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All 99 counties under winter storm watch

November 30, 2007 By

The state of Iowa could end up under a blanket of snow and ice this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the entire state Saturday morning through Saturday night. Meteorologist Brad Small says the type of precipitation could vary quite a bit from east to west and north to south.

Small says the forecast calls for more sleet or freezing rain, while areas of northern Iowa could get 2 to 6 inches of snow and then ice. Strong winds of up to 35 miles per hour are also possible, which could create a recipe for downed trees and power lines.

“We’re expecting anywhere from a quarter to a half inch of ice,” Small says, “and with the winds gusting in the 20 to 30 mile an hour range, so that could get the trees and power lines swaying.” Small says it’s possible that roads in one part of the state will be clear, while roads elsewhere turn into a sheet of ice.

Small says: “I’d just advise everybody, if they’re traveling this weekend, to check ahead on the latest forecast and road conditions because the weather could change quite dramatically from where you’re leaving to your destination.”

Check the D.O.T. website for the latest statewide road conditions.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

U-I professor says report on C-T scans may be "overly alarming"

November 30, 2007 By

A University of Iowa Radiology professor is weighing in on a published report on the dangers of C-T scans. The report in the New England Journal of Medicine says millions of Americans, especially young children, are needlessly exposed to dangerous radiation from the x-ray procedure.

The report claims in a few decades, as many as two percent of all cancers in the U.S. might be due to radiation from C-T scans given now. But Professor Mark Madsen says the numbers may be “overly alarming.” Madsen says the authors of the report indicate once a C-T scan is diagnosed as necessary – the benefits far outweigh the risks.

“The risk of a radiation induced cancer from any single study is actually very, very small,” Madsen says, “and that patient is at much more of a risk if they don’t get the diagnostic information that they need.” Madsen says there are other options that gather similar information as C-T scans.

He says Magnetic Resonance Imaging or ultrasound are two options the do not require radiation. However, Madsen says in many instances, the CT scan provides unique information and may deliver the more accurate diagnosis. 

Filed Under: Health & Medicine Tagged With:

Winter storm is on the way

November 30, 2007 By

The first statewide winter storm of the season is bearing down on Iowa. The entire state is under a winter storm watch for Saturday. National Weather Service meteorologist Miles Schumacher says the threatening weather pattern is developing this morning.

The system is coming up from the southwest U.S. and could start hitting southwest Iowa tonight, quickly spreading over the entire state tomorrow morning. Snow amounts may not be too great, he says, but ice and sleet will be a big concern. Schumacher says the precipitation will be mainly snow in northern Iowa but in the central and southern areas, snow and ice will be a problem.

He says most of the snow will be north of Highway 20 with two-or-three inches around that roadway and perhaps five-to-seven inches closer to the Minnesota border. To the south, snow amounts will be less but the ice could be much thicker.

Schumacher says the good thing about this storm is — it’s on the weekend — and there is also another plus to this big pre-winter storm. He says ground temperatures are still above freezing, at least below the surface, plus, it’s falling during the day which will enable treated roads to stay clearer and road crews can work more efficiently.

Once the storm pulls out of here by Sunday, Schumacher said things should be dry for the first part of the week, with no more significant weather expected for at least another week.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Utilities Board says heating assistance available for low income Iowans

November 30, 2007 By

The Iowa Utilities Board is reminding Iowans to take advantage of programs to help with heating during the winter months. Board spokesman Rob Hillesland says there are a couple of programs available.

He says you can get financial assistance by applying for certification in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or assistance in weatherizing your home in the Iowa Home Weatherization Home Assistance Program.

Hillesland says applying also puts you on the list of people who cannot have their heat turned off for being behind on their bills. Hillesland says all customers who are certified as eligible for the two programs cannot have their utilities disconnected between November 1st and April 1st.

Hillesland says the moratorium on turning off your utilities should not be a reason to stop attempting to pay the bill. He says the Iowa Utilities Board "strongly encourages" you to continue paying what you can on your bills, or you may build up a big bill and be disconnected once the moratorium is over. Hillesland says there are places all over the state where you can find out about the assistance.

Hillesland says you should check with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, or your local Community Action Program for information on sign up. To locate a Community Action Program near you, contact your local utility company. 

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With:

County officials support "local control" of livestock confinements

November 30, 2007 By

County officials from around the state have voted at their annual convention to back the idea of "local control" for livestock confinements. Current Iowa law sets statewide standards for livestock confinements and forbids counties from enacting local ordinances that restrict where confinements may be built or how they are to be operated.

The Iowa State Association of Counties held its convention this week in Des Moines and some officials tried to strip from the group’s legislative platform a call to give county officials the power to regulate livestock confinements. That bid failed on a 97 to 81 vote.

Poweshiek County Supervisor Lamoyne Gaard spoke in favor of letting county officials have some say where livestock confinements may be built. "We had one proposed that was right next door to a little girl with emphysema. There’s no regulation to prevent anything like that," Gaard said. "I think it’s something that needs some study. It needs some strict regulations."

According to Gaard, as many as 50 people have shown up at Poweshiek County Supervisors’ meetings to lobby against large-scale hog confinements planned in their areas. "It’s a big thing if we have 10 people come," Gaard said. Critics of "local control" say the result would be a hodge-podge of regulations — some more strict than others — making it difficult for the livestock industry to survive in the state.

Gaard suggested the status quo isn’t working. "I sympathize with hog producers. We want to have an agriculture industry, but…we’ve lost some industries in our county because of the existing ones are being located close by," Gaard said. "…There’s plenty of place to put (livestock confinements), but not next door to other people who don’t want to have them there."

Filed Under: Agriculture, Environment & Conservation, Politics & Government

Iowa coach says season is not hopeless

November 29, 2007 By

Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter say this season is not hopeless. The Hawkeyes have lost three straight games and while it is clear this team has a number of shortcomings they need to continue to work to offset them.

Lickliter says if you’re not realistic you’ll have a tendency to be despondent. He says they need to be realistic about what they can do and at the same time maintain that they are in control of some of the things that happen, and do everything they can to overcome obstacles.

Lickliter says no matter what happens this season the Hawks will work hard every day to get better. Lickliter says he would hate to think that he would ever give up before the final bell. He says their signature is on the program and they will continue fighting.

Lickliter says while he appreciates the patience Iowa fans have shown he does not want that to become an excuse for accepting losses. He says you always want it faster, and he appreciates people saying they will be patient, but Lickliter says he doesn’t want acceptance of losing. Iowa hosts Louisiana-Monroe in the opening round of its own tournament on Friday night. Rice and Eastern Illinois meet in the other first round game.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Drake hosts own tournament

November 29, 2007 By

The Drake Bulldogs host their own tournament beginning tomorrow night in the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs are 3-1 and will play their next five games at home. Coach Keno Davis says they have some momentum to be 3-1 after playing most of the games on the road and now have five games at home in the next nine days.

The Bulldogs play North Carolina Central in the opening round. Duquense and Cal State-Northridge meet in the other first round contest. Davis says they’ve played teams like Duke and Wake Forest and will be ready to play.

Davis says a key for the Bulldogs this season will their play on defense against running teams and teams that want a slower pace. He says they had some guys who could take the ball to the basket, but their strength wasn’t their defense, and they need to work on that.

Davis believes this is a key stretch for his team as they will be judged by their win-loss record at the end of the year, so these games will be as important as other games. Davis says they know, without injuries, that they will be a better ballclub in January, so they need to work toward that.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,
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