(Rural Lyon County, Iowa) – One person died in a single-vehicle crash northwest of Inwood,  Friday night. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 21-year-old Jenner Nicholas Johnson, of Inwood, died when the 2013 Chrysler 200 he was driving missed a curve at 180th Street and Ashley Avenue, as the vehicle was traveling westbound on 180th. The car went off the road and into the north ditch before hitting a tree. The crash happened at around 8:30-p.m.

Johnson, who was wearing his seat belt, died at the scene. His body was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Sioux Falls, SD.

The Patrol was assisted by Larchwood EMS.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Public Hearing is set to take place Monday, with regard to adoption of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan for Montgomery County. The hearing will be held as part of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s meeting that begins at 8:30-a.m.  The hearing itself starts at 8:45-a.m.

In the Spring of 2023, the Southwest Iowa Planning Council began working on Comprehensive Plan updates for Montgomery County as well as the cities of Red Oak and Villisca. The plans cover various topics including land use, housing, recreation, and transportation and act as a guide to enhance decision-making for each of the jurisdictions.

In November of this year, the Montgomery County Planning and Zoning Commission held a public meeting to review and take action on an updated Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan. Following the Public Hearing, Monday (12/30), the Supervisors will act on approving the plan as presented.

In other business, the Board will receive the Oath of Office for Elected Officials as determined by the results of the General Election, and act on approving a retail liquor license for Cubby’s, Inc.  They will also receive Compensation Board recommendations for elected officials for FY2026, with action as necessary, and pay recognition to Supervisor Donna Robinson for her dedicated service to her constituents in District 5, and who elected not to run for re-election for a fifth term in 2024.

The Board’s next regular meeting is Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, beginning at 8:30-a.m., following a scheduled Organizational meeting.

OTTUMWA, Iowa – Skeletal remains found on the banks of the Des Moines River near Keosauqua in 2022 have been identified as a missing Iowa man. KCCI-TV reports investigators say the remains belong to Timothy Fortney, of Ottumwa, who was 22 years old when his mother first reported him missing in 2019. At that point, he hadn’t been seen for more than a year. He was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System in 2021.

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office recovered a human femur bone from the riverbank of the Des Moines River outside of Keosauqua in February 2022. Authorities partnered with a team from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and private lab Othram Inc., which matched DNA from the bone to that taken from samples of Fortney’s family members.

Timothy Fortney

This year Southeast Missouri State and Othram also helped identify remains found by a Missouri hunter in 1978 as 15-year-old Helen Renee Groomes, who went missing from Ottumwa in 1977.

It’s unclear what led to Fortney’s death. The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information about Fortney’s death is encouraged to contact the Ottumwa Police Department Investigations Unit at (641) 683-0661.

AMES, Iowa –The Ames Police Department is investigating nine car burglaries that began occurring the morning of December 25th. According to a post on the Ames Police Department Facebook, since the morning of December 25th nine car burglaries and two stolen vehicles have been reported.

Police say one of the stolen vehicles was recovered in the 900 block of Maxwell Avenue. Suspects broke out the windows in several of the vehicles and authorities say a handgun was stolen from one of the vehicles Authorities says a majority of the burglaries occurred between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

To help protect yourself police recommend securing your vehicles, removing any items of value, and parking in busy and well-lit areas. The Ames Police Department encourages people to report strange activity or thefts at 515-239-5133.

Map of the theft/burglaries in Ames. (Ames PD Facebook page)

(Brooklyn, Iowa) – A multi-vehicle crash Friday evening in Poweshiek County resulted in the death of one person, and injuries to at least four others. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened on  Interstate 80 southwest of Brooklyn, at around 5:20-p.m. The accident resulted in both the east & westbound lanes of the interstate being closed for more than three-hours.

The Patrol says a 2004 Ford Econoline van was traveling east on I-80 near mile marker 193, when it was rear-ended by a 2019 Volvo truck. The impact caused the van to go out of control and cross through the median into oncoming traffic, before colliding with a westbound 2019 Volvo truck.

The person who died was from Chicago, IL. Their name was being withheld by the ISP pending notification of family. Those injured in the crash were identified as:

34-year-old Edblin Sanchez-Cruz, 39-year-old Josis Sanchez-Cruz, and 22-year-old Jerson Almendares (the driver of the van), all from Green Bay, WI., and the driver of the semi that rear-ended the van, 43-year-old Jeremy Armstrong, of Abingdon, IL.  The name of the 29-year-old westbound semi driver (From Chicago) was not released.

The injured were transported by Brooklyn Ambulance to the Grinnell Regional Hospital. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office and Brooklyn  Fire and Rescue.

(Greenfield, Iowa) Firefighters from Greenfield Fire responded to a massive blaze Friday afternoon on the south side of the G&H Motor Freight truck leasing company on the north side of town Friday afternoon. The fire – which began in the storage and workshop area – was reported at around 4-p.m. Employees reportedly heard a large explosion and quickly evacuated.

