DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The nearly 1,600 people who were overpaid a total of nearly $434,000 in unemployment benefits won’t have to return the money. The Iowa Workforce Development Board voted Friday to let the recipients keep the money, which was paid in 2014 as a result of a faulty phone system.

The Des Moines Register reports that state officials said Friday that several of the Iowans were told to keep the money, under the advice of the agency’s former director. The current director, Beth Townsend, says the state didn’t keep a list of people who tried to return the money, so, theoretically, anyone could argue the state waived its collection rights.

An audit shows the overpayments were part of more than $909,000 the state lost to scams and errors over three years.

(updated 6-a.m.)

Two female passengers in a vehicle being pursued by Council Bluffs Police suffered minor injuries this (Monday) morning. The driver of the vehicle, Justin Fowler, of Papillion, NE, was arrested on numerous charges.

Authorities say at around 1:25-a.m., Bluffs Police Officers saw a vehicle driving in a reckless manner. When they attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over. . Officers pursued the vehicle until it turned onto a dead end street where the vehicle struck a fence causing the vehicle to roll onto its side. As the driver – later identified as Fowler – got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee from Officers on foot. He also allegedly resisted arrest.

Authorities determined the license plates that were on the vehicle were fraudulent and that the vehicle had been stolen out of Omaha. Fowler had a valid warrant for his arrest out of Douglas County Nebraska. When officers searched Fowler they found him to be in possession of Methamphetamine. The man was charged with Possession with intent to deliver Methamphetamine, theft 2nd, felony eluding, reckless driving, speeding, unlawful possession of prescription medication, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with official acts, and fugitive from justice.

The two female passengers in the vehicle were transported by ambulance to the Hospital for observation. Their names were not released.

A man from Pottawattamie County was arrested Sunday night on numerous charges in Council Bluffs, following a reported burglary in progress. Officers were sent to 2545 Avenue I at around 8:30-p.m., and when they arrived on scene found 29-year old Adam Souza, of Council Bluffs, had allegedly broken a window and was attempting to gain access to the residence.

Officers ordered Souza to place his hands behind his back, but he started to run. The officers deployed a Taser, but it was not effective, and Souza continued to flee. He was located soon afterward, and taken into custody.

Adam Souza

The woman who was in the residence at the time of the Attempted Burglary had a protection order against Souza through Colorado.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nearly four months after Johnson County became the first in Iowa to gradually increase its minimum wage above the federal standard, workers are welcoming the change. But some business owners say they’re unsure how to handle the extra expense. Workers like Ghada Jameel, a 38-year-old daycare employee, say the first 95 cent increase that took effect November 1st has already made life easier for her and her husband. She’s looking forward to two more raises that will bring her pay to $9.15 in May and to $10.10 an hour on January 1st, 2017.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police officers in Iowa are finding ways to use social media tools to share information and connect better with the people they are trying to protect. The Press-Citizen reports police in Iowa City, Coralville and at the University of Iowa all post regularly on Facebook, Twitter and Periscope.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A hearing will be held this spring to determine whether a Dubuque man is competent to stand trial on sexual assault and murder charges. The Telegraph Herald reports a judge decided a competency hearing will be held for 20-year-old Helmon Betwell on April 4th.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Marc Loving scored 25 points, including both ends of a 1-and-1 with less than 2 seconds to go, and Ohio State rallied from a late deficit to stun Number 8 Iowa 68-64 Sunday. Iowa led by as many as six points in the second half.

A semi driver and his passenger were injured during an accident late Saturday night on Interstate 80, in Cass County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 69-year old Bruce Dale White, of Ogden, Utah, was driving a Freightliner double-bottom Fed-Ex semi eastbound on I-80 at around 10:55-p.m., when for reasons unknown, he lost control near the Olive Street Exit to Atlantic (Exit 57).

Photo’s courtesy Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Mgmt. Agy.

The semi  entered the median and ended-up in the north ditch. White, and his passenger, 57-year old J. Max Robinson, of Palin City, Utah, were injured. Both men were transported by LifeNet helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha.

Soon after the semi crossed through the median, a pickup driven by 20-year old Jakob Quibell, of Dansville, Kentucky, struck debris from the median. His 2007 Dodge sustained minor damage, and came to rest on the westbound, right shoulder of I-80.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A man suspected of being drunk and drag racing when he caused a fatal crash has skipped court. A judge revoked 19-year-old Eswin Mejia’s $50,000 bail on Friday when Mejia failed to show for his preliminary hearing. Officials weren’t surprised, as Mejia earlier this month skipped urine tests required for him remain free on $5,000 bond. Police have not been able to find Mejia – a Honduras national believed to have been in the country illegally.

Police say Mejia’s blood-alcohol content more than three times the legal limit when he crashed on Jan. 29 into an SUV, killing its driver, 21-year-old Sarah Root, of Council Bluffs.  Criticism has been levied at legal officials for allowing Mejia’s $5,000 bond to go unchallenged, as well as federal immigration officials for not seeking to hold Mejia.

The Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agencies will host a joint 2016 Storm Spotter Class at the Menlo Community Center, beginning at 7:00 PM on March 16th. Robert Kempf, Coordinator for the agencies, says the class is free and open to the public.

The following week, March 21st-throught the 25th, is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. The highlight of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the annual statewide tornado drill scheduled for 10-a.m. Wednesday, March 23rd.  Schools, businesses, state and local governments, and individuals are strongly encouraged to participate in the drill. Additional information about the tornado drill can be found on local National Weather Service (NWS) website.

During Severe Weather Awareness Week, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will post information on individual and family preparedness at www.BeReady.iowa.gov, including podcasts, public service announcements and videos. The NWS will promote severe weather safety on their websites and by issuing informative public information statements.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A judge says she will announce next week the fate of a Council Bluffs woman accused of fatally stabbing her ex-boyfriend. The Daily Nonpareil reports that District Judge Kathleen Kilnoski will announce a verdict Monday in Jodie Sherman’s case after the trial ended Friday.

Sherman is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2014 death of Douglas Richt, her ex-boyfriend. Sherman is accused of stabbing Richt in the throat during an argument after he picked her up in a car. Richt died while being taken to a hospital.

Her attorneys have argued that she’s not guilty by reason of insanity. Kilnoski is weighing a verdict because Sherman waived her right to a trial by jury.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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