Rural residents now have new addressesRock County has now issued the new E911 address numbers for our rural residents.Residences and businesses should have received their new addresses in the mail during the first week of November.The Rock County Highway Department crew is in the process of posting new addresses at businesses and residences.If you have not yet been notified of your new address, contact the Rock County Highway Department at 283-5010.According to County Engineer Mark Sehr, the project should be completed in two weeks if the weather cooperates.Start thinking about the Winterfest ParadeBusinesses, churches, civic organizations, families or neighborhoods: If you fall into one of those groups, think about getting a Winterfest float entry together.This year’s parade is Saturday, Dec. 6, so you have more than three weeks to complete your project.Trouble paying your heat bill?If you, or someone you know, have trouble paying the expensive heating bill this winter, you need to know about the Cold Weather Rule.State law requires local utility companies to offer a program that prohibits a resident’s heat from being shut off from mid-October to mid-April in cases where the heat bill is unaffordable.Who qualifies? Those who make less than 50 percent of the state median income ($36,000 for a family of four) can sign up with their utility company under the Cold Weather Rule.The program requires the participants to make regular payments to their energy company in exchange for keeping the heat on until April 15, 2004.Another program for those below the state median income is the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program.This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.The Energy Assistance Program pays a portion of residential heating bills directly to the utility company on behalf of the customer.Funds for that program are limited, so if you want to apply, do it soon.What do those weather terms mean?* Winter Storm Watch: Adverse winter weather is possible in the watch area.* Winter Storm Warning: Hazardous winter weather will occur in the warning area.* Heavy Snow: Snowfall accumulation of 6 inches or more in 12 hours; or 8 inches or more in 24 hours.* Blizzard: The following conditions are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer: Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater; and, considerable falling and/or blowing snow (frequently reducing visibilities to less than 1/4 mile).* Ice Storm: Heavy ice accumulation will cause extremely dangerous and damaging situations, such as icy roads and downed power lines.* Winter Weather Advisory: Winter weather conditions (snow, blowing snow, freezing rain, and freezing drizzle) are expected to cause significant inconveniences.* Wind Chill Warning: Issued when the wind chill is 35 below zero or colder. At minimum, a 10 mph wind should be occurring or forecast.* Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when the wind chill ranges from 20 below zero to 34 below zero. At minimum, a 10 mph wind should be occurring or forecast.* High Wind Warning: Issued for non-convective wind gust of 58 mph or greater; or sustained winds of 40 mph or greater to last one hour or longer.* Wind Advisory: Issued for non-convective wind gusts of 45 mph or greater; or sustained winds of 30 mph or greater expected to last one hour or longer.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com
