Tag Archives: cold

Kansas to end cold weather rule halting utility disconnection

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TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Cold Weather Rule is set to end Wednesday March 31. The measure was enacted to prevent electric and natural gas utility bills from disconnecting service from customers struggling to pay their bill. When the rule ends, customers behind on their bills will need to contact their utility provider to make payment arrangements.

Utility customers experiencing difficulty keeping up with their bills are encouraged to call their utility no later than Wednesday to be eligible for the Cold Weather Rule 12-month payment plan to catch up on overdue accounts. Under the plan, the customer must make an initial payment of 1/12 of the overdue amount, 1/12 of the bill for current service, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees if any, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility. The balance is billed in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to the regular monthly bill.

On December 15, 2020, the Commission extended an earlier order related to COIVD-19 that requires utilities under its jurisdiction to offer 12-month payment plans and waive late fees through the official end of the pandemic. That order is still in effect, but customers who have two previous broken pay agreements may not qualify. That is why it is important to make arrangements before the Cold Weather Rule ends.

Extreme cold tough on technology

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JOPLIN, Mo. — Keeping tabs on your technology is also a good idea with these frigid temperatures.

What kinds of problems are we talking about?

The colder the temperature, the bigger the risk. It could be anything from cutting battery power in half to shutting down a device completely.

John Motazedi, SNC Squared Tech Group, said, “Technology has a real challenge working at a certain range. Once it’s very very cold, it has a problem.”

Many devices have a normal operating range of zero to 120 degrees.

“That really becomes a challenge when you have outdoor led lights, outdoor surveillance cameras, door locks, motion sensors. Equipment that really needs to stay warm or that’s designed to work at a different temp that what we’re having currently.”

So colder temperatures may mean they’re just not working. The devices will likely return to normal function as the weather warms, but some owners may want to upgrade to models designed for extreme cold. And even cell phones, tablets, and laptops can be affected if forgotten in your car.

“The cold has a terrible tendency to reduce battery power – and it can in some cases reduce your power of your batteries by 50% simply because it just gets cold.”

You want to warm them gradually, giving at least 30 to 60 minutes before use.

For more on protecting technology visit https://www.sncsquared.com/

“If you leave them in the cold then bring them into a warm building, you get condensation on the electronics – condensation is a really bad thing. Electronics and water typically don’t mix well together.”

Also, you’ll want to extra careful handling devices in the cold. Those temperatures can make the housing more brittle, making it easier to crack or shatter.

Area expert discusses dangers of extreme cold when shoveling snow

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CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – Winter weather is wreaking havoc across the area, and with these extreme temperatures, being exposed just for a few minutes can cause serious damage to your body.

Dustin Lunow from the Joplin Fire Department says we should be limiting our exposure to the elements, as well as preparing for any worst case scenarios.

“As little as possible, it is very very cold,” said Lunow. “As the roads are actually getting cleared today it is still very very cold. You need to have an emergency kit in your car. You need to make sure that your phone battery and everything is available to you. It would not take a long time in this kind of environment to get somebody hurt.”

These dangerous conditions are even worse for the most vulnerable communities.

When Luke Vieselmeyer’s classes moved online due to weather conditions, he used the opportunity to help his neighbors in need offering to shovel snow from their driveways.

“Well, we’ve had numerous people that may be elderly,” said Vieselmeyer. “You know it’s hard for them to get out in this weather, cold, below freezing for sure. And it’s hard to snow shovel anyways whenever it’s this low. It helps people out, helps them not get sick. And I’d rather us get sick than elders.”

Vieselmeyer adds that he knows how cold it is and wants to protect his neighbors who may be more vulnerable.

“We had a disabled person that had a wheelchair we helped out today. We shoveled her driveway and if they need it we salt it for them. It’s cold so we’re out doing it for them”

Lunow says when shoveling show, it’s important to take regular breaks.

“The best thing you can do is one, dress properly; two, have work intervals. Your body just can’t handle that type of cold for prolonged durations,” said Lunow.

He says only to work fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, with time in-between to properly warm up.

Lunlow added that in addition to taking breaks while shoveling snow, staying hydrated is important.

Carterville without water due to main break

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CARTERVILLE, Mo. – The City of Carterville is working to fix a broken water main amid freezing cold conditions. The break has left city residents without water.

Officials say the break happened around 10:00 p.m. Monday night near Pine and Main St.

Crews are on scene, but there’s no word on when water will be restored.

Warming centers setup across the Four-States

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JOPLIN, Mo. – With the bitterly cold temperatures there are some warming centers opening in the area.

One of those is the Byers Avenue United Methodist Church in Joplin. Officials say they can only have ten people at the most due to COVID restrictions.

