OWI Busts Down over New Years Eve

Drunk driving arrests were down across the Des Moines metro area New Years Eve, something police attribute to lousy weather and awareness of increased enforcement. 6-people were arrested for OWI, in Des Moines Friday night and early Saturday, while West Des Moines had only one OWI arrest. Both departments tell the Des Moines Register those numbers were lower than usual, although they didn't have stats available for prior years. In Polk County, 13 people were jailed on OWI charges.

Branstad inauguration will be trimmed down

Governor-elect Terry Branstad's inauguration is coming up next week, and it won't be an elaborate affair full of pomp and circumstance. It will be more of a cost-conscious celebration with the focus remaining on government, as Branstad puts it. The two-day event on the 13th and 14th will cost about $300,000, but taxpayers aren't footing the bill. It's paid for by donations to the inaugural committee.

Red Kettle still taking donations

The holidays may be over, but the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign continues through January 14th. Folks have contributed over 762 thousand dollars so far, but the goal is 900 thousand, so there is still some ground to make up. You won't see the red kettles at store fronts anymore, but the mail-in campaign is active. You can also donate online at http://salvationarmy-desmoines.org.

Dance studio burglarized

The owner of DMi Dance Force Studio in Des Moines reported Sunday afternoon that her business had been burglarized. Apparently someone kicked in a door on the building's south side to get in. laptop valued at $700 and a money bag with $150 cash were taken from the office. The case is under investigation and anyone with information should contact police.

Salt use increases

If you want to avoid getting salt on your vehicle this time of year, you're going to have a hard time doing it. Iowa's roads are being salted in winter weather even more now. Des Moines tried more sand and less salt a few years ago, but roads were slicker and sewers got clogged. Since there is an environmental impact with salt....particularly runoff in rivers harming plant life...the public works department tries to use the least amount possible. But their number one concern is public safety, and that has them loading up. The transportation department spread nearly 250 thousand tons of salt on roads last winter.

Drunk driving arrests down

Some good news from New Year's Eve....drunk driving arrests were down across the city. Police say poor weather may have been a factor, but also credit heightened awareness of stepped-up enforcement efforts. Des Moines made six arrests Friday night, while West Des Moines reported only one arrest.

Changes in food labels this year

You'll notice new food labels this year. US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack talked about that with KCCI.






The implementaion of the new Child Nutrition Act will also have the USDA busy this year. That program will invest millions in school breakfast and lunch programs. Vilsack also wants to help rural farmers, since the farming population is aging and very few young people want to enter the business now because of the risks and the amount of effort it takes to do it well.