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AG, Insurance Commissioner, AARP leader holding stop the scam tour

News

February 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner and A-A-R-P State Director are holding stops across the state to try and educate residents about scams. A-A-R-P director, Brad Anderson, says the latest scam uses A-I to fool elderly Iowans. “A criminal impersonates a grandchild and uses artificial intelligence to impersonate that grandchild’s phone, or even the grandchild’s voice,” he explains, “and calls a well-intentioned grandparent and then scams that grandparent out of thousands of dollars.”

This is a new version of what are called imposter scams. “Imposter scams, according to the F-T-C had been the dominant scam in Iowa for nine years running. Nine years running, and that beats out credit-based scams, it beats out investor scams, online shopping scams,” Anderson says. Insurance Commissioner, Doug Ommen, says they hope to update Iowans on the issue. “Our effort in this tour is really to get out into communities to talk to people about what it is they can do to spot a scam. But also, once you’ve reported a scam, what you can expect from law enforcement in dealing with that,” Ommen says. He says his office has worked with securities broker dealers and investment advisors in our state for years to help with scams in these areas.

“Our laws allow those financial professionals to report financial exploitation. And that allows us then to make sure that individuals that are being targeted for a romance scam or a charity scam or a gift card scam or any of the number of scans that scammers tried to perpetrate on Iowans — we can we can intervene and make every effort to stop that.” He says their new Department of Insurance and Financial Services has people working with the banking industry and the credit union industry to bring them into this effort to protect older Iowans. Attorney General Brenna Bird says the scammers don;t care how old you are, they just want to get your money.

“We’ve seen people lose their life savings to a scam and that is absolutely heartbreaking. We want to do everything we can to try to help and we always try to get the money back if we possibly can,” Bird says. She says getting the money back is not easy, especially if the scam is run from a foreign country. “Many scammers are overseas. But there are also scammers right here in the state,” Bird says. “And those folks can be very dangerous when they come to pick up their ill gotten gains in person. It makes me very concerned. So we urge Iowans if you think there might be a scam, please call law enforcement, please call our office and we will do what we can to help.”

Bird says nationwide ten billion dollars was stolen in 2023 by scammers, and that’s just the scams that were reported. The three are calling their tour the “Stop the Scammer Roadshow” and held the first one in Des Moines Tuesday. They will also make stops in Ames, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Council Bluffs, Newton, Creston, Davenport, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Johnston, Marshalltown, Mason City, Mt. Pleasant, Ottumwa, Sioux City, and Waterloo.

Go to iowafraudfighters.gov to find out how you can sign up.

Red Oak woman arrested on an assault charge

News

February 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman from Red Oak was arrested Tuesday evening on an assault charge. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 27-year-old Tori Shanelle Bergerson, was arrested at around 6:25-p.m. in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. Bergerson was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail. Red Oak Police were assisted in handling the incident by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024

Weather

February 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. E winds @ 5-10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. N/NW wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny & breezy. High near 56. N @ 10-20 mph.
Tom.Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 49.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 65, which tied the record for Feb. 20th set in 1925. Our Low was 18. Last year on this date (2/21), the High in Atlantic was 44 and the Low was 21. The Record High was 66 in 2017, and the Record Low was -19 in 1894. Sunrise is at 7:07-a.m.  Sunset will be at 6-p.m.

Iowa Senate passes Religious Freedom Restoration Act

News

February 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has passed a bill modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, says court rulings have infringed on the free exercise of religion and the bill outlines how state courts are to decide cases in the future.  “I am proud to do this and actually a little embarrassed it took so long to get to this point,” Schultz said, “along with 25 other states and the federal government.”

Thirty-one Republicans in the state senate voted for it, while the 16 Senate Democrats opposed it. Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, says the bill would open the door to all sorts of discrimination.  “I believe that bigotry dressed up in religious robes is still bigotry,” Quirmbach said.

Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux Center, says the bill makes it clear the Constitution is the law of the land.  ” The courts have eaten away at religious freedom nationally and that applies our state as well,” Taylor says. “This is a defensive mechanism, saying we need to prioritize the First Amendment.”

