(Radio Iowa) – Last month’s drawing for the Mega Millions jackpot that exceeded a billion dollars drew plenty of attention in Iowa, and now crooks are using the occasion to try and scam people via text. Consumer advocate Lara Sutherlin says versions of this con have been around for years but criminals are trying to be timely with their message. “You’ve got a purported winner of the lottery that doesn’t want to keep the money all for themselves and they’re graciously trying to give it away,” Sutherlin says. The scammers may claim to be the winner — or to represent the winner — and all they need you to do is contact them. “So they then ask you to call an agent and they give you a number or they ask you to text them,” Sutherlin says, “and that’s the scam. They’re trying to engage you, steal your identity, steal your money.”

Sutherlin says Iowans need to be savvy and not fall for the trick, especially when it sounds too good to be true. “Absolutely ignore these texts offering to give you part of their lottery winnings,” She says. “Block that number, and you certainly don’t respond, and you certainly don’t call back the number in the text.”

Sutherlin says the scam might change, whether they’re trying to get you to send them gift cards or get access to your banking information. The winner of the July 29th Mega Millions drawing, worth one-point-three billion dollars, has yet to come forward. Iowa Lottery officials say one ticket sold in Illinois matched all six numbers.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Atlantic High School Alumni Smackdown Committee and Atlantic Parks & Recreation, will host “Smackdown After Dark,” this Saturday, August 20th, 2022. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, says “We get asked a lot when we’re going to do another outdoor concert since RAGBRAI 2019. While we can’t offer an experience quite to that scale, we’re really excited to partner with the All Class Reunion and offer an evening activity the whole community can enjoy.”

The event will take place at Sunnyside Park with a beer garden, organized by the Atlantic Fire Department, and food vendors beginning at 5 PM. The Classic Rock band “Oreo Meatwagon” will play from 7 PM – 10 PM on the Band Shell. Beer will be one for $5 or 6 for $20. Individuals will purchase tickets when entering the event, cash/check only. Checking IDs will be required, and a wristband will be worn to identify legal age once at the beer tent. No outside alcohol is permitted. 

The event is free admission and is open to everyone of all ages, not just alumni of Atlantic. Smith said “It’s important to stress that you don’t have to be a graduate of Atlantic High School to come to the concert. We want this to be a community experience while also giving alumni in town for the weekend a chance to catch up with old friends.” A 50/50 raffle will also be taking place to benefit the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Department. The Department is looking to construct a roof on the Band Shell, making the space a more usable outdoor event venue. Tickets will be one for $5 or 6 for $20 and can be purchased throughout the duration of the event.

The 8th Annual AHS Alumni Smackdown Tournament will be held the morning of August 20th. The event will take place at both Nishna Hills Golf Course and Atlantic Golf & Country Club. More than 60 teams are registered to play.

Stay up to date on the latest information regarding Smackdown After Dark by ‘liking’ the event page on Facebook or visiting the Community Calendar on www.atlanticiowa.com. Smackdown After Dark is sponsored by Atlantic Parks & Recreation, Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports a man from Henderson, 35-year-old Myles Longcor, was arrested Tuesday on Assault and other charges. Longcor was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a magistrate judge. He faces charges that include: Domestic Abuse Assault; Interference with Officials Acts, and Violation of a No Contact Order.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports two men were arrested Tuesday, on separate charges. At around 11-a.m., Officers arrested 38-year-old Jason Dames, of Creston, at the Creston News Advertiser. Dames was charged with Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to the Union County Jail where he was later released on his own recognizance. And, at around 5-p.m., Tuesday, 31-year-old Kevin Jungers, of Lenox, was arrested at Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. He was charged with violation of a court order. Jungers was taken to the Union County Jail where he was waiting to be seen by magistrate.

(Albia, Iowa) – A pedestrian in southern Iowa’s Monroe County died Tuesday afternoon, after being struck by an SUV. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by 33-year-old Michael Lee Cox, of Albia, was traveling south on Clinton Street at around 1:10-p.m., and proceeded through the intersection of S. Clinton and E. Washington Streets, as 56-year-old Timothy Allen Olson, of Polk City, was crossing S. Clinton in a crosswalk from the west, which was to the right of the SUV.

When Cox failed to see Olson, his vehicle struck the man, who died at the Monroe County Hospital from his injuries. The accident was under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa school districts are about to resume classes without having the funding to provide free lunches for all students. Two years of pandemic aid ended in June, leaving districts scrambling to get qualified families to re-submit applications for free or reduced-price lunch. Shenandoah Schools superintendent Kerri Nelson says the district is keeping lunches free through the Community Eligibility Provision. Nelson says the program will be a cost to the district, but it’s needed.  “To help provide a little bit of a buffer and a transition for our families,” Nelson says, “and we’ve let families know that this is a temporary intervention, we’ll do it as long as we’re able to.”

She says their cash reserves will get them through at least one semester. Des Moines will be providing free lunch to all students through the same program. Dan Barkel, superintendent at Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn-Remsen-Union, says he’s disappointed the federal aid wasn’t extended. “For some families, this might be a bit of a stretch just because obviously, they’ve gotten used to not having to pay,” Barkel says, “and of course, with inflation hitting the pocketbooks of a lot of folks, I have a feeling that it’ll be a bit of a shock.”

Barkel says he thinks the last two years have broken down some of the stigma to being on free or reduced-price lunch. He just hopes the schools don’t see an increase in negative balances, as the costs return to parents.

(reporting by Kendall Crawford, Iowa Public Radio)