(Radio Iowa) – What’s billed as a celebration of the freedom to read, a Des Moines bookstore is hosting a Banned Books Festival this weekend. The event will feature readings by authors, panel discussions, and even a banned books trivia contest. Jan Danielson Kaiser, spokeswoman for Beaverdale Books, says there’s a real buzz over this topic and they decided to devote a full day to discussing and debating this hot-button topic. “We’ve had people who stopped into the store recently and they’re looking for titles for their book clubs to read,” she says, “and they specifically are looking for books that have been challenged or banned just so that they can speak more intelligently about maybe why they shouldn’t be banned.”

While it may be obvious from the covers why some books have raised controversy, Danielson Kaiser says it’s mystifying why other titles are being vilified, like “Charlotte’s Web.” “We’re featuring the authors of, ‘And Tango Makes Three,’ which is a delightful board book for kids,” she says. “It’s the story of two male penguins who are raising a chick and it’s based on a true story that happened in Central Park Zoo. It’s a beautifully illustrated little book.”

The festival will run from 10 A-M to 5 P-M on Saturday at the Franklin Events Center in Des Moines, and Danielson Kaiser says the store will have a wide selection of banned books available to browse and buy. She says one of the managers started making a list and was quickly overwhelmed. “He’s guessing we probably will have about 600 books for sale, now you know there’ll be duplicates,” she says, laughing, “but there’s going to be a lot of books there!”

Danielson Kaiser says she’s heard about one Iowa publisher who’s suggested he’d like to see one of the books he’s printed get banned, as the publicity almost guarantees a boost in sales. “The other funny thing is that when books are challenged, the schools oftentimes have to buy more copies just so that they can review, you know, they have a panel that reviews them, so that might help book sales that way as well.”

The daylong fest will feature a reading of banned poetry, story time for kids, a panel discussion on “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and a chat with Ashley Hope Perez, author of “Out of Darkness.” The event is free.

UNION COUNTY, Iowa (KCCI) —Authorities in southwest Iowa say two semi-truck drivers helped stop a high-speed chase Wednesday on Highway 34.

Union County Sheriff’s Office deputies located a woman suspected of assault driving westbound on the highway. When they attempted to pull Marissa Waigand over, she “intentionally drove into the south ditch at a high rate of speed, then re-entered Hwy 34 eastbound reaching speeds of 100 mph,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Waigand, 23, of Afton, led deputies on a chase during which she “drove in the opposing lane of traffic and forced oncoming vehicles onto the shoulder, she passed other vehicles on the right shoulder at speeds of over 80 mph nearly causing numerous accidents,” the release said.

Heading westbound again after a U-turn, Waigand approached two semis that she had previously passed. According to the release, those semi drivers “slowed and blocked both lanes of travel. Waigand attempted to go around the semis on the shoulder and lost control of her vehicle and entered the north ditch.”

Multiple charges are pending against Waigand, who was taken to a Des Moines hospital after the crash.

Atlantic, IowaA – During October, Cass Health will host two sessions of their Healthy U lunch-and-learn series.

On October 19, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Lace Sindt will present on skin cancer. Sindt is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Lace Sindt

Dr. Matt Weresh

She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa in 2019, after previously working as an LPN and RN for 10 years. With more than a decade of dermatology and facial aesthetics experience, Sindt offers a variety of dermatology care including skin checks, skin cancer screenings, acne, rashes, psoriasis, rosacea, toenail fungus, moles, warts, and other skin conditions.

On October 26, Dr. Matt Weresh will present on orthopedic surgery. Dr. Weresh is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee procedures, ranging from complex joint replacements to simple joint procedures and surgeries. With more than 25 years of experience in central Iowa, Dr. Weresh relocated his practice to Cass Health in 2018. He received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, and then completed his orthopedic residency at Akron General Medical Center. He then went on to complete an orthopedic trauma fellowship at the Carolinas Medical Center. Dr. Weresh is board certified and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.