Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.
[Chariton, Iowa] — As part of its efforts to prevent distracted driving and enhance road safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds drivers to prioritize safe road practices and avoid distractions while driving with this clear message: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.
Distracted driving, which involves cellphone use or any activity that takes attention away from the task of driving, is risky driving behavior that endangers everyone on the road, from the distracted driver and other drivers to passengers, pedestrians, and pedal cyclists. According to NHTSA, 15,960 people died and around 1.8 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022. In 2022 alone, there were 3,308 people killed in traffic crashes involving at least one distracted driver, 8% of all traffic fatalities that year. An estimated additional 289,310 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022.
Though life-threatening, distracted driving can be prevented. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving, and by following these steps for a safe drive:
· If a text message is expected or needs to be sent and can’t wait, the driver should pull over and park their car in a safe location before using the phone.
· Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter,” and give them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
· Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
· Listen to your passengers: If they see you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.
· Cell phone use is habit-forming. If struggling to not text and drive, drivers can activate their phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or put their phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until they arrive to their destination.
Cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Break the cycle. Remember: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward. Help save lives and be an example to others by committing to that message. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.
[Chariton, Iowa] — As part of its efforts to prevent distracted driving and enhance road safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds drivers to prioritize safe road practices and avoid distractions while driving with this clear message: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.
Distracted driving, which involves cellphone use or any activity that takes attention away from the task of driving, is risky driving behavior that endangers everyone on the road, from the distracted driver and other drivers to passengers, pedestrians, and pedal cyclists. According to NHTSA, 15,960 people died and around 1.8 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022. In 2022 alone, there were 3,308 people killed in traffic crashes involving at least one distracted driver, 8% of all traffic fatalities that year. An estimated additional 289,310 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022.
Though life-threatening, distracted driving can be prevented. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving, and by following these steps for a safe drive:
· If a text message is expected or needs to be sent and can’t wait, the driver should pull over and park their car in a safe location before using the phone.
· Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter,” and give them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
· Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
· Listen to your passengers: If they see you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.
· Cell phone use is habit-forming. If struggling to not text and drive, drivers can activate their phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or put their phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until they arrive to their destination.
Cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Break the cycle. Remember: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward. Help save lives and be an example to others by committing to that message. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.
SCAMS -
Email and phone scams are still very common. If a person insists on staying on the phone with you while you go to a bank or some other business to follow their instructions, it is likely a scam. If payment needs to be made with any type of gift card, Bitcoin, GreenDot card, etc., it is likely a scam. If you get an email or a phone call requesting you contact a company, IRS, Social Security, or any other business, independently check the phone number by searching on Google or checking any statements or verified correspondence; do NOT assume the number in an email is legitimate. Paypal, IRS, Social Security and Publisher’s Clearing House are still the most common scams, but there are several others. No government or law enforcement agency will accept payment with a gift card. Please, if you have any questions reach out to our office BEFORE you spend any money.
Email and phone scams are still very common. If a person insists on staying on the phone with you while you go to a bank or some other business to follow their instructions, it is likely a scam. If payment needs to be made with any type of gift card, Bitcoin, GreenDot card, etc., it is likely a scam. If you get an email or a phone call requesting you contact a company, IRS, Social Security, or any other business, independently check the phone number by searching on Google or checking any statements or verified correspondence; do NOT assume the number in an email is legitimate. Paypal, IRS, Social Security and Publisher’s Clearing House are still the most common scams, but there are several others. No government or law enforcement agency will accept payment with a gift card. Please, if you have any questions reach out to our office BEFORE you spend any money.
The Lucas County Sheriff's Office congratulates Curt Catron on 15 years of serviceOn June 30. 2022 Curt Catron retired with the Lucas County Sheriff's Office. Curt began his career as a Dispatcher on August 27, 2007 and never looked back.
He was the calm voice on the other end of the phone, a wealth of knowledge and your attitude and cheerfulness has always been uplifting in a profession where we can be brought low by the circumstances we face daily. You have been an excellent example of the principal that while we are not in control of our circumstances we are able to control our attitude toward them. Your punctuality and dependability have set you apart from a world that seems to have forgotten such qualities. |
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The Lucas County Sheriff's Office congratulates Deborah Dyer on 38.5 years of service.The monumental impact that you have made will be remembered and honored by all of those who have had the privilege to serve you.
