(Corning, Iowa) — Sheriff’s officials in Adams County, Wednesday afternoon, released the name of a woman who died, when her vehicle was blown-off Highway 148 near Joshua Tree Avenue, during Tuesday’s violent storms and tornadoes. Authorities say 46-year-old Monica Zamarron died at the scene. Her body was found after emergency crews responded to the scene at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Monica Zamarron was an employee of the Southwest Iowa Egg Co-Op.

Hers daughter set up a Go Fund Me to help with funeral costs. Click here to donate.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman said late Wednesday night, that initial damage assessments of private residential structures have been completed revealing a total of (28) residential structures impacted by yesterday’s tornadoes in Montgomery County, including (4) identified structures within the City of Red Oak.
• 3 – Destroyed
• 5 – Major Damage
• 11 – Minor Damage
• 9 – Affected Damage

Hamman says “While these numbers only capture residential structures, many private outbuildings, grain bins, vehicles, recreational trailers, and other property have also been significantly damaged and/or destroyed. An estimated dollar amount of private losses is not available currently.

“Damage assessment continues to both city owned and county owned property and equipment, however early estimates have already identified well over $2,000,000 in losses. Power outages are still impacting a large portion of Southwest Iowa REC customers. Information is being shared on their Facebook page as available. The Stanton Viking Center and Community Room is open for charging electronics, locker rooms and showers.

“Any residents with immediate unmet needs are encouraged to contact Montgomery County EMA at 712-623-3749 to help facilitate the appropriate service and supplies as needed. No immediate needs have been identified however we are working with the Southwest Iowa Community Foundation to set up a donation location for those wanting to help support those
impacted within Montgomery County, more information to be shared when available.

CURRENT ROAD CLOSURES:
• J Ave between 210th x 230th due to flash flooding and culvert damage.
• Hacklebarney Park – Closed until further notice.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Directors, Wednesday evening discussed an assessment of District facilities, and then selected the Iowa Construction Advocate Team (ICAT) to conduct the assessment.  Board President Kristy Pellett said the District Facilities Advisory Committee has confidence in the IASB (Iowa Association of School Boards) and their program focused on educational facilities. The IASB collaborates with Estes Construction to offer the Iowa Construction Advocate Team (ICAT).

ICAT services include, but are not limited to:

• Facilities evaluation service to determine the district’s course of action with a full report and recommendations to present to the board
• Assistance with selecting architects and other construction professionals
• Master planning
• Radon detection
• Construction site and schedule evaluation, problem solving and recommendations, and
• Guidance on soliciting qualified contractors for competitive bids

The Board also approved a Classified Support Staff Union Contract for the 2024-25 School Year. Board Vice-President Laura McLean explained they ended-up with a “pretty straight forward six-percent increase for almost all the staff, but those who are working Nutrition are getting 7.5-percent, because as we looked at comparisons to other districts that are comparable size, we thought that those salaries in particular needed to be boosted a bit.”

The Bargaining Unit had brought the matter to the attention of the District’s Negotiating team, because they felt those salaries needed to be increased. McLean said, “In particular I think we had a goal we wanted to make sure that everybody is making at least a 15-dollar hourly rate, who’s working [in] our buildings.”

Board member Gini Jordan “It was good negotiating. I thought we went back and forth quite a bit. I felt like everybody was heard and listened to.” Lisa Jones, District Director of Finance said “We have not set the rates for Admin or Directors or some of those other pieces, but…the Certified Supplemental Pay [was] approved through the teacher’s contract Union.” She said while they did go up in salaries, “It didn’t kind of change our overall plan, as far as overall spending.”

Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said she “received a nice e-mail from our head negotiator, and they were very pleased and happy of just the whole process and appreciate of just the increase.”

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved a staffing recommendation for Summer School.  And, they received a presentation from District Director of Nursing, Kelli Evans.

The Board’s next regular meeting is at 5:30-p.m. on June 12th.

ADAIR COUNTY, Iowa – Officials with the Joint Unified Command said Wednesday evening, they were sad to announce that “four fatalities and at least 35 injuries were the result of the tornado that impacted the Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa area during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

“The names and ages of those killed in the severe weather event are not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

“It should be noted that it is believed that the number of those injured is likely higher, but these numbers reflect only those patients treated for their injuries at designated alternate care sites. At least 14 patients were transported to out-of-county medical facilities by various EMS Services.

“If you believe that a friend or loved one is still unaccounted for, please call the Iowa Department of Public Safety Storm Lake State Communication Center at 712-732-1341.