Iowa Gets Hit With First Snow Storm
(Des Moines) — As you might imagine, travel is not being recommended this morning after Iowa’s first snow storm. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Road Condition website, as of 6:00 a.m. all major roads in Iowa are 100 percent snow and or ice covered. On Interstate 29 between Sioux City and Council Bluffs, the Iowa Highway Patrol is reporting a total of 20 reports of vehicles either in the ditch or having accidents due to the snow. Towing services are prohibited. Here in Plymouth County,since 11:00 p.m. last evening, the sheriff’s department reports of only one incident where a vehicle was reported in the ditch.
Highway 60, Highway 75, Highway 59, and Highway 20, Highway 18, and State Highways 3, 9 and 12 are all snow and ice packed. Road crews are out trying to get the roads cleared. Iowa Highway Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz says road conditions in northwest Iowa can change rather quickly.
Listen to
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The Iowa Highway Patrol reminds motorists to carry a winter weather survival kit while traveling. Trooper Kurtz has this suggestion as to what we should have in our vehicles, in case we are ever stranded due to a winter storm.
Listen to
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Kurtz also suggests other items that should be in our vehicles.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/December 2012/Kurtz winter kit2.mp3{/audio}
Air Travel Interrupted Due To Snow Storm
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Dozens of flights have been canceled at several of Iowa’s major airports as a large snow storm hits the state.
Officials at Des Moines International Airport posted dozens of cancellations online for arriving and departing flights as the storm picked up intensity Wednesday night. The airport recommends
that travelers contact their airliner for information on delays and cancellations.
The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids posted canceled flights from airplanes that were expected to arrive from cities like Chicago and Detroit. All flights scheduled to depart in the morning
from the airport have been canceled.
Dubuque Regional Airport listed a handful of canceled flights to its main destination point in Chicago.
Up to a foot of snow is expected in parts of Iowa as the storm continues into western Illinois.
Sioux County Authorities Investigating Incident Involving Dead Hogs
(Orange City) — The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of criminal mischief that occurred at a hog confinement on Elmwood Avenue, five miles south of Rock Valley, IA. This crime occurred between Tuesday, December 18, at 3:00 p.m. and Wednesday, December 19, at 1:00 p.m. The perpetrator(s) entered the building and caused the death of approximately 475 pigs by tampering with the climate control system. Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
Fort Dodge Authorities Investigate Shooting
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Police in Fort Dodge say they are investigating an attempted murder after a 32-year-old man was shot in the stomach.
Police Chief Tim Carmody said officers were sent to Trinity Regional Medical Center on Wednesday morning to investigate after a man showed up needing treatment for a gunshot wound.
Officers say Kyle Myers had been shot in the abdomen, received treatment and is listed in stable condition.
Carmody says the investigation led police to a local residence. He says detectives are in the early stages of the investigation and continue to process evidence, interview witnesses and follow up on
leads.
Casey’s CEO Stays Through April 2015
ANKENY, Iowa (AP) – Convenience store chain Casey’s General Store has extended its contract with Chief Executive Officer Robert Myers through April 2015.
The Ankeny-based company says Myers’ current contract signed in 2010 was set to expire in April.
Myers, who is 65, will remain employed under the terms of the previous agreement. The new contract announced Wednesday also provides a $330,000 per year retirement benefit payable to Myers
for 10 years upon retirement.
Myers earns salary of about $800,000 and benefits from a variety of stock awards and other compensation.
Myers has been associated with the company since 1989 and became CEO in June 2006.
The company operates 1,700 convenience stores in 12 Midwestern states.
UNI Offers On-Line Classes For Environmental Health
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – The University of Northern Iowa is offering a new certificate program in environmental health that can be completed online.
University officials say the courses focus on issues like water and air quality, solid waste problems and public health concerns.
Campus attendance is not mandatory since coursework material is available online. Fifteen hours of credit is required, and may be applied toward either a student’s undergraduate or graduate degree.
The online program will be available in the summer.
