State ready to handle Y2K rumors

State officials will not only be watching to see that vital services move along without a hitch New Year’s Eve, they’ll also be practicing a little rumor control. State Emergency Management Director Ellen Gordon says they’ll have a rumor control center set up at Camp Dodge along with other Y2K preparations. She says they’ll rely on local government agencies to relay information to the center and the state will then pass it on.Gordon says it’s important for you to call local government officials with concerns first. She wants to avoid problems by having the phone lines to the state control center jammed.Gordon says they hope to put rumors to rest early before they get far enough to create any panic among Iowans.