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By: Shereen MohammadSmohammad@kcautv.comIt was a scary situation for one Sioux City couple after the front of their home was fully engulfed in flames. The fire broke at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. FirefightersMore>> A fire fully engulfed the front of a home in Morningside early morning Tuesday.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness NewsNews@kcautv.com At least 20 of the 51 people killed by a devastating monster tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., were children, the Oklahoma Chief Medical ExaminerMore>> At least 20 of the 51 people killed by a devastating monster tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., were childrenMore>> By Staci DaSilva sdasilva@kcautv.com This year was supposed to be easy for Lake City's Mackenzie Gorden. She entered the school year just 6 credits short of graduating and was already voted captainMore>> Mackenzie lost the use of her legs after a car accident in June of last year.More>> By: Scott Larson slarson@kcautv.com For over 150 years, the Sioux City Police Department has been serving and protecting Sioux City. And now, that history is on display for all to appreciate. OverMore>> Sioux City Police Museum features vintage technology, badges, uniforms, and moreMore>> ![(Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)]( "(Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)")
(Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com MOORE, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office says a growing death toll from a massive tornado that struck outside Oklahoma City on Monday afternoonMore>> Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says ``hearts are broken'' for parents wondering about the fate of their children after a tornado devastated suburban Oklahoma City and officials say the search and rescue effort will continue throughout the night.More>> By: ABC News news@kcautv.com A mammoth tornado carved a trail of destruction through the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, killing at least 37 people and ripping apart two elementary schools today, localMore>> Medical examiner says 51 dead, more casualties expectedMore>> By: Scott Larson slarson@kcautv.com Sioux City's famous "French Fries" sculpture is returning in a new spot downtown. The fries went into storage over five years ago and ony Monday, they were movedMore>> They're back! The "Sioux City" sculpture, more commonly referred to as "French Fries," has been moved to a new spot downtown.More>> By: Diana Johnsen djohnsen@kcuatv.com It's a sigh of relief for 32 workers at Simonsen Iron Works in Spencer. Over a week ago, employees were told the plant was closing. "After I got home, thinkingMore>> Thurston Manufacturing Company buys Simonsen Iron Works and saves over 30 jobs. More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) Gov. Terry Branstad says he is prepared to work on a compromise plan for how Iowa delivers health care to low-income residents. Branstad has opposed expanding theMore>> Gov. Terry Branstad says he is prepared to work on a compromise plan for how Iowa delivers health care to low-income residents.More>> Shelter at Cook Park now the Leslie B. Triplett Center
By: Sam Doerr sdoerr@kcautv.com A former Sioux City construction worker is receiving a major honor from the city. Leslie B. Triplett was a staple in the community until he passed away in 2010. TodayMore>> A former Sioux City construction worker is receiving a major honor from the city.More>>
By: Shereen Mohammad
Smohammad@kcautv.com
70-year old Gaylen Knaack is the owner and pilot of the small plane that crashed just after eight p.m. off of highway 31 in Correctionville, Iowa.
While he suffered extreme smoke inhalation and was badly burned in the crash, he is alive.
The two-others flying with him, 55-year old Jim Smith and 53-year old Lee Schroeder, did not make it.
Jim Smith of Correctionville and Lee Schroeder of Anthon will both be remembered as great men who were always there to help those in need, said one friend and co-worker, Mike Smith.
"Both men will be greatly missed by folks in this community and their communities also," he said.
Mike Smith knew both men through a project they were all working on together. That project was to build a new Correctionville grocery story to replace the one that was destroyed by a fire a few years back.
Jim smith was a trucker who hauled equipment for the store and Lee Schroeder was an electrician who recently joined the team.
Knaack, a very close friend to Mike Smith, was also on the committee to help build the store. Together, the four-men worked day and night spending quite a bit of their time together.
"In 30-days it's hard to know somebody but you do, because you talk to them all day long while you are working and you get to know somebody fairly well." said Smith.
Saturday night's flight was a work-related flight. Gaylen and Lee were picking up Jim from Grand Island, Nebraska where he had just dropped off a truck. Mike believes that the patches of dense fog Siouxland saw that night was the cause of the crash.
Gaylen has been hospitalized for smoke inhalation and severe 2nd to 3rd degree burns on nearly half his body. And as for the grocery store, Mike Smith said they hope to finish the project in a little over a month.
"We just have to keep going from here, I don't believe that either one of the three would want us to quit for any reason," said Smith.
Gaylen was transferred from Mercy Medical Center to Saint Elizabeth Burn Center in Lincoln, Neb. where he is currently being treated for his burns.
