Barrow County’s first case of rabies this year was confirmed earlier this week after a raccoon tangled with a family cat in a yard off Meadowbrook Drive in Winder.
“A resident on Meadowbrook Drive in Winder near the (Winder-Barrow) high school shot and killed the raccoon after it was involved in a fight with the homeowner’s cat,” said interim animal control director Jimmy Terrell in an email to the Barrow Journal.
The large orange colored cat ran from the scene after the raccoon was killed, and officials at WBHS and the Winder Police Department were notified.
Then on Wednesday the state lab confirmed that the dead raccoon had tested positive for rabies. And the cat’s owner managed to get his pet back. But the cat was not current on its rabies vaccination; so it was transported by animal control officers to the Barrow County Animal Shelter where “it will be evaluated and a decision will be made on the status of the cat,” Terrell said.
Public Safety Archives
Raccoon tests positive for rabies after fight with cat
Thursday, March 6. 2014
Barrow men nabbed in sex sting
Wednesday, March 5. 2014
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says two local men have been arrested after allegedly traveling to meet children for sex.
Richard Roger Tumlin, 49, was arrested Friday and booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center. He was released Monday after paying a $25,000 bond.
Kennith Samuel Walker, 48, was arrested Saturday and released from the same facility on Sunday after paying a $25,000 bond.
They were among 14 suspects arrested in a four-day sweep across North Georgia by agencies participating in an undercover operation the GBI dubbed “Operation Broken Heart."
For the full story, read the March 5 edition of the Barrow Journal.
Richard Roger Tumlin, 49, was arrested Friday and booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center. He was released Monday after paying a $25,000 bond.
Kennith Samuel Walker, 48, was arrested Saturday and released from the same facility on Sunday after paying a $25,000 bond.
They were among 14 suspects arrested in a four-day sweep across North Georgia by agencies participating in an undercover operation the GBI dubbed “Operation Broken Heart."
For the full story, read the March 5 edition of the Barrow Journal.
The hunt is on... Who killed local donkey?
Wednesday, February 19. 2014
Someone on Saturday used a high-powered rifle to kill a pet donkey on a local family’s farm and now the hunter is the one being hunted.
Raymond Garrett said Tuesday that he has hired a private investigator to track down the shooter, and he also is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the person’s identity and possible arrest.
“I’ve got two grandchildren — a 14-year-old grandson and a 10-year-old granddaughter,” Garrett said. “They fed him bread every day. That really upset them. And I’ve got two more donkeys and I don’t want them killed.”
Garrett’s daughter, Tonya Crowe, is a teacher at Apalachee High School. She said Tuesday that the donkey was killed in an area that family members use.
“He was killed in a part of our pasture that we are in a lot,” she said. “My kids play there. We feed the cattle there.”
Neighbors also go into that area interacting with the livestock.
Said Crowe: “All of our cattle and donkeys are friendly. Many of the cows eat out of our hands and several neighbors feed them also. Bonnie was the most cautious of the donkeys, but he was part of the herd. I’ve always felt safest at home, and now I do not feel safe.”
Raymond Garrett said Tuesday that he has hired a private investigator to track down the shooter, and he also is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the person’s identity and possible arrest.
“I’ve got two grandchildren — a 14-year-old grandson and a 10-year-old granddaughter,” Garrett said. “They fed him bread every day. That really upset them. And I’ve got two more donkeys and I don’t want them killed.”
Garrett’s daughter, Tonya Crowe, is a teacher at Apalachee High School. She said Tuesday that the donkey was killed in an area that family members use.
“He was killed in a part of our pasture that we are in a lot,” she said. “My kids play there. We feed the cattle there.”
Neighbors also go into that area interacting with the livestock.
Said Crowe: “All of our cattle and donkeys are friendly. Many of the cows eat out of our hands and several neighbors feed them also. Bonnie was the most cautious of the donkeys, but he was part of the herd. I’ve always felt safest at home, and now I do not feel safe.”
GDOT: Black ice a threat this morning
Friday, February 14. 2014
PUBLIC SAFETY PRESS RELEASE
4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2014
From the Georgia Department of Transportation:
GAINESVILLE, GA. – Perilous roadway conditions are possible this morning as refreezing occurred overnight and black ice is a threat across the Northeast Georgia Region, especially on bridges. If you can wait, please do not travel until after the sun rises and temperatures get above freezing to minimize your chance of encountering black ice.
Crews are removing the slush and excess gravel from state routes and interstates throughout the region. Georgia DOT received reports of icing at the following locations and crews are working these areas as available;
· Barrow County SR 211 at Wilbanks
· Clarke County - SR 10/US 78 at Lexington Heights
· Elbert County - SR 77 at Elmhurst Drive, SR 368 at SR 77
· Forsyth County – SR 20 at Bethelview Rd
· Gwinnett County – SR 120 at I-85
· Hall County - SR 53/Winder Hwy from Youngblood Rd to SR 211, SR 53/Mundy Mill Rd @ Frontage Rd and SR 60 at Aviation Blvd and SR 52 at Magnolia Station Dr.
· Madison County - SR 8/us 29 at Joe Graham Rd
“Our crews are working diligently in every county to remove ice, slush and the remaining gravel from the roadways and provide safe travel on interstates and state routes. My biggest concern is last night’s refreezing created black ice. Icing can occur quickly on bridges – be very attentive as you approach a bridge, slowing down to half your normal speed. Do not use the gas or brake pedals. Remember, if you see an area that looks like water on the road or bridge – it is ice! Please wait until after the sun comes up and temperatures rise before you drive if possible,” asks Bayne Smith, Georgia DOT District Engineer.
Georgia DOT continues to coordinate with all state agencies at the Emergency Operations Center and Special Operations Center which will remain active throughout this winter storm event.
Georgia DOT urges travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org. For more information on Georgia DOT, please visit www.dot.ga.gov or subscribe to our Press Release RSS feed. You also may follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GDOTNE ) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/GDOTNE).
4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2014
From the Georgia Department of Transportation:
GAINESVILLE, GA. – Perilous roadway conditions are possible this morning as refreezing occurred overnight and black ice is a threat across the Northeast Georgia Region, especially on bridges. If you can wait, please do not travel until after the sun rises and temperatures get above freezing to minimize your chance of encountering black ice.
Crews are removing the slush and excess gravel from state routes and interstates throughout the region. Georgia DOT received reports of icing at the following locations and crews are working these areas as available;
· Barrow County SR 211 at Wilbanks
· Clarke County - SR 10/US 78 at Lexington Heights
· Elbert County - SR 77 at Elmhurst Drive, SR 368 at SR 77
· Forsyth County – SR 20 at Bethelview Rd
· Gwinnett County – SR 120 at I-85
· Hall County - SR 53/Winder Hwy from Youngblood Rd to SR 211, SR 53/Mundy Mill Rd @ Frontage Rd and SR 60 at Aviation Blvd and SR 52 at Magnolia Station Dr.
· Madison County - SR 8/us 29 at Joe Graham Rd
“Our crews are working diligently in every county to remove ice, slush and the remaining gravel from the roadways and provide safe travel on interstates and state routes. My biggest concern is last night’s refreezing created black ice. Icing can occur quickly on bridges – be very attentive as you approach a bridge, slowing down to half your normal speed. Do not use the gas or brake pedals. Remember, if you see an area that looks like water on the road or bridge – it is ice! Please wait until after the sun comes up and temperatures rise before you drive if possible,” asks Bayne Smith, Georgia DOT District Engