(Updated) – There were no injuries reported after a car struck the Casey’s west store (911 s.w. 7th Street) in Atlantic this (Wednesday) evening. The accident happened at around 8:15-p.m., when when 62-year old Claudia Eoff, of Atlantic, who was described as being a regular customer at the store, was pulling up in front of the building to park. Her Nissan Altima jumped the curb and hit the two double doors on the front of the store.

On-duty Manager Sonya Schuler told KJAN News she was sitting behind the register, when all of the sudden a car came through the front doors.

The store is closed until repairs to the entrance can be made. Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department assisted Atlantic Police at the scene.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The State Fire Marshal has opened its online licensing portal to permit the sale of consumer fireworks.  The online portal also allows fireworks wholesalers to register in Iowa, so that they can provide consumer fireworks to retail sellers.  Information about the licensing and registration appears online: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/licensing/consumerfireworksindex.shtml

The online licensing and registration program implements Senate File 489, which was signed into law on May 9, 2017.  The new law allows for the sale of consumer fireworks by persons or companies licensed by the State Fire Marshal.  Any restrictions on the use of fireworks are determined by city and county officials. Emergency Administrative Rules are available online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/emergencyDocs

Sales of consumer fireworks are allowed between June 1 and July 8 each year, and from December 10 to January 3.  Temporary stands can be used for consumer fireworks sales between June 13 and July 8.

Consumer fireworks include such things as roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers, and ground spinners.   Previously, the only fireworks that were legal in Iowa were novelties such as sparklers, caps and snakes. Iowa joins 43 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing the sale of consumer fireworks.

Display fireworks – the pyrotechnics that municipalities and businesses use for large-scale public displays – require licensed operators to discharge the fireworks show.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulates the use of display fireworks. City and county officials also may restrict or prohibit the use of display fireworks.

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Police say three more people have been charged in the death of a 16-year-old central Iowa girl who weighed only 56 pounds at her death. Sabrina Ray’s body was found May 12 in the Perry home she shared with her adoptive parents, who were charged May 17.

Police said Wednesday that the girl was unable to walk, talk or eat after being “drop-kicked” by her 21-year-old adoptive brother down basement stairs weeks before her death. The brother, Justin Dale Ray, is charged with two counts of willful injury and two counts of child endangerment.

A cousin, 20-year-old Josie Raye Bousman, is charged with abetting the abuse. The teen’s grandmother, 62-year-old Carla Bousman, faces several charges, including aiding and abetting kidnapping, child abuse resulting in death and obstruction.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The adoptive parents of a West Des Moines teenager who officials say was starved to death will have separate trials. The Des Moines Register reports that a judge issued the ruling Wednesday for separate trials from 42-year-old Nicole Finn and 46-year-old Joseph Finn in the October death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn.

Nicole Finn’s trial on first-degree murder and other charges has been set for Oct. 23. Joseph Finn’s trial on charges of kidnapping, neglect or abandonment and child endangerment has been set for Nov. 27.

A medical examiner found that Natalie Finn died from denial of critical care. A neighbor reported to police that Natalie Finn had regularly asked for food before her death.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will be the headliner at an unofficial inaugural event this week that raises money for the Republican Party. The strategic move highlights the GOP’s focus on the upcoming midterm elections and Reynolds’ anticipated gubernatorial run.

The Republican Party of Iowa is footing the bill for what it’s calling an “Inaugural Celebration” for Reynolds, who was sworn in May 24. A ticket to the Friday night event at a downtown Des Moines hotel will cost $75 per attendee and include hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Iowa GOP spokesman Carlos Cruz emphasized the occasion is not a formal inaugural event but instead a fundraiser. Republicans next year will try to keep congressional seats and maintain majorities they now enjoy in both the state House and Senate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Iowa Congressman David Young today (Wednesday) announced the Griswold Fire Department will receive $48,448 in grant funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program. The funding was authorized by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, of which Congressman Young is the only member from the State of Iowa.

The AFG program awards competitive grants to fire departments and other organizations nationwide to obtain and maintain necessary equipment, facilities, training, and programs. The AFG program is part of a larger preparedness effort in support of the safety, security, and health of the public.

“This important grant funding will help ensure the Griswold Fire Department has the resources to work safely and effectively,” Congressman Young said. “I’m pleased this award will benefit our firefighters, and the safety and security of the entire Griswold community.”

Officials with the Harlan Police Department report last Saturday, 24-year old Nelson Reed Guyer, of Harlan, was cited into court for Unnecessary Noise, after officers were called to the 400 block of Durant Street, for a complaint about loud music. And, last Friday, 55-year old Curt Grant Whiteley, of Harlan, was arrested in the area of 19th and Willow Streets, on a charge of Public Intoxication.

NORDEN, Neb. (AP) – Authorities are investigating the death of an Iowa man who’d been canoeing on the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska. Keya Paha County Attorney Eric Scott said Wednesday that 68-year-old Garry Kaufman was pronounced dead on the scene Saturday after being removed from the river near Norden. Kaufman lived in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Scott says Kaufman had been canoeing with a group. The attorney also says the circumstances leading up to Kaufman’s death remain unclear, but there’s no indication that any crime was involved. No autopsy has been ordered.

Iowa residents may fish without a license on June 2, 3 and 4 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) free fishing weekend. “Free fishing weekend is a great opportunity for Iowans to reconnect with fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau. “Invite a kid, your best friend or your mom to come along. Have some fun and create new memories.”

Gather your family or friends and travel to one of the hundreds of Iowa lakes, thousands of miles of rivers or a nearby pond for a few hours of outdoor fun and relaxation. Iowans can try fishing without buying a license during free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.

“This is a great time to take kids fishing or introduce someone new to fishing,” Larscheid said. “Fish are usually close to shore and are willing to bite. Use small tackle – little hooks, a bobber no larger than a quarter, 4-pound test line and small bait to catch bluegills.

“Kids will stay interested and have fun when the fishing is good. Just let them play once the interest in fishing is gone,” he said. “It isn’t about how many fish you can catch; it’s about sharing your time and having fun together.”

Fun, hands-on fishing events will be offered across Iowa to teach parents or kids the basics of fishing. A list of fishing clinics, derbies, and other fun events co-sponsored by the DNR is available on the Special Events Application System at programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.

“We hope free fishing weekend will inspire anglers to buy an annual fishing license,” Larscheid said. This investment allows the Iowa DNR Fisheries Bureau to produce and stock more than 160 million fish annually, conduct research studies to manage fish more effectively, construct fish habitat, improve water quality, restore lakes with a history of poor fishing and improve access for anglers.

Find tips for taking kids fishing and catching crappie, bluegills and yellow bass on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Tips-How-Tos.

Just as one holiday ends, it is time to think about another. Campers hoping to reserve spots for the 2017 Labor Day weekend need to mark June 1 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says by June 1, some sites will already be reserved by campers arriving prior to the holiday weekend, and electric sites go quickly.

For more information on Iowa’s state parks and to make a reservation, visit www.iowadnr.gov/reservations