Weather Forecast Calls For Snow On Friday
(Sioux Falls) — The weather forecast is calling for snow to occur beginning early Friday morning. Meteorologist Phillip Schumacher with the National Weather Services in Sioux Falls says Le Mars will begin to see the snow as we are preparing for our day.
Schumacher says we will probably need to grab our shovels as the snow could be deep in some places.
The weather meteorologist says the heaviest snow will occur east and south of Le Mars, and he suggests if you have travel plans on Friday, you may want to delay those plans until Saturday.
The good news with Friday’s predicted snow is that weather officials are not anticipating blizzard conditions.
Schumacher believes the snow will taper off at around midnight Friday, and will be completely finished by Saturday morning. He says to make certain you allow extra time for your travels. A winter storm watch has been issued for Plymouth County for the entire day on Friday.
Winter Storm Friday Could Bring Significant Snowfall to Iowa
(Johnston, IA) — A massive winter storm system will blow into Iowa on Friday which forecasters say may drop nearly a foot of snow on a wide region of the state. National Weather Service senior meteorologist Rod Donavon says it’s likely all 99 counties will get at least some snowfall, but northern and central Iowa may be in for the worst of it. Donavon says they’re forecasting in the six-to-ten, seven-to-11 inch range. The target area includes from Estherville to Mason City and southward, through the Des Moines metro. Eastern and western Iowa could get three to six inches of snow. The heaviest accumulations are expected Friday afternoon into early evening.
Reynolds Highlights Renewable Fuels During Condition Of The State Speech
(Le Mars) — During Governor Reynolds’ Condition of the State address Tuesday evening, she concluded by discussing the current situation facing the renewable energy industry, that consists of ethanol and bio-diesel. Reynolds acknowledged little support from either the Trump Administration, or the with the Biden Administration with the promotion of renewable fuels. Reynolds said she will introduce legislation that will improve access to E-15 and and B-20, and to upgrade Iowa’s fuel infrastructure system to offer higher blends. Reynolds also is proposing to invest in carbon-capture systems to build upon on our leadership position with renewable energy. Steve Roe is the manager of the Little Sioux Corn Processors ethanol facility near Marcus. He says he agrees with Governor Reynolds, and we will need to build support for the renewable fuels industry from the local level. Roe says the success in Iowa will spread across the nation.
Another area of interest to the ethanol industry is the sequestration of carbon. At present time, three separate pipelines are being introduced to help capture carbon and to transport the carbon to underground storage facilities in North Dakota and Illinois.
Feedlot Forum Scheduled For Tuesday, January 18th
(Orange City) — Area cattle producers interested in knowing some of the emerging trends in the beef feedlot industry will be interested in attending the Feedlot Forum scheduled for Tuesday, January 18th. Beth Doran, the beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, for northwest Iowa says the forum will be held at the Terrance View Event Center in Sioux Center, and beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doran says the morning session will begin with focus on beef cattle implants.
Consumers are wanting to know where their food originates from, so an area of interest to the cattle producer will be the seminar looking at traceable beef. Doran says Dan Thomson, the chair of the Iowa State University Department of Animal Science will lead that discussion.
The Feedlot Forum will conclude with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Livestock Marketing Specialist and Economist, Lee Schulz as he will present his outlook for the year ahead with the cattle and beef industries.
Doran says the Feedlot Forum will also have an industry trade show.
The registration fee for the Feedlot Forum is $25. Doran says since the registration deadline has past, there is no guarantee that late-coming producers will receive a meal or hand-out materials.
Child Care Bills Clear Iowa House Subcommittee
(Des Moines, IA) — The first pair of bills to come out of the governor’s child care task force are moving forward in the Iowa House. One bill deals with low income families who get government-funded child care assistance or C-C-A. It would let child care centers collect more money from those low-income parents to help make up the difference between what the government pays and the actual cost. Republican Representative Ann Meyer from Fort Dodge says they’d have to agree in writing to pay extra and it would not be a requirement. A Department of Human Services official says the proposal could put the poorest of the working poor at a disadvantage when it comes to getting child care. The other bill that advanced would loosen the minimum staffing requirements for child care centers, so one worker could care for eight two-year olds and the minimum ratio would be one worker for 10 three-year olds. Child care advocates say the higher staff-to-child ratios could add to employee burn-out and safety concerns.
Two Delaware Township Firefighters Hurt in Crash
(Altoona, IA) — Two firefighters from Delaware Township are in stable condition after being injured in a crash while responding to a rescue call. Officers say their S-U-V was struck by a pickup and rolled Wednesday afternoon in Altoona. The firefighters were taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The other driver wasn’t hurt. Police say the incident is a reminder to watch out for emergency lights and sirens on the road.
Body of Marshall County Man Recovered From Vehicle in Pond
(Laurel, IA) — Authorities in Marshall County say they recovered the body of a Laurel man from a vehicle submerged in a rural farm pond. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the pond between Laurel and Melbourne Tuesday afternoon. They discovered a vehicle partially underwater. An area dive team was brought in and the man’s body was found inside the car. Officers identified the victim as 60-year-old Ricky Pierson. Foul play is not suspected.
