DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The jackpot for the Mega Millions lottery game has grown to nearly $1 billion ahead of Friday night’s drawing after more than four months without a winner. That record drought is thanks to bad luck, poor odds and reduced play partially blamed on the coronavirus pandemic. It’s only the third time a lottery jackpot has grown so large, but much has changed since the last time such a big prize was up for grabs in 2018.

And even as the huge Mega Millions prize and a $731.1 million Powerball jackpot won Wednesday by a single ticket sold in Maryland have juiced sales for the games, Maryland lottery director Gordon Medenica noted: “We’re not out of the wood yet.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The former CEO of Make-A-Wish Iowa has been arrested and charged with first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a credit card. Records show that 40-year-old Jennifer Woodley, who now lives in North Carolina, was booked at the Polk County Jail in Des Moines on Thursday evening and released. The criminal complaints against her weren’t immediately available.

This Jan. 21, 2021, photo provided by the Polk County Jail in Des Moines, Iowa shows Jennifer Woodley. Former Make-A-Wish Iowa CEO Jennifer Woodley is charged with first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a credit card. The organization announced last summer that she had been terminated as CEO after it discovered financial irregularities during a compliance review. (Polk County Jail via AP)

The organization announced last summer that it had discovered financial irregularities during a compliance review and that Woodley had been dismissed after serving as CEO for one year.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman says applications are being accepted from County residents for various, open, County Boards and Commissions. “Cass County appreciates diversity in these appointments and welcomes all applicants at least 18 years of age and residents of Cass County. Terms and dates of appointments vary.”

A brief description follows the listing of the position.

• VACANCY BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (4 year term 2021-2024; 1 to be appointed)
• LINCOLN TOWNSHIP CLERK (4 year term 2021-2024; 1 to be appointed)
  Township Trustee/Clerk: Four member board (three trustees and one clerk): townships of Bear Grove, Benton,
  Brighton, Cass, Franklin, Grant, Grove, Lincoln, Massena, Noble, Pleasant, Pymosa, Victoria, and Washington (Only
  Edna Township and Union Township elect officers). Township governments are responsible to provide vital functions
  such as fire protection/emergency medical service and responsible for any township owned public cemeteries.
• VACANCY ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT (5 year term 2021-2025; 1 to be appointed)
  Zoning Board of Adjustment: Five member board to review county zoning ordinance and hear requests for variances
  or special exceptions to the ordinance. Must reside outside the corporate limits of any city.
  (5 year term; IOWA CODE 335.11)
• VACANCY ZONING COMMISSION (5 year term 2021-2025; 1 to be appointed)
• VACANCY ZONING COMMISSION (5 year term 2018-2022; 1 to be appointed)
• Zoning Commission: Five member commission to review and enforce county zoning ordinance and make
  recommendations on any proposed changes to same. Must reside outside the corporate limits of any city.
  (5 year term; IOWA CODE 335.8)

Sunderman says “The Board of Supervisors is always looking for people interested in serving their community. Applications are required and can be obtained at the office of the Cass County Auditor and are also available on the county website: www.casscountyiowa.us (see DOWN-LOADABLE FORMS under Board of Supervisors: Notice of Vacancies and Application Form for Boards and Commissions) information may be obtained by calling the office of the Cass County Auditor: 712-243-4570.

Applications will be retained in our files for one year. Applications are public documents and as such may be reproduced and distributed to the public.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says an eight-year-old male was arrested Wednesday afternoon for Burglary in the 3rd Degree-Theft from a vehicle/1st offense. Deputies were dispatched to Midstates Bank in Neola just before 4-p.m., following a reported burglary of a 2001 Chevy Impala. The boy was referred to Juvenile Court Authorities. No other details were released.

Officials with the Creston Police Department say Cook Video and Appliance reported Thursday afternoon, vandalism had been perpetrated on to two U-Haul vehicles with in the past 24 hrs. The first vehicle had two side mirrors destroyed. The second vehicle had the catalytic converter removed from it. The loss was estimated at $1,300 altogether.