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Additional charge filed in Centerville death

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CENTERVILLE, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety said today (Thursday), a Centerville man originally charged with Child Endangerment Causing Death, a class B felony, faces an additional charge of Murder in the First Degree, a Class-A Felony, following an ongoing investigation into the death in late January, of 2-year-old Journey Marberry.  The suspect, 48-year-old Roger Gillespie, was advised of the charges Thursday, while in custody at the Appanoose County Jail. Gillespie has remained in the jail since his arrest on January 27.

Gillespie

On May 22, 2024, the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office (JCMEO) released the final findings from the autopsy of Journey Marberry. The JCMEO ruled that Journey’s death was the result of a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.

Original story:

On Friday, January 19, 2024, at approximately 12:50 p.m., Centerville law enforcement and emergency services were dispatched to 1417 Drake Avenue on the report of an injured child. Responding officers and EMS providers found 2-year-old Journey Marberry injured inside the home. She was immediately taken to MercyOne Hospital in Centerville and then to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

On Saturday, January 27, Journey succumbed to her injuries and served as a donor to aid other families. Gillespie, who was Journey’s caretaker at the time of her injuries. He was taken into custody without incident.

Journey Marberry

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Posted in News |

3 of 4 Greenfield tornado victims have been identified

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Three of the four victims of Tuesday’s deadly tornado in Greenfield have been identified. Funeral announcements posted by Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield said Dean and Pam Wiggins, and 74-year-old Micheal Jensen, all of Greenfield, died as a result of the tornado.

Dean and Pam Wiggins

Services for all three victims are currently pending at Lamb Funeral Home.

Micheal Jensen

Posted in News |

MICHEAL JENSEN, 73, of Greenfield (Tornado victim) – Celebration of Life 6/1/24

Obituaries

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MICHEAL JENSEN, 73, of Greenfield, died Tuesday, May 21, 2024, as result of a tornado that passed through Greenfield.  A Celebration of Life service for MICHEAL JENSEN will be held 10:30-a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle.

Friends may call at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 2-until 7-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial in the Greenfield Cemetery will be held with Full military graveside rites will be conducted by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357.  A luncheon will follow the service at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle. 

Memorials may be directed to the family to be established at a later date.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Posted in Obituaries |

DEAN & PAM WIGGINS, of Greenfield (tornado victims) – Svcs. 5/31/24

Obituaries

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DEAN WIGGINS, 78, & PAM WIGGINS, 77, both of Greenfield, died Tuesday, May 21, 2024, as result of a tornado that passed through Greenfield.  Funeral services for DEAN and PAM WIGGINS will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, May 31st, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Open Visitation:  Will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m; The family will greet friends at the church on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Burial is in the Greenfield Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the services.   

Memorials:  May be directed to the family to be established at a later date.

DEAN and PAM WIGGINS are survived by:

Their sons – Todd (Nancy) Wiggins, of Urbandale, and Jeffrey (Tania) Wiggins, of Greenfield.

Their siblings – Gary (Nonie) Wiggins, and Diane (Bob) Edwards.

5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; in-laws, other relatives and dear friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Posted in Obituaries |

Grassley Town Hall meeting next week in in Cass, Mills, & Adams Counties

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will hold public town meetings in Atlantic and Glenwood on May 28, Corning on May 29 and Dakota City on May 30 as part of his annual 99 county meetings across Iowa.

Grassley says “Representative government requires continued dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent. I look forward to hearing directly from Iowans in Cass, Mills, Adams and Humboldt counties. Their insights will inform my work in Washington.”

Sen. Grassley (Radio Iowa photo)

This is Grassley’s 44th consecutive year holding at least one meeting in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. During the meetings, Grassley takes questions or comments on any subject. Iowans set the agenda.

Town meetings are open to the public. Details:

Tuesday, May 28

Cass County Town Meeting: 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.

Iowa Western Community College Cass County Center, 705 Walnut Street, Atlantic

Mills County Town Meeting: 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Bloom Senior Center, 25 North Vine Street, Glenwood
Wednesday, May 29
Adams County Town Meeting: 2 – 3 p.m., Adams County Courthouse, 500 Ninth Street, Corning

Posted in News |

NWS confirms 3 tornadoes occurred in Montgomery County May 21st

News, Weather

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak Tornado
Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 107 mph
Path Length /statute/: 2.95 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 70 yards
Start Date: 05/21/2024
Start Time: 02:35 PM CDT
End Date: 05/21/2024
End Time: 02:40 PM CDT

Red Oak Tornado path looking southwest from E Nishnabotna River

Survey Summary:
A tornado developed near Evergreen Avenue and tracked over open fields toward the northeast. Emergency management drone imagery shows the exact track of the tornado through the field, including where it turned toward the east for a bit. The tornado crossed the Nishnabotna River while turning slightly to the northeast again, causing substantial tree damage near the river. It then badly damaged a building at the city water facility, knocking out all doors and a wall. It continued to cause tree damage, but weakened quickly as it moved northeast, dissipating just prior to reaching Broadway Street in Red Oak.
Northwest Adams Tornado (Southeast Montgomery County)
Rating: EF3
Estimated Peak Wind: 140-150 mph
Path Length /statute/: 32.01 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 1300 yards
Start Date: 05/21/2024
Start Time: 02:43 PM CDT
End Date: 05/21/2024
End Time: 03:19 PM CDT
End Location: 7 SSE Massena / Adams County / IA
Survey Summary:
A tornado developed near 130th and J Avenue in Page County Iowa, producing damage to outbuildings and trees as it tracked toward the east and northeast. Large sheds were destroyed, and some homes began to sustain damage near the Page Montgomery county line and O Avenue intersection. The tornado continued to intensify as it moved northeast and became quite wide as it moved northwest and north of Villisca.
A large communications tower was toppled west of Villisca, and multiple farms were badly damaged northwest of Villisca. EF-2 damage was observed at a farmhouse near 240th Street and T Avenue, and also at a home near Highway 71 and 235th Street. A campground was hit at Hacklebarney Woods, as well as multiple homes along V Avenue and Vine Avenue. Campers were tossed and significant tree damage occurred in this area, but most permanent structures remained standing.
The tornado neared its maximum width at this location, and the damage pattern was evident in having a broad area of EF-1 type damage with embedded areas of more intense damage to trees and buildings, likely indicating a multiple vortex tornado. The tornado crossed into Adams County north of 210th Street.
Coburg Tornado
Rating: EF0
Estimated Peak Wind: 75 mph
Path Length /statute/: 0.69 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 40 yards
Start Date: 05/21/2024
Start Time: 07:10 AM CDT
End Date: 05/21/2024
End Time: 07:11 AM CDT

