Winter Storm

From slick roads to power outages, Clark Countians could face a number of weather-related threats this season. To stay prepared, Winchester-Clark County Emergency Management has issued a press release recommending several precautions. Individuals should maintain the following at home and work: ? a flashlight with extra batteries ? an AM/FM radio and a battery backup-powered NOAA weather radio ? extra food, water, medicine, baby supplies and pet supplies along with a can opener ?

Clark County may have dodged the worst of a winter storm that paralyzed the northeast over the weekend. But with winter officially beginning today, local residents can expect three more months of cold, ice and potentially hazardous weather conditions. The Sun spoke with Gary Epperson, director of Winchester-Clark County Emergency Management, last week to determine how residents can prepare for the months ahead. In general when does the winter weather season start? "Well it has already started for us this year.

Dear Editor, I am writing this letter in hopes it will shed some light to the people in the surrounding areas. This tragedy that occurred during the winter storm could have been handled a lot better if the Inter-County Energy had been prepared. I run a barber shop and one of the topics always brought up is Inter-County Energy. My wife Debbi and I leave our thermostat on 72 degrees all the time, summer or winter, but still my bill fluctuates from $170 to $350 a month. I have had the electric company come and put meters on all my appliances for a week and was told everything is working great.

Due to the extreme conditions from the winter storm that hit the area last week, The Advocate-Messenger is accepting donations of "life necessity" items for the Salvation Army. Non-perishable items can be dropped off until 5 p.m. today at The Advocate-Messenger, 330 S. Fourth St.

Ice and snow coated Kentucky's landscape like a tight, frozen blanket. Trees sagged and branches snapped under the weight, falling on roads, power lines and even houses. Tens of thousands of Kentuckians have been or are still without power. But people aren't the only ones who have had a hard time after the recent winter storms. Wildlife also struggle when ice and snow cover their food and habitat. "There's no question there can be higher rates of mortality when we have this kind of cover for a long period of time," said John Morgan, small game program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The George Rogers Clark girls basketball team will get a longer break than expected. The Lady Cardinals' contest set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Harrison County has been canceled and will be played at 7:30 p.m Monday at Norton Gymnasium. "You just don't want to take a chance," Clark athletics director Jackie McCloud said this morning. Clark (12-5) hasn't played since posting a 61-29 win over Bourbon County on Monday. McCloud said both teams haven't garnered much practice time since a winter storm covered the region with snow and ice earlier this week.

As of noon Wednesday, some small bits of good news were beginning to filter out of storm-stricken Danville. The snow has ended, and portions of the city are seeing power restored. Portions of Main Street, The Centre College campus and Boyle County High School now have power, and crews are working on the remaining areas. Danville Police Chief Jay Newell said road conditions are better, but says people should stay in their homes and off the streets unless it is absolutely necessary to get out. City Manager Paul Stansbury said he expects the water to be back at full flow in Danville by approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday.

An early morning blast of winter weather hit the five-county area today, bringing ice and mayhem. All area schools were closed, and city and county crews throughout the area were tending to hazardous roads, downed tree limbs, and snapped power lines. Danville Assistant Police Chief Tony Gray described everything as moving slow this morning. "We've got a lot of limbs that are falling, and power lines are coming down," said Gray. Gray was not aware of any major wrecks but pointed to Gose Pike as being a serious problem area in terms of travel.