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1 dead, another injured in Pottawattamie County crash, Tuesday

News

May 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Walnut, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol reports one person died and another was injured in a crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 80 westbound, near Walnut. The Patrol says a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by 85-year-old Kenneth Turner, of Norman, IN, was stopped in the left lane of I-80 near mile marker 48.55, due to a prior crash that had taken place.

A 2015 Honda Odyssey van driven by 45-year-old Emma Gonzalez-Maldonado, of Lincoln, NE., was traveling westbound on I-80 in the left lane, and failed to slow down and come to a stop. The van struck the semi before it spun-out and struck a third vehicle’s trailer. The third vehicle sustained no damage, and pulled-off to the shoulder of the road. The accident happened at around 4-p.m.

The van came to rest on the right shoulder of the Interstate. Gonzalez-Maldonado died at the scene. A passenger in the van, 18-year-old Emily Elizabeth Esteban, of Lincoln, NE., was injured, and transported by Walnut EMS to Myrtue Memorial Hospital, in Harlan. Both women were wearing their seat belts.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

Montgomery County storm damage report

News

May 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hamman reports “Montgomery County was impacted by several rounds of severe weather on May 21, 2024, including multiple confirmed tornadoes, significant wind and hail and ongoing river flooding. (Photos courtesy Brian Hamman)

Red Oak Water Treatment plant building

Montgomery County Communications Tower

“Initial residential damage assessments conducted have revealed 28 homes directly impacted by tornadoes with damage ranging from affected to destroyed. A number of critical public facilities have been damaged and/or destroyed including a county owned 300’ radio communications tower and significant damage to Hacklebarney Park.

“No injuries have been reported and the total value of loss is not available at this time. Damage assessments will continue Thursday, May 23rd, between Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.

“As a result of today’s [Tuesday’s] severe weather and damage sustained, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, City of Red Oak and Emergency Management Commission have signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency authorized under Iowa State Statute and the Montgomery County Comprehensive Emergency Plan. Jurisdictions will execute the expenditure of emergency funds from all available sources, the invoking of mutual aid agreements, and apply to the State of Iowa for disaster emergency assistance, as applicable.

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

Adair County Courthouse is closed today; Board of Supervisors meeting is cancelled

News

May 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg reports “The Adair County Courthouse will be closed Wednesday, May 22nd.  The Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for May 22nd has also been cancelled.” Berg said also, My prayers go out to everyone that was affected by today’s [Tuesday’s] tornado.  “

Gov. Reynolds to visit Greenfield today (Wednesday] to assess storm damage

News

May 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds issued the following statement regarding the impact of severe weather in Iowa today [Tuesday]:
“Kevin’s and my prayers are with all the communities and families impacted by today’s severe weather, and especially those who tragically lost their lives in the Greenfield area. I am committed to providing the full resources of the state to support the response and recovery effort.
“State and local officials are on the ground, assessing the situation and setting up temporary shelters for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. First responders and health care providers are onsite caring for the injured. Utility crews are working to restore service to thousands without power, and the State Emergency Operations Center continues to coordinate missions to support local responders. While it’s too soon to know the storm’s full impact, answers will come in the hours and days ahead.
“It was just a few weeks ago that tornadoes hit several other Iowa communities, and it’s hard to believe that it’s happened again. Iowans are strong and resilient, and we will get through this together.
“I plan to visit Greenfield in the morning to assess the damage with local officials and start the recovery process.”

Iowa State Patrol releases statement in wake of devastating tornado

News

May 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol released a statement Tuesday night, following a devastating tornado that struck the City of Greenfield. Sgt. Alex Dinkla, the Iowa State Patrol public information officer, said:

“Earlier today, the town of Greenfield was struck by a devastating tornado. Local, county, and state emergency responders quickly initiated search and rescue operations once the tornado passed through the area. The team at Adair County Memorial Hospital worked swiftly to assist the injured while also ensuring the safety of their facility, as it also sustained tornado damage. Due to the hospital damage, patients needing further treatment for injuries were transferred to nearby medical centers.

