Local Mechanic Offers Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Running During The Frigid Cold Weather
(Le Mars) — The predicted cold temperatures may mean trouble for your vehicle if proper preparations have not been taken. Brian Hessenius with Quality Lube of Le Mars says you should have your battery and anti-freeze checked during this cold spell.
Hessenius says once you are able to start your vehicle, it is a good idea to allow it to run for a few minutes.
The auto mechanic suggests you use a fuel additive, such as HEET, even if you use ethanol-blended gasoline.
Hessenius suggests during these cold days that you maintain a full tank of gas.
Hessenius says engine heating blocks are popular, and some of the new vehicles have heating blocks already equipped on the engine.
The Quality Lube official suggest people have a survivor’s kit inside their vehicle just in case they do become stranded. He says that survivor’s kit should include blankets, a pair of overalls, extra gloves or mittens, socks, and hats.
Keep Water Flowing To Avoid Frozen Pipes
(Le Mars) — Another problem associated with these extreme frigid below zero temperatures are having water pipes freeze, and furnaces quit. Derek Langel of Langel’s Plumbing and Heating and Air Conditioning says his crews have responded to several reports of frozen water pipes.
Langel offers some suggestions as to what residents can do to help prevent water pipes from freezing.
Langel also has some tips to keeping your furnace in good operating condition.
Langel says you may also want to check your furnace filter to make certain it is clean and working properly.
Council Bluffs City Council Approves Sports Complex
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – The Council Bluffs City Council has approved a resolution adopting the plan for an indoor turf facility for soccer and other sports.
The Daily Nonpareil reports that the council unanimously approved the Iowa West Sports Plex plan on Monday. The facility will be built just northwest of the Mid-America Center.
The Iowa West Foundation and other grant sources will provide funding for the $7 million project . The facility will be operated and managed by the Council Bluffs Soccer Club.
The fields will be used for a variety of sports, including youth
baseball, softball, soccer and flag football.
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Murder Suspect Pleas Not Guilty To Fatal Stabbing
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A man has pleaded not guilty to killing an Iowa high school student in 1979.
Records say 65-year-old Jerry Burns filed a written plea Friday in Linn County District Court. The charge: first-degree murder. His trial starting date has not been set. He remains in custody, pending $5 million bail.
Police arrested the Manchester business owner on Dec. 19 , 39 years to the day after 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was killed. Her body was found the next day inside her family’s car at a Cedar Rapids mall. She had been stabbed in the face and chest.
Police say investigators matched a blood sample from the crime scene with a sample taken from Burns.
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Northeast Iowa Snowmobile Accident Claims Life
LIME SPRINGS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 28-year-old man died after a snowmobiling accident in northeast Iowa.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office says the accident occurred about 1:40 a.m. Friday on a trail that runs on a side of a road about 2 miles (3 kilometers) northwest of Lime Springs. The office says in a news release that Ross Wilson was riding alone when his machine rolled over him. He was found later by other snowmobile riders.
Deputies say he was pronounced dead at the scene. He lived in Cresco.
The accident is being investigated.
Southeast Iowa Woman Sentenced To Prison For Starving Child
KEOSAUQUA, Iowa (AP) – A southeast Iowa woman has been given 10 years in prison for letting her 2-month-old son starve to death.
Van Buren County District Court records say 25-year-old Angel Poole, of Birmingham, was sentenced Friday. She’d pleaded guilty to child endangerment resulting in serious injury. Prosecutors had lowered the charge in exchange.
Authorities say medics were sent to Poole’s Birmingham apartment on July 7, 2016, after she called 911 to report her son, Judah Wessels, was having trouble breathing. The baby was pronounced dead at a hospital about an hour later.
Authorities say he weighed a little over 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) at death. An autopsy showed he died of starvation and dehydration.
