Storm Expected To Bring Heavy Snow Across State
(Undated) — Many cities already announced Monday that their snow ordinances were going into effect as a major winter storm is forecast to move through Iowa today (Tuesday). The storm is expected to bring heavy snow and possibly some freezing rain as well. Most of the state is expected to see at least three-to-four inches of snow, but even more could fall in parts of central
and eastern Iowa. National Weather Service forecaster Roger Vahalek says east of Des Moines over toward the eastern counties of Iowa it looks like they may see in excess of six to nine inches or more. Light snow will start in Western Iowa early this (Tuesday) morning. He says the snow will be heavy and wet enough to possibly bring down tree limbs and power lines where the largest amounts fall.
Mid-Sioux Opportunity Meets The Increase Demand For Assistance Services
(Le Mars) — We can all agree that the year 2020 was an unusual year,and during this time of year when our thoughts turn to giving of ourselves, and of our resources, to those people and organizations that are less fortunate. We have heard stories where the need is in greater demand this year, but what
about this area of northwest Iowa? Dick Sievers serves as the executive director for Mid-Sioux Opportunity headquartered in Remsen. Mid-Sioux serves five different northwest Iowa counties. Sievers says he has seen a greater demand for their services than from past years.
Sievers believes as long as the pandemic is a problem, there will continue to be a greater need for the financial assistance services provided by Mid-Sioux Opportunity.
Last week, the Plymouth County Farm Bureau made a contribution of food, toys, and children’s clothing amounting to nearly $4500 to the local organization. The Mid-Sioux Opportunity official says his organization has been fortunate that donations have been steadily coming in, and they have been able to meet the increase demand for assistance services.
Sievers gives a rundown of the many services provided by Mid-Sioux Opportunity.
Mid-Sioux Opportunity offers services to Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon, Cherokee and Ida counties.
Program Providing Access To Fresh Fruit And Vegetables Sees Record Numbers
(Des Moines, IA) — A record number of people took advantage of the “Double Up Food Bucks” program to access free fruits and vegetables in 2020 than in any year before. The program allows those on the state food assistance program know as SNAP to match purchases made with their food card, up to ten dollars each day, with Double Up Food Bucks which can be spent on fresh produce. Data collected from participating sites, as of December 20th, shows that 74-thousand-217 Iowans benefited from the healthy food incentive program so far this year - that’s 25 percent of all SNAP participants in the state.
The Double Up Food Bucks program, administered by the Healthiest State Initiative in Iowa since 2016, expanded in 2020 with federal pandemic relief funds to include more than one hundred new sites.
Lake Park Murder Victim’s Rented Car Found
(Lake Park, IA) Investigators have released more information about a homicide in northwest Iowa. The investigation began last Tuesday at the Lake Park home of 25-year-old Rachel Bastman. Investigators issued a statewide alert when they could not find a car that Bastman had rented. Officers spotted the vehicle over the weekend in Sioux City and tried to make a traffic stop, but
the driver took off. The driver was later taken into custody after a traffic accident. Twenty-three-year-old Justice Berntsen has been charged with felony looting and driving while barred. No other details of the investigation into Bastman’s death are being released. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lake Park Police or the Dickinson County Sheriff’s office.
Iowa Democrat Representatives Vote For Veto Override
(Washington, DC) — The three Iowa Democrats in the U-S House of Representatives have voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of a major military spending bill, but they’ve also on record now in support of his call to send two-thousand dollar stimulus checks to most Americans.
Democratic Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids says she was happy to vote for the additional stimulus spending Trump supports, while also voting to override his veto costing military service members their pay.
Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines says the president’s veto was shortsighted.– while saying she hopes the minds of reluctant Republican senators have been changed by the president’s call for larger stimulus checks. Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa City was also
in the majority on both votes. Republican Congressman Steve King of Kiron tweeted criticism at Republicans he called “never Trumpers” — but last (Monday) night King was recorded as “not voting” on either issue that came before the House.
Staff Doctor Assaulted At State Penitentiary
(Fort Madison, IA) — The Iowa Department of Corrections says a staff member was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.
The inmate was in the prison clinic area Monday for a routine medical appointment. The department says the inmate entered the exam room and began to immediately assault the doctor. The doctor was taken by a department vehicle to receive treatment at the local hospital. He has since been treated
and released. The inmate was found to have not suffered any injuries.
