Behind the Headlines

My son and I were fishing at the DNR access site in Bolles Harbor Saturday and although the ice was plenty thick, there is open water near the boat docks and the canal leading to the lake. Ducks and geese were floating in the water when a large black dog ran after them and slid into the water. We watched as the dog flailed in the water and couldn’t get back onto the ice. We started to approach, not knowing exactly what we were going to do, when we saw the owner standing nearby. He tied a rope around his waist and his friend held the other end. Then he laid on his belly and held onto two boat cushions as flotation devices just in case. He crawled toward his dog, which was struggling. He reached the edge and help his dog out. Then the man crawled safety away before standing up and heading for their truck. The dog shook off the water and was ready to play. It was a cool rescue and showed that being prepared when venturing out on the ice, even though we were close to shore, is always a good idea.

This storm produced 4-5 inches, but did not pack the wallop of the 8.5 inches we got socked with on Feb. 9-10. Just like that storm, virtually all schools were closed today in the region. The only ones open were Meadow Montessori and the community college, although the latter delayed opening until 10 a.m. The snow days are starting to add up. Monroe Schools has now had three days off due to snow…

It was another adventure coming into work this morning from snow-covered Bates Lane in Frenchtown Township. My road looked like a cow path and conditions didn’t get much better when I reached N. Custer Rd. At least there were two tracks to ride on when I reached the city limits at Custer Airport. The city crews had been salting, you could tell. It’s usually a relief getting into the city, but getting there can be a real headache…

- Dean Cousino, Evening News reporter, dean@monroenews.com

This is an excerpt from a story running in today’s Evening News:
Crews for the Monroe Department of Public Services were concentrating on plowing, not salting, today, said Patrick Lewis, director of engineering and public services for the city.
“We’re not declaring a snow emergency today because we think we can work around the parked cars,” Mr. Lewis said. “We may not get to all the local streets today. We’ll probably work through the night to some degree.”

- By Evening News City Editor Doug Donnelly, doug@monroenews.com

We all know this stuff, but it never hurts to hear a reminder:

Tips for winter safety

At home:

• Keep handy a battery-powered flashlight, NOAA weather radio and portable radio, extra food (canned or dried food is best), can opener, and bottled water (at least 3 gallons a person).

• Make sure each member of household has a warm coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots. Ensure that extra blankets and heavy clothes are available.

• Keep on hand items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.

• Be aware of potential fire and carbon monoxide hazards if you plan to use an emergency heating source such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater.

Outside:

• Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow, pushing a car or walking in deep snow. Sweating could lead to chill and hypothermia. Cold weather also puts extra strain on the heart, so the elderly and those with heart conditions should be especially cautious when out in the cold.

• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothing in layers, with a waterproof outer layer. Wear wool hat and mittens.

- By Evening News City Editor Doug Donnelly, doug@monroenews.com

Just got a call from someone at Meadow Montessori in Monroe reminding us that they are in session today.

We have reports of several schools, however, that are not. That list includes Monroe, Airport, Whiteford, Ida, Summerfield, Dundee, Bedford, New Bedford Academy, Flat Rock, Gibraltar and Huron.

- By Evening News City Editor Doug Donnelly, doug@monroenews.com

The Dundee Community Schools Board of Education will not meet tonight. The board had been scheduled to meet and one of the agenda items involved discussion of banning a parent from school activities for five years.

The Evening News did a story about the subject that ran Saturday.

Here’s a link to that:

http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100220/NEWS01/702209957/-1/NEWS

At this time, the meeting has not been rescheduled.

Someone who recently moved to the City of Monroe just e-mailed me and asked how he can find out if there is a snow emergency declared so he can avoid getting a ticket.

The City of Monroe usually calls us and sends us a fax or e-mail (or both) to alert us when the snow emergency will take effect. As soon as we find out, we’ll post it at our home page — www.monroenews.com.

As of 9 a.m., we haven’t received any official notice, though.

