State Auditor Mary Mosiman says in the past 12 months her staff has been called in to review the financial records of 18 Iowa cities and local governments. “Sometimes they’re one person handling all financial transactions — both the revenue side and the expenditure side, with very little oversight,” Mosiman says. “I think it’s well worth the time and resources of this office to investigate and report on these.” Mosiman advises all cities — no matter how small — to have a system in place so financial transactions are checked by at least one other person.

Mosiman says the state-run pension systems in Iowa are in far better shape than pension plans in some other states.”We talk sometimes about the unfunded liability, but comparing us to other states, we’re in a good place and our General Assembly, the governor’s office, they reacted a few years ago,” Mosiman says.

In 2010, Iowa lawmakers raised the contribution rates for employees paying into the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System and adjusted how pension payouts were calculated. There are more than 200 state-run pension systems in the United States. Those systems had a nearly one TRILLION dollar funding gap in 2013 according to a national report.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowans are being warned about a scam targeting people who post online ads offering pet-sitting and babysitting services. Jim Hegarty, at the Better Business Bureau chapter in Omaha-Council Bluffs, says a young woman who recently advertised her pet-sitting service was contacted by a couple who claimed they needed someone to watch multiple pets while they moved.

“It involved sending her a check that was going to cover all of the costs for the pet supplies,” Hegarty says. “She was to deposit that money and then wire a smaller amount, $2,600, to what she thought was the pet store that was going to ship her all the supplies to care for all of these animals.” The situation went quickly south for the entrepreneur and she’s out several thousand dollars.

“The check that she was sent bounced,” Hegarty says. “The money that she wired ended up being money that she’s now responsible for and this couple was fictitious from the very beginning.” The woman had offered her services on the website care-dot-com. Iowa parents are reminded to keep close tabs on their kids’ online exchanges, especially when money is involved.

“Caution your kids when they’re online looking for these opportunities, do not provide sensitive information about themselves,” Hegarty says. “Most job applications involve Social Security numbers, none of that information should be provided until they’ve had a physical interview with an entity they’ve determined is a legitimate source for employment.” He says anytime a deal involves depositing or wiring money and reshipping packages, it could be a scam.

(Radio Iowa)

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on recent arrests. Officials says at around 2:20-a.m. today (Tuesday), Deputies were dispatched to a possible domestic incident. Upon further investigation, Mick Coleman was placed under arrest for Domestic Abuse Assault.

Coleman

On July 4th, at around 7-p.m., Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Quince Avenue and 190th. Upon further investigation, the driver, Zachary Troy Hoffmeier, of Ottumwa was placed under arrest for Violation of a No Contact Order. Hoffmeier also has numerous arrest warrants. A passenger in the vehicle, Robyn Blazek, of Prescott, was also placed under arrest for Violation of a No Contact Order.

And, on July 1st, Adams County Deputies arrested Jennifer Houck, of Rippey, Iowa on an Active Adams County Warrant for Harassment.

Houck