No injuries were reported after a train struck a semi this (Tuesday) morning, near Menlo. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2013 Kenworth Aerocab semi driven by 74-year old Ronald L. Carter, of Ankeny, was traveling south on Talon Avenue near White Pole Road, having just left the ethanol plant, when he failed to yield at a marked railroad crossing.

A 2008 train struck the trailer of the semi, causing substantial damage to both the trailer and train. The rear end of the trailer was torn off and ended up in a nearby field. The accident happened at around 10:40-a.m.

LITTLE ROCK, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in northwestern Iowa say a 4-year-old boy has died after being hit by a pickup truck on a rural road.

The Sioux City Journal reports that the accident happened Monday afternoon north of Little Rock, Iowa. Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep says the boy was taken to a hospital, where he died. Authorities have not released the boy’s name.

Officials say a 77-year-old man driving the pickup slowed to about 10 mph when he spotted two utility vehicles on the side of the road with a young child behind them and two adults working in a ditch. Investigators say as the pickup passed the two utility vehicles, a second child stepped from the north ditch onto the roadway and in front of the truck’s path.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she expects to talk with President Donald Trump during his visit to Iowa next Tuesday (June 11), and tell him the state will need more flood recovery help from the federal government. Reynolds also told reporters Tuesday she’ll tell the president his newly announced tariffs on Mexico aren’t helpful but that she will thank him for making a 15% ethanol/gasoline mixture available year-round and for approving Iowa flood disaster aid quickly.

Although Reynolds has aligned herself closely with Trump, she says she’ll be clear with him about her view that his planned tariffs against Mexico will hinder efforts to ratify a trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Trump is expected to visit an ethanol production plant in Council Bluffs and attend private Republican Party fundraiser in West Des Moines.

QUIMBY, Iowa (AP) — Untreated wastewater from a broken main is spilling into the Little Sioux River in northwest Iowa’s Cherokee County. The Iowa Natural Resources Department says the break was reported Monday morning by the town of Quimby. River flooding has kept repair crews from finding the break and fixing it.

The department says more than 15,000 gallons (56,780 liters) of untreated wastewater is flowing into the river each day. Authorities project the river will remain above flood stage for several more days.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — The man who served longer than any other as the chief justice of Iowa’s Supreme Court has died. Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa says 90-year-old Arthur McGiverin died Sunday afternoon at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. A funeral Mass is scheduled for June 21 at St. Mary of the Visitation in Ottumwa.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady said in a news release Tuesday that McGiverin “will long be remembered for his steady leadership and all he did to improve our system of justice. He served with the utmost integrity and civility.”

McGiverin practiced law from 1956 until he was named a district court judge in 1965. He joined the high court in 1978 and was chief justice from 1987 until his retirement in 2000.

Despite warnings from the FTC, a public NFL victim and an MTV reality show, the number of “catfishing” victims increased by 50% in 2018 compared to three years ago. “Catfishing” is when someone fakes an online identity to scam victims for money, romance or physical harm. Catfishers use stolen photos of attractive people and impersonate them. They’re also highly skilled at manipulating others into trusting them. Some move fast while others take years developing relationships with the people they swindle. But across the board, catfish share one thing in common: they always have an excuse why they can’t meet you in person.

These online relationships can last for months or even years! A study released by SocialCatfish.com — a leading resource to verify online identities —  shows the Number of Catfish Victims in Each State using data from the FBI for 2018.

Iowa ranked No. 30 in the country with 165 reported victims.  Vermont reported the fewest victims of all 50 states with just 25 cases. The 10 States with the Most Victims include: California (2,105), Texas (1,238), Florida (1,191), New York (782), Pennsylvania (577), Washington (493), Virginia (480), Michigan (461), Illinois (463), North Carolina (432).

The 10 States with the Fewest Victims were: Vermont (25), South Dakota (31), Wyoming (33), North Dakota (35), D.C. (36), Montana (42), Delaware (48), Rhode Island (51), (Hawaii (59) and New Hampshire (68). Of the U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico had the most with 49 victims and American Samoa had the fewest, reporting zero cases. The state with the lowest cost per victim is South Dakota, with $3,281 per crime. The state with the highest cost per victim is North Carolina, with $47,886 per crime. According to the FBI Internet Crime Report, the total amount of money lost to catfish in 2018 in the US was $323,952,461.

5 Signs You Are Being Catfished:

• If they ask for money: This may sound so obvious, but if the online friend or romantic interest whom you have never met asks you to send money or provide your bank information, you are being catfished.
• If they can’t meet in person: If the person strings you along without meeting in person.  They may even eventually agree to a day or time but have an “emergency” that day such as a cancelled flight or a medical issue.
• If they are stationed overseas: If they claim to be stationed overseas or working on an oil rig or platform, as an excuse for not meeting.
• If they can’t video chat: If the person refuses to video chat ever.
• If they seem to good to be true: Some people who catfish feel bad about themselves and take on the online persona of a model or successful businessperson and the like.

To avoid becoming a victim, thoroughly fact-check and verify online identities using google and SocialCatfish.com or other, reputable sites before meeting in person or providing any information about yourself.

Source: SocialCatfish.com

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater had a very brief report this week. The report said 50-year old Connie Jae Emgarten, of Casey, was arrested Saturday on a Cass County warrant for Failure to complete jail time on an original, Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd-or subsequent offense, charge. Emgarten remained in the Cass County Jail as of Monday (June 3rd).