May 18, 2017 – Ottumwa, Iowa – The Ottumwa Public Library is excited to announce that we will again be having our Summer Reading Program. As in previous years, we will have a program for all ages with the theme “Build a Better World.”  All of our programs run May 30-August 11, 2017.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: Children ages 0-14 can sign up at the library. After registering, they will receive a reading log to complete. They then turn in their reading logs at the end of June, July, and shortened August months. With each completed log returned, kids will receive a goodie bag of prizes and be entered in the grand prize drawing for their age group.  Grand prizes for the three children’s age groups include: a large Lego Duplo set or a Build & Grow Prize pack for the Infant/Toddler/Preschool ages; a Lego Minecraft Fortress Building kit or a Build a Better World Prize pack for the K-5^th grades; and an Amazon gift card or Build a Better World Prize pack for the 6^th-8^th grades.

The Summer Reading Program will also have 12 programs scheduled this summer to entertain children of all ages. This year they are scheduled at different times in an attempt to accommodate parents’ varying work schedules. We have daytime, evening and weekend performances scheduled.

The Library would like to thank the Knights of Columbus for hosting our programs which include: Dizzy’s Summer Reading Kick Off on June 8^th at 10:30 am.  Information about the other programs is available at the library and on our website.  The rest of the program lineup includes: IPTV’s Dan Wardell, Fax Gilbert’s Mime, Mask & Magic, Jim & Leslie’s Laughing Matters Juggling Show, Geoff Akins’ Bubble Wonders Bubble Show,  Pint Size Polkas, Miss Carole’s Macaroni Soup Active Music for Kids, Jonathan May’s Comedy Magic, Absolute Science,  The Lisa Laird Ventriloquist Show, Blank Park Zoo visit, and our End of the Summer Reading Program Carnival!  There are also Lego Clubs, Family Movie showings, and Board Game days scheduled so check our schedule often!

TEEN PROGRAM: There is also a Summer Reading Program for teens. If you are a teen (9^th-12^th grade) and love to read, OPL wants you to sign up today for this year’s program. All you have to do is sign up at the Children’s Desk on the first floor of the library and pick up a reading log. There will be reading logs for June, July and the beginning of August. When you return the log you receive a prize bag and your name will be entered into the drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card.

We will also be having events for Teens throughout the summer including: Choose Your Own Book Club, Teen Graphic Novel Book Club, a Teen Writers Club and on Saturday, August 12 from 3-5pm, there will be a Teen Trivia Party to celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Program at the library.

ADULT PROGRAM: Summer reading programs are not just for kids! If you’re an avid adult reader (age 18+), OPL wants you to be a part of our Adult Summer Reading program. Sign up at the Reference Desk and, just for signing up, you’ll receive a watering can flower pot. Read three books before August 11^th and submit your form and you’ll earn a tape measure and will be entered into a

drawing for other great prizes, including gift certificates to O’Hara Hardware, Edd the Florist, Inc., and Earl May Garden Center.

The Ottumwa Public Library would like to thank the Kiwanis, Ottumwa Public Library Friends of the Library, Sonic, John Deere, McDonalds, Subway, the Ottumwa YMCA, Dr. Thomas W. Evans, DDS, Patritto Orthodontics, and the Knights of Columbus for their donations to support the summer reading program.

Stop by, or call 682-7563, or go to the library website (www.ottumwapubliclibrary.org) for program details.

WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes caused some eastern Iowa storm damage.

The service says the first tornado touched down around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in northeastern Jefferson County and lifted about four minutes later near Lake Darling in Washington County. It was rated EF-1 with winds reaching 110 mph that damaged farm outbuildings and trees.

The second struck around 6:35 p.m. in northeast Washington County and lifted six minutes later. It also was rated an EF-1 twister, damaging outbuildings, power lines and trees.

No injuries have been reported.