Weather Officials Say Today’s Winds May Be At 60 mph
(Sioux Falls) — Anytime the weather makes the news, we like to turn to our friends at the National Weather Services at Sioux Falls, South Dakota to get a better perspective of what may occur. People are wondering if the approaching storm may produce tornadoes such was the case in Kentucky last week, or even the powerful derecho that struck central Iowa in August of 2020? Matthew Dux is a meteorologist with the National Weather Services, and he says get ready for some very strong winds for today and into the overnight hours.
Dux says not since the 1980’s has a tornado been reported in northwest Iowa during the month of December.
The meteorologist says the storm will be a fast-moving system that shouldn’t produce much rainfall.
Dux says he wouldn’t be too surprised to hear of reports involving semi trucks and trailers that may overturn on the highways as a result of the anticipated strong winds. He says we should all remain aware of the potential for severe weather, even though it is mid-December. He recommends securing all outdoor Christmas lights, inflatables, and other outdoor Christmas decorations.
The National Weather Services official reminds people to stay away from windows during the time of the strong winds.
Gehlen Catholic To Hold Vespers Services Tonight (Wednesday)
(Le Mars) — This is the season for uplifting, spiritual, Christmas music along with inspirational scripture readings. Gehlen Catholic school will hold its annual Vespers services Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the All Saints Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church. Hunter Gloden is a senior at Gehlen Catholic High School and sings in the choir. He tells what people can expect during this year’s Vespers service.
Glodin says many of the songs to be sung will be familiar traditional Christmas hymns.
Glodin says another traditional Christmas song which will be sung will be “Silent Night” which will be sung to conclude the services. He says the Gehlen Catholic high school choir consists of around 40 people. The senior tenor explains what is his favorite Christmas song to be featured during the Vespers service.
The senior Gehlen Catholic student says the high school choir has been rehearsing for the Vespers service for the last couple of months. The Gehlen Catholic Vespers service is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the All Saints Catholic Parish at the St. Joseph church.
Floyd Valley Housekeeping Staff Contribute To “Safe Place”
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Housekeeping organized a giving event and donated 53 adult and 20 children’s socks filled with personal hygiene products and items for Christmas cheer to the Safe Place. With additional funds from exchanging pop cans and bottles from the facility, they were also able to give 10 – $20 gift cards to Walmart for client needs.
Deb Bonnstetter, housekeeping manager, says, “We have been collecting cans and bottles for about 10 years and using those funds for projects like purchasing gifts for struggling single moms, a co-worker who had a family disaster and those that would be alone or working on Christmas. This year we asked all staff to donate socks, personal hygiene products, candy and small toys and they really supported this project, we cannot thank everyone enough!”
The housekeeping staff gets together in advance of the holiday season and makes fun night out of it. They usually go out to eat and then work on the project together. For many years, the staff have also put in their own funds in support of the project in lieu of buying each other gifts. “This project has definitely brought our team closer,” Bonnstetter adds!
Iowa Farmland Values Rise 29% in ISU Annual Survey
(Ames, IA) — Iowa State University Extension’s annual survey shows a surge in the estimated value of farmland that hasn’t been seen in a decade. I-S-U economics professor Wendong Zhang (WHEN’-dong john) says the statewide average as of November is up 29 percent. The nominal land value of nine-thousand-751 dollars an acre is a record since I-S-U starting recording data in 1941. Zhang says the nominal value is higher than the 2013 land value peak — but when adjusted for inflation — it would be an increase of 21 percent. He says the last time we have seen the land value changes increase close to or higher than 30 percent was in 2011 when it went up more than 31 percent. The top quality farmland increased 30 percent, the middle went up 27 percent and the low quality increased by 26 percent. Zhong says the price of corn and soybeans was a big driver in the prices.
Reynolds Holding Public Budget Hearing Thursday
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s holding a public budget hearing Thursday afternoon at the Iowa Capitol. The state is expected to see continued growth in revenues and Republicans are proposing tax cuts and eliminating the state income tax. Democrats would like to see tax cuts for middle- and lower-income Iowans and investments in job training, paid family leave and child care. Governor Reynolds says Thursday’s hearing will serve as the annual open forum on the state budget. Iowans will have the opportunity to participate virtually. The public should contact Ryan Capps in the governor’s office for information (ryan-dot-capps@governor-dot-iowa-dot-gov).
Damage Assessments Underway After Fire in Southwest Iowa Town
(Malvern, IA) — Damage assessment is underway in Malvern where fire last (Monday) night destroyed the southwest Iowa town’s grocery store. Mills County Emergency Manager Larry Hurst says after establishing a command center upon arrival, Malvern firefighters realized they needed help from surrounding fire departments. Twenty-nine area agencies responded to the scene. Crews were able to keep the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings. No one was hurt. The fire’s cause is still unknown.
Lawyer For Fairfield Teen Wants His Client Tried In Juvenile Court
(Fairfield, IA) — Lawyers for the Fairfield teenagers accused of killing their Spanish teacher are asking that their clients’ trials be tried in juvenile court. Jeremy Goodale and Willard Miller are both 16 years old. For now, they are being tried as adults in Jefferson County Court. Goodale’s attorney made the most recent request. Investigators say they killed Fairfield High School teacher Nohema Graber last month. Bond for each teenager is one million dollars. Efforts to have the bond reduced and the two stay at home while waiting for their trial were denied by a judge.
Hy-Vee Disaster Relief Arrives In Kentucky To Help Tornado Victims
(Mayfield, KY) — A disaster relief team from Iowa is distributing food and water at three locations in western Kentucky to help tornado victims. About 40 Hy-Vee employees and volunteers are involved in passing out 328 thousand bottles of water and 225 thousand snacks to people who lost their homes. Work to organize the relief effort started Saturday morning just a few hours after the devastating storms ripped through the area. Distribution sites are set up in Mayfield, Madisonville, and Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Former Cedar Rapids Employee Sues For OT Pay He Says He Worked During Derecho Cleanup
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — A former public works employee at Cedar Rapids says he was told to submit the hours he worked during two months of clean-up after last year’s damaging derecho. Thomas Schroeder says he was never paid for the 150 hours and he is suing the city. Schroeder maintains that former Public Works Director Jen Winter told him and others that the city would figure out a way to pay them. Officials in Cedar Rapids admit that emails about the pay were sent out. A jury trial in Linn County District Court is scheduled for next May. The city has asked that it be dismissed.
Missing Warren County Man Now Faces Sexual Abuse Charges
(Liberty Center, IA) — A missing Warren County man now faces sexual abuse charges. Those charges were filed nearly two weeks after 37-year-old Andy Wadle was last seen or heard from. Investigators say blood was found near his truck where it was parked on a trail at Otter Creek Park. County prosecutors accuse Wadle of abusing a child repeatedly over a period of several years.
