A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY. FOR THE AREA.  A HEAVY SNOW BAND DEVELOPED OVER SOUTHERN IOWA AND IS QUICKLY MOVING NORTHWARD THIS MORNING. EXPECT THE BAND TO CAUSE BURST OF VERY HEAVY SNOW AND VISIBILITY WILL RAPIDLY DECREASE TO LESS THE ONE QUARTER MILE…ESPECIALLY ALONG THE INTERSTATE 80 CORRIDOR TO HIGHWAY 30.

THE PERIOD OF HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS LIKELY TO OCCUR FROM 7 AM TO 11 AM THIS MORNING WHERE 1 TO 2 INCH SNOWFALL RATES ARE ANTICIPATED. EVEN A BRIEF PERIOD OF THUNDERSNOW IS POSSIBLE AND MAY RESULT IN NEAR 3 INCH PER HOUR SNOWFALL RATES. A BREAK IN THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON FROM SOUTHWEST IOWA THROUGH DES MOINES AS DRIER AIR IS IS FORECAST TO PUNCH INTO THE STATE. A BRIEF PERIOD OF FREEZING DRIZZLE IS POSSIBLE FURTHER NORTHEAST THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG WINDS AND ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW LOOKS TO DEVELOP THIS EVENING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW/ICE…ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES ARE
EXPECTED. LITTLE ICE ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE.
* WINDS/VISIBILITY…NORTHEAST WINDS BECOMING NORTH 20 TO 30 MPH
WITH GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH. VISIBILITIES BELOW A HALF MILE
TO EVEN NEAR WHITEOUT CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE.
* IMPACTS...EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TRAVEL TO NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES. PLEASE RECONSIDER ANY TRAVEL PLANS.

Legislators stayed at home Monday to attend their Caucuses last night (Monday), but they’re back in the statehouse today (Tuesday) with a major item on the to-do list. Democrats and Republicans are trying to reach a quick agreement on state spending on K-through-12 schools — for the school year that starts in the fall. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake, the legislature’s top Republican leader, says “We can do it sooner or we can do it later and there’s no reason not to do it sooner.”

Upmeyer said also, “Our members are talking about this. We’re working with the Senate. We’re visiting with the governor. We’re all looking at this.” Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says Democrats are leery of the Republican governor’s involvement since Branstad unexpectedly vetoed some education spending last summer.

“So it really behooves the House and Senate to work together, see if we can come to an agree-to number and pass that,” he says. Last year’s school spending debate in the legislature lasted for months, but — like Upmeyer — Gronstal is urging a speedy decision. “Spending an extra two-and-a-half or three months for something that ends up gets vetoed doesn’t really make sense,” Gronstal says. “And so we’re going to strongly encourage our folks to find a way to reach agreement.”

Whatever compromise may be reached must clear the Democratically-controlled Senate and the Republican-led House. The negotiating positions heading in have House Republicans offering a two percent boost in state support of schools. Democrats are calling for twice that much. Governor Branstad’s recommendation is in between — a two-point-45 percent increase.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s deputies in Fremont County investigating an alleged assault that took Monday night in Farragut, arrested 49-year old Larry White, of Farragut, early this (Tuesday) morning. The sheriff’s department says the incident occurred a little after 8-p.m. , Monday, at 1008 Jackson Avenue, in Farragut.

By the time deputies arrived, White had fled the scene on foot. A search was conducted, but White could not be found. At around 12:20-a.m. today (Tues.), deputies were advised that residents in the home on Jackson Avenue believed White had returned. He  was located in a shed near the property and taken into custody without incident.

White was arrested for 2 counts of Domestic Abuse Assault, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Child Endangerment. He was being held at the Fremont County Jail without bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – January results from a survey of supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states suggest some improvement in the regional economy but not enough to generate optimism. A report issued Monday says the Mid-American Business Conditions Index jumped to 48.3 in January from 39.5 in December – the first increase in six months.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says falling agriculture and energy commodity prices and global economic uncertainty continue “to restrain supply managers’ expectations of future economic conditions.” The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

With the potential impact of a severe weather winter storm, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Iowa State Patrol (ISP) is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of all Iowans who may be traveling and offering travel tips.

The Iowa State Patrol offers the following travel tips for those driving during this potential storm:

• Allow proper stopping time by increasing the following distance
• Do not use cruise control on snow or ice covered roadways
• Use caution on overpasses, bridges, and all ramps
• Be alert and focused on driving
• Allow extra travel time
• Adjust the car’s speed to road conditions
• Wear a seatbelt in the front and back seat
• Fully charged cell phone
• Emergency roadside assistance kit
• Use 911 if assistance is needed or 1-800-525-5555

The Iowa State Patrol wants you to arrive safely at your destination. Provide yourself the lowest risk of a collision by driving without any distractions. Failure to maintain control of your vehicle, even in poor driving conditions, could result in an unwanted outcome.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety reminds Iowans and others traveling through Iowa to follow the Iowa Department of Public Safety and it’s Divisions on social media for up-to-date winter weather information, including road reports, pictures and safety tips.