A study conducted at Iowa State University suggests a police officer’s ability to identify someone carrying a gun or bomb is only slightly better than chance. Lead author Dawn Sweet directs ISU’s Body Language and Facial Expressions Lab. She says police need more tools and evidence based training to identify someone might may be concealing a weapon.

“It’s an inherently difficult task and we’re not giving it enough attention,” Sweet said. Reading nonverbal communication is “context dependent,” according to Sweet. She’s now work to develop a standardized approach to evaluating behaviors that predict if someone is concealing a weapon or dangerous device, and therein poses a threat.

“It’s our hope as we continue this line of research we’ll be able to ultimately deliver systematic, evidence-based training to law enforcement officers,” Sweet said. “Because ultimately, it’s not just the law enforcement officers who are going to benefit from that, but it’s us as a society.” Sweet’s study is published in the journal Law and Human Behavior.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Sarah Boden, Iowa Public Radio)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Three neighboring cities are resisting paying Sioux City’s long-overlooked wastewater service charge. The Sioux City Journal reports that the city discovered the neglected charge during an audit and notified officials in Sergeant Bluff, in North Sioux City, South Dakota; and South Sioux City, Nebraska, that it would begin imposing the 7 percent charge on July 1.

Those cities’ officials worry about having to pass along the cost to their residents, so the officials want to talk over the charge with Sioux City officials.

The agreements with each city for sewage treatment at the Sioux City plant have been overlooked for at least the past two years and potentially longer. Sioux City utilities director Mark Simms says the charge essentially covers administrative costs, and he isn’t sure why it’s been overlooked.

A man from Iowa died late Saturday night southeast of Kansas City after being struck by numerous vehicles. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 39-year old Jeffrey M. Koontz, of Council Bluffs, a Reserve Deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, died at the scene.

The incident happened at around 10:55 p.m. on I-70 eastbound, just east of Woods Chapel Road. Authorities said the man was walking on the roadway along I-70 when he was struck by an unknown tractor-trailer. That vehicle fled the scene. Koontz was subsequently struck by an SUV and a sedan. Both of those drivers remained at the scene to speak with police.

The incident remains under investigation. Police are working to identify the driver of the semi that fled the scene.

A grant writing workshop is scheduled to be presented in Red Oak September 13th for representatives of nonprofits, local government, and schools. Participants across Southwest Iowa are encouraged to attend.

Grant Writing 101, a workshop sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach – Montgomery County, will provide hands-on training in seeking and writing successful grant applications. The workshop will be presented from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, at Wilson Performing Arts Center, 300 Commerce Drive, Red Oak.

The cost of the workshop is $15, which includes a light meal that will be served at the start of the program. Registration is required by noon, September 11; call the Montgomery County Extension office at 623-2592 to register.

Participants are asked to bring a laptop computer or iPad/tablet device, if possible, to use to search online for grants and other resources during the workshop. The training will be presented by Jane Nolan Goeken, a Community and Economic Development program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Goeken has more than 29 years of experience working with federal, state, local and foundation grant programs. In addition to writing successful grant applications, she has served as a grant application reviewer and administrator, and has helped set up grant award and review programs.

Goeken will assist workshop participants in exploring various public and private funding sources, and provide instruction and tips on planning projects and writing successful grant applications. For more information about the workshop, contact Jane Goeken at jngoeken@iastate.edu or 712/240-2504; or Rachel Bergren, Montgomery County Extension Program Coordinator, at rbergren@iastate.edu or 623-2592.