(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.

(Radio Iowa) – One of the women involved in an embezzlement scheme that left a Denison Credit Union insolvent will spend three years in prison. Fifty-three-year-old Brenda Jensen of Denison pleaded guilty to credit union embezzlement — admitting she helped embezzle one-point-five-million dollars from the Consumer Credit Union (CCU) in a six-year period. Jensen was the head teller — and helped her sister Janine Keim who was the C-E-O — cover up the theft. Jensen was ordered to pay more than one-point-four million dollars in restitution. Keim pleaded guilty to lying to auditors — and her sentencing date has not yet been set.

The credit union serves Crawford, Carrol, Shelby, Ida, Monona, Sac, and Harrison counties.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday, released a report on arrests from June 17th to 27th. On Sunday (6/27), Adams County Deputies arrested Devin Lee Heimke on a warrant for Failure to Appear. He was later released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond after appearing before the magistrate.  On June 22nd, Dallas Lee Laible turned himself-in to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. He was wanted on a warrant for Sex Offender Registry Violation. Bond was set at $5,000.

(As previously mentioned) On June 22nd, Joleen Mary Most was arrested by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies. She was wanted on three valid Adams County warrants for Failure to Appear. Most was being held in the Adams County Jail without bond, until seen by the magistrate. June 21st, Adams County Deputies arrested 19-year-old Suzann Marie Hensley on an active warrant for Accessory After the Fact, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $2,300 cash or surety bond.

June 19th, Adams County Deputies arrested Sarah Kay Reafleng, and Robert Edward Reafleng, both of Henderson, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and three counts of Child Endangerment. Robert Reafleng was also cited for not having a valid driver’s license. The couple was taken into custody following a traffic stop by officials with Lake Icaria Park. During a search of the vehicle, narcotics were located. Sarah and Robert Reafleng were being held without bond in the Adams County Jail, until seen by the magistrate.

At around 8:35-p.m. on June 18th, Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 148 near 200th Street. They observed a brown paper sack on the passenger side floor of the vehicle. Inside were two 24-ounce cans. As a result, 40-year-old Matthew Cain Hollingsworth was charged with Possession of Open Container. Further investigation resulted in the discovery of a small clear bag with a leafy substance. Hollingsworth was subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 2nd offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Endangerment.

On June 17th, 64-year-old Robin Elaine Jennings, of Red Oak, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 148, in Adams County. She was found to allegedly be intoxicated and transported to the Adams County Jail. As she was being booked, Jennings allegedly bit one of the jailers. She faces charges of OWI/2nd offense and Assault on persons engaged in certain occupations. Bond was set at $5,000 until she is seen by a magistrate.

Police in Red Oak, Sunday night, arrested a man for Possession of drug paraphernalia. 36-year-old Christopher Scott Martinmaas, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 7:53-p.m. and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

(Radio Iowa) -The tax bill Governor Reynolds signed earlier this month also created a new state grant program for manufacturers. Jill Lippincott of the Iowa Economic Development Authority says manufacturers with fewer than 75 employees will be able to apply for the Technology Investment grants.

“Before when we had these evolution’s in industry we talked about water and steam power or mass assembly or computer and robotics and robotics,” she says, “and now we’re talking about with Industry 4.0 the internet of things and additive manufacturing and advanced robotics or amended reality or cyber security, so really digital technologies that are starting to become a part of our manufacturing processes.” Lippincott says the agency released a report in 2020 that found many of Iowa’s larger manufacturers have already begun using new technology to transform how work is performed and products are fabricated on the factory floor.

“But some of our smaller manufacturers in the state may be aware or may have started this journey, but may be a little further behind where we’d like to see them,” she says. A few other states have started similar grant programs. Iowa’s initiative will award two levels of Technology Investment grants. One, for 25-thousand dollars, will help manufacturers cover the costs of purchasing software and other digital products. The other, for 50-thousand dollars, will help cover the costs of buy high-tech equipment and machinery. Companies can start applying for the grants in September, but they’ll have to undergo an assessment with the Center for Industrial Research and Service first.

“I think that’ll be a big piece of understanding what is the overall strategy and goal they’re trying to reach with investment that they’re making,” Lippincott says. These will be reimbursement grants, so the company must show the state invoices providing they’ve purchased the technology after getting the grant.

INDIANOLA, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report that at around 10:15-a.m. Sunday, June 27, a body was spotted floating in Lake Ahquabi approximately 20 yards from shore in the beach/swimming area. DNR Parks staff, Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other medical personnel responded to the scene, located the body and brought it ashore. The body appears to be that of an adult male.

The body was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny for an autopsy; however, it does not appear foul play was a factor. No further information, including the identity of the individual or cause and manner of death, will be released until family have been notified and pending the initial autopsy findings.

ONAWA— Officials with the Iowa DNR, late Sunday, said the boil advisory for Onawa that was issued on June 25 has been lifted. Two consecutive sets of water samples have been completed and show no bacteria present. Residents can now use the water without boiling.

A malfunctioning sensor drained the city of Onawa’s water storage structure overnight Thursday. Water pressure was restored, but can cause bacteria to enter the water distribution system. As a precaution, the city and DNR recommended residents boil their water.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Police are investigating the discovery of a body in the Des Moines River, Saturday. KCCI reports that at around 1:30 p.m., officers were called to the Des Moines River at the Euclid Avenue Bridge to investigate a report of a body found in the water.

According to police, arriving officers found the body of a deceased person in the water. Police said the Des Moines Fire Department Water Emergency Team was deployed to recover the body. Police detectives have initiated a death investigation. No other details were released.