State officials will rest a little easier as the New Year rings in comparedto all the action one year ago. State Emergency Management Division DirectorEllen Gordon took some time this week to reflect on the events of last year.At this time last year, everyone was preparing for a possible … [Read more...]
Food banks hope to gain from lack of Y2K action
Now that New Year's Eve is safely behind us, Iowans who hoarded piles of food in their basements may consider donating it to the needy. Karen Ford, executive director of the Food Bank of Iowa, says it'd be a big help if people forked over that extra food, but she's not expecting too much.Since … [Read more...]
Grassley says Y2K money well spent
The federal government spent eight and a half BILLION dollars preparing its computers for the Y-2-K glitch -- which had very little impact anywhere. While it's uncertain what would've happened had the money not been spent, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley feels it was a wise investment.Grassley says the … [Read more...]
Banking association says put extra Y2K cash back where it’s safe
A financial industry official says Iowans who took out big wads of cash as a Y-2-K precaution last week should put that money back in their accounts soon. Ben Hildebrandt, a vice president with the Iowa Bankers Association, says it's a risk holding on to large sums of money.In addition to the risks … [Read more...]
No problems early as year 2000 rings in across the world
Iowa's top Y-2-K watchers are on the job. The state's Emergency Operations Center is now open, being staffed by more than 50 people from agencies including the National Weather Service, Public Health, Public Safety, FEMA and the Civil Air Patrol. David Miller is chief of staff of the State Emergency … [Read more...]
Attorney General warns of Y2K scam
The Iowa Attorney General's office is warning businesses in the state about a last-minute Y-2-K scam. Bob Brammer, a spokesman for the Attorney General, says some businesses have received a Y-2-K readiness survey that must be faxed back to a 900 number at a cost to the sender.He believes the 900 … [Read more...]
Y2K may not be the biggest computer problem of the millennium
There's been so much hype and warning, many computer experts believe there won't be much effect at all by the Y-2-K bug. Still, the chief of the Central Iowa Computer Users Group fears there WILL still be trouble, but not due to the date change on January first. He says the bigger problem comes on … [Read more...]
Millennium Postmarks Offered Across Iowa
Iowans who want to commemorate the new year with a special souvenir don't have to look far -- only as far as their mailbox. Most post offices across Iowa are offering a millennium postmark for both December 31st, 1999 and January 1st of 2000. U-S Postal Service Iowa spokesman Rich Watkins says … [Read more...]
Year 2000 parties a "go" in Iowa
The Mayor of Seattle has cancelled his city's planned New Year's Eve celebration at the famous Space Needle, but the big millennium party in Iowa's Capital City will go on. Fifteen mayors in the Des Moines Metro-area are hosting a huge New Year's Eve party. Des Moines Mayor Preston Daniels says … [Read more...]
Iowans Warned About Generator Use
One of Iowa's largest electricity providers is warning people about the use of gas-powered generators on New Year's Eve. Alliant Energy spokesman David Giroux (jer-OH) says generator sales have gone through the roof recently but people don't always follow the instructions. When the generators have … [Read more...]