After being closed only nine days, Iowa 92 near Massena is open to traffic with a brand new bridge. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office in Atlantic reports that the unique project went very well from the Iowa DOT’s perspective, but they want to know what you think.

Artists rendition of the new Hwy 92 bridge prior to its construction. (IA DOT photo)

Road users in the area are encouraged to complete the customer satisfaction survey on the project website http://www.iowadot.gov/MassenaBridge/index.html

ROCK BRANCH, Iowa (AP) – Friends and students of a retired teacher have begun helping him recover from tornado damage at his home in northwest Iowa. Nine tornadoes struck northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa on Friday, injuring at least 15 people.

The Sioux City Journal says that on Sunday, two buses carried about 50 students, staff members and parents from Hinton High School to the rural Rock Branch home of Wayne Stadler and his wife, Debbie. One of the twisters had ripped off the roof of their home and destroyed their barn and several sheds. The Stadlers weren’t injured.

Wayne Stadler had taught at the high school for 32 years. The damage was almost overwhelming, but the hard work by his friends and former students gave him a good start on the cleanup.

One person was arrested early this (Monday) morning after he crossed a barricade at a fire scene and refused to leave. Authorities say 29-year old Matthew Daniel Sloan, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 2-a.m. on a charge of interference with official acts. After he was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, Sloan was allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance. He was subsequently charged with introducing a controlled substance/marijuana, into a secure facility. Sloan was being held in the jail on $5,000 cash bond.

Firefighters from the Red Oak Fire Dept and surrounding communities are at a working structure fire in Red Oak this morning at 5th and Reed Streets, the site of the old Pit Stop Bar.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County EMA.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman reports the call came in at roughly 12:30am. Mutual aid was immediately requested from Stanton Fire, Elliott Fire & First Responders, Essex Fire & Rescue, and Shenandoah Fire and Clarinda Fire depts provided aerial support.

Crews are still operating at the fire scene and will be for several hours. Hamman asks residents to please avoid the area. The investigation is on going and the State Fire Marshals office has been notified.

Power is out in the area and Mid American Energy is working to restore those that were cut due to the fire.