Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

Mnmlny Jcy4f1C33 oranraa A TOON Region Mraed to over a foot off eow wood Blizzard kicks in -Vj P. FEED-THE BIRDS! They will be eternally grateful i 1 -rr. yf. i Photo by Doug Lawhead works to free his pickup truck t. a l.fcT'.L.

-i rafter snowfall By Krista Lewin StaffWriter A powerful snow and ice storm blasted the region Friday and Saturday, dumping more than 12 inches of additional snow onto some parts of the area. Charleston weather observer Dalias Price estimated a total of 16 inches of snow from this week-- end and last week's storms was recorded in Charleston. "This was a peculiar storm because it wasn't all snow," Price said. "It was a mixture of snow, freezing rain and sleet that caused layers to be formed. It is very heavy snow." "FEED THE BIRDS The storm was also unusual, Price said, because the low pres-.

sure did not travel through th Ohio Valley into New England. Instead, it turned and went back to Chicago, he said. "If it had traveled it's normal path, we would have just received snow, rather than the mixture, Price said. "But we possibly would have received more snow accumulation," Price said. The blizzard portion of the storm started Sunday when the top 2 and 3 inches of extra snow started blowingaround, causing drifting and whiteouts, Price said.

Friday and Saturday's storms were just good old snow storms, he said. "Quite often the sun is shining during the blizzards," Price said. FEED THE BIRDS Additional snow accumulation isJJredicted for Tuesday and JWednesday. "We're into an arctic phase," Price said. "Cold air moves in to the U.S.

from Alaska, Canada and Siberia. The Siberian air can make for very cold temperatures." The colder temperatures will also keep the snow from melting, Price said. Temperatures could moderate by next week, causing some of the snow to melt, he said. Although the area received a lot of snow, Price said no records were broken. The record snow fall was 24 inches in December, 1973, he said.

"I remember that storm because it was right around finals time at Eastern," Price said. This weekend's storms were among the worst bunch of storms Price said the area has received, but he said the area has experienced whiteout conditions that were much more severe. FEED THE BIRDS Local Red MATTOON The city's Red Cross set up a shelter for stranded motorists Sunday in the First Presbyterian Church, 10 Charleston Ave. Red Cross Director Doug Overmyer said about 312 people spent the night at the shelter. Most arrived after 5 p.m.

when local motels became full but some began arriving as early as 2 p.m. "A lot of them were stranded," he said. "I think they just got Overmyer said the Red Cross decided to open the shelter at the request of local emergency services agencies. The agencies thought opening the shelter would be a good idea following an accident on Interstate 57, he said. "They were right," Overmyer said.

"They had no where else to go. Several local volunteers pitched in to help feed the stranded motorists pizzas, sandwiches and "whatever we can scrounge up," Overmyer explained. The shelter also planned to provide breakfast and will allow the people to stay tonight ifjeondi- Sunday near his residence at 1 Most of the main roads and side streets were plowed by Sunday because Harrington said the city sent out the trucks when the storm started. "The ice caused us problems because it was slick," Harrington said. "The snow was harder to push because of the rain, but it did keepit from drifting, until we See SNOW A3 005 Lafayette Avenue.

Classes canceled in Charleston and Mattoon school districts The weekend snow storm led to the cancelation of school today in the Mattoon and Charleston school districts, giving students at least one more day off following Christmas vacation. Charleston school Superintendent Ted Wetekamp said drifting snow in rural areas would make it hazardous to run school bus routes. Also, the accumulated snow would make it difficult for in-town children as well, and district employees need time to shovel walks and otherwise prepare school buildings, he said. "It just makes sense at this time to go ahead and cancel," Wetekamp said on Sunday. Decisions on attendance for the rest of the week will be made "a day at a time," he added.

travelers Photo by KavlnKllhoffw Route 1 30 through Charleston was covered with ice and snow Sunday, one of many roadways that were obstacles to travelers. Cold with light snow at times. High 5 to 1 0 above zero. See A1 2. Illini fall short BLOOMINGTON, Intf.

(AP) Luke Recker scored 23 points to lead No. 8 Indiana to a 62-53 victory over Illinois on Sunday. See B1. Postal Service to host meeting in Charleston A3 Friday's Dowerful snow storm not only slammed the door on travel and business, it also made delivery of the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier extremely difficult In some cases, impossible. Despite the storm, many carriers managed to deliver their newspapers.

The efforts of all our carriers went above and beyond the call of duty. The circulation department of both newspapers received many calls Saturday from E.ubscribers who did not get heir newspaper because of ithe storm. The circulation department will make every effort to get Saturday's newspaper to these subscribers. As of Sunday night, many roads In our circulation areas remained In hazardous condition for our carriers. The Journal Gazette and Times-Courier appreciate the patience of subscribers and the efforts of newspaper carriers.

CLASSIFIEDS COMICS C712 C4 C5 C2 C3 A11 ENTERTAINMENT AROUND TOWN LIFESTYLE LOTTERY OPINIONS pECORDS SPORTS A4 A12 B1-4 Fences! What more could you ask to find in today's Classified Ads? ton, Mattoon Street Department. He said snow plow trucks were sent out at 5 p.m., Friday. "It was difficult to keep up with the plowing because the snow was so heavy and by the time we had one area plowed, another area (previously plowed) would be snowed over again," Hairing-, ton said. "It was hard to tell whether it had been plowed or not and we had to start over again." Ron Fisher of Mattoon Poor roads cause closings, cancellations By Krista Lewin StaffWriter MATTOON Old man winter shut the doors Saturday on many local businesses and painted the streets white with layers of snow and ice. The snowy and icy conditions Friday and Saturday added to the snow already accumulated last week.

The remnants of the storm continued Sunday with blowing and drifting snow that created hazardous travel conditions on interstates and roads. A report Sunday afternoon from the Coles County Sheriffs Department said all main and secondary roads had poor visibility because of blowing and drifting snow. Travel wasn't recommended, the report said. The Mattoon Street Department dispersed sand trucks Friday afternoon in anticipation of the storm, said Leroy Hairing- Cross center 66 Everyone's in a good mood. They all seem really grateful." Doug Overmyer, Red Cross director tions don't improve.

Overmyer said the number of people who showed up was a bit surprising but didn't really present a problem. "Everyone's in a good mood," he said. "They all seem really grateful." The last time the Red Cross opened the shelter was following March's tornado, Overmyer added. The last time winter wpather made the shelter necessary was two years ago, he said. opens doors to stranded jf.

jt'- vY." I II 'il ii iii.friin till i i lii i.i iiiiw I i Hi I i i il i'i mi mi i i ii i iii ii 1 1 ii ii 'i in' ii' ii ii Til mil ii ifc ir i i i i 'MmmmmmmmmammmtiKmmtmmmmmmmmmmmmmmlmiamimLitl 250 FTolChaln Link Fence 1 -I w3 aales, you take down, I $350. Call 235-5900. WJSOLD Rainbow Sweey Photo by Art Richard! Joe Grant, left, and her daughter, Cristin, of Madison, play a game of skip-bo to pass the time at the First Presbyterian Church in Mattoon, where they were stranded Sunday due to poor interstate conditions. To place an ad, call 235-5656..