GREENFIELD, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials have released the names of the five victims killed by the powerful tornado that struck Greenfield on May 21. Monica Irma Zamarron, 49, of Shennandoh, was ejected from her vehicle on Highway 148, near Corning, in Adams County. Dean and Pamela Wiggins, both in their 70′s, died when their home was struck by the tornado. Michael Jensen, 73, died at his home on SE Jackson Street. William Williamson, 70, was taken from his home to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Cleanup efforts are still underway as survivors work to rebuild their community. Officials say the tornado was an EF-4. It destroyed much of Greenfield during on its mile-long path. At least a dozen were injured.
MUSCATINE Co., Iowa (KWQC/KCRG) – One person was killed and two others were injured in a crash Sunday night in Muscatine County. The Iowa State Patrol said the crash happened just after 6 p.m. at 120th Street and Taylor Avenue. According to a crash report, a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee was eastbound on 120th Street, failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a 2017 Chevy Equinox that was southbound on Taylor Avenue. The crash caused the Equinox to roll, according to the report. Troopers have not released the names of the person killed nor the two people who were injured. The crash remains under investigation.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The National Weather Service says there were at least 18 tornadoes that developed during the derecho last Friday morning. The derecho tracked from central Nebraska, across Iowa and through northwest Illinois from late Thursday night through Friday morning. At least 11 of the tornados that developed during the system hit eastern Iowa, including an EF-0 tornado in Solon, and EF-1 tornadoes in the Wellman and Frytown area, and near Riverside and West Branch. The storms caused minor damage to homes and other buildings, as well as knocked down trees and blocked some roads. They also caused hundreds to lose power temporarily. No one was seriously hurt.
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (KCRG) – A 101-year-old Mount Vernon man who gained a following on social media by telling jokes during the pandemic died over Memorial Day weekend, his daughter confirmed. Fred Lehman posted joked to Facebook every day for several years to spread joy. It started as a way to make people smile when they were isolated in their homes because of the pandemic. Lehman was known for his sense of humor. He was considered a community icon in Mount Vernon. When he turned 100-years-old, a special birthday celebration was held, in which the town’s mayor declared it to be “Fred Lehman Day” in Mount Vernon. He served as a Marine in 1945 and was a member of the Mount Vernon American Legion for 75 years, and the Lions Club for 70 years.