WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo woman faces theft charges after police say she stole nearly $30,000 in unemployment benefits from a relative. The Courier reports that 43-year-old April Ann South is charged with first-degree theft, identity theft and credit card fraud. Police say the theft occurred after the relative asked South for help in applying for unemployment last year. Police say the relative was told she didn’t qualify for unemployment, but was told in January by the Iowa Workforce Development that she had been receiving unemployment payments.

Officials say the money was paid into a bank account set up in her name and spent using a pre-paid credit card. Police say surveillance videos show South using the card at different locations to spend more than $28,000 from the funds.

A Welcome Home Celebration for Atlantic High School Senior Steele McLaren will be held on Thursday, March 25th. Steele suffered a traumatic brain injury during an accident on Oct., 25, 2020, and has spent the past nearly four months undergoing intense surgeries and physical rehabilitation. He has made remarkable progress but is a long way from full recovery. His family will escort Steele into Atlantic from the Elk Horn Exit of Interstate 80. They ask that there be no loud noises, sirens, lights, etc. (and, no duck calls, at least for now). The intent they said, is to stimulate his brain as little as possible. The family asks also, that you not approach their vehicles, either. Just hold up signs, give a huge wave, and an even bigger smile as he rolls into town.

Steele after months of rehab and prayers. (Photos via the Praying for Steele #32strong Facebook Page)

The planned route has changed so that the family vehicle will come straight across 2nd Street and directly up Chestnut Street. The family says there is still TONS of space along the Highway coming into town, by Mahle, the rock quarry, along 2nd Street, and up Chestnut for everyone to attend and support. The plan is to leave the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Omaha at around 10:30-a.m. Thursday, and arrive to Atlantic Around 11:45 to Noon.

In the hospital following the accident.

There will be live feed of the celebration available on the Praying for Steele #32strong facebook group.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports four arrests took place last week. Thursday night (March 18), 56-year old Jimmy Alan Robertson, of Bridgewater, was arrested after a search warrant was conducted at an apartment in Bridgewater. As law enforcement made entry into the apartment, a man and women were found in a bedroom, with the door closed. The male was identified as Robertson, and the female was identified as 51-year old Mary A. Giles. Another male, Mary’s 19-year old son Daniel, was located in another bedroom. Vandewater said Jimmy Robertson was arrested for violation of a No Contact Order, as he was prohibited from having contact with Mary Giles. Robertson was released the following day on a $300 cash/surety bond, with 10% acceptable.

At around 12:30-a.m. Thursday, 36-year old Amy Suzanne Brown, of Des Moines, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol, for OWI/3rd offense and Driving While Barred. She was taken into custody after the Trooper saw her vehicle with its lights on, parked half on the traveled portion of Interstate 80 near mile marker 88. Her breath alcohol content registered .171, or slightly more than double the legal limit. She was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

At around 9-a.m. on March 17th, Stuart Police arrested 34-year old David Spencer Reeves, of Earlham, for Violation of a No Contact Order, after the protected party showed Stuart Police a letter she had received from Reeves, in violation of the order. Reeves remains in the Adair County Jail on other charges in addition to his latest charge. His cash or surety bond was set at $300. And, around 12:55-a.m. March 17th, Stuart Police arrested 24-year old Jesse Andrew Queener, of Stuart, for Violation of a No Contact Order, after he sent numerous text messages and social media messages to a protected female party. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.