You can’t sign-up just yet, but soon, you’ll be able to receive Emergency Notification messages about storms, Amber Alerts, Boil Orders and more, in Cass County. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, Wednesday (Today), told the Board of Supervisors the County has agreed to become part of the state-wide “Alert Iowa” system. The system is expected to become active in Cass County sometime within the next month.

Cass County Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator Mike Kennon talks about Alert IA.

The system can be used by state and local authorities to quickly disseminate emergency information to residents in counties that utilize the system. Persons with landlines are already on a data base for notification, but when the online registration form is active, persons with cell phones can register those numbers and their landline for notifications.

The system is available, free of charge, to all counties. Approximately three out of every four Iowa counties have now signed up to use the Alert Iowa system. In southwest Iowa, there are only six counties (Audubon, Adams, Fremont, Page, Taylor and Union), who have not jumped on the Alert Iowa bandwagon. Kennon says before it can be rolled out in Cass County, he, along with Sheriff Darby McLaren and 9-1-1 Coordinator Rob Koppert need to go through necessary training to prepare for the system’s activation.

When active in Cass County, Alert Iowa will allow citizens to sign up for the types of alerts they would like to receive. Messages can be issued via landline or wireless phone, text messaging, email, FAX, TDD/TYY, and social media. Messages may contain photo, video and audio attachments to help subscribers better understand the situation at hand, or where to find additional information. And, you can choose which city or cities you want to receive notifications for.

(Sample) Online registration form for Cass County/Alert IA,

The media will release more information on the system when the roll-out date grows closer. For more, general information, go to http://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/about_HSEMD/alert_iowa.html

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say the Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $500 million, which would make it the fifth largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The lottery raised its jackpot estimate hours before Wednesday night’s drawing and has raised it twice since Saturday’s drawing by a total of about $105 million.  No one has won the Powerball jackpot for more than two months, so the prize has been growing gradually from its $40 million starting point.

It’s been nearly a year since a Powerball prize topped $400 million. Powerball is sold in 44 states as well as Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The chance of winning a Powerball jackpot is about 1 in 175 million.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – July 4th celebrations could get colorful in Iowa under proposed legislation that would legalize more fireworks sales in the state. The bill got subcommittee-level approval in the Senate Wednesday. Under the proposal, retailers could sell firecrackers, roman candles and other fireworks. Currently, the state only allows sales of certain “novelty fireworks” like sparklers.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, said that Iowa residents are already going to border states to buy fireworks. He said the current restrictions are not working and that a more permissive law could promote better safety education. Representatives from the fireworks industry offered support for the bill, while health care groups questioned the plan, saying it could lead to more injuries.

The measure now moves to a Senate committee for review.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has declined to approve a bill that would have prohibited most people in Iowa from killing mountain lions. Members of a natural resources subcommittee discussed the bill Wednesday. It will not advance in the legislature this session.

There is no current law that prevents a person from killing a mountain lion, also known as a cougar. The bill would have increased protection for the animals by specifying that a person accused of trapping, wounding or killing a mountain lion could be charged with a simple misdemeanor. That may lead to jail time or a fine.

The bill had exemptions, including for a person who spotted a mountain lion and feared for their safety. Lawmakers expressed concern about who would determine when a person was in danger.