Local News
Electric equipment vandalized in Exline
ALBIA – Vandalism of electric utility equipment at Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative’s facilities led to a power brownout in southeastern Appanoose County on July 16.
Member-consumer-owners in southeastern Appanoose County reported having partial power Wednesday morning, and crews immediately dispatched to the area found three transformers and a voltage regulator had received gun shots.
“Our members-consumer-owners expect reliable electric service, and this senseless act placed electric reliability at risk,” said Jon Miles, general manager for Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative. “We ask that anyone having knowledge of this incident or who may have noticed any suspicious activity in Caldwell Township on or around July 15 or 16 to contact the Appanoose County Sheriff’s office so the people who committed this crime are held responsible for it.
“Your involvement could help keep the power on and reduce the risk of someone getting hurt.”
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative provides power to approximately 6,000 consumers living in the city of Albia, and rural parts of Monroe, Appanoose, Wayne, Lucas, Wapello, Davis and Marion counties.
Rising metal prices make thieves bolder and more inventive
Theft of copper wire and other metal from Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative’s facilities is placing the lives of neighbors, friends, the cooperative’s employees and thieves at serious risk.
While stealing for scrap metal is nothing new, rising prices for copper and other metals in recent years have made thieves bolder and more inventive. For electric utilities, metal theft is first and foremost a safety issue, impacting employees, customers and anyone who may come into contact with electrical facilities. Across the country and in Iowa, there have been electrocution deaths as a result of attempts to steal copper wire or metal from utility facilities.
As a result of increased metal theft in recent years, electric utilities in Iowa have taken steps to secure substations and storage facilities. Steps taken to improve security include increased patrols and security measures at electric facilities; in some cases, exposed copper wire has been marked for easier identification by scrap dealers and law enforcement; and occasionally rewards have been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of thieves who have stolen materials from facilities. Even with these preventative measures, electrical substations and material supply centers continue to be targets of theft.
- Local News
-
-
105th Moravia Fall Festival
The 105th Moravia Fall Festival opens Thursday evening with a beef BBQ in the park and continues through Saturday night with a full schedule of games, contests, displays, Queen pageant, an ice cream social, carnival rides, midway, classic car show, lots of good food, the Big Parade on Saturday afternoon and free top-notch entertainment each evening. There will be something for everyone and great family activities all three days. The community of Moravia invites area residents to join them in a three-day celebration of the best of small-town Iowa living.
- Seminar examines 2008 floods
- Centerville ‘Sprouts’ perform at Iowa State Fair talent search
- Moravia audit report
- No tractor show this year at Moravia Fall Festival
-
GWRRA Iowa Couple and Individual of the Year
- Football parents meeting Thursday
-
Centerville Concert Association begins series membership drive
"The Centerville Concert Series adds a very important element to our communities — not only are the artists entertaining, but the educational benefits are present — for all ages."
JeNel Barth
Membership Chair - New Hope rummage mania
- Special program at Rotary Club
- More Local News Headlines
-
