STORM WATCH
More stormy weather is approaching northwest Iowa early next week. A Winter Storm Watch, for Freezing precipitation, then snow, is forecast for adjacent counties north and west of Plymouth County. For Plymouth County, there is a possibility of snow and freezing rain after midnight Sunday into Monday, then snow and freezing rain likely after noon Monday. While showfall amounts will not be heavy, ice may accumulate early Monday, into Monday afternoon. The New Year’s eve forecast is for cloudy skies and lows in the upper 20s.
ABORTION POLICY
Republican legislative leaders say they’re waiting for an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the request to allow the six-week abortion ban before proposing any new abortion restrictions. House Speaker Pat Grassley says it would be unwise to consider legislation before the court acts — because he says they’re going to get one chance to do this and do it the right way once they know what the court says. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says they’ve continued to build on the Republican majority since passing the bill and he says it is a good policy for the state of Iowa. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst (KON-frist) says Democrats will oppose any new abortion restrictions.
NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY
The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors has decided to choose a new county attorney rather than hold a special election. Amy Zenor resigned earlier this month after being arrested in the county courthouse and charged with public intoxication. County Supervisor Steve Clark says it would be three months before a special election could be held.
The supervisors appointed an interim Dickinson County Attorney earlier this month and January 3rd is the earliest date the board could appoint someone to the job permanently. Friday was the deadline for people to submit applications for the position.
SMOKING SURVEY
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to quit smoking, and a survey finds 70 percent of Iowa smokers want to quit, while 50 percent will try to quit in 2023. There are mixed messages circulating about how vaping can help smokers to kick the habit, messages that are blatantly false, according to Erika Sward, spokeswoman for the American Lung Association in Iowa. She says the Lung Association is urging smokers to step away from all tobacco and nicotine products, and not switch to vaping. Sward says hard — but if smokers want to talk to their doctors or call 800-LUNG USA or call 800-QUIT NOW, they can work with someone who is an expert at helping people end their addictions for good.
RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Many people are reviewing their retirement plan contributions as we approach the end of the year. I-R-S spokesman, Christopher Miller, says a recent update allows you to put away more toward retirement.
He says there’s also a change for individual retirement accounts or I-R-A’s.
Miller says it’s important to review your plan to be sure you are putting enough money away.
Miller says if you make the adjustment heading into the new year, you will be able to take advantage of the increased limits for the full year.
LIQUOR SALES
State liquor sales revenues were up by nearly four percent in the fiscal year that ended in July, in what was the lowest increase in five years Sales last year were up 13 percent, and Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Chief Financial Officer, Leisa Bertram, says things appear to be leveling off following a pandemic sales surge. The gallons of liquor sold dropped by 70-thousand and Bertram says there were more sales of higher priced products, so the dollar amount went up and the gallons sold were down. Liquor sales brought in 431 million dollars, and a record of just more than 150 million dollars from liquor sales was turned over to the state along with another 19 million in licensing and taxes.
NEW YEARS PARADE
Members of the Blue Devils Marching Band from Davenport Central High School are in England to play in London’s New Year’s Day Parade. Band Director Alex Wilga, says they were was invited based on their past performances in competitions and a video audition. There are 177 people are making the trip, including 109 students, and 41-hundred pounds of equipment. In addition to marching through London on New Year’s Day with thousands of other performers, band members will visit several tourist sites. He says up to one million people will line the nearly two-mile parade route through London, with an estimated television audience of 150-300 million.
