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Daily DigestYuck!
 There's a winter storm warning in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday with another 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Could be another messy commute. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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Get Out the Shovels: Storm to Drop Up to 10 InchesBy Tammy Daniels - December 13, 2007
 | | Motorists make their way through the intersection on Main Street. |
NORTH ADAMS - The Berkshires is bracing for a one-two punch as a messy storm that paralyzed much of the Midwest makes its way into the Northeast today, with a second, larger storm right behind.
Schools around the region began sending students home by noontime as meteorologists forecast up to a foot of snow. The governor has declared a snow emergency in the state and sent home non-essential personnel.
Mayor John Barrett III said he did not anticipate declaring a snow emergency for the city.
"The storm is supposed to be over by later today, and the schools already had a half-day," he said, adding the storm was unusual in that it was happening very quickly. "It will be a tough storm to fight but we should be OK."
"We're looking at accumulations of 6 to 10 inches in Northern Berkshire, especially in the higher elevations," said John Hockridge of New England Weather Associates, just as the snowflakes began to fall on Main Street. "Heavier snow will be falling further south."
Most of that snow will be on the ground by midnight, though light precipitation may continue into tomorrow, he said.
South County could be looking at more than a foot with the heaviest snow falling late in the afternoon as people are making their way home, according to WTEN Channel 10 meteorologist Paul Caiano. The Northshire and Rutland region in Vermont are looking at 3 to 6 inches.
That's not the worst of it - a Nor'easter is headed into the region later Saturday.
"That one has the potential of growing larger and bringing a much greater accumulation [of snow], said Hockridge.
Williamstown is prepared, said Highway Superintendent Scott Park.
"We're always ready. ... Everything we do here is based on the weather," he said. "We start mentally preparing for it a day or two ahead of time - checking the plows, the sand - there's no last minute."
The town has been out 12 times already this season, spreading 477 tons of sand and 640 tons of salt. On a sleety Monday last week, the department dropped a 190 tons of salt on the icy streets.
Precipitation for this storm is expected to be snow, unlike the sleet and freezing rain that has crippled the Midwest and central Plains. Up to an inch and a half of ice there has cut power lines and disrupted municipal services. At least 27 deaths have been blamed on the storm - mostly from traffic accidents - and nearly a half-million customers are still without power.
The state police are asking residents not to travel or to keep their travel to a minimum to allow snow removal crews to clear state roadways. Motorists can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on state highways.
Some tips for safe driving include making sure your vehicle in is good working order; have an emergency kit - shovel, blanket, jumper cables, flashlight, etc.; clear your vehicle of snow and ice; reduce speed and leave extra space between you and the car ahead of you; be aware of your location in case you have to call 911.
Park plans a long day ahead but said his department tries to stay on a schedule so no one works more than 16 hours. "We try to get everybody home a minimum of eight hours so they don't get fatigued," he said. "I'm lucky. I can call on the cemetery department, parks and sewer and water to help out. Some towns don't have that many people."
Small towns, like Mount Washington, will be struggling through the storm with only a handful of plow drivers, he said.
Barrett said the city was keeping an eye on the Saturday storm, which is expected to be much more powerful.
But for today, "the roads are slippery so people should drive carefully," he said.
Many activities and meetings for tonight have been canceled, including the Hoosac Valley boys' basketball game in Putnam and the Sullivan School Holiday Fest is postponed. Called ahead before going out tonight to make sure your event is still on.
Local libraries are closed or will be closed this evening; the North Adams Library will close at 5 p.m.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation declared a snow emergency at 2 p.m. Any vehicles parked on any DCR roadways will be towed at owner's expense.
School closings:
Adams-Regional Regional School District: noon, Hoosac Valley basketball canceled
Adams Youth Center: closed
St. Stanislaus School: 1:10
BArT Charter Public School: 12:30
Berkshire Christian School: noon
Berkshire Community College: noon, no evening classes.
Berkshire Hills Regional: noon
Clarksburg Elementary: 11:30
COTY Center: closed
Abbott Memorial School: 11:30
Hoosick Falls (N.Y.) Central: 1:30
Lee Public Schools: 11:40
Lenox Public Schools: 11
Pittsfield: no after-school activities
MCLA: 1 p.m.; evening classes canceled
McCann: 1:15, School Committee meeting canceled
New Lebanon (N.Y.): Closed
Richmond Consolidated: 3 hours early
Savoy: 11:30
Southern Berkshire: 11:40
Stamford Elementary School: 11:45 |
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