Firefighters in Griswold were called to the scene of a garage fire Friday evening. The call went out at 7:17-p.m. for the blaze behind 906 Main Street. Griswold Assistant Fire Chief Jim Wyman lives nearby. He said he could see lots of smoke before crews arrived on the scene. He said when they got there just minutes later, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. Many construction tools were stored inside the garage, including air compressors, and propane tanks.

A power line (on the left near the tree) burns moments before showering sparks. (Ric Hanson/photos)

Power lines nearby fell to the ground and produced some fireworks when as they burned and popped numerous times, showering sparks for several feet each time. Wyman said they have no idea what started the blaze, the flames of which scorched nearby, vacant homes and other structures.

He said the building was fully engulfed long before firefighters arrived, and he was surprised no one called it in before hand, especially since it was so close to the Griswold Casey’s Store. A VW Bug from the 1970’s parked near the structure was also damaged by the flames. No injuries were reported. Crews were on the scene for over an hour.

Firefighters in Griswold were called to the scene of a garage fire Friday evening. The call went out at 7:17-p.m. for the blaze at 906 Main Street. The structure was fully engulfed in flames at 7:27-p.m., and power lines were said to be down behind the garage, in the alley.

Additional information is currently unavailable.

Police in Council Bluffs are investigating the robbery early this (Friday) morning of a convenience store at 1839 Madison Avenue. Authorities say at around 12:35-a.m., two black men entered the Bucky’s Express on Madison Avenue. One of the suspects pointed a black semi- automatic pistol at the clerk and demanded the money from the register. The suspect was handed an undetermined amount of cash. As the suspects exited the store the suspect fired one shot toward the clerk.The suspects then ran from the store.

The first suspect was described as being a black male about 5-feet 6-inches tall, wearing a tan canvas jacket with a black scarf wrapped around his face and armed with a semi-automatic pistol. The second suspect was thin black male, about 6-feet tall. He wore a blue hooded sweatshirt with a black scarf wrapped around his face.

Surveillance photo of suspects

If you have any information regarding the incident, contact Crime Stoppers at 712-328-7867.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday), said a man from Exira was arrested Thursday, following an investigation into an incident that occurred earlier, in the 500 block of Hill Haven, in Exira. 56-year-old Roger Thomas Waters, Jr. was arrested at around 8-p.m. on two counts of Domestic Abuse Assault and two counts of Child Endangerment. Waters was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before the Magistrate.

FARRAGUT, Iowa (AP) – The Farragut Community School District has involuntarily dissolved. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the district’s dissolution went into effect Friday after being placed into the Green Hills Area Education Agency’ receivership. The Iowa State Board of Education voted to revoke the district’s accreditation in November 2015, primarily because of years of spending more than what was allowed by the state.

The district’s superintendent, Tom Hinrichs, resigned a month after the district was put on the path to dissolution. Students have gone to the Shenandoah, Sidney, Hamburg and Fremont-Mills community school districts. Green Hills chief administrator Lane Plugge says the district’s buildings are now the property of the Shenandoah school district. Shenandoah now owns about 65 percent of the property.

An escapee from the Ft. Madison Correctional Facility was captured Thursday afternoon, in Stuart, and a woman from Stuart was arrested as an accessory in harboring him. Stuart Police said a Stuart Police Officer was investigating the reported sighting of an escaped fugitive, 31-year old Joseph Leclair, Jr., at around noon Thursday, in the 300 block of N. Main Street.  Lora Sue Baudler, of Stuart, answered the door when the officer knocked but refused to cooperate with the officer.

Baudler then left the property and allegedly made a false 911 call reporting LeClair to be at a different location. The officer called in assistance from Guthrie and Adair County Sheriff’s Offices and the State Patrol to surround the house, while he prepared a search warrant. At approximately 3:30-pm officers entered the house with a search warrant and found LeClair hiding inside.

LeClaire was arrested and transported to the Guthrie County Jail. Baudler was arrested on charges that include False Reports to, or Communications with, Public Safety entities, and Accessory after the Fact.

You may recall LeClaire was involved in a similar incident last year when he escaped from work release for over a two month period from May-July. He was subsequently arrested in Polk County following that incident.

Several events are planned for this Independence Day weekend around the KJAN listening area.

The City of Exira’s 151st 4th of July Celebration begins today (Friday: July 1^st) with a Carnival from 5-until 10-p.m. (wristbands are available). On Saturday ( July 2^nd): The 35^th Annual Exira Road Run gets underway at 8-a.m, a free-will donation Pancake Feed takes place at the Old Fire Hall from 8-  to 10-a.m.  That afternoon, a Co-ed Slow Pitch Softball Tournament will be held at Legion Park, beginning at 1 o’clock with concessions & beer garden available.

On Sunday, July 3^rd there’s an Ecumenical Church Service at the Rec Center beginning at 10:30, and at 2-p.m., an Exira High School Class of 1966 Alumni Coffee at the Exira- EHK Middle School. Eira’s Independence Day Rodeo starts at 3-p.m., at the Kickapoo Park, with beer garden & concessions. Sunday evening, the Exira Community Club will hold a BBQ at the City Park, with Audubon County Cattlemen grilling burgers & hot dogs with beans, chips, watermelon & drink, from 5-until 7-p.m., along with a beer garden from 5-until 9-p.m.

On Monday, the 151st Exira 4th of July Parade themed “Hats off to the 4th!” starts and ends at Legion Ball Park. The parade begins at 10:30-a.m. And, the Grand Fireworks display starts at 9:45-p.m. at the Spartan Football Field. More details are available on Facebook.

The City of Oakland’s Independence Day Celebration runs Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, there’s Worship  in the Park, beginning at 10-a.m., and Zumba near the City Park gazebo, from 5-to 6-pm. At 7-p.m. the PEO Chapter EQ presents a “Whadda Ya Know” Trivia Night at the Community Center. On Monday, the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department will hold their Annual Pancake Feed from: 7-until10:30-a.m. There’s also tractor and car shows, musical entertainment, Midway games and activities, and the Independence Day Parade beginning at 5-p.m. Fireworks over Chautauqua Park begin to fly at dusk.

In Greenfield, the 4^th of July Parade begins at 11-a.m. The Annual Marne July 4th Celebration will be held on July 4th at the Marne Park. The flag will be raised at 6 pm, with the meal to follow. Fireworks begin at dusk. All who attend are asked to give a free will donation to help pay for the fireworks.

In Atlantic, the Annual Jaycees Flight Breakfast at the airport takes place from 7-until 11-a.m. Monday, featuring pancakes from the “Pancake Man.”  The food is free for those who fly-in to the event. Drive-in’s will pay $6. And, the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic will hold a concession stand and DJ music, starting at 7 pm. Fireworks at the airport begin at dusk, with patriotic music being played.  See the KJAN Daily Diary page for more events and details at www.kjan.com.