Getting an email from the I-R-S might make some of us snap to attention, but Iowans are being advised if they get such an item in their in-boxes, they can likely just delete it. I-R-S spokesman Christopher Miller says a new tax scam is making the rounds. “The IRS is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for fake emails that seem like they’re from the IRS inviting them to sign up or register for something called e-services or electronic services,” Miller says. “If you get an email like that, don’t fall for it, it’s a scam.”

The agency -does- offer an e-services program but it’s for professional tax preparers only, not the general public. He says the phony website looks almost identical to the real one. If the tax collection agency wants to reach you, Miller says, it won’t be using that means. “The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to ask for personal or financial information,” Miller says. “That includes any type of electronic communication, like text messages or social media. If you get something that seems like the IRS is trying to contact you by email, it’s going to be a scam.”

If you do wind up on what appears to be an IRS website, there’s one sure way to verify it’s authentic. “The only official website of the IRS is www.irs.gov,” Miller says. “Don’t be fooled by sites claiming to be the IRS but that have addresses ending in dot-com or dot-net or dot-org. The only real IRS site is IRS.gov.” Criminals use these look-alike websites to lure people into providing personal and financial information that may be used to steal the victim’s money or identity. If you find a suspicious website that claims to be the IRS, send the web address by email to phishing@irs.gov using the subject line, “Suspicious Website.”

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Extension Service reports County 4-H’ers will receive awards at County 4-H Convention on Sunday, November 11. The annual awards program will begin at 3:30-PM at the Cass County Community Center, and is being organized by the 2011-2012 4-H Youth Council. At County Convention, members and leaders of all fifteen 4-H clubs in Cass County will be presented on stage to receive recognition. Record book project awards will be announced and $100 savings bonds from the Cass County Fair Association will be presented to the winners based on their participation in the Cass County Fair and completion of 4-H record books.

Thirteen local club leaders will be recognized for their service to the 4-H program. Receiving five year recognition are Dent and Cindy Petty, Cass County RAMS; Aaron Saeugling, Cass County RAMS; Jeff Roads, Cass County RAMS; Becky Dreager, Grove HOT; and Katrina Sonntag; Brighton. Rodney Sothman; Union Leaders and Kathy Ankenbauer; C & M Champions are receiving ten year recognition. Marlene Miller is receiving 15 year recognition for her service with just the Cowpokes among other leader roles. Julie Williamson; Benton Franklin is also receiving 15 year recognition.

Kevin Paulsen; Grant Guys & Gals is receiving his 20 year pin. The McCrory family will be recognized for a combined 60 years of volunteer leadership. Both members of the couple serve the Union Leaders 4-H club. Jerry McCrory is receiving his 25 year pin and Kathee McCrory is receiving her 35 year pin. The 4-H Alumni Award, Honorary Member Award, and Distinguished Service Awards will also be presented during County Convention. Special recognition will be given to 4-H clubs for outstanding community service projects, Herdsmanship at fair, volleyball tournament winners, Share the Fun Contest winners, 4-H Endowment Fund contributors, and window displays during National 4-H Week.

Club officers will also be recognized for their outstanding work. 4-H’ers who are members of the 2011-2012 Cass County Youth Council are Katelyn Blake, Aaron Buboltz, Linnea Casey, Heather Reyna, Diana Perkins and Haley Schmidt. Final activities of the day will be the announcement and installation of the 2012-2013 4-H Youth Council and Intermediate Youth Council. Parents, relatives and friends are invited to attend and recognize Cass County 4-H members and leaders for their accomplishments during the past year.

A hay bale fire this (Thursday) morning southwest of Clarinda was the result of spontaneous combustion. According to Clarinda Assistant Fire Chief Joe Moore, at around 8:30-a.m., the Clarinda Fire Department was called to 2311 Maple Street, approximately 5 miles southwest of Clarinda, when large round hay bales caught fire. Approximately 15 bales, valued at $1,500 altogether, were destroyed.  They had been baled approximately 30-45 days earlier, and were stacked together.  Several other bales were moved from the fire area that were not damaged. The bales were owned by Wellhausen Farms.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two black men who served 25 years in prison in the 1977 killing of a retired, white Iowa police captain say they were framed by detectives and are asking a jury to award them more than $100 million.  Terry Harrington and Curtis McGhee were convicted in the slaying of John Schweer in Council Bluffs. They were freed in 2003 after the Iowa Supreme Court found prosecutors had committed misconduct.

