Why won't the city turn off traffic lights by Lost Island? Your Call the Courier questions

Q: How often should a furnace filter be changed?

A: The answer differs based on how thick of a filter you use. You should check the filter monthly to see how dirty it is, but cheaper or thinner filters should be changed monthly, while thicker ones can last three to six months. There should also be a manufacturer’s recommendation on the furnace label.

Q: Wouldn’t it save the city/county a great deal of money if they would turn off the traffic signals to both Lost Island parks during the 8+ months they are closed?

A: Waterloo’s Traffic Operations Director Safiah Elahi said keeping the signals on does not cost more than turning them off and on. Laws governing traffic control do not allow signals to simply be turned off, and they would need covers, which could tear or be turned around – both requiring staff time. Local ordinances would also be required to change traffic controls, which can be a lengthy process. There would also be safety concerns for drivers who are used to the signals operating a certain way.

Q: Is Penn Jillette’s child Moxie a boy or a girl?

A: Moxie is a transgender man.

Q: Is it illegal to have campaign signs up months after an election?

A: No. As long as signs are not in the right-of-way or causing a traffic hazard, political signs are protected under the First Amendment. Homeowner Associations may have their own rules.

Q: What is Antifa and who funds them?

A: Antifa, a contraction of the phrase “anti-fascist,” is not an organization but rather a term for people who are against actions they view as authoritarian, homophobic, racist or xenophobic. It is considered an ideology; there is no leader or defined structure. The term was first used in the 1930s in Germany in response to Nazism.

Q: How cold does it have to be that we have to keep the water in our sinks running so our pipes don’t freeze?

A: Plumbers recommend slightly dripping a faucet once it hits 20° F, especially if you have uninsulated pipes running through an uninsulated space. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Call (319) 291-1550 to leave a voicemail or email newsroom@wcfcourier.com with your question.