(Radio Iowa) – Federal tax returns are due in less than two weeks and Iowans are being warned that scammers are stepping up their attempts to trick us. I-R-S spokesman Christopher Miller says criminals will be trying to send you convincing-looking tax-related messages. “The goal of the scammers is to get you to click on a link or an attachment,” Miller says, “so they can steal your personal information or download malware to steal your passwords, which can lead to identity theft.” With April 15th looming, Miller says people are anxious about their taxes — or their refunds.

“Crooks try to capitalize on that anxiety to lure people into their trap,” Miller says. “So we strongly advise that people not open any unsolicited email or text message that appears to be from the IRS or is connected to the IRS.” He says Iowans need to stay on the ball as crooks are working harder to rip you off as tax season comes to a close. “They’re steady throughout the year, but we tend to see an uptick in these scams during filing season, again, because people are waiting, potentially to hear from the IRS,” Miller says.

Any questions you have about your return can be answered online at I-R-S-dot-gov.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Organizers of the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (® RAGBRAI) today (Thursday), announced the full route for the July 20th through 27th event. The 51st ride begins in Glenwood at Keg Creek, a Missouri River tributary. From there the riders pass through towns of Silver City, Henderson, Emerson and the first overnight stop in Red Oak. The next day, riders will pass through Elliott, Griswold, and Lewis, before stopping for the night in Atlantic.

From here, riders will roll through Wiota, Cumberland, Massena and Fontanelle. After the make their way into Greenfield, the bicyclists will cruise into Orient and Macksburg, before they camp for the night in Winterset. Other, overnight stops include Knoxville, Ottumwa and Mt. Pleasant.

The 424-mile route is among the shortest on record, and about 75 miles less than the 2023 edition, but it will also be among the hilliest, with 18,737 feet of climb.

View the full map below.

PARKERSBURG, Iowa (KCRG-TV) – The Parkersburg Police Chief has been charged after selling alcohol at a bar after hours. Officials say that on February 11th, 2024, a deputy conducted a bar and alcohol compliance check at Maddogs Sports Bar in Parkersburg. At approximately 2:09 am, the deputy found multiple subjects both inside and outside of the bar drinking.

David Jara, who is the Parkersburg Police Chief, was working behind the bar at the time. He was charged with Selling or Dispensing Alcohol or Beer After Hours.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), released a report on arrests made during the month of March. In order of most recent to the earliest arrests:

On March 31st – Holly Ann Gorden, Age 51, of Dow City, was arrested after a traffic stop. Gorden was charged with OWI- 1st offense, Improper Registration of Plate Lamp, and Failure to Maintain control; and, Mandi Annette Irlbeck, Age 48, of Harlan, was arrested after a traffic stop. Irlbeck was charged with OWI- 1st Offense, Fail to Display Registration Plate, and Failure to Give Continuous Turn Signal.

Two men were arrested March 30th in Shelby County, following a traffic stop on Highway 59: 21-year-old Sheldon David Shaw, of Fredonia KS, was arrested for being a person Ineligible to Carry a Weapon, Possession/Marijuana 1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. And, 34-year-old Bret Adam Gardner, of Fall River KS, was charged with Possession- Marijuana 1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On March 29th, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 37-year-old Joshua Wendell Tucker, of Fall River, KS, following a traffic stop on Highway 59. Tucker was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, PCS use in Structure or Vehicle, Possession – Marijuana 1st, and Ineligible to Carry Weapon.

On the 24th of March, 29-year-old Monrel Dupris Mccarthur, of Harlan, was arrested after a traffic stop on Hwy 59. McCarthur was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI- 1st Offense, Reckless Driving, Fail to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, and Driving on Wrong Side.

On the 23rd, 41-year-old Timmy Lee Sigler, Jr., of Harlan, was arrested on a Shelby County warrant for Violation of Probation.

On March 21st, Shelby County Deputies arrested 37-year-old Nicholas Steven Segebart, of Shelby, on an active Shelby County Warrant for Harassment – 1st degree.

