The FBI is warning Iowans about an email scam. Public Affairs Officer Huston Pullen, with the FBI office in Omaha, says the messages threaten harm to the email recipient and their family. Pullen says Iowans who receive such an email should report it to the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at the website: IC3.gov (I-C-three-dot-gov).

“Whenever somebody gets something where it’s threatening to hurt them or hurt loved ones, that’s definitely when red flags will go up,” Pullen says. “We take these matters very seriously and want to make sure people know they can do something about it. That’s why we have our IC3.gov set up.”

The email message being sent to Iowans demands they obtain and pay in bitcoin to avoid harm to themselves and their family. Pullen says the FBI has determined there is no threat or validity to these emails and Iowans who get such an email shouldn’t panic and definitely shouldn’t respond to the sender. “One of the things they’ll prey on is your trust,” Pullen says. “A lot of these scam emails prey on your lack of knowledge.”

Instead of responding, Pullen says it’s critical to report the email to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).  “So, we can look at them, check the validity of them, and properly handle the situation to make sure you’re safe,” Pullen says. “That’s our number one priority – making sure you and your loved ones are safe and this is not something you need to be concerned with.”

In addition to Iowa, Pullen says the scam emails are surfacing across Nebraska.

(Radio Iowa w/Thanks to Karla James, Omaha)

Local community band Popcorn Button will provide another free evening of live big band music on Saturday, December 23rd at 7 PM at the Elks’ Lodge, located at 501 Poplar Street in Atlantic.

Photos from Let Freedom Swing 2015, & Holiday Ball 2013, by Doug Auerbach.

Popcorn Button, a 17-piece jazz band composed of community talent, plays a range of hits from the big band era, with favorites like “In the Mood,” “Flying Home,” and “Little Brown Jug.”  Many long-time members of Popcorn Button are alumni of the AHS jazz program and at this event the band is excited to welcome special guest Jazz I of the Atlantic High School music program to play a set.

To further its mission of supporting community music, the band offers a scholarship for young music students to take private lessons and attend band camps and honor bands. Awards have been distributed yearly since 2012. Applications details are at popcornbutton.org/ scholarship.

Dancers of any level of experience are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the dance floor throughout the evening. Anyone interested in taking a free beginner swing dance lesson should email info@popcornbutton.org.

Holiday Ball is a free public event. A free will donation will be accepted at the door to help defray costs of the event and to support the Popcorn Button Community Music Scholarship. Event organizers encourage those of all ages and dancing or listening abilities to attend from 7-10 PM on Saturday, December 23rd at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic. For more information, follow the band at facebook.com/popcornbutton. org or email them at info@popcornbutton.org.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — President Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration has withdrawn from consideration for the post, a surprise development given his widespread support and qualifications. A U.S. Department of Transportation spokesperson says Paul Trombino III is stepping away from the federal appointment for family reasons. Trombino told colleagues in an email that he had decided to stay in Iowa to take care of his ailing father, whose condition has recently deteriorated.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A key state official says mid-year reductions are possible next session because Iowa’s revenue growth for the current budget year remains below initial projections. Department of Management Director David Roederer said Monday the state’s roughly $7.2 billion budget could be reduced between about $45 million and $90 million when lawmakers return in 2018. Roederer’s comments came after a three-person panel known as the Revenue Estimating Conference presented its latest budget forecast.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man who stopped to help what he thought was a stranded motorist in eastern Iowa ended up getting robbed. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 23-year-old William Grimm was traveling on U.S. Highway 218 around 8 p.m. Friday when he stopped near an exit to assist a man with a green Pontiac Grand Am. Authorities say the Pontiac driver pointed a handgun at Grimm and took his wallet and cash, then drove off in the Pontiac.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Three hunters have been accidentally shot while hunting deer in Iowa with shotguns. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says an 11-year-old boy was struck in the hip on Sunday by his 13-year-old brother when a deer ran between them and they both fired.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A key state official says mid-year reductions are possible next session because Iowa’s revenue growth for the current budget year remains below initial projections. Department of Management Director David Roederer said Monday the state’s roughly $7.2 billion budget could be reduced between about $45 million and $90 million when lawmakers return in 2018.

