(Radio Iowa) – A 51-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of his neighbor in Swea City. Court documents indicate there was a verbal fight between 41-year-old Casey Tobin and his neighbor, 51-year-old Robert Dwaine Laverty, on April 3rd that eventually turned physical. The documents allege Tobin was intoxicated and he hit Laverty several times.

Eye witnesses told investigators Laverty struck back at Tobin, hitting him in the face, and Tobin fell backwards and hit his head on the curb. Tobin died three days later. Laverty has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony.

(Radio Iowa) – Three people from central Iowa face multiple charges after a chase involving a vehicle reported stolen from Adventureland ended in Wapello County. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office says it received word of Mahaska County authorities pursuing a stolen vehicle on Highway 63 around 5:26 Wednesday afternoon. The car was stopped west of Ottumwa after the vehicle’s onboard computer system was shut down. Three occupants attempted to flee on foot and two women were captured without incident. The third subject, a male, was located in a bean field a couple of hours later and taken into custody.

Eighteen-year-old Rondjja Martin of Windsor Heights, 20-year-old Beyonce Davis of Clive, and 20-year-old Joseph Kelly of Des Moines were each charged with first-degree theft and interference with official acts. Kelly was also charged with ongoing criminal conduct, harassment of public officers and employees, and criminal trespass.

(Radio Iowa) – Law enforcement agencies in Carroll say a man arrested twice in one night for drunk driving should have been held in jail after the first arrest. Forty-year-old Kenneth Kayce Harris was first stopped last Tuesday, just before 9 p.m., and ticketed for having a revoked driver’s license and for not having proof of insurance. About two hours later, he was stopped again and charged with first offense O-W-I and released. Then, at about 2 a.m., the same officer saw Harris at an apartment complex, getting out of the driver’s side of a vehicle. Harris was charged with an open container violation and trespassing, as well as the list of previous violations, but released.

The arresting officer’s report said Harris was released because the Carroll County Jail was at full capacity. The county sheriff and Carroll Chief of Police say the police officer was notified that a holding cell was empty. The police chief says his officer did arrange for a responsible party to pick up Harris so he wouldn’t be driving and that person could get a citation if they let Harris drive again that night.

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department, Monday, issued a warning to all area residents about an increase in phone scams, mailings, emails and even text messages. The Glenwood P-D says you should always remember:

• No reputable company will take gifts cards as payment! If you receive a call from someone and they “offer” something, with your only obligation being to pay for it or send gift cards as payment, IT IS A SCAM. No matter how good of an offer it is, do not fall for the scam. Remember the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
• The IRS will not call to advise some status of your account or to advise you there is a warrant for your arrest.

One of the most popular scams currently in circulation is the phone call from someone claiming to be a Federal Law Enforcement representative. The might say something like “There has been illegal activity on your accounts.” The scammer will say you could face criminal charges and that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. You may be prompted to “Press 1” to speak with an “Agent.” Again…DON’T DO IT!  It is a scam.

Remember also, the IRS will not ask for personal information over the phone.

A special meeting of the Audubon School Board will take place 7:30-a.m. Wednesday, June 30th, in the High School Board Room. Action items on their agenda include:

• Approve End of Year Fiscal Expenditures
• Approve Elementary Classroom Project
• Personnel matters.

The Board will also receive a project update from Superintendent Eric Trager. Their next REGULAR meeting is 7-p.m. July 19th, in the Audubon High School Board Room.

An accident in Boone County late Sunday morning has claimed the life of a man from Boone. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 22-year-old Alexander John Zigler died in a crash that happened just east of Boone, at the intersection of 219^th Street and R Avenue. The other driver, 28-year-old Haley Sue Swann, of Johnston, was injured and transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The crash happened at around 11:25 a.m.

The patrol says Swann was driving a Chevy Traverse and had failed to stop at a posted stop sign. Her SUV collided with Zigler’s Chevy pickup. Afterward, the Traverse veered off the road and struck a power pole. Zigler was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

The 8:05-a.m. Newscast w/Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) – The warmer weather is bringing all sorts of creatures into Iowans’ yards — including those who are trying to sell us something. Bao Vang, at the Better Business Bureau, says many door-to-door salespeople are legitimate, but not all of them are on the up-and-up. Vang says, “The BBB warns that some of these people though can be con artists and looking to take their cash without doing any work or poor work or looking to steal your identity.”

That person selling magazines, vinyl siding, or crates of oranges may be trying to raise money for a local school marching band, or they could be looking to make a fast buck, then move on.  “So the next time you hear a knock on the door and a salesperson is on the other side, the BBB wants you to have a plan for interacting with them,” she says.

Vang says it’s important to ask about licensing, check identification and verify the person and the company. She also recommends reading any contracts closely, and don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics.

The broadcast news at 7:06-a.m., with News Director Ric Hanson.

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Atlantic, Iowa, June 25, 2021 – Officials with TS Bank announced Friday, they have partnered with SHIFT ATL in Atlantic,  to help local neighborhoods through a new program called AMP, which provides funding for direct homeowner projects, neighborhood block initiatives and down payment assistance. Applications are open now through August 15, 2021. Recipient(s) in the Atlantic area will be awarded up to $5,000 in prize money for their particular project. TS Bank is the lead sponsor donating $2,500 to SHIFT ATL for the AMP program. In addition to SHIFT ATL, other contributing sponsors include Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Meyer and Gross Real Estate and Cass Health.

Individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves or a neighbor who needs assistance with outdoor housing needs. Project requests can range from landscaping, siding, painting, fencing, driveways, sidewalks, windows, roofing and exterior doors. SHIFT ATL Board Member, Mallory Robinson says “When SHIFT ATL learned of an opportunity to partner with TS Bank on the AMP for neighborhoods initiative, it was a no-brainer for us. Both TS Bank and SHIFT ATL have a mission to use resources within their organization, coupled with projects and partnerships with their communities, for the betterment of the communities we live in. This initiative is another partnership we are eager to be involved in, and feel it will create a ripple effect for years to come!”

TS Bank Director of Public Relations, Kelsey Stupfell says “We consider it a great honor to reinvest in our local communities. We are excited to launch AMP and collaborate with local leaders, nonprofit organizations and community members to help make a lasting impact in our neighborhoods.”

To apply for AMP, or to nominate someone, view the application here.