Governor Terry Branstad may resign as soon as the last week in April in order to serve as President Trump’s ambassador to China. Branstad expects a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on his nomination to happen about five weeks from now. Branstad was in Washington, D.C. last weekend and through the beginning of this week for a National Governors Association meeting. He also met with Trump Administration officials to talk about his hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“I spent about three hours with the state department, with some of their staff and, basically, they indicated to me it’ll probably be around the first week in April when I’ll come up,” Branstad said.

The governor will be flying back to D-C “a few more” times THIS month to meet personally with each member of the committee. During one of those trips, Branstad also will be put through what’s called the “murder board.” It’s a state department drill to simulate what may happen at the confirmation hearing. “Ask you the tough questions,” Branstad says. “See how you handle it. Give you advice.”

Branstad says he’s gone through the same kind of preparation for press conferences and campaign debates. Branstad has a good guess now about when his nomination to be ambassador will be voted upon by the full U.S. Senate. “I’m thinking it’s going to be late April, maybe early May,” Branstad says. “But as soon as I am confirmed, then shortly thereafter it would be my intention to resign and be sworn in as the ambassador and then the lieutenant governor would, of course, become the governor.”

Branstad sat next to First Lady Melania Trump and the governor’s wife, Chris, sat next to President Trump at the dinner the Trump’s hosted at the White House Sunday night for the nation’s governors.

(Radio Iowa)

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a phone scam that circulates every year at about this time, is making the rounds again. Sheriff Todd Johnson says his office has received numerous calls from citizens saying they have received a phone call or had a recording left on their phone, from someone claiming to be from the IRS.

Johnson says with new technology, scammers can use their number as showing up as the IRS or Department of Treasury. The scam has been around for a number of years, but Johnson says it seems to be hitting Audubon County harder this year.

The caller claims to be from the IRS, and threatens to take legal action. Johnson reminds citizens, that THE IRS DOES NOT CALL TO DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT, not will they call about your taxes without first mailing a bill.

NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL or FINANCIAL INFORMATION to a person or agency you did not call!

Cass County Youth Coordinator Shelby Williams said today (Friday), “Cass County 4-H Clubs would like to invite the public to attend their annual 4-H Mardi Gras carnival on Sunday, March 5th.”  Williams said also “Mardi Gras includes fun, food, & carnival-type games for kids of all ages. The event is scheduled from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. We are so excited to offer many activities for families.”

Activities this year include: Family Mardi Gras Photo Booth, Ring Toss, Dessert Walk, Sponge Throw, the ever popular Youth Council Mardi Gras Jail, Bucket Pong, boot toss and much more! Several clubs will also be selling snacks for attendees to enjoy, including a Walking Taco Stand, cookie decorating station and pop floats to go.

The Youth Action Committee and Youth Council are sponsoring this county-wide event and would like to invite all Cass County families to come out and join the fun. It is intended to be a low cost, family-friendly event for everyone in the county. Williams stresses that “You don’t have to be in 4-H to attend. “all are welcome!”

Admission is $.50 a person and tickets cost $.10 each. Each 4-H club determines how many tickets to charge to play their game. All proceeds from this event go to the 4-H clubs, Youth Council, and the Cass County 4-H Program.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Update 12:20-p.m.) Two men from Union County were arrested late Thursday night on drug charges. Creston Police say 22-year old Danny Eltino Guzman and 19-year old Norskuski Philanda Rivers, Jr., both of Creston, were taken into custody at around 10:20-p.m. The pair were arrested after officers were called to 1000 W. Montgomery in Creston, for a report of possible drug activity at that location. After gaining entry into the home, authorities found a large quantity of marijuana and cash, in plain view. They seized approximately 246 grams of marijuana and $2,515 in cash.

Guzman and Rivers, Jr. face a charge of Possession with the Intent to Deliver/Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Guzman faces an additional charge of Interference with Official Acts. Both men were being held in the Union County Jail on $5,000 bond, each.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Officials with the Golden Hills RC&D (Resource, Conservation and Development), in Oakland, invite you to join them Monday, March 13th at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.  Loess Hills Alliance (LHA) members and legislators are invited to a “Meet and Greet,” with refreshments from Noon until 4-p.m. in the Iowa State Capitol Rotunda.

It’s an opportunity to learn more about LHA’s history and current work, as well as build relationships with other members and state legislators. The Meet and Greet will also help publicize the Loess Hills Alliance and inform members of the public and the media about the organization.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports the County FIRE DANGER index will continue in the “Moderate” category this weekend, due to the anticipated dry, sunny and windy conditions. Dry vegetation is creating the potential for controlled burns to spread out of control.

The next Local update will be Monday, March 6th.

A state audit shows a former employee of the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown is blamed for the disappearance of hundreds of dollars in popcorn sales. Angie Snyder resigned from the I-V-H in July of last year, shortly after being placed on administrative leave when it was discovered money from popcorn sales had not been deposited for nearly two-and-a-half years. State Auditor Mary Mosiman says Snyder failed to keep any records of the deposits she claimed she made.

“Our report identified an estimated $1,800 of popcorn sales which were not properly deposited during this former administrative assistant’s employment,” Mosiman says. The $1,800 estimate is based on previous sales prior to Snyder’s appointment to the job in October 2014. Mosiman says it’s possible even more money and gifts went missing during Snyder’s time at the I-V-H. “A number of the other collections and donations — such as gift cards, phone cards, and stamps — were not properly safeguarded and were therefore susceptible to loss. Because sufficient records were not available, it was not possible to determine if these types of items were handled improperly for personal purposes,” Mosiman says.

The auditor’s report has been shared with Marshalltown Police, the Iowa DCI, the Marshall County Attorney’s Office, and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown has roughly 565 residents and 965 employees, according the IVH website.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Creston are investigating a hit-and-run property damage accident that took place on Feb. 26th but wasn’t reported until March 2nd. Officials say a 2000 Chevy Impala driven by 20-year old Billi Jo Stark, of Creston, was traveling north on Jarvis Street in Creston at around 9:10-a.m., when she failed to yield the right of way. Her car was struck by an unknown make and model vehicle that was traveling east on Howard Street. The other vehicle left the scene.

Stark’s car sustained $2,500 damage during the collision. There were no injuries reported.