Roederer’s comments came after a three-person panel known as the Revenue Estimating Conference presented its latest budget forecast. The panelists indicated Iowa’s economy continues to grow but at a slower rate.

Roederer says Gov. Kim Reynolds will have different options in addressing the expected shortfall, including cuts to department budgets. Previous sluggish growth led lawmakers to reduce agency budgets and borrow from reserves.

Reynolds is expected to present budget recommendations in January.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating the death of a person whose body was found in a vacant lot. Authorities say at around 10:35-a.m. today (Monday), Council Bluffs police officers responded to 1004 1st Avenue, for a report of a dead body. The property is vacant,  and the body was located in a grass lot just north of the building.

A Council Bluffs man told officers that while walking his dog in the area he discovered the body and called police. The death appears to be suspicious in nature and is currently being investigated by detectives of the Council Bluffs Police Department. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Anyone having possible information is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328‐4728 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328‐7867.

A teen from Griswold was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital following an accident this (Monday) afternoon. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 17-year old Maria Edna Amos was driving a 2000 Ford Ranger eastbound on Yankton Road, when she lost control of the pickup. The vehicle rolled into the north ditch and landed on its wheels. The accident happened at around 12:23-p.m.

Amos complained of back pain following the crash. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $5,000. Deputies cited Amos for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with local businesses, will be taking over the Christmas Box Program this holiday season. According to Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith, “The program was started by the Atlantic Jaycees over 20 years ago and helps families and individuals in need of a Christmas dinner.

“When the Jaycees disbanded, there was a need for an organization to take the project on.” Smith said “Personally, I had a hard time handling the thought of community members not having a meal for the holiday’s so as an organization, we knew it was a project we were willing to take on.”

This year, officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteers will help fill boxes with items families and individuals can use to cook Christmas dinner. The boxes will be filled and delivered December 20th to those who have been nominated. According to Smith “The Jaycees put a lot of time, effort and generosity into this program and the Chamber is happy to take it on and help brighten up the holidays for those in our community who need it.”

To nominate a family or individual, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712.243.3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 7:30-p.m. Friday, a single-vehicle accident occurred on Quincy Road. A 2008 Hyundai Elantra driven by 26-year old Derrick Lee Behlers, of Atlantic, was eastbound on Quincy Road when Behlers reportedly swerved to miss a deer and entered the south ditch. The vehicle came to rest on its top. No injuries were reported.

Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $5,000. Upon investigation, Behlers was charged with OWI 2nd Offense, and he was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Behlers was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on his own recognizance.

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department have issued a report on a couple of accidents. Authorities say last Thursday, Lori Blum, of Marne, was attempting to park in front of the Olsen’s BP store at around 8:50-a.m., when her vehicle hit the ice machine, causing $3,800 damage to the machine, and $1,500 damage to the vehicle. No injuries were reported.  And, on Dec. 2nd at around 9:05-p.m., vehicles driven by Kim Petersen, of Atlantic, and Shelbi Williamson, of Exira, collided near the intersection of 7th and Mulberry Streets.

The accident happened while Petersen was driving westbound on 7th Street and turning onto Mulberry. Williamson was headed north on Mulberry and stopped at the stop sign. Petersen made a left turn onto Mulberry onto Mulberry, and in the process, struck Williamson’s vehicle on the left front corner. Petersen complained of injuries and was checked by Medivac personnel, but declined transport to the hospital. She was cited for Turning at Intersection. Williamson was cited for Failure to provide proof of insurance.

Page County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a man last Thursday, who wanted on a couple of warrants for Failure to Appear (in court). 28-year old Samuel James Crapson, of College Springs, was transported from Douglas County, NE. Corrections to the Page County Jail for holding, on a $2,000 bond.