centers, the proposed facilities will run entirely on renewable energy.

“Apple’s significant investment and commitment to grow in Iowa is a clear vote of confidence in our state,” Gov. Reynolds said. “This announcement further solidifies Iowa as a hub where innovation and technology flourish and demonstrates this is a place where world-class companies can thrive.”

For the past 20 months, state, regional and local officials have been working with Apple to find a suitable Iowa location for the company’s next data center facility. The company selected a site on the west side of Waukee to build the first two buildings. Apple will also contribute up to $100 million to a newly created Public Improvement Fund dedicated to Waukee community development and infrastructure.

“The City of Waukee is excited to be selected for this project,” Mayor Peard said. “After the responsible leadership and planning from our city council and staff, we are thrilled to welcome Apple’s investment in the City of Waukee. We look forward to the great benefits this partnership will bring to our community as the project develops over the next two decades.”

The IEDA worked with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Waukee once the company’s project team narrowed its Iowa search to one site. Waukee acted to support the project Thursday morning with a local tax abatement and infrastructure improvements. Subsequently, the IEDA Board approved tax incentives via the High Quality Jobs program for the more than $1.3 billion project that will create at least 50 jobs at a qualifying wage of at least $29.12 per hour.

“Economic development projects are partnerships between companies, communities, states and others,” Lt. Gov. Gregg said. “Many individuals and organizations were involved in making this project a reality—one that will pay dividends for years to come.”

Data center projects have economic impact well beyond the permanent jobs created and the initial capital investment made. A recent study released by the U.S. Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center estimates that a typical data center employs 1,688 local workers, provides $77.7 million in wages, produces $243.5 million in output along the local economy’s supply chain and generates $9.9 million in revenue for state and local governments.

Every year thereafter, the data center supports 157 local jobs paying $7.8 million in wages, injecting $32.5 million into the local economy and generating $1.1 million in revenue to state and local governments.

Iowa is well-positioned to continue attracting data center investments in the future because of its geographic location safe from hurricanes, earthquakes and rolling blackouts, coupled with affordable electric rates and high percentage of electricity generated by wind.