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Recyclers News Press
Friends mourn death of
Zearing councilman
By Melissa Erickson, Staff Writer Ames Tribune
September 20, 2013
Friends and colleagues are
mourning the death this week of Zearing City Coun-
cilman Scott Frank. Frank, who served on the Zear-
ing City Council for eight years, died Tuesday at his
home of an apparent suicide, Story County Sheriff
Paul Fitzgerald said. The investigation into Frank’s
death is continuing, Fitzgerald said.
Fellow city councilman Rick Good referred to Frank
as an “all-around nice guy.” Both Good and Frank
were up for re-election this year. Good said Frank
had expressed his intentions to run for re-election.
Frank served on the Zearing Days committee, and
was “very instrumental” in organizing the town’s an-
nual summer festival, according to Marchele Soe,
Zearing city hall clerk.
“He seemed like a very caring and kind person
whenever I’ve interacted with him,” Soe said.
Soe said Frank, a long-time Zearing resident, was
also in the process of rehabbing some local build-
ings.
Denison resident Rich Knowles, who has been a
personal friend of Frank for more than 25 years,
knew Frank largely through his automotive work,
and his role as manager of Sam’s Riverside Auto
Salvage in Des Moines, which sells rebuildable used
vehicles, used parts, tires, and wheels. He also was
a Volkswagen enthusiast, Knowles said.
“It is my understanding that Scott worked hard to
promote his small Story County community of Zear-
ing,” Knowles said. “He was also active in several
automotive organizations, and was an active sup-
porter and participant of the “Good Guys” Hot Rod
event held every July in Des Moines.”
“Scott was the best mechanic I have ever known,”
Knowles said. “His positive attitude and willingness
to go the extra mile to help his customer-friends will
be greatly missed.”
READ THE STORY
Newton man killed in
salvage yard accident
October 4, 2013—Newton, Iowa as reported in the
Des Moines Register—A Newton man died Thurs-
day after a piece of equipment fell on him at a sal-
vage yard.
Thaddeus W. Hummel, 42, was contacted to work
on a hydraulic boom truck at Car County Auto Sal-
vage near Newton. He was working on the boom, a
large mechanical arm, when the boom fell on him,
according to a news release from the Jasper County
Sheriff’s Office.
Employees at the salvage yard removed Hummel
from underneath the boom while a customer called
911. Hummel was taken to Skiff Medical Center in
Newton where he died from his injuries. The Sher-
iff’s Office is investigating the incident.
READ THE STORY
Tragedy Strikes Salvage Yard
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