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A fresh blanket of snow began covering Kosciusko County early Wednesday afternoon, prompting early closure of the Kosciusko County Courthouse and Justice Building, as well as several area businesses.
Area schools, which were scheduled to return from Christmas break Monday, remained closed today and, with more snow predicted for tonight and tomorrow, might not resume before the start of next week. That decision has not yet been made by area school officials. Times-Union readers should listen to WRSW at 107.3 FM or 1480 AM for announcements of school and other closures. Listeners are asked not to call the station, but to listen for updated announcements, which are being made at least twice every hour.
Plow crews were doing their best to keep roads cleared and were out in full force this morning in the county assessing the snow situation.
A few slick intersections were reported overnight and into the morning, with several vehicles reported sliding off area roadways.
Police are urging motorists to use caution when driving on snow-covered roadways and to allow plenty of time and space for stopping. Drivers should proceed cautiously and should keep in mind that not everyone is able to stop easily. When stopping at intersections, motorists should wait for cross traffic to stop for signs or signals before proceeding into the intersection just in case a driver is unable to get his vehicle stopped.
On the homefront, several residents throughout the county reported having frozen water pipes.
Anyone in the county who doesn't presently own a snowblower likely won't be purchasing one locally any time soon.
Jon Hoppus of Hoffman Simplicity Sales & Service, Old Road 30W, Warsaw, said the store's stock of new snowblowers was sold out by 1 p.m. Monday. The used stock was gone by 1 p.m. Tuesday, and the units on order expected to be delivered next week were all spoken for by 1 p.m. Wednesday.
"The snow hit and it's been a constant barrage of phone calls and people bringing in their blowers that don't work so they can get them going," Hoppus said.
Warsaw's Wal-Mart is also out of snowblowers (since Monday) and sold out of snow shovels by Saturday. Store manager Larry Wells said Wal-Mart probably won't get anymore snowblowers this season, but "as soon as we get some, I'm gonna buy one myself because I'm tired of shoveling."
Other snow-related supplies also are fairly depleted, Wells said, but some snow brushes, ice scrapers and antifreeze are available. Because of the road conditions, consumers may want to call ahead before driving to a store to purchase an item which may not be available.