According to Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Jeremy Cooper, the fire apparently began in the southeast corner of the structure, near two trucks that had recently parked in that area, but it wasn’t immediately known if one of those vehicles was the source of blaze, which remains remains under investigation. The intensity of the flames resulted in the roof of the building collapsing.

Greenfield Fire officials said on social media, six area fire departments aided at the scene, including:

• The Stuart Fire Department and their ladder truck
• Fontanelle Fire & Rescue
• Orient Volunteer Fire Department
• Adair Fire & Rescue

Aerial view of the G&H trucking company fire, from the Stuart Fire Department’s ladder truck, from their Facebook page.

Additional assistance was provided by:

• The Adair County Sheriff’s Office
• Greenfield Police
• Adair County Health System (1-17)
• Adair & Guthrie County EMA
• Greenfield Municipal Utilities
• and Kyle Carstens, who brought-in an excavator,
• and Jeff Clayton who used an end loader to help gain access to the structure.

Many other agencies helped as well. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Greenfield Fire officials said “Although the building is a complete loss, we appreciate all the support from the community and surrounding communities tonight! Let’s hope 2025 starts off on the right foot.”

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Multiple area fire departments are assisted the Greenfield Fire Department in fighting a structure fire at G&H Motor Freight Lines at 116 NW North Townline Road, on the north side of Greenfield. Stuart Fire was requested at around 3:55-p.m.  They brought a ladder truck and tanker to the scene.

Crews from Fontanelle and Orient were also reportedly on the scene.

Pictures posted to the Adair County Free Press Facebook page show thick black smoke and bright orange flames coming from the structure.

Additional information is currently not available.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) have announced the addition of Dr. Kimberly Turman and Dr. Shane Schutt from MD West ONE to the MCMH Orthopedic Center. Starting January 6, 2025, Dr. Turman & Dr. Schutt will offer advanced orthopedic care for Montgomery County and beyond.

The collaboration with MD West ONE, one of the Midwest’s leading orthopedic practices, ensures that patients in our community have access to exceptional care close to home. Located in the MCMH Specialty Outpatient Clinic, the Orthopedic Center provides a full spectrum of services, from routine consultations and rehabilitation to complex surgeries. With the addition of Dr. Kimberly Turman and Dr. Shane Schutt from MD West ONE, patients gain access to advanced orthopedic expertise while continuing to see the familiar and trusted surgical nursing and outpatient clinic staff they know. Together, our dedicated team ensures seamless coordination and personalized care throughout every step of your treatment journey.

• Dr. Kim Turman specializes in knee, shoulder, and hip arthroscopy and particularly enjoys ACL and multi-ligament reconstructions of the knee and labral repairs of the hip and shoulder. She is a team physician for Creighton University, the College World Series, Ultimate Baseball Academy and Skutt Catholic High School.
• Dr. Shane Schutt specializes in foot and ankle surgery. He also performs complex surgical trauma cases for fractures of the hip and knee along with fractures around prosthetic joints.

“Partnering with these Orthopedic Specialists allows us to bring advanced orthopedic care close to home for our patients, including sports medicine,” said Anne Smiley, Specialty Outpatient Clinics Manager. “We are honored to bring this expert level of care to our community.”

Dr. Kimberly Turman and Dr. Shane Schutt of MD West ONE will begin seeing patients at MCMH + Clinics on January 6^th 2025. MCMH + Clinics looks forward to continuing to offer comprehensive orthopedic services and care. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit www.mcmh.org, follow us on social media, or call (712) 623-7270.

(Radio Iowa) – While the holidays are a time for family and friends, many Iowans can find themselves feeling secluded and lonely. New studies are finding links between people who are lonely and obese who may be at risk for larger problems with their physical and mental health. Jennifer Linse, an advanced practice social worker at Gundersen Health System, says cases of loneliness often escalate in Iowa during the wintertime as more of us become socially isolated by the cold weather.

Even when we’re surrounded by other people, Linse says it’s easy to be overcome by loneliness, as we crave that contact.

People who are overweight may face discrimination which can leave them with an emotional scar, something Linse says can be difficult to overcome.

We don’t often hear health care professionals recommend Facebook as a solution to anything, but in this case, Linse says it might provide some benefit.

Instead of reading a book at home, for example, she suggests taking the book to a library or coffee shop where you might interact with others. Linse is an employee assistance program consultant at Gundersen Health System, which has clinics in Fayette, Decorah, Waukon, Lansing, Postville and Calmar, and a hospital in West Union.

(Radio Iowa) – A national study by A-A-R-P finds about three quarters of people 50 or older want to stay in their own homes as they get older. A-A-R-P vice president Rodney Harrell says whether you live in Iowa or somewhere else, your chances for living at home increase if you plan ahead.

Harrell says take a look at some scenarios and how your home fits into them as you get older.

Harrell says getting together and making your dad’s home easier to get around in is better to do now instead of after an accident.

You might discuss if a home with a lot of stairs is a challenge your family members want to face as they get older, or do they want to make a change. He says these conversation can be a lot easier before you’re forced to take action.

He says if your family members like their neighborhood and the amenities it offers, you can talk about ways to modify the home to adjust for them as they get older.