Additionally, the Greenfield Community School District coordinated the establishment of a reunification point at the local high school. This location will also serve as a temporary shelter for Greenfield residents in need [tonight].

Sadly, we can confirm there were fatalities and injuries within the community of Greenfield from this tornado. We are still working to assess and update this information as it becomes available. A mandatory curfew of 10:00 p.m. is in effect tonight in Greenfield. The town will open back up at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Law enforcement officials are checking identification of those wanting to enter the community. At this time, only Greenfield residents will be allowed past the checkpoints. Residents are grateful for the overwhelming support from neighboring communities and appreciate those eager to help. Food is being provided to residents and first responders East of the Fareway tonight.

A food and water drop off location has been set up at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Facility located east of Greenfield. The address is 2313 Highway 92. Tomorrow [Wednesday], we will release more details regarding cleanup and volunteer efforts.

If there are family members or friends unable to reach their loved ones that might have been impacted by the storm in Greenfield, we encourage you to call the Iowa Department of Public Safety Storm Lake Communication Center at 712.732.1341.

The community of Greenfield has shown incredible unity during this challenging time, with neighbors and friends displaying remarkable compassion, empathy, and support. This town has a long road ahead of them, but if their actions today are any indication of what lies ahead, they will emerge stronger and more united than ever before. Thank you.”

State Golf Final results from Tuesday May 21st

Sports

May 21st, 2024 by admin

IOWA CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT AT VEENKER MEMORIAL GOLF COURSE, AMES (Canceled due to weather)

17. Hudson McLaren, Atlantic, 79

 

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT AT AME GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (canceled due to the weather)

INDIVIDUAL

1. Keith Thompson, Hamburg, 69

2. Chase Jahde, CAM, 70

Tie 25. Hayden Thompson, Sidney, 82

Tie 55. Michael Hensley, Sidney, 96

Tie 57. Carter Jorgenson, Sidney, 99

60. Will Bryant, Sidney, 102

Tie 61. Grant Whitehead, Sidney, 103

Tie 61. Kolt Payne, Sidney, 103

TEAM 

9. Sidney, 379

 

IOWA CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT AT GOLDWATER GOLF LINKS, AMES (canceled due to the weather)

INDIVIDUAL

Tie 8. Ethan Konz, Treynor, 74

11. Maverick Schwabe, Kuemper Catholic, 75

Tie 22. Jace Tams, Treynor, 79

Tie 22. Carter Putney, Kuemper Catholic, 79

Tie 26. Brock Poland, Treynor, 80

Tie 30. Braxton Vonnahme, Kuemper Catholic, 81

Tie 30. Kayden Schon, Kuemper Catholic, 81

Tie 35. Jade Spangler, Shenandoah,  82

Tie 41. Jack Lenz, Kuemper Catholic, 84

Tie 55. Bradley Stock, Treynor, 90

61. Alex Mass, Treynor, 93

Tie 64. Aaron Ehmke, Treynor, 97

T64. Luke Mathews, Treynor (97)

TEAM 

5. Kuemper Catholic, 316

8. Treynor, 323

 

5 Hawkeyes Earn Big Ten Honors

Sports

May 21st, 2024 by admin

OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Iowa baseball team had five student-athletes earn Big Ten recognition it was announced Tuesday by the league office.
Junior Brody Brecht and redshirt junior Raider Tello earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. Senior Andy Nelson was a third-team selection, and redshirt freshman Reese Moore earned third-team honors and was named to the All-Freshman team. Senior Michael Seegers was Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship recipient.
Iowa’s four All-Big Ten selections give head coach Rick Heller 40 selections in his 11 seasons in Iowa City. Heller has coached at least one first-team All-Big Ten selection in nine of his 10 seasons when awards were handed out (there were no honors in 2020).
Brecht earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after going 4-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 14 regular season starts. The right-hander posted five quality starts and fanned 118 batters over 71 innings. The Ankeny, Iowa native ranks fifth in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings (14.96) and sixth in total strikeouts.
Brecht is the sixth starting pitcher to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors under Heller, winning the honor in back-to-back years.
Tello earned first-team honors after hitting .370 with 60 RBIs, 51 runs scored and having 30 extra base hits (19 doubles, seven home runs and four triples) during the regular season. Petersen swiped six bases on seven attempts. The El Monte, California, native hit .362 in conference play with nine doubles, two home runs, two triples, and 24 RBIs.

