(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports two men were arrested in connection with a 2020 arson fire in Anderson, Iowa. On Friday (Today), Deputies arrested 56-year-old old Charles Ray Welch, of Anderson, and 32-year-old Tyler Ward, of Riverton, as part of an ongoing investigation. Both were arrested at their residences without incident.

Welch three Felony faces charges, including:

• Solicitation to Commit a Felony, A Class D Felony
• Arson 1st Degree, a Class B Felony
• Arson 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony
  

  Welch

He was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $55,000 cash only bond.

Ward was charged with:

• Arson 1st Degree, a Class B Felony, and
• Arson 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony

Ward is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $50,000 cash only bond.

Ward

The investigation resulting in their arrests began on June 22, 2020, when fire departments and investigators were called to 306th Avenue in Anderson for a report of two separate buildings on fire. The investigation determined that two separate structures were independently set on fire, and one of the structures was occupied at the time the fire was set. The occupant was able to escape the fire without injury.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Fire Marshall’s Office with the investigation at the scene.

(Radio Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by the staff of First Interstate Bank on Thursday, February 9th, 2022 to celebrate new ownership and new staff. Great Western Bank in Atlantic merged with First Interstate Bank in May of 2022 with the intent to offer more services. First Interstate Bank is based out of Billings Montana, with more than 300 branches across 14 states. First Interstate prides themselves on helping residents and businesses meet their financial goals with practical solutions, while supporting their communities through business development and philanthropy.

The Ambassadors welcomed Tori Gibson into her new role as Retail Manager. Tori shared that her previous experience in marketing and healthcare lead her to this new position. First Interstate Bank was a “good fit” because even though the bank is a larger company, they still hold a mission of giving back to the community and maintaining the “smalltown bank feel.” The Ambassadors were also introduced to Bank Tellers, Reagan Watson and June Blaine along with Laurie West, Financial Services Representative.

Photo/story courtesy of the Atlantic Chamber.

To learn more about Frist Interstate Bank and the services they provide, please contact 712-243-6229 or visit their website at https://www.firstinterstatebank.com/

First Interstate Bank is located at 1407 E. 7th Street in Atlantic.

(Radio Iowa) – Sports betting is now legal in 36 states, including Iowa and experts are predicting the betting on the Superbowl is going to double what it was last year. Iowa Racing and Gaming Administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says the regular season and playoffs are key for sports books.

He says sports betting has been strong again this football season, but could be leveling off from a record year.

Those promotions came as new companies were trying to find their market in Iowa. The rush to get up and running for sports books has turned into some consolidation.

With everything settling in, Ohorilko says this year is likely to be a good benchmark for the future of the industry.

He says the next two months wrap up the heaviest betting seasons.

Sportsbooks began operating in Iowa in August 2019.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Cass Health say they are pleased to welcome Kristin Babb, PA-C (Physician Assistant – Certified), to the team of emergency providers. Babb will provide care in the Emergency Department and AMC Rapid Care. Babb has worked as a PA since 2006, with an extensive background in cardiology. Babb said “I chose Cass Health because the leadership and organization provide a fantastic environment for advanced practice providers to continuously grow clinically.”

Cass Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elaine Berry said, “Kristin’s background in cardiology and in management make her a wonderful addition to our team. She is a great fit to the culture at Cass Health, and we’ve already received excellent patient feedback about her.”

Babb graduated with her Master’s of Science from A.T. Still University/Arizona School of Health Sciences, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Pre-Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Originally from Carroll, Babb recently moved back to western Iowa after living in Arizona. “I moved back to Iowa after 18 years in Arizona to be closer to family and to raise my daughter in a small community. After all, home is where your mom is,” said Babb.

Kristen Babb, PA-C (Photo/story submitted by CCHS)

She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, American College of Cardiology, and the Heart Rhythm Society.

(Omaha, NE) – This Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be big, according to projections by the National Retail Federation, which suggests that consumer spending will reach nearly $26 billion. The Better Business Bureau’s Omaha office says as you prepare to celebrate, there are few common scams that you need to be aware of. Whether you’re hoping to spark a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, beware of these four scams regularly reported to BBB:

Impostor websites

From fake jewelry sellers to online dating sites, consumers should always be on the alert for impostor websites. Scammers can easily lift official photos, sale promotions and logos directly from the website for a popular jewelry brand. With professional graphics and unbeatable prices, scammers build an attractive website that looks eerily like the real thing. Similar methods may be used to build fake online dating platforms, which are often used to steal personal data and credit card information. For more tips to spot fake websites, read our guide to smart shopping online.

Red flags:

·         Products are available at extreme discounts.

·         The seller requests customers pay with cash transfer apps or cryptocurrency.

·         Customer service is unreachable.

Romance scams

Romance scammers often target vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup or other hardship. They take advantage of that heartbreak to establish a connection and gain sympathy. Once they’ve gotten their victim on the hook with a sad story, they begin pursuing their true goal–money.

Falling victim to a romance scam can be particularly devastating. Victims can lose thousands of dollars, and they’re often left feeling heartbroken and betrayed because they really believed they’d found a good partner. Read more about romance scams for safe online dating advice.

Red flags:

·         The relationship moves very fast.

·         You never meet in person.

·         They ask for money.

