What happened to the sports page’s TV listings? Your Call the Courier questions answered

Q: How many street sweepers does the city of Waterloo have, and if one breaks down does that mean the whole crew can’t work?

A: The city has four street sweepers. According to Randy Bennett, the city’s public works division manager, if one is being repaired the other units will be used.

Q: Why can’t The Courier put the listing of sports TV programs and times in the Saturday paper? This is another Saturday that they’ve missed. They take all kinds of time to put in their information about hockey and golf and everything but they fail to put the TV times for the different sports.

A: The Courier’s regional sports editor, Jim Nelson, said this: “Our organization switched vendors, which led to a change in our ‘By the Numbers’ page and the elimination of the complete TV listings. We will now be running a modified version of those listings on page C2 as part of our 'What’s Up' column under the moniker of ‘LIVE ON TV.’” 

Q: Why do all the local news stations have all the same news on four or five days in a row? You’ve heard about the ped mall shooting now about five days in a row.

A: The reporters are likely giving updates about what they have learned about new developments. A shooting where five people were injured on a university’s campus and crowded downtown area is a big story. 

Q: I would like to know if there’s going to be any more of the zoo shows on Animal Planet or other networks. I haven’t seen any new ones for a couple years now and I really like it.

A: We can’t find anything for new shows about zoos on Animal Planet, but BBC is working on new episodes of “Animal Park” where they explore Longleat Safari Park in England. So far, there are no details on release dates for American viewing. 

Q: What information do you have on the Ramblers Car Club which was on the streets in the 1950s and '60s? 

A: Unfortunately, we could not find much information. A 1960 issue of the paper said it was a car club for young adults aged 17 to 30. In 1961, there was a notice that Jerry Walton was elected president of the club and Dean Franke was elected vice president. An online forum about old cars called it a “prestigious car club” that put on car shows in the early 1960s.

Q: How did Trump’s convention center go from 100% private donations to taxpayer money?

A: According to Reuters, the $400 million convention center was supposed to be paid for with private donations. After the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last week, some Republicans in Congress are pushing to fund the project with taxes due security concerns. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-South Carolina, who helped craft the bill said $322 million of that should be paid for with tax money, while the rest could be private donations. The bill is currently up for debate and nothing has been passed.

Q: Is it legal to have a large banner in your yard and another on your garage door that has profanity on it (the F word)? It’s on a house very near to an elementary school in Waterloo.

A: Things like signs, banners and flags are protected speech under the First Amendment, especially on private property.

Q: Why doesn’t Ken Jennings shake hands with the "Jeopardy!" contestants like Alex Trebek did?

A: We couldn’t find an exact answer, but it could be a leftover habit from COVID-19 protocols. Maybe he’s a germophobe.

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