The men’s attorneys said during opening statements Thursday in Des Moines that they will show two former Council Bluff detectives coerced car theft suspects into implicating Harrington and McGhee in Schweer’s death. The Nebraska men are suing the detectives and the city.

Their attorneys say they’re seeking justice from a system that deprived them of freedom for much of their lives.

The trial date in the case of an Atlantic man facing a felony charge of Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, and a Serious Misdemeanor charge of Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Bodily Injury, has been set. According to online court records, arraignment for 45-year old Rex Dean McDermott is slated for November 19^th, with a pre-trial conference scheduled to occur on December 10^th. His trial will take place on January 8^th, in Cass County District Court.

McDermott was arrested following an incident which allegedly occurred at R&B Feeds in Atlantic on October 13th. McDermott has entered a plea of Not Guilty to the charges. He is currently free on $6,000 bond.  On October 24^th, McDermott was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol in Webster County on a charge of OWI/1st offense, and cited for Failure to obey a stop or yield sign. He plead Not Guilty to the OWI charge and was released on $1,000 bond the same day.  A hearing for his initial appearance on the Failure to Stop citation was continued 180 days, pending the outcome of the OWI case.

The City Council in Walnut will hold a regularly scheduled meeting this evening. During their 5-p.m. session, the Council will discuss, among other matters,  a possible Streetscape enhancement project, and a possible refacing of the billboard located adjacent to Interstate 80. They’ll also discuss and possibly act on an annual evaluation of the City Employees, along with the Codification of the City of Walnut Code of Ordinances, followed by action on the adoption of a Resolution ordering the City Clerk to publish a notice of hearing on The Adoption of the Proposed Code of Ordinances.

(Updates 10:10-a.m. with Press Conference at 4-p.m.)

State leaders are meeting in secret today (Thursday) to discuss plans to lure in a big business using only a code-name. Iowa economic development officials are only referring to the possible new recruit as “Project X.” They’re not saying anything about what the company does, either. We have been told it may have an economic impact as big as two-billion dollars. Iowa’s also reportedly in the running with Nebraska for a large data center that’s said to be worth one-and-a-half billion.

Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will hold a joint news conference this afternoon at 4 p.m.  in Sioux City, to discuss the large capital investment for the state of Iowa.

Back in September, state officials approved a 110-million dollar incentive package for an Egyptian firm that promises to build a one-point-four billion dollar fertilizer plant in southeast Iowa’s Lee County.

(Radio Iowa)

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department says charges are currently pending, during an investigation into a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon. Officials said Thursday, vehicles driven by 16-year old Lucas Alan Schwery, of Harlan, and 18-year old Taber Charles Andersen, of Marne, collided on Littlefield Drive (County Road F-58), about a mile west of Exira, at around 3:45-p.m., Tuesday.

Authorities said both teens were traveling east when a vehicle in front of them slowed down for a bus pulled off the roadway at an intersection. As Andersen slowed, Schwery was unable to stop in-time. The 1998 Chrysler he was driving rear-ended the 2012 Ford driven by Andersen, causing a total of $4,500 damage. No injuries were reported. The accident remains under investigation.

(9-a.m. News)

Officials with the Cass County Conservation Board say 155 people voted for their favorite Lighted Halloween Campground site last Saturday, at Cold Springs Park in Lewis.

(left to right) Ansleigh Nelson, Leonard Kinney, and Melissa Ehrman-Johnson.

The first place winner was Site 2, the Nelson family, second place winner was Site 5, the Kinney family, and third place winner was Site 3, the Johnson family. The CCCB says they want to thank business sponsor Cappel’s Ace Hardware, who donated the prizes to our Lighted Halloween Campground. We would also like to thank everyone who signed up to decorate a site, and sharing your Halloween décor with everyone.

w/ Ric Hanson

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