WEATHERLINE CALLS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- `Weatherline' calls were up in 1990, and are off to an even bigger start in 1991.

"Calls were up by 88 percent in 1990," said Richard H. Friedman, Weatherline, Inc. president. "We had a total of 397,576 calls in 1990, for a monthly average of 33,131."

Average monthly calls in 1989 averaged about 17,500.

If January is any indication, the call total could be near a million in 1991. A record 71,230 calls came in January.

Anyone wanting the temperature and forecast may call the `Weatherline' at 334-8222.

The local program is sponsored by the Southeast Missourian newspaper in cooperation with KZIM Radio.

"We're pleased and happy that people area using the service," said Paul Walker, of the Missourian's Marketing Department. "I think the primary reason that people are using the service is that we use the newspaper as a promotional vehicle."