WINTRY WEATHER SHOULD MISS IOWA FOR BUSY THANKSGIVING TRAVEL WEEK
Forecasters say it should be a relatively quiet weather week for Iowans, which is good news as it’s also one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
Meteorologist Dennis Todey (TODD-ee), director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub says there are no major storm fronts brewing, but they’re staying vigilant.
Since many tens of thousands of Iowans will be on the road to see loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday, travelers should pay close attention to local forecasts, wherever they may end up.
The longer-range forecasts are trending toward mild temperatures and less rain or snow.
Todey says the development of the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean is confirmed and it likely will have an impact later in the winter.
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SERGEANT BLUFF TO CONSIDER CHANGING CITY ORDINANCE CONCERNING PIT BULLS
SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) – Officials of Sergeant Buff Iowa are considering changing an ordinance on vicious animals to allow pit bulls within city limits.
Sergeant Bluff’s city code currently prohibits residents from housing pit bulls in the city. The breed is banned in many cities because it’s believed to be predisposed to vicious behavior.
Mayor Jon Winkel says he’d support the change if there are proper steps in place to keep residents safe.
The City Council is also considering requiring all dogs to undergo registration and microchipping.
The potential ordinance changes will be reviewed by staff and committee members over the next few weeks.
The changes are expected to be discussed again at the council’s next meeting on Nov. 28.
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PLANS FOR PRIVATE MULTI-SPORTS COMPLEX ANNOUNCED
Plans to construct a new eight million dollar multi-sport facility in Sioux City’s former stockyards area have been announced.
Renae Billings of the city’s Economic Development Department says the complex will be constructed by HCC Enterprises just north of the planned Bomgaars Expo Center along South Lafayette Street:
They plan to have youth training programs for basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, softball, multi-sport leagues and tournaments, coaching clinics and more.
Carlson’s group will present their plan to the Sioux City council today:
The city of Sioux City is providing the land and tax rebates to HCC in exchange for their investment.
Construction of The Arena is planned to begin in September, 2018 and be completed in the summer of 2019.
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IOWA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE LOWEST SINCE 2001
Iowa’s unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in nearly 17 years.
Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday the unemployment rate for October fell to 3 percent, down from the September rate of 3.2 percent.
The unemployment rate is the lowest since January 2001.
The rate drop reflected a decline in the number of unemployed Iowans to about 51,000 in October.
The number of working residents rose to 1.635 million.
The national employment rate in October was 4.1 percent.
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