They’ve had a number of items donated to help those that are in need of shelter including food and blankets. The church will also be providing snacks and a to-go treat bag for people in the morning when they leave.

“I think about others,” said organizer Jamie Hammond. “Like I think what if that was me? What if I was out in the cold tonight? I have a child. What if me and my child were out in the cold? would someone help us? So I want to be that person who helps other people because I can.”

The shelter is open from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and is located at the corner of 17th and Byers in Joplin. The church is also providing masks, hand sanitizer and even showers if needed.

There several other warming stations in the Four-State area offering similar services.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – Joplin, Mo.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on West 26th street in Joplin is open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will open at that time each day Monday – Friday.

Minnie Hackney Community Center – Joplin, Mo.

Also in Joplin, the Minnie Hackney Community Center at 110 South Main is open as a warming center. They’re providing hot food and drinks, as well as warm sleeping quarters for anyone in need. They’ll be open all day through Tuesday.

Lamar Memorial Hall – Lamar, Mo.

In the City of Lamar, they’re opening the Lamar Memorial Hall at 11th and Broadway from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They ask that you do not bring animals to the warming center. For more information on that shelter, you’re asked to call the Lamar Fire Department.

New Hope Christian Church – Miami, Okla.

In Miami, the New Hope Christian Church at 2221 Rockdale is open now until the need passes. They are providing food, cots, blankets and clothes to those who come in for shelter.

Extreme cold posing a danger to pets

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JOPLIN, Mo. – This brutal weather is making it dangerous for anyone outside, especially pets who cannot handle the cold.

As temperatures continue to drop and snow continues to fall, going outside isn’t the best idea, and it’s even worse for your pets. Andy Logan, kennel manager at the Joplin Humane Society says your pets shouldn’t be out unless absolutely necessary.

“Anyway possible to keep your animal inside right now, it is for the best,” said Logan. “It is just going to get colder as the days go on”

It’s not just the cold weather that could harm your animal, Logan says things like clearing ice from driveways can cause bad news for your furry friends.

“Salt and anything that melts ice, any sort of chemicals you’re using to melt the ice, keep your driveway clear of ice,” said Logan. “Any of that kind of stuff is harmful for your pets paws. If they’re laying outside on pavement that’s been treated, definitely wipe their paws immediately when you get inside.”

He says these chemicals can really do some damage.

Logan continued, “It can cause a lot of chemical burns. It could be very very detrimental to the pads of their feet. It could get up in between the pads of their feet and cause irritation, and they would have to be seen by a vet if that happened.”

Although if you must keep your pets out, they need proper shelter.

“They need to have a shelter to where they can get in out of this cold, and if it has a door on it,” says Logan. “It needs to be covered someway, like a sheet or blanket covering the door to where the wind isn’t gonna get in.”

Logan says he’s thankful they haven’t needed to handle any serious situations with animals yet, but if you know of an animal being neglected reach out.

The Joplin Humane Society says most pets aren’t made for this cold weather, and pet owners should help them out as much as possible.

 

Miami community shows concern for dog outside in the cold

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MIAMI, Okla.  – The cold weather raises concerns in Miami, Oklahoma for pets, specifically one dog named Boomer.

Boomer has been the talk of the town. He gained his popularity on Facebook, where disturbed Miami residents posted their worry for the dog’s wellbeing. Joe Honeycutt grew up in Miami, although he no longer lives there, he is still active in the community and decided to take action online.

“Well I had been reading several posts that day that were related to the same dog, said Honeycutt. “I wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on and see if there was anyway that I could help influence the situation.”

Honeycutt says he used Facebook to reach Boomer’s owner,

“I decided to go on the public website and make a post to the gentleman himself. I had told him there is such an importance to leaving your animals inside,” Honeycutt said.

This outrage from the community online is what caused police to get more involved. Miami police chief Thomas Anderson says they had a meeting with city officials after the dog’s rise online.

“The city manager after receiving numerous complaints wanted to make sure the situation was controlled within the law to make sure this animal’s taken care of,” said Anderson.

Anderson says they’ve known about this issue since November of last year. Boomer’s actually gotten a lot better since then, and according to Anderson gained 40 pounds. He says animal control is involved, which helped.

“He’s taking way better care of the animal than he was just a few months ago,” Anderson said. “And that’s because animal control has been working with him for the benefit of the animal.”

Anderson clarifies that he’s glad the community is looking out for these animals, but they know boomer is doing better.

“If you see an animal that is out let us check on them, but we know this dog has everything he needs to have,” said Anderson.

Anderson says animal control is keeping close tabs on boomer.