A traveling Texan who’s scammed churches in SEVEN other states has been caught in Iowa and accused of deceiving congregations in Cedar Rapids. Forty-one-year-old Alan Farha, a native of Dallas, Texas, told church-goers in Cedar Rapids his family had been killed by a roadside bomb in Syria and he needed money to fly home. It’s a story he’s used elsewhere recently.

He was arrested in Milwaukee a year ago after scamming some Catholic churches there. A few months before that, he was convicted and placed on five years probation for a con of church-goers in Rochester. He’s used a variety of down-on-his luck stories and been charged with scams in New Hampshire, New York, West Virginia, Illinois and Missouri, too.

Back in 2008, in the Columbia, Missouri area, he conned 17 churches, dozens of people and a few businesses out of at least 10-thousand dollars. The Columbia Tribune reports a group of pastors in St. Paul, Minnesota, were so concerned by his activity there more than a decade ago, they bought him a one-way bus ticket to Pennsylvania.

Last week, Cedar Rapids Police had warned churches that Farha was attending services in the area and trying to scam people. He is being held in the Linn County Jail, on a theft charge.

(Radio Iowa)

Members of the Atlantic Community Protection Commission, Wednesday, met with Atlantic resident Paul Fischer, with regard to a grandfathering-in of chickens he’s had since last year at 1008 Birch Street. During last week’s City Council meeting, Fischer claimed he was given verbal permission by the City to own chickens. That was before the Council in May, refused to make allowances for any new chickens to be raised or owned within the City limits. A number of other cities in Iowa have discussed allowing chickens. Some have approved, with exceptions, while other have outright banned the poultry.

During their meeting Wednesday evening, the CPC told Fischer they would let the Ordinance stand as is, but Councilman Chris Jimerson suggested Fischer request a variance from the City. Jimerson, Councilpersons Ashley Hayes and Dana Halder, along with City Administrator John Lund suggested also, that Fischer get letters of support from his neighbors, to submit with his variance request.

Paul Fischer (right, in baseball cap) discusses chickens w/the Atlantic CPC_

The Council will likely then consider the variance request during their next meeting on June 21st. Jimerson asked Fischer, “Just out of curiosity, why do you want chickens?” He said his wife has always liked animals, and everthing they have is an animal rescue. He said she simply wanted some chickens. He said they get about 18 eggs per week from their three chickens, but that will stop in a couple of years as the hens get older.

Fischer said he doesn’t intend to sell the eggs. Anything they can’t eat they will give away to the neighborhood kids.

Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County said Wednesday (today), that one person was arrested Monday on a warrant for two counts of felony Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. 38-year old Kerry Hayes, of Panora, was arrested by Panora Police in connection to damage perpetrated on nearly two dozen field gates at numerous location throughout rural Guthrie County. The damage amounted to approximately $5,650.

Authorities say eye witnesses and physical evidence were key in solving the case. Hayes appeared before the Guthrie County Magistrate Tuesday, and was released on his own recognizance.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University has lost a second appeal of a federal free speech lawsuit over administrators’ decision to prevent a marijuana advocacy group from printing a T-shirt showing the university logo and a marijuana leaf.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday that ISU administrators including President Steven Leath violated First Amendment rights of two students who were top officers of the ISU chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Leath and others claimed the T-shirt violated the school’s trademark policy after getting political pressure from conservative lawmakers. The appeals court, hearing the case for the second time, upheld its February ruling declaring the administrators violated student rights and therefore can be sued for damages.

The university could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

(Update 9:47-pm. 6/14 from Chief Brothers: “Missing Juvenile Bryant Fuller has been located. Thanks to all for their assistance”).

Clarinda Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile, Bryant K. Fuller. Bryan is 16- years old, 6-feet 1-inch tall. He weighs about 180-pounds, has blue eyes and short brown hair. He also wears glasses.

Bryant was last seen wearing a tee-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. Foul play is not suspected in Bryant’s disappearance. If you know where Bryant may be, contact the Page County Consolidated Communications Center at 712-542-1419.

Missing Clarinda teen

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A teenager accused of using a BB gun to shoot his 3-year-old sister has pleaded not guilty in Sioux City. Court records say the written plea was entered Tuesday to charges of willful injury and child endangerment. A trial hasn’t been scheduled yet. The Associated Press generally does not name juveniles charged with crimes. The boy is 17.

Doctors say one BB was removed during surgery, but the other BB entered near one of the girl’s eyes and lodged next to her brain. Doctors say it was too risky to remove, so it’s been left in place. A hearing is scheduled July 18 on a defense motion to move the case to juvenile court.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports three people were arrested Tuesday. 27-year old Joseph White, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. 43-year old Dan Christensen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct, and 28-year old Cameron Misner, of Anita, was arrested for Public Intoxication/2nd offense, and Consumption of Alcohol in a Public Place. All three men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The governor has appointed a law professor with experience in child protection and family law to lead the troubled Iowa Human Services Department. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a news release Wednesday that 64-year-old Jerry Foxhoven will begin work Thursday as the department director. He replaces Charles Palmer, who announced his retirement last month.

The department has been scrutinized for months over its handling of child abuse cases, particularly cases involving the deaths of two teenage girls. The department also has been criticized for privatizing the state’s Medicaid health care program for the poor and disabled.

Foxhoven has been an administrator for the Iowa Child Advocacy Board and director of the Joan & Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights. He’s been a Drake University Law School professor since 2006.