New area code number given to Eastern Iowa

The Iowa Utilities Board unveiled a new area code number for eastern Iowa today. Spokesman Rob Hillesland says the current 3-1-9 area code was split because they were running out of phone numbers and the split off area code will use 5-6-3. Hillesland says the new code will take effect next year, with initial use on March 1st and mandatory use on September 1st.Hillesland says phone numbers in the 3-1-9 area code would have run out soon if no action were taken.Hillesland says he has now idea why 5-6-3 was chosen.The new area code by the way spells out J-O-E on the phone keypad. Some of the cities included in the new area code are: Decorah, Elkader, Dubuque, Clinton, Davenport, Bettendorf and Muscatine.