(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Lottery already set a record for sales in the fiscal year that ended June 30th, with sales of 481-point-five million dollars. Iowa Lottery C-E-O started the fiscal year with concerns as the flagship scratch ticket sales had dropped. “Boy, not only did we see scratch ticket sales bounce back over the last fiscal year, but we saw all product categories actually see a year-over-year sales increase,” he says. Strawn says some big lotto ticket jackpots were one factor in pushing them to a record.

“I think there’s a combination of factors. One, there were changes made to those national lotto games like Powerball a number of years ago to create faster, more rapidly growing jackpots,” Strawn says. “So I think that helps generate accelerated sales in games like Powerball, which we certainly saw this last fiscal year. But I think from a strategic standpoint in Iowa, more I was centric and experiential promotions.” He says the promotions at the Iowa Speedway Kinnick and Jack Trice stadiums and the Knoxville Nationals help boost interest.

Strawn says the economy and high gas prices had impacted scratch ticket sales in the previous fiscal year. And they also took an overall look at them to try and improve their sales. “We did some analysis, and actually made some data-driven decisions in slightly changing the scratch ticket portfolio — understanding that not all scratch ticket players are alike,” he says “For example, Iowa is among the states where crossword, or bingo those extended play, scratch games sell very well. So we made sure that we were, we’re leaning hard into meeting players where they want to be with that game.”

Strawn says players like variety in game styles and play, and that’s why you see some two dozen scratch ticket offerings, where it used to be only six or eight different types of scratch tickets available. Strawn says more ticket vending machines in high-traffic stores also helped make it easier for customers. “What you’ve seen with the increase in self-service lottery machines at retail is a response to not just what we’re hearing from players who want that convenience, but the retailers themselves. I think anybody that spends two minutes talking to any business in the state will hear about challenges they have related to the workforce. So we’re trying to help our retailers out with that as well,” Strawn says.

The preliminary figures released show that the Iowa Lottery generated a record 108-point-two million dollars in proceeds to the state for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Prizes paid to players were a record 305-point-three million dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – Sunday is “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is challenging Iowans to use the opportunity to learn something and do something about human trafficking. “It’s right here in Iowa, unfortunately. We’re very proud of our state and we think it’s the best place to live, but it’s not always the best place for everyone,” Pate says. “…Tune in and learn about it and basically be our eyes and ears and help law enforcement with that.”

From 2021 to 2022, there was a 61 percent increase in the number of tips called into the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s human trafficking tip line. Sergeant Elizabeth Quinn, a deputy sheriff in Story County, says she can’t share details, but her department is currently investigating tips about children and adults who may be forced into some type of labor or commercial sex.

“The first step in stopping this crime lies in awareness and we’re really just trying to get the word out on making sure that Iowans are looking for signs of human trafficking among their neighbors, friends, family, co-workers and that they’re looking for sudden changes in their appearance or behavior,” Quinn says. “Maybe they might be isolating themselves or repetitively missing school.”

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, half of the tips about human trafficking from Iowa in 2021 were about minors. Quinn says children are very vulnerable to traffickers lurking on social media. “We do know that through the U.S. Department of Justice the average age of a U.S. citizen first being trafficked is 12-14 years old,” Quinn says. “…Awareness is everything.”

In 2016, Quinn spent six months in Washington, D.C., working in the Human Trafficking and Child Protection Division with the International Criminal Police Organization. In 2022, Pate created the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking network. It now includes nearly 700 businesses that are training employees and posting tip line numbers in workplaces and restrooms. Pate cites a recent arrest in an Iowa convenience store.

“A woman was being trafficked and she saw the sticker and she went the store counter and said: ‘Hey, I’m being trafficked. I need help,'” Pate says. “They immediately called law enforcement and the officer came and arrested the trafficker and got her out of a bad situation.”

A state law that went into effect this year has increased penalties for human trafficking and those convicted of trafficking children could be sentenced to life in prison.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s mid-summer and many Iowans are on vacation, and while you might be tempted to share fun photos with friends on social media, Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Timmons says you’d be wise to resist that urge.