The previous day, 27-year-old Rose Marie Strong, of Exira, was arrested on a Shelby County warrant for Violation of Probation.

There were two arrests in Shelby County on March 16th: 42-year-old Taylor Reid Schleis, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service. Schleis was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI- 1st Offense and Failure to Maintain Control; and, 30-year-old Kendra Kathleen Kyle, of Avoca, was arrested following a call for service. Kyle was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Contempt- Violation of No Contact Order.

One person was arrested March 14th in Shelby County. 21-year-old Junior Anthony Newsom, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for service. Newsom was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Obstruction of Emergency Communications, and Interference with Official Acts.

Two women were arrested March 13th following traffic stops in Shelby County: 33-year-old Ashley Elizabeth McWilliams, and 27-year-old Kellsea Marie Williams, both of Harlan, were arrested on separate charges following their traffic stops on Cyclone Avenue, in Harlan. McWilliams was charged with Driving while Barred. Williams was charged with Driving Under Suspension.

On March 12th, Carl Kent Parkhurst, Age 39, of Shelby, was arrested following a traffic stop. Parkhurst was transported to Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Suspended.

On March 10th, Steven Glenn Herrington, Age 60, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop and charged with OWI- 1st offense.

There were three arrests March 9th in Shelby County: 36-year-old Brunshay Naboski Miller, of Atlanta, GA, was arrested following a call for service. Miller was transported to Shelby County Jail and was charged with Interference with Official Acts- Bodily Injury, and Eluding- Speed 25 Over Limit; 34-year-old Deonte Leon Carr, also of Atlanta GA, was charged with Interference with Official Acts- Bodily Injury, and Eluding- Speed 25 Over Limit; and 35-year-old Charlie B. Hadfield, of Harlan, was arrested March 9th for Disorderly conduct- Fighting/Violence.

On the 8th of March, 30-year-old Jacob Taylor Jones, of Elkhorn, NE, was arrested for Walking on the Wrong Side of Highway, and Consumption of Alcohol in Public Place.

Three arrests occurred March 2nd, in Shelby County: Carlos Bravo, Age 25, of Denison, was arrested for Driving while License Suspended, Possession of Controlled Substance- Marijuana/1st Offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating a Non Registered Vehicle, and Speeding; Charles Allen Greene, Age 46, of Harlan, was arrested for Driving while License Suspended; and, 35-year-old Joshua James Holste, age 35, of Harlan, was arrested for OWI- 1st Offense.

And, on March 1st, Shelby County Deputies arrested 23-year-old Michael Leinen, of Portsmouth, on an active Shelby County Warrant.

Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

(Creston, Iowa) – Creston Police say a man was arrested Wednesday evening on an OWI charge. 76-year-old Michael Joseph Spaulding, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Operating While Under the Influence/1st Offense. Spaulding was cited and released on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, at around 6:45-p.m., Wednesday, Police in Creston arrested 28-year-old Andres Martinez, of Creston. Martinez arrested at his residence on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense. He was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by a Judge.

(Creston, Iowa) – A male student with the Creston Middle School faces a Class-D felony charge of making Terroristic Threats, following an incident that occurred Wednesday night. Creston Police received a report at around 11:12-p.m. Wednesday, with regard to threats the student allegedly made to bring a gun to school today (Thursday). The student allegedly sent pictures and videos to other students with the threat.

Officers investigating the allegations made contact with the suspect and his parents. The suspect was charged after he was interviewed by Police. He was then turned over to juvenile authorities.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, report a Des Moines woman, 52-year-old Guadalupe Ramos, was sentenced on March 28, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Theft in the Third Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor). Ramos was sentenced following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The investigation conducted by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau found Ramos had submitted fabricated documents to an insurance provider to obtain financial benefits to which she was not entitled.

Ramos was arrested on December 14, 2023.  After pleading guilty to third-degree theft (Aggravated Misdemeanor), she was fined $855 and ordered to pay a crime services surcharge of 15%. Ramos was sentenced to one day in jail.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.