It seems pretty quiet on the scanner right now. Our reporters aren’t hearing of any major accidents going on around the county right now. A couple hours ago, I heard lots of spinouts, some I-75 wrecks and something near Plank Rd., probably on US-23. But, so far, it appears to mostly quiet around the county.

- By Evening News City Editor Doug Donnelly, doug@monroenews.com

Snow in downtown Monroe around 6 this morning appeared to be 1½-inch ovals – real monsters.
It got me to wondering what determines the size and shape of a flake.
Turns out that scientists have found that snowflakes take different shapes, depending on the air temperature and the cloud level where they originate.
To start, flakes are made up of as many as 180 billion molecules of water. A snowflake begins as a drop of water condensing on a speck of dust. At temperatures of 32 or lower, the droplet freezes and more droplets condense and freeze on it. If the cloud temperature stays below freezing, enough droplets will freeze and collect to form a hexagonal six-sided snowflake that falls to earth when it gets heavy enough.
In the highest clouds where temperatures are lowest, snowflakes take the shape of six-sided columns sometimes with the ends capped. Slightly warmed temperatures in the middle cloud layers will produce both a column-shaped flake and a flat six-sided shape called a hexagonal plate. The lowest clouds and warmest temperatures create snowflakes in hexagonal plates, short columns, long thin needles and stars. These snowflakes which form in warmer temperatures are also the largest flakes.
It was about 30 degrees in Monroe at 6 this morning. That means that conditions were ripe for a snowflake to form that was about three times the size of a typical half-inch flake. But some snowflakes have been recorded that are three to four inches long. Interesting enough, the larger flakes have far less intricate designs than smaller ones.

–Charles Slat

The US Coast Guard is sending out warnings for people to be careful if they plan on being out on the ice.

Here’s a press release from them today:

DETROIT – Deteriorating ice conditions will increase this weekend and make recreational ice activities more dangerous than usual. Forecasted winds, warm temperatures, and melting snow will weaken ice.  Also, ice jams in the St Clair River and other waterways have or may cause significant fluctuations in water levels thus increasing the threat of unstable ice conditions.  The Coast Guard cautions the public against going on the ice. If you decide to go on the ice the following safety precautions are recommended:

- By Evening News City Editor Doug Donnelly, doug@monroenews.com

(more…)

Ok — I admit it — I am! The worst part about it, though, is my daughter’s 8th grade basketball game is more than likely going to be canceled and not made up. That means — one fewer game to get to see her play in.

How is the snow affecting your day?

- Doug Donnelly, city editor, doug@monroenews.com

Another Michigan winter morning means more school closings and lots of spin outs and cars in ditches around Monroe County.
Join the conversation with Evening News staff and other county residents at http://monroetalks.com/forum/index.php?topic=18047.msg429868;topicseen#new
Several accidents have been reported to Monroe County Central Dispatch and the police scanner has been going off constantly this morning with reports of what sound like minor fender-benders and spinouts. Traffic on I-75 was slowed around Luna Pier and Exit 15 for separate crashes, one of which involved a semi.
About four inches of snow was being reported in southern Monroe County this morning.
Several Monroe County schools decided early this morning to close, including Monroe Public Schools.
If you have an interesting picture or story from today’s snow storm, send them to doug@monroenews.com.
Evening News reporters will also be blogging about today’s snow at www.blogsmonroe.com/reporters

The Sawyer Homestead has canceled its program for tonight because of the weather.

– Paula Wethington

The National Weather Service in Detroit has issued a winter storm watch for Monroe County, Mich., going into effect late tonight Sunday Feb. 21 and continuing to Monday Feb. 22.

The Monday morning and evening rush hours are expected to be messy in southeast Michigan. Current forecasts are calling for 4 to 8 inches of snow.

– Paula Wethington

The National Weather Service in Detroit has posted a map and chart listing snowfall totals for southeast Michigan on Feb. 9 and 10.

Monroe County amounts ranged from about 8 to 10 inches.

– Paula Wethington