The Hot Lotto game is heading into retirement this fall after a run that started back in April of 2002. Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer, says Iowa and the 13 other lotteries that sell the game decided to make the move after a performance review. “Any game has a life span and through the years Hot Lotto has been updated just like some of our other lotto games like Powerball and Mega Millions have, to incorporated new features and give players new things to look for in the game. But over time, the sales have simply fallen off,” Neubauer says.

She says it’s a bit ironic as Hot Lotto was developed after players told the Iowa Lottery they weren’t as interested in chasing the mega jackpots generated by some of the other games. The Hot Lotto game was at the center of one of the most convoluted stories and mysteries in Iowa that eventually led to a guilty plea in a multi-state lottery rigging scheme. Neubauer says that case had not impact on the decision to end the game.

She expects something to replace the Hot Lotto game. The last Hot Lotto drawing is scheduled for October 28th. There is the possibility that no one has the winning numbers for that jackpot. “Just like other unclaimed prize money, here in Iowa, we will use that money for prizes in future games and promotions,”Neubauer says.

And if you win some sort of prize in that last drawing, you can still collect it. “Prizes in Hot Lotto are valid here in Iowa for up to 365 days from the date of the drawing in which they are won. And that would still be applicable even after the game ends,” Neubauer explains. “So, if you won a prize in the final drawing of Hot Lotto, you would still have another year to claim that prize.”

Iowa Lottery players have won eight jackpots in Hot Lotto since it began. That includes the largest prize ever in the game — a nearly 20 million dollar jackpot (19.97) — won in January 2007 by John Hall of Indianola.

(Radio Iowa)

A concert scheduled for this weekend in Ames will showcase the talents of people with Parkinson’s disease who’ve found singing serves as a form of therapy. Elizabeth Stegemöller, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University, has been researching how singing benefits those suffering with the disease. “Singing did significantly improve muscle activity associated with swallowing and also improved respiratory control, which is pretty phenomenal,” Stegemöller said.

Complications of swallowing is one the main causes of death for people with Parkinson’s disease. Stegemöller has also found singing has improved her clients overall quality of life. “They’re smiling, they’re happy, and less stressed,” Stegemöller said.

Elizabeth Stegemöller and her music therapy class

Jackie Manatt, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 13 years ago, is in one of Stegemöller’s classes. She’s found singing helps her project, as voice loss and difficulty speaking are common with Parkinson’s patients. “I just keep thinking I would probably have even less volume by now if I hadn’t taken this singing class,” Manatt said.

In addition to Ames, Stegemöller hosts singing classes in Waverly, Des Moines, and Storm Lake. Some students from those classes will be featured in the concert scheduled for this Saturday (August 12) at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Ames (200 Lynn Ave.). Results of Stegemöller’s initial studies are published in the journals Disability and Rehabilitation and Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Her current research is funded through a GRAMMY Foundation grant.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An officer for a contractor has admitted falsifying and submitting invoices that resulted in nearly $808,000 in overcharges to the Iowa Transportation Department. Federal prosecutors say Jenna Wilson, of Sergeant Bluff, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City. Her sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Court records say Wilson raised the per-unit price on expanded polystyrene fill used in the 2016 reconstruction of the Interstate 29 interchange at Salix. The polystyrene fill was properly invoiced by its original supplier.

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency reported late Monday evening, that a WATER BOIL ORDER IS IN EFFECT FOR THE CITY OF AVOCA, due to a water main break. Impacted areas are generally all residential properties south of the Caseys General Store area.

Citizens are encourage to use bottled water OR boil water before consuming, cooking use or personal hygiene such as brushing teeth. The advisory is for 24-to 48-hours or until test results confirm there is no risk to public health.

Update alerts will be distributed via Alert Iowa. Residents can register free at www.pottcounty-ia.gov. Updates will also be posted on the emergency management facebook page and twitter feed. Contact Avoca City Hall for further inquiries.

Officers with the Stuart Police Department conducted a search warrant Monday, in the 400 block of NW 10th Street, as part of an ongoing investigation into several recent burglaries and thefts in the Stuart area. Authorities searched about 16 acres of land, and have recovered several items believed to be stolen property.  Stephen Dennis Kunkle, of Stuart, was arrested as part of the investigation.

Kunkle faces multiple charges, including a felony charge of Burglary in the 3rd degree. He was also charged with: 2 counts of Possession of Stolen Property; Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd offense; Possession of Burglary Tools; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Stuart P-D Facebook photo

The burglaries and thefts occurred between July 20th and August 4th in Stuart. The stolen items included money, tools and several kayaks. Some of the stolen property was identified and will be returned to the rightful owners. If you have been the victim of a recent theft, please contact Stuart Police as soon as possible, as they have also located several suspected stolen items. If you have any further information the Stuart Police dispatch center at 641-747-2214, or private message them through Facebook.

Two women from Union County were arrested Monday night on Adams County warrants. The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports Amber Miller, of Creston, was arrested at around 9:40-p.m. on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 1st offense. And, Pamela Claiser, of Creston, was arrested on a warrant for Possession of Meth/3rd offense .The warrants stem from a traffic stop on March 31st.

Miller’s cash only bond was set at $2,000. Claiser was being held without bond until she could be seen by the magistrate.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A federally funded nonprofit says an Iowa school for juvenile boys held under court order is violating their constitutional rights by not providing essential mental health care and instead relying on restraints and seclusion rooms. In a report released Monday, Disability Rights Iowa threatened legal action unless the state makes significant changes at the Boys State Training School in Eldora. State officials say other assessments have lauded the school.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a worker has died after being caught in a grain bin in Waterloo. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports crews were called to an East Central Iowa Co-Op elevator about 11:30 a.m. Monday on a report of a worker who was trapped in soybeans. Firefighters cut holes in the bin and co-op employees used a vacuum to drain the bin as emergency crews entered the elevator to reach the man. Despite the efforts, the man was declared dead.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The head of the agency that oversees Iowa’s flagship history museum is leaving the job. Mary Cownie announced Monday her last day as director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will be Aug. 17. Cownie, who was appointed in January 2011 by former Gov. Terry Branstad, attempted over several years to seek money from the Legislature to pay for extensive renovations to the State Historical Museum in Des Moines. The effort stalled amid state budget constraints.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) – The Burlington city manager says he’s not meeting the city council members’ expectations, so he’ll be stepping down. Jim Ferneau told The Hawk Eye that he notified council members by email Friday that he intends to leave in October from the post he’s held for more than five years.