Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports his deputies were called Thursday to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man found in a vehicle.  Deputies responded to 1851 A Avenue at approxiamtely7:30 AM. Following an investigation, which involved the Page County Medical Examiner and the Page County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that 59-year old George Henry Mier, of Ottumwa,  had died from natural causes in a Semi tractor waiting in line to get into the business of Hallet Materials.  The Semi was parked on A Avenue facing north just south of the entrance to the business.

Officials with the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office said Thursday, that Absentee ballots for the November 6^th General Election will be available in the Auditors Office on Thursday September 27^th. Absentee ballots may be cast in the Election/Auditors Office, 2^nd Floor of the Courthouse, during office hours from 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  Last day to cast Absentee ballots is in the Auditor’s Office on 11/5/12 until 5:00 PM. Absentee ballots must be requested in writing.  Forms are available at the Auditor’s office and on the Secretary of State website at www.sos.iowa.gov.  Return ballots must be postmarked by 11/5/12 or earlier. All requests for a ballot to be mailed must be received by the Election Office by 5:00 pm, on Friday November 2, 2012.

For further information, contact the Montgomery County Election/Auditors Office at 712-623-5127 between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public to be aware that telephone scams are still alive and well in the county. Most recently reported to officials is the old scam whereby people are called by someone claiming to be that person’s grandchild or other relative and asking for cash to be wired to them so they can get out of jail. If you receive this sort of call, be sure to satisfy yourself as to the true identity of the caller. Never wire money without verifying the whereabouts of your actual relative, and never give out personal or banking information over the phone.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) said Thursday, that the work location has changed but the schedule will remain the same, for the Interstate 480 work scheduled for next week in Council Bluffs. The DOT will be closing the eastbound Interstate 480 to northbound I-29 bridge in Council Bluffs on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 26th and 27th, to make repairs.

Northbound I-29 traffic will be routed around the construction zone by traveling south on I-29, exiting at 9th Avenue (exit 53A), and traveling north on I-29. Motorists will want to allow some extra time in the morning hours to travel on this detour. The roadway should be reopened to traffic by Friday, Sept. 28, weather permitting.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has charged three people with voter fraud for voting in Pottawattamie County even though they are not U-S citizens. D-C-I assistant director, Chari Paulson, says the three people who live in Council Bluffs were arrested after there was suspicion that they had illegally voted in the 2010 general election and 2011 city election. “This is information that we had gotten from the Secretary of State’s office regarding a possible vote that had been cast by non-U-S citizens in that county,” Paulson says. The information led to the arrest of 52-year-old Albert Harte-Maxwell, 49-year-old Linda Harte-Maxwell and 40-year-old Maria Ayon-Fernandez.

“Our agents conducted our normal due-dilligence in a criminal investigation. We made contact with U-S Immigration and Customs to determine their immigration status and then based upon that information, we conducted our investigation and found out that they did vote while they were non-U-S citizens,” Paulson says. Secretary of State Matt Schultz, a Republican, has been involved in a legal battle over trying to take non-citizens off the voters rolls after he found over 35-hundred people through driver’s license records that were not citizens but had vote. A lawsuit was filed to block Schultz from using a federal immigration list to cross-check and remove non-citizen voters. Schultz said during a hearing on the issue that he had turned the names over to the D-C-I and what they did with the names was out of his hands. Paulson says they are looking into more possible voter fraud.

“We still have ongoing investigations in reference to election misconduct in other counties in Iowa,” Paulson says. The three individuals from Council Bluffs turned themselves in today and were released on their own recognizance. Secretary of State Schultz released this comment in connection with the fraud charges: “As Secretary of State one of my primary duties is to ensure that we have fair and honest elections. Every person who cheats in the voting booth deprives a hard-working, eligible citizen of their voice in our government. That is why I have been fighting for election integrity and will continue to do so.“I am grateful for the hard work and dedication DCI has shown so far in their investigation of election crimes in our state.” According to criminal complaints filed, Albert Harte-Maxwell voted in both elections, Linda Harte-Maxwell voted in the 2011 city election, and Maria Ayon-Fernandez voted in the 2010 general election.

(Radio Iowa)