Senator Janice Weiner, a Democrat from Iowa City, says the bill lets people cite their religious beliefs as they pick and choose which laws to follow.  “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act has become a blank check for people to impose their religious beliefs on others and to discrimination against people they don’t like,” Weiner said, “that’s wrong.”

Weiner said it would allow pharmacists to cite their religious beliefs and refuse to dispense birth control or let property owners refuse to rent to same-sex couples. Senator Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the bill slams the door in her face.  “I stand before you today as a queer woman and an Iowan,” she said, “…and I am sick and tired of my community being the target of mean-spirited, discriminatory bills written by Republican politicians.”

Schultz, a Republican who’s served in the Iowa legislature since 2009, says Democrats are being overly dramatic about the bill.  “But fortunately Iowa has chosen this majority and we’re going to move in the correct direction,” Schultz said.

An identical version of the bill is eligible for debate in the Republican-led Iowa House.

Iowa Senate votes to get rid of gender balance requirement on state and local boards and commissions

News

February 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has voted to repeal a law that requires state and local boards and commissions to have an equal number of men and women. Iowa was the first state in the nation to pass a gender balance requirement and Governor Kim Reynolds is asking lawmakers to end it. Republican Senator Annette Sweeney of Iowa Falls says she never wants to learn she’s been selected as the token female on a board. “I want to be there because I earned it,” Sweeney said. “I want to be there because I’ve done my homework and I know why I’m on this board.”

Senator Chris Cournoyer, a Republican from Le Claire, says it’s insulting to have someone picked to serve on a board because of their gender rather than their qualifications.  “Women who have worked hard to earn their success should not have that success diminished by those that depend on a system that allows them to fall upward,” Cournoyer said.

Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames was the only Democrat to support getting rid of the gender quota. Quirmbach says choosing people based on merit means some boards will wind up being majority female since more women than men are earning college degrees. “The rising generation of women are better educated and better prepared for public service, as a group, than their male cohort,” Quirmbach said.

Other Democrats argued the gender balance requirement should be retained. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says having an equal number of men and women on the same board means the discussion is balanced. “You know when we bring different perspectives to the table we’re safer, we’re healthier, we’re happier people,” Petersen said.

Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott, a Democrat from Waukee, says the gender balance requirement is needed because the world still isn’t fair. “Sometimes more qualified women don’t get leadership opportunities until that less qualified man is taken out of the equation,” Trone-Garriott said. Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque says the gender balance requirement gets more people involved in their communities. “Boards and commissions are that beginning foundation where we begin to build the bench for our future leaders,” Jochum said, “whether they are men or women.”

A federal judge recently ruled the gender balance requirement for the state commission that nominates judges was unconstitutional.

Exira-EHK Spartans boys basketball team ends their season in the semis

Sports

February 20th, 2024 by admin

The (19-5) Exira-EHK Spartans Boys basketball team ends their season with a 56-49 loss to the Woodbine Tigers in the semi-final round of the Class 1A-Region 8 Substate. The Tigers got their inside game working early in the game, as Tigers Sophomore Jax Pryor scored nine points in the first quarter but was held scoreless in second quarter, as the Spartans took a seven point lead into halftime with a score of 31-24. Tigers junior Carter Gruver scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half. The Tigers took the lead back late in the 4th quarter at 51-49 and knocked down six big key free throws down the stretch to secure the win for the Tigers.

The Spartans had three guys in double figures on the night. Senior Cash Emgarten, who led the Spartans in scoring with 15 points and junior Josh Nelson and senior Jackson Radcliff each had 10 points in the game.

The toughest part of this loss for the Spartans they will be graduating seven seniors from this years team. Spartan head coach Tony Santistaben had to say about coaching these seniors this season in the first year as head coach of the Spartans.

Spartan senior guard Aiden Flathers reflected on the game against Woodbine, but he was sure glad about winning the Rolling Valley Conference this year.

Flathers said he is going to miss the most about playing Spartans basketball.

This loss for the Spartans boys basketball team will end their season and they will finish their season with a 19-5 overall record. This win for the Woodbine Tigers will put them in the Regional Championship game this Saturday in the Class 1A-Substate 8 championship game against the Madrid Tigers in Carroll. Tipoff at 7:00 pm.

