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.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County report that a public fireworks amnesty program will be offered on July 9th, to provide the public with a safe place to dispose of unused fireworks following the Independence Day weekend. The fireworks amnesty program is being offered by the Council Bluffs Police and Fire Departments along with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

The drop off location is no longer at the Family Dollar/Auto Zone parking lot. The new drop off site is in the parking lot of Pottawattamie County Sherriff’s Office at 1400 Big Lake Road. Fireworks can be dropped off between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., on July 9th.

Police in Creston, assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, this (Friday) morning, arrested 34-year old Michael Joshua Jones, of Creston. Jones was taken into custody at around 5:53-a.m. for Domestic Abuse Assault, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, and OWI/2nd offense. He was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting an appearance before the Magistrate.

And, Thursday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 46-year old Ryan Dean Offield, of Ellston, on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Offield was being held without bond, in the Union County Jail.