If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out the book sale at the Atlantic Public Library, you still have time. The Library Auxiliary’s “Friends of the Library Semi-Annual (used) Book Sale” began Wednesday and continues through Friday (tomorrow), April 21st.

Ken Moorman, Publicity Chair for Friends of the Library, said the sale runs from 9-a.m. until 6-p.m. each day, and includes primarily reading materials, audio books, DVD’s, CD’s, and even VHS tapes, all priced at 25-cents to one-dollar.

Moorman says children’s books are always popular. All proceeds from the book sale benefit the Atlantic Library for Adult and Youth programs, of which more than 200 are held each year, thanks he says, to Library Director Natalie Struecker.

He says last year’s contribution to the Library amounted to over $4,000 for the combined Spring and Fall book sales.

Those who oversee the security at city halls and courthouses around the state are hoping to get some more information about what Iowa’s new gun bill signed into law by Governor Branstad will mean for them. The bill will allow the nearly a quarter of a million Iowans with a concealed weapons permit to carry their guns into the state capitol. Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew is in charge of security at the county courthouse.

“It’s still a little unclear because we’re waiting for the Attorney General’s opinion — which I think should come out within 30 days — of where courthouses that have existing courthouse security will stand,” Drew says.

The Iowa Judicial Branch, the Iowa County Attorneys Association and the Iowa Judges Association all opposed to the bill, which becomes law on July 1st. Sheriff Drew says there are also concerns about where someone carrying a gun could go after they enter the courthouse. “It covers more than just the courtroom, and that’s the definition we are trying to find out. Does that protect the whole courthouse?,” Drew explains. “Because the courthouse in itself isn’t just courts, it has the auditor’s office, the recorder’s office in there.”

The Sheriff says we live in a dangerous world, and emotions can run high in court hearings. “Judges and those involved in the criminal justice system, there’s a lot of days there’s a lot of threats made,” Drew says. “There’s threats made in the courtroom when we have divorce hearings, child custody hearings. You know, a secure and safe courthouse makes it easier for jurors. Jurors are concerned about coming to the courthouse and feeling safe.”

Woodbury County officials will meet in May to discuss their concerns about courthouse security.

(Radio Iowa)

Two students who escaped from court ordered custody at the Clarinda Academy this (Thursday) morning escaped, but were captured about three hours later. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports the students, both from Minnesota, absconded from the Clarinda Academy at around 4-a.m.  They were apprehended at around 7-a.m. in the back yard of a residence in the 400 block of E. Lincoln Street in Clarinda, after a brief foot chase. They have since been returned to the facility for At-Risk and Delinquent youth, where they were ordered held by Ramsey County, Minnesota juvenile court authorities.

Assisting with the search and apprehension of the students were the Clarinda Police Department, Clarinda Academy staff, Clarinda Fire Department firefighters and the Clarinda CRHC/EMS staff.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature has approved most bills needed to finalize the roughly $7.2 billion state budget, an indication that adjournment is near for the session.

The Republican-controlled chambers have voted in support of several budget bills over the span of days that address spending on everything from education to economic development. Lawmakers are scheduled back at the Capitol on Thursday, though it’s unclear what day they will finish work.

The Senate must still vote on funding for health and human services. Both chambers must finalize the so-called standing appropriation bill, which includes state spending for a variety of purposes across several state agencies. It is often the last bill passed in the session and attracts last-minute and sometimes controversial proposals that lawmakers hope to tack on before adjournment.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Police in Council Bluffs say a man from Missouri suspected of robbery was arrested late Wednesday night after a scuffle with officers and a brief foot pursuit. Officers responded to the Horseshoe Casino at around 11:37-p.m. for a reported robbery. No weapon was used during the incident. After checking the area the suspect, later identified as 22-year old Donovan Ayers, of St. Louis, MO., was located in front of the Hilton Garden and Suites and was positively identified by the victim.

Authorities say as Ayers was being placed in handcuffs he fought with officers and fled on foot. Officers located Ayers hiding in the area marsh in front of Bass Pro Shop and taken him custody. One officer suffered minor injuries while trying to arrest Ayers. Ayers was treated at Mercy Hospital for a minor injury and then taken to Pottawattamie County Jail.

He was charged with Theft in the 1st degree, Assault on a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct in a place of Business, Interference with Official Acts, and Eluding.

An incident in the 400 block of E. 2nd Street in Villisca Wednesday night resulted in an arrest. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 41-year old Peter Vitachai Blossom, of Villisca,was arrested at around 8-p.m. for Domestic Assault with Bodily Injury. Blossom was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail pending a court appearance.

Officials with the National Weather Service say a Storm Chaser reported a tornado on the ground about two-miles southwest of Carroll, Wednesday night. The event that took place at around 8-p.m., resulted in downed trees, and damage to some outbuildings. About four-minutes later, the Carroll County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center received reports the roof and doors were blown off a machine shed two-miles south/southeast of Carroll.

Just before 8-p.m., a trained storm spotter reported a tornado caused damage in the Carroll County town of Halbur, including downed power lines and an overturned camper. Power poles also were toppled near Randall in Hamilton County, which is northeast of Carroll.

Nickel-to quarter-size hail was reported in the Shelby County town of Panama, at around 7:40-p.m., Wednesday. Penny-sized (3/4″) hail fell four-miles southwest of Missouri Valley at around 7:14-p.m.

And, 60-mile per hour winds were reported just northwest of Scranton, in Greene County, a little after 8:30-p.m., along with pea-size hail and water ponding in the streets. There were no immediate reports of injuries associated with the storms.

Police in Council Bluffs say a fire at a home late Wednesday night is under investigation. Authorities say Police and Fire personnel were dispatched at around 11:21-p.m. to 3636 Ave G for a house fire. Upon arrival officers found the detached garage was fully engulfed.

Council Bluffs Fire Department arrived and quickly got the fire under control and extinguished. The house was not occupied and there were no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case please contact Council Bluffs Fire Investigator / Marshals office at 712-328-4671.