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.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An ex-University of Iowa athletic administrator says during her tenure she became concerned after noticing female coaches who were fired often were gay and had become more open about their sexuality. Jane Meyer testified Wednesday about Iowa coaches as her case continued in Des Moines, where jurors are considering her claim she suffered discrimination as a gay woman in a relationship with a coach. Meyer alleges Iowa retaliated against her and paid her less than another deputy athletic director.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King is toasting the deportation of a man whose attorneys say is the first known person who qualifies for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to be removed from the country by President Donald Trump. Juan Manuel Montes has sued the federal government over his deportation to Mexico. King, of Iowa, posted a picture on Twitter of a filled mug Tuesday. The post read: “First non-valedictorian DREAMer deported. Border Patrol, this one’s for you.”

WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a second teenager has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed an iconic covered bridge featured in the best-selling novel “The Bridges of Madison County.” Madison County Sheriff Jason Barnes tells Des Moines television station KCCI that an 18-year-old man from Norwalk has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for the fire that destroyed the Cedar Bridge near Winterset.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Two Ames police officers who shot at a suspects’ car and injured two men in February have been cleared to return to work. The Des Moines Register reports that police investigators have found the shooting by Sgt. Derek Grooters and Officer Clint Hertz to be justified. Investigators say the officers fired into a car in which guns were fired into a crowd. Five people in all were injured by gunfire.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, held a public hearing on a sale of real estate identified as five Warehouse lots. Following the hearing, during which there were no objections, the Council approved the agreement, during which Gary Richter would swap land with the City, with the ultimate goal of constructing a new building on land identified as “The old rock pile,” which the City has no economic interest in. Part of the agreement stipulates the City would accept an additional $5,000 for the land swap and the remained to be sold at fair market value. The Personnel and Finance Committee had reviewed and recommended the sale.

A public hearing was also held on the Proposed FY 2018 Five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), as required by the Code of Iowa. And, a Resolution adopting the CIP was approved. The Council also heard and approved upon the third reading, an Ordinance Amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to adopting of New Zoning Regulations which have simply been updated over the past five-years and were finally approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Council also held the second reading of an Ordinance Amending the City Code with regard to “Separation Distances,” for those properties locating along a section of E. 3^rd Street Place. Property owners in the affected area will not be allowed to use pesticides or other toxic chemicals on their land as part of an agreement with the EPA with regard to their PCE contamination mitigation processes. The intent is to protect AMU wells from toxic chemical intrusion during the mitigation process. The affected property owners were notified by mail and during a public hearing.

And, Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson made her annual report to the Council, during which she said they issued 242 animal tags last year. Already this year, 202 tags have been issued. She also spoke of the donations the shelter has received, both in terms of food and monetary contributions, everything from monthly dog and cat food from Wal-Mart, to a simple one-dollar donation from some kids who found the money on the street. Erickson thanked all those who have contributed in any way, and the “Heroes,” such as a couple who rescued a dog that was struck and dragged by a car that did not stop, and local veterinarians. The shelter took in over 100 animals last year, 40 were claimed by their owners thanks to microchips, tags and other means, 54 were adopted, 20 were surrendered, seven were rescued and only two had to be euthanized, which is the last resort. They’ve also made lighting upgrades over the past year and some office improvements.

WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a second teenager has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed an iconic covered bridge featured in the best-selling novel “The Bridges of Madison County.”

Madison County Sheriff Jason Barnes tells Des Moines television station KCCI that  18-year-old Joel Davis, of Norwalk has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson for the fire that destroyed the Cedar Bridge near Winterset. On Tuesday, officials announced charges against 17-year-old Alexander Hoff, of West Des Moines.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office believes the fire that burned the covered bridge was set early Saturday morning. The bridge was also featured in the 1995 movie adaptation of “The Bridges of Madison County,” starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The novel was written by Robert James Waller, who died in March.