 

Quad Won, Hawkeyes Beat Michigan State

Sports

February 20th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

(hawkeyesports.com) EAST LANSING, Mich. – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team defeated Michigan State, 78-71, on Tuesday night at the Breslin Center. The Hawkeyes move to 16-11 on the season and 8-8 in Big Ten conference play.

Graduate Ben Krikke secured his third double-double of the season. Krikke scored 18 points shooting 7-of-11 (64%) from the field. Krikke set a season high in rebounds with 14. He was just one rebound shy of tying his career high.

Junior Payton Sandfort led all scorers with 22 points, his seventh time this season finishing with 20+ points. Sandfort knocked down two threes and pulled in six rebounds.

Senior Patrick McCaffery rounded out the Hawkeyes in double-digits with 14 points. McCaffery grabbed four rebounds while shooting 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.

After a back-and-forth beginning to the first half that featured nine ties and four lead changes the Hawkeyes jumped on the Spartans. A 15-1 Iowa run with just over six minutes remaining in the half started with the Hawkeyes down three and ended with them leading the Spartans by 11. Iowa shot 16-of-28 (57%) from the field in the first half with three players in double-digits. Iowa handed Michigan State their largest halftime deficit at home this season, leading the Spartans, 45-33, at the break.

Iowa carried that momentum into the second half and extended their lead to 16 points in the first minute of the second half. The Spartans refused to go away, but the Hawkeyes had a response for every Michigan State run. Michigan State was able to cut the lead to five points with 2:30 remaining but Iowa would score the next five points to push their lead back to ten points. Krikke, Perkins and Sandfort combined to score 25 of the team’s 33 points in the second half.

Iowa finished the game shooting 28-of-55 (50.9%) from the field and 4-of-13 (30.8%) from deep. The Hawkeyes shot 18-of-23 from the free throw line (78.3%).

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes continue on the road, traveling to Champaign on Saturday to face No. 12 Illinois at 1:15 p.m. (CT) at the State Farm Center.

High School Girl’s Regional Championship Scores Feb. 20th

Sports

February 20th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 4A

Region 1 – Clear Creek Amana 68, Keokuk 35
Region 2 – Waverly-Shell Rock 43, Western Dubuque 37
Region 3 – Bishop Heelan 50, Winterset 21
Region 4 – Dallas-Center Grimes 58, Pella 45
Region 5 – North Polk 49, Maquoketa 42
Region 6 – Gilbert 60, Xavier 57
Region 7 – Sioux Center 61, Humboldt 45
Region 8 – Lewis Central 53, Norwalk 49

Class 5A

Region 1 – Johnston 93, Sioux City West 51
Region 2 – Davenport North 53, Cedar Rapids Washington 40
Region 3 – Dowling Catholic 73, Des Moines Roosevelt 26
Region 4 – Waukee 83, Iowa City West 58
Region 5 – Ankeny Centennial 53, Sioux City East 25
Region 6 – Pleasant Valley 52, Waukee Northwest 43
Region 7 – Cedar Falls 45, Prairie 35
Region 8 – Valley 39, Ankeny 36

Tuesday High School Boy’s Basketball District Championship Scores

Sports

February 20th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 1A: Substate 1
District 1 – North Union 58 St. Edmond, 39
District 2 – South O’Brien 57 MMCRU, 44

Class 1A: Substate 7
District 13 – Lynnville-Sully, 60 ACGC, 46
District 14 – Bedford 36  East Mills, 34

Class 1A: Substate 8
District 15 – Madrid 55  Coon Rapids-Bayard, 41
District 16 – Woodbine 56  Exira-EHK, 49

Class 2A: Substate 6
District 11 – Kuemper Catholic 54 South Central, Calhoun, 53
District 12 – Grundy Center 77 Aplington-Parkersburg, 63

Class 2A: Substate 7
District 13 – Treynor 73 Van Meter, 63
District 14 –  Grand View Christian 68 Des Moines, Christian, 47

Class 2A: Substate 8
District 15 -Underwood 61 East Sac County, 51
District 16 -South Hamilton 65 Pleasantville, 57

Shelby County Supervisors approve Compensation Board recommendations & future election pay