In 38.5 years of service Deb has worked with 5 Sheriff's; 3 Office Assistants; 52 Dispatchers; 20 Janitors; 7 Jailers; 17 Transport Officers and 47 different individuals within the Chariton Police Department. Congratulations on your retirement! |
Sex Offender Registration -
Starting January 5, 2022 all changes and monthly verifications will need to be completed by setting up an appointment. You can call the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office by dialing 641-774-5083 and extension #2 to request an appointment. If you come to the Sheriff’s Office without an appointment you will be turned away after you set up an appointment.
To report scams, please contact the Attorney General's Office:
https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/
Current Scams -
** Almost every time an individual on the phone requests a gift card for any type of payment, it is a scam. Gift cards are nearly untraceable and most companies, IRS, law enforcement and other entities do NOT accept these as payments over the phone. **
1) Phone Calls from Publisher's Clearing House -
https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection-2/
2) Phone calls from the Treasury Department or IRS - claiming they currently have a tax debt.
3) Phone calls stating a relative is in jail and bond is needed. *Contact the agency directly with independent phone number*
4) Phone call with threat of Civil Action, Arbitration and/or Garnishment
5) Phone call reporting that their is a computer issue and asking for access to the computer to be able to fix the problem.
6) Phone was locked because it was being used for an FBI Investigation. They had 48 hours to pay $500 to a PayPal account. *If your phone is actually locked - call your phone company*
7) Car was located in another state with blood and cocaine everywhere, please give us your social security number to match it with the car. *You would never receive a phone call like this*
8) Department of Health and Human Services will send you a message (either by phone or facebook) and tell you that you won a HUGE amount of money. They will then request you to send a large sum (between 1,000 to 5,000) in cash stuck between magazine pages. They will also ask you a serious of questions - Mothers maiden name, street you live on, etc. Ask for you to provide a copy of your DL and then the tracking number of the package. **They don't call you and defiantly DON'T use Facebook as a means of communication**
9) Receiving a text/e-mail from the Department of Motor Vehicles and they are sending you a link to click to pay your fines. DO NOT click the link - this is a scam. If you receive this message (and do owe fines) please contact the department directly.
The New Law Center - 2011
The new Lucas County Law Center was completed in October of 2011. The facility houses the Lucas County Sheriff's Office and Holding Facility, the Chariton Police Department, the 5th Judicial District Probation Parole and Emergency Management.
Past & Present
Lucas Co. Sheriff's Office -
Photo by Frank D. Myers
Built in 1916, the former Lucas County Law Center is listed on the top-ten list of endangered historic Iowa buildings by Preservation Iowa. When it was first built, it housed the Lucas County Jail and was also the home of the Sheriff. Over the years, it was remodeled and "home" space became office space. In its final years of use, it housed both the Lucas County Sheriff's Office and the Chariton Police Department.
"After 95 years of continuous service, the Lucas County Law Center at 1023 Linden Avenue is now 10-42. Lucas County clear. KAA389."
~ Jeff Richards 10.26.2011
For more interesting and historical information about the former Lucas County Sheriff's Office and Jail, read these articles from The Lucas Countyan written by Frank D. Myers.
Jailhouse Blues
In The Jailhouse Now
"After 95 years of continuous service, the Lucas County Law Center at 1023 Linden Avenue is now 10-42. Lucas County clear. KAA389."
~ Jeff Richards 10.26.2011
For more interesting and historical information about the former Lucas County Sheriff's Office and Jail, read these articles from The Lucas Countyan written by Frank D. Myers.
Jailhouse Blues
In The Jailhouse Now
Lucas County Sheriff's History
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1849-1853: John McMaines
1853-1855: William J. Hall 1855-1856: Stanford May 1856-1857: Beverly Searcy 1857-1859: James Thompkins 1859-1861: George Hopkins 1861-1870: Gaylord Lyman 1870-1879: George Holmes 1879-1888: Joe R. Landes 1888-1889: W.B. Ramsey 1889-1896: C.F. Gartin |
1896-1902: Eli Manning
1902-1906: Laurel Boss 1906-1908: G.J. Gittinger 1908-1910: Charles Lyman 1910-1914: Henry Engebretsen 1914-1918: J.F. Thomas 1918-1922: C.C. Lyman 1922-1926: Roscoe Pedigo 1926-1932: Henry Engebretsen 1932-1934: John H. Smith 1934-1938: Miles Mason |
1938-1944: Ray E. Shepard
1944-1950: Paul Laing 1950-1954: Paul Show 1954-1981: Wayne B. Swanson 1981-1993: Larry D. Lowe 1993-1997: James W. Swarthout 1997-2007: Delbert Longley 2007-2013: James Baker 2013-To Date: Brett E. Tharp |