Emergency Shelters on Notification Status

Local law enforcement centers say each town in the area has a designated warming center in case of power outages due to downed power lines from ice. A list of those centers in Decatur and Union counties is available online at ksibradio.com. Otherwise, call your local law enforcement agency for more details. If your power does go out and you need a warm place, don't hesitate to make the trip to your local center. Officials say they will be opened 24 hours a day in the event of an area power outage. Items to remember to bring to include a pillows and blankets, as well as medication and oxygen, if needed. Also, make sure to bring diapers and formula for infants.

List of shelters:

Union County

Creston – Southwestern Community College
Arispe – United Methodist Church
Afton – Afton Care Center & Afton Fire Department
Thayer – Pleasant Valley Church
Lorimor – Lorimor Community Center
Shannon City – Methodist Church
Cromwell – Congregational Church

Decatur County

Leon, Lamoni, Grand River, Weldon, Garden Grove – Local Community Center

Reynolds Named Ranking Member

Iowa Senator-elect Kim Reynolds, a Republican from Osecola, has been named ranking member of the Local Government Committee for the 83rd General Assembly which convenes on January 12th in 2009. Reynolds says it's a great opportunity to serve her constituents while advocating for innovative, responsible, and accountable government. The senate's minority leader Paul McKinley, a Republican from Chariton, says Reynolds will be an outstanding addition to the committee and that her leadership experience will be a true asset when it comes to advocating to her constituents.

Reynolds will also serve as a member of the Economic Growth, Energy, Transportation, Economic, Development, and Rebuild Iowa Committees, as well as the Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.

Reynolds was elected in November in a tight race against Democratic contender Ruth Smith, where Reynolds came away with a 54% victory in Senate District 48, which includes Adams, Clarke, Decatur, Montgomery, Ringgold, Taylor, and Union counties.

Winterset Airport Grant

The Madison County Airport Authority will receive a $38,000 grant for its Winterset airport to update the site's master plan, which is necessary to adequately plan airport development. The move comes as part of an announcement of more than a half million dollars in grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration to eight Iowa airports for improvement projects. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the grants will provide important economic development opportunities for these Iowa communities as they improve the safety and service provided at local airports.