News

February 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning (Feb. 20, 2024) during a regular session, at the courthouse, in Harlan. According to the meeting minutes provided by Auditor Mark Maxwell:

Ruthann Grimsley was present as a Compensation Board representative to represent the Shelby County Compensation Board for their recommendation to the County Supervisors. The Compensation Board recommended a 1% increase in salary for the Sherriff. A 4% raise plus $1500.00 for the Board of Supervisors Chairperson and 4% for the other Supervisors. It was recommended by the Compensation Board County Attorney, Treasurer, Recorder and Auditor be increased by 4%. Also an additional $2000 to attempt to equalize pay with like population sized counties in Iowa for the Recorder, Treasurer and Auditor. As in the past the employee longevity scale was approved for elected officials also. The Board approved the recommend compensation as presented.

Representatives from the Harlan, Elk Horn and Irwin library boards were present to thank the Supervisors for Shelby Counties contributions from the Rural Basic Fund. A minimum levy amount is required by Iowa Code. Amanda Brewer from the Harlan Library was present to inform the Board of Supervisors that foot traffic has increased over 30% in the last year and checkouts by a similar amount. New improvements to the exterior of the Harlan Library are also being considered. Paulette Madson of the Elk Horn Community Library was also present to report to the Supervisors. The Elk Horn Library holds many after school programs and reading programs for local children as well as adult activities that permit children to attend with an adult. Local organizations lend support to the Elk Horn Library also.

Luke Wolken, Shelby County Environmental Health Director, presented his quarterly department report to the Supervisors, highlighting that his office is currently very busy with passports. Wolken also reported that Shelby County is one of five counties statewide that is eligible for approximately $50,000.00 in well plugging, and well rehabilitation projects.

The Supervisors were then told by Auditor Maxwell that the annex building is in the process of being repaired from a water line burst on the interior of the building. A claim has been filed with the County insurer and repairs are being made. The air conditioning unit at the Courthouse is scheduled to be delivered in March and installed in the April/May time. The Auditor then asked the Supervisors to consider and recommended approval of the following resolution:

Resolution 2024-16; A Resolution to establish future Election Official Pay in Shelby County

Whereas the Shelby County Board of Supervisors is responsible for establishing the rate of compensation and compensation for Election officials nominated by the Shelby County auditor to perform election duties as required by Iowa Code. Whereas changes have not been made in election officials pay for a period of six years and achieving the expected election efficiencies expected of Shelby County election officials that the County has enjoyed in the past is desired to continue. Now be it resolved that the County Auditor will be authorized to pay election officials as certified by said officials by claim or through the County payroll, as applicable to comply with reporting regulations for payment of election officials as follows:

*Precinct officials $12.00/Hour

*Precinct Chairperson and Co Chairperson $14.00/Hour

*Election Night Runners $60.00 per election

Be it further resolved that the above listed positions including be paid mileage at the current mileage reimbursement rate for all travel incurred to perform the above listed services. The resolution passed as presented.

The following resolution was then considered: Resolution 2024-17; A Resolution to Permit Home Working Reimbursements for the Shelby County Supervisors

Whereas the Shelby County Supervisors are elected officials and mandated by Iowa Code to fulfill their duties as County Supervisors. Whereas evolving technology allows for home office and cell phone use to fulfill the duties of County Supervisor. Whereas County Supervisors are currently reimbursed for travel expenses and mileage reimbursement from the county for completing their obligations. Whereas County Supervisors have added personal expenses with cellphones and home office expenses including computers, internet connections and office supplies that Shelby County does not currently provide. Currently no reimbursement program exists for home office work in Shelby County. Therefore be it resolved by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors declare that with receipts presented to the County Auditor’s office by County Supervisors for home office supplies, internet connections, and cellphone billings may be reimbursed up to $100.00 a month from the General Fund if receipts for the expenses are submitted to the Shelby County Auditor’s office within 60 days of the dated expense. The Resolution passed as presented.

Discussion on the budget for fiscal year 2025 was then held. Exploring the many avenues to the budget completion were discussed. The next regular meeting will be used to set the required dates, notices and postings while staying in compliance were discussed. The Board will be advised of the options before any final dates are set.