“I would say mostly you see people posting stuff on social media, ‘We are in South Dakota fishing,’ and it’s like, oh, wait your house is left wide open,” Sheriff Timmons says. “People are going to know that you’re gone, and you’re an easy target.” He reminds, just because you -can- upload photos to the internet from anywhere using a smart phone doesn’t mean you should, as it shows the world you’re not home.

“Don’t be posting that stuff,” he says. “Wait until you get home to post it. Yeah, you’re enjoying yourself, but don’t make yourself a target.” Even those thousands of RAGBRAI riders who want to crow about their accomplishments this week should probably hold off until the ride is over before putting pictures on social media.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors, Wednesday, visited Cass County Abstract Co., in Atlantic, to celebrate the new ownership. The Ambassadors also had the opportunity to meet the new owner and learn more about the business of abstracting.

Click to enlarge this image (Photo courtesy of the Atlantic Chamber)

Shannon Nelsen, new owner of Cass County Abstract Co., shared about how she was able to obtain this position and why she chose Atlantic. Nelsen has been in the abstracting business for over 36 years and is also the owner of abstract offices in Red Oak, Glenwood, and Audubon. She is very passionate about the work that goes into abstracting, and when she was contacted by customers in Atlantic area who wanted her services, Nelson knew it was time to expand to Cass County. After meeting with the company’s board, she was able to make the purchase April 1, 2023.

Nelsen is happy to watch the business that she has recently taken ownership of thrive. She has made many improvements within both the business and the physical office. She stays busy managing her other locations, but she is grateful for her hard-working staff, as the process of abstracting can be difficult and tedious at times. Abstracting consists of recording the condensed history of a piece of land and any other documents that may accompany it. Cass County Abstract Co. plays an important role in instances where a homeowner is looking to sell their property but needs documentation of the history of the land.

Cass County Abstract Co. is open 8 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information regarding the business, visit their website www.cassabstract.com, or call (712) 243-2136. Cass County Abstract Co. is located at 518 Chestnut Street in Atlantic.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – State Treasurer Roby Smith reports businesses will soon be doing their due diligence to inform Iowans they may have unclaimed assets. “Before an inactive bank account, uncashed check or other form of unclaimed property is sent to my office, the business holding the asset must perform their due diligence,” said Smith. “This is usually done by a letter to the last known address of the owner and gives a deadline for the owner to contact the business.”

Property that remains unclaimed after a specific period of time is sent to the State Treasurer’s Office for safekeeping. The Treasurer then works to reunite the owner or rightful heir with their property through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. “If you receive a due diligence letter, I encourage you to reach out to the business and take action,” continued Smith. “However, if your assets are turned over, it’s important to know you can always make a claim for them at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov.”

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is Iowa’s only legitimate source of unclaimed property. Over $485 million in forgotten checking and savings accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility refunds, safe deposit box contents and other forms of unclaimed property are waiting to be claimed at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. The website is free and secure, and allows you to search for your name or for businesses and people you know.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports five recent arrests. On Monday, July 24th, deputies arrested 18-year-old Rexon Teruo, of Atlantic, on the charges of Burglary 3rd Degree (2 counts), Theft 3rd Degree, Carry Weapons while Intoxicated, Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons, Theft 5th Degree, Criminal Mischief 5th Degree and Public Intoxication.  Teruo was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

Last Friday (July 21), 43-year-old Nicholas Brix, of Marne, was arrested on the charges of Drug Trafficking, Drug Tax Stamp Violation, Possession with Intent to Deliver and Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or subsequent offense.  Brix was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On July 19th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29-year-old John Topham, of Griswold, on a warrant for Child Endangerment.  Topham turned himself in to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On July 17th, 55-year-old Kenneth Klindt, of Griswold, was arrested in Cass County on a warrant for Theft 5th Degree.  Klindt was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

And, on July 15th, 41-year-old Aron Dark, of Kansas City, MO, was arrested by deputies in Cass County, for OWI/2nd Offense, and Child Endangerment.  Dark was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.