Wrong number scam

Responding to a text message from someone who messaged the wrong number might seem harmless. In fact, it might even seem like the polite thing to do, if they say they’re looking to reconnect with a potential match. The text message, however, is bait to lure you into a conversation. If you keep chatting, they eventually try to get your personal information by directing you to sign up for an adult site. Learn more about wrong number texts and scam bots.

Red flags:

·         The messages don’t stop.

·         The sender directs you to sign up for a website.

·         They try to get your personal information.

Fake florist scam

Ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day? Don’t procrastinate or you may end up falling for a scam. BBB has received many reports of shoppers who thought they were ordering flowers from an online florist… but either got nothing at all, or a disappointing arrangement. Don’t let phony florists ruin Valentine’s Day.

Red flags:

·         The business has no reviews or bad reviews (always check BBB.org!)

·         You can’t find a return policy or satisfaction guarantee.

·         The deal is “too good to be true.”

What to do if you encounter a scam

If you encounter a suspected romance scam, cut off all contact with the perpetrator by blocking their accounts and phone number. Then, report your experience to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Dating site users should also report suspicious activity to the platform, so they can act against the scammers account.

For more information about romance scams, visit BBB.org/romance.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa District 21 Representative Thomas Moore (R-Griswold) celebrated his 71st birthday, Thursday, in Des Moines. He announced the event to the House Chamber Thursday morning, where he also recognized former Representative Rob Bacon and their birthday tradition of bringing maple bacon chocolate cake. In discussing what’s transpired so far at the Statehouse, Moore noted that “We are already into Week 5 of the General Assembly and Thursday was day 32 of the 110 day session.”

He said the House Education Committee met Tuesday afternoon and passed seven bills through committee. Among them was HF (House File) 16, which creates a comprehensive transition and post-secondary scholarship program for individuals with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities who are at least 18 years old and enrolled in a CTP program in Iowa.

• HF4 is the “Alternative Teacher Licensure” bill. It creates two alternate pathways for those hoping to attain a teacher license. Pathway 1: Creates an alternative teacher licensure path for those who have at least a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience to apply for a teacher intern license while completing additional coursework. Upon meeting requirements, an initial teacher license is granted at the recommendation of the school they are an intern at. Pathway 2: Creates a program that allows an out-of-state alternative teacher licensure if it operates in at least 5 states for at least 10 years. Training will include required pedagogy training and content training.

A number of the bills will have amendments drafted before they go to the floor for debate. Tom Moore said the Health and Human Services Committee met Thursday morning and passed three bills, including the “Psychiatry Fellowship” bill, which revises the state-funded psychiatry residency program that was established last session to include two fellowship positions. The program will annually graduate 9 psychiatry residents and 2 psychiatry fellows.

• HF74 will update the current Intellectual Disability Waiver home and vehicle modification cap from a lifetime maximum of $5,727.37 to an annual maximum cap of $6,872.85. The modifications must be medically necessary and will be subject to prior authorization.

Moore says among the bills that passed through the House this past week, is Senate File (SF) 181, or the “Property Tax Rollback Calculation Fix” bill, fixes an error in the interpretations of past property tax bills.

Moore said “Our priority this session is the property taxpayer, not the government.” In other news, Moore said he welcomed some Clarinda High School’s I-Jag program to the Capital Dome.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say no one was hurt and no citations were issued, following an accident involving a pickup truck and a bicycle, Thursday morning. Authorities say 19-year-old Zephyr Darius Richardson, of Red Oak, was riding his bicycle eastbound in the 600 block of E. Market Street in Red Oak, at around 7:38-a.m., when he turned in front of an eastbound 2001 Chevy S-10 pickup driven by 49-year-old Gunner Wesley Magaret, of Red Oak.

The pickup hit the bicycle when Magaret went to push his brakes, but accidentally stepped on the accelerator pedal. The pickup turned sideways on the slush covered road and drove through a yard at 601 E. Market Street before coming to rest after striking a fence on property owned by Peggy Brensel. The damage amounted to $1,650 altogether.

(Creston, Iowa) – The driver of a 2013 Dodge Caravan suffered possible/unknown injuries during a single-vehicle accident early Thursday morning. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, 43-year-old Michael Ray Bishop, of Cromwell, lost control of the vehicle at around 1:22-a.m. at Kingfisher Avenue and Highway 34 east. Authorities say the van went out of control due to the slushy road conditions, and speed.

The van left the highway to the south and struck a ditch embankment, causing $3,500 damage to the vehicle. Bishop was wearing his seat belt. He complained of pain/possible injury, but did not request treatment or transport to the hospital. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Natural Resources Commission the purchase of a filter system for the Spirit Lake fish hatchery in Dickinson County to improve the production of muskellunge or muskies. D-N-R fisheries supervisor, Jay Rudacille says the hatchery has been facing challenges from gas supersaturation and zebra mussels. He says the gas supersaturation in the water they use from Big Spirit Lake is a natural phenomenon and caused up to 60 percent of the small fish to die, and 26 percent of the fish had deformities 2022.

The filter system will allow them alleviate the problems. Commissioners asked Rudacille about the cost for the system when only three-thousand fish are stocked in Iowa lakes. He says they do trade thousands of muskies that are not stocked for other species of fish.