Home News Saturday News, December 30th

Saturday News, December 30th

Cold Weather Cancels Church Services

(Le Mars) — The extreme cold temperatures have already prompted some area churches to cancel Sunday morning services. Christ Lutheran Church in Rural Le Mars and St Peter Lutheran in Brunsville have cancelled Sunday morning church
service.

St John’s Lutheran Church in Craig and rural Akron has also cancelled Sunday morning church service. Stay tune to KLEM radio for additional weather related cancellations, and be sure to look at our website at www.klem1410.com for
updated weather cancellations.

 

 

Cold Temperatures May Present Problems For Motorists

(Le Mars) — Two and a half inches of snow combined with the extreme winter arctic cold temperatures expected for this weekend could create some travel concerns for Iowa motorists. The Iowa State Patrol is suggesting, if you must travel, be sure to have your car, and yourself adequately prepared for the cold
temperatures.

Trooper John Farley says to also make certain you have a charged cell phone.

Farley says if by chance you do become stranded during the extreme cold temperatures, know your location, and remain in your vehicle.

Farley says an incident happened in South Dakota this week where an elderly woman died of exposure when she left her vehicle and was found frozen to death a few feet away from her car.

Since this weekend begins the New Year Holiday, Farley says the Iowa State Patrol will have additional patrol units on the highways watching for intoxicated drivers.

Farley says if you plan to party on New Year’s Eve, make certain you have a designated driver.

 

 

Cold Temperatures May Set New Records 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Arctic air dipping deeper south than usual will put a prolonged chill on New Year’s celebrations in Iowa and Nebraska as temperatures sink below zero Friday night and remain there for three days.
The National Weather Service is warning of hazardous cold as
temperatures dip to near records not seen in 130 years.
The New Year’s Day forecast high of minus 5 in Des Moines is just a degree above the city’s coldest high temperature for the day set in 1885. The expected minus 16 low Monday night is just two degrees higher than the day’s record set in 1887.
A similar story is unfolding in Omaha with a New Year’s high of minus 1 and a low of minus 12.
Both cities should reach the teens by Tuesday.

 

 

Iowa DNR Cancels First Day Hikes At State Parks

(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has decided it’s going to be too cold and has canceled the First Day Hikes scheduled at 27 state parks on New Year’s Day.

The State Parks Bureau Chief Todd Coffelt says they are disappointed to cancel the event, but with the forecast for bitter cold they don’t want to risk the safety of anyone who might come out.

First Day Hikes are part of a national initiative to encourage people to spend time outdoors. More than 1,200 people participated in hikes across the state on New Year’s Day last year. Coffelt says they will plan on hosting hikes again
next year.

He says anyone can visit state parks during the winter and enjoy the beautiful scenery that’s unique to this time of year.

 

 

State Agency To Release Report

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa agency will release a report early next year designed to start measuring the impact of a new state-funded family planning program that excludes abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.
The Iowa Department of Human Services plans to release program data on Jan. 8.
The report will include information on patient enrollment and program utilization, as well as details about health care providers and payments for services and pharmacy.
The data will cover the first quarter of the budget year that began in July and will include information about a period before the new program was implemented.
The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature agreed last spring to give up millions in federal dollars to launch a $3 million state-funded family planning program that excludes abortion providing organizations, although no state or federal dollars go to abortions in Iowa.