Coburg Tornado path

Survey Summary: Emergency management drone imagery showed evidence of a short-lived tornado track through fields in this area, damaging trees along a fence line and near a home.

Posted in News, Weather |

UPDATE: NWS confirms Tornado in Adams & Adair Counties upgrade from EF-3 to EF-4!

News, Weather

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
358 PM CDT Thu May 23 2024

…NWS Damage Survey for 05/21/2024 Tornado Event Update #2…

.Update…

After completing damage assessments across Adams and Adair Counties, including Greenfield, survey teams have identified damage consistent with EF4 tornado damage, with peak wind speeds of 175-185 mph. EF4 damage was located within the community of Greenfield and across rural portions of southern Adair County. Additional analysis of data will occur through the coming days and weeks, so further refinement of the tornado statistics are possible.

.Greenfield Tornado…

Rating: EF4
Estimated Peak Wind: 175-185 mph
Path Length /statute/: 43.98 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 1000 yards
Fatalities: 5
Injuries: 35

Start Date: 05/21/2024
Start Time: 02:57 PM CDT
Start Location: 3 SSE Villisca / Page County / IA
Start Lat/Lon: 40.8866 / -94.9571

End Date: 05/21/2024
End Time: 03:43 PM CDT
End Location: 4 ENE Greenfield / Adair County / IA
End Lat/Lon: 41.337 / -94.3825

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0…..65 to 85 mph
EF1…..86 to 110 mph
EF2…..111 to 135 mph
EF3…..136 to 165 mph
EF4…..166 to 200 mph
EF5…..>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in
NWS Storm Data.

Posted in News, Weather |

Iowa’s new grads need to use caution during the job hunt

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Many thousands of young Iowans graduated from high school or college in recent days, and they’re now prime targets for crooks who prey on job-seekers. If you’re hunting for employment, be wary for scams, as consumer protection expert Michelle Reinen says criminals will post fake job offers that really are too good to be true.

Reinen says a new scam offers to set up a home office for you, using a legitimate-looking check the scammers send through the mail. She says absolutely do your research before accepting an offer that just pops up in your inbox, promising easy money. Also, Reinen suggests using Google Maps to make sure the address to whatever company you’re considering actually exists.

Posted in News |

Governor says 153 homes in Greenfield were destroyed by Tuesday’s tornado

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says more than 200 Iowa homes were destroyed by Tuesday’s tornadoes, including more than 150 in Greenfield.

Reynolds and the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency toured Greenfield this morning. “We can give them all the data, we can show them the destruction,” Reynolds said, “but to really be on the ground and see firsthand and to listen to the stories is really beneficial.”

Reynolds submitted a request to the White House this morning for federal disaster assistance for four counties, including Adair County, where Greenfield is located. “In Adair County alone we had 153 major destroyed homes,” Reynolds said. “Montgomery had eight, Polk County 26, Story County 15 — for a total of 202.”

That’s a tally of flattened homes. Reynolds told reporters there’s no count yet on damaged businesses. FEMA director Deanne Criswell, who joined Reynolds for a news conference in Greenfield, said the agency will process the governor’s request for federal disaster aid as quickly as possible.

“As much as I’ve been watching the videos and seeing the pictures of the tornado damage, it just does not do it justice when you’re here on the ground and you can see the homes gone,” Criswell said, “or you can talk to a member who lost their home and they share their story about how they just barely escaped death.”

Criswell thanked first responders for their life-saving actions on Tuesday and offered advice to storm victims.

“The best thing you can do right now is to take a lot of photos and document the damages to your home,” she said. “We want to be able to have that information both for your insurance company and if and when a disaster is declared here, we’ll have to have that information to process any other types of assistance that are out there.”

Power had been restored to about half of Greenfield by midday today, according to the governor.

“I was on the ground yesterday and I can’t even tell you the amount of debris that has been collected and hauled off,” Reynolds said. “In some of those streets, it looked like a different place.”

Reynolds said there are a few people using the emergency shelter in Greenfield’s high school, but most storm victims are staying with family or friends.

Posted in News |

Miller-Meeks criticizes NIH advisor’s ‘skirt’ remark about CDC director

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport says email obtained by a U-S House subcommittee shows the senior scientific advisor in the National Institutes of Health has made vile comments about women in medicine.

Miller-Meeks questioned Dr. David Morens during a congressional hearing about his email about the female director of the C-D-C, saying she wore a skirt and was considered the cat’s pajamas by another man.

Morens admits it was a misogynistic, snarky comment and he started to apologize during the hearing, but Miller-Meeks interrupted, saying it indicates how Morens views women.

Posted in News |