Tello is the sixth Hawkeye infielder to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors under Heller.
Nelson earned third-team honors after hitting .340 with 44 RBIs, 15 doubles, and five home runs. The Winfield, Illinois native hit .342 with 21 RBIs, four doubles and four home runs in conference play.
Moore earned third-team honors and All-Freshman honors after hitting .293 with 7 doubles and 32 RBIs. The Van Meter, Iowa, native had 11 RBIs in Big Ten play with two home runs.
Moore is the third Hawkeye to make the All-Freshman team under Heller.
Seegers was selected as Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. The distinction is presented to student-athletes who display sportsmanship and ethical behavior, are in good academic standing, and demonstrate good citizenship outside of athletics.
The Hawkeyes open Big Ten Tournament play tomorrow, facing fifth-seeded Michigan at 2 p.m. (CT) at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. The game will be televised on BTN.

Alliant Energy officials report natural gas is shut-off to Greenfield until it’s safe to restore it

News

May 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Officials with Alliant Energy tell KJAN News, “Due to the extensive tornado damage to homes in Greenfield, Alliant Energy safely shut off the gas to the town at 5:35 p.m. today. Gas will remain off until the system is deemed safe and assessments are complete.”

Alliant says when it is safe to do so, their crews “will work door-to door to relight all customers.”

Alliant Energy serves approximately 1,054 customers in town. As always, customers can check the Outage Center for the latest restoration estimates for their area.  

Greenfield hit by a large tornado: Authorities ask for equipment & personnel to help

News

May 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County City of Greenfield was struck by a large tornado this (Tuesday) afternoon, causing massive damage, an unknown number of injuries, and an unconfirmed report of some fatalities.
Adair County Sheriff Jeff  Vandewater posted on social media, “Anyone wanting to volunteer equipment or manpower, please just post your contact info and what you have to offer to this post. Please don’t call dispatch, they are pretty busy right now.
“If you do not want your number out in the public space, please just direct message the Sheriff’s Office page. Thank you to all who are offering their help.” – Sheriff Jeff Vandewater.
Several businesses and individuals have offered their heavy and small equipment, as well as labor, to assist in the recovery efforts.  Zipp’s Pizza from Adair was set-up at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield to hand-out free pizza slices to residents and emergency workers. Adair County Cattlemen set-up shop at the Greenfield Fareway Store to hand-out free burgers for those impacted by the storm.
Authorities were asking anyone who was not a resident, family member or business owner, to please stay away while the
emergency responders were searching for victims and working to open the streets.

Trial of man charged with murdering Algona policeman moved to another county

News

May 21st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The man accused of killing an Algona Policeman last fall will stand trial in Dickinson County, after a judge granted his request for a change of venue. Attorneys for Kyle Lou Ricke filed a motion to move the trial out of Kossuth County in late April, saying pretrial publicity would make it impossible to find an impartial jury. Prosecutors did not dispute the request and simply asked that if the trial were moved, it be held in a county with similar demographics and not be too far, as to make travel difficult for witnesses and family members.

On Tuesday, Judge Nancy Whittenburg filed the order sending the trial to Dickinson County. In her ruling, Whittenburg said a review of Census Bureau statistics shows Dickinson County has similar demographics to Kossuth County, is not contiguous to Kossuth County, and is at a reasonable travel distance from Kossuth County.

Ricke is charged with first degree murder for the shooting death of Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram in September of 2023. His trial is currently scheduled to begin on June 25th.