SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) The Salvation Army in Sioux Falls was giving its bell ringers a day of rest on Saturday because of the dangerous wind chills.
It's an expensive decision not to ring for one day, especially when the Army is already falling behind the goal in donations.
"On a Saturday, it can cost us between $8,000 and $15,000," Army Major Tom Riggs tells KELO Radio News. He says, even in normal cold, his people are told to take 15 minutes breaks to warm up, but when wind chills become so dangerous, it's time to haul in the kettles.
The Bell Ringers will be back to work on Monday.
The cold is bad for the bell ringers, but great for ice fishing. Sioux Falls Area District Conservation Officer Jeremy Roe says the extreme weekend temperatures should really thicken up area lakes and streams.
"We are looking already at pretty much 10 inches of ice for the most part, so this next cold weather should put us over the top to make the ice pretty safe for the rest of the winter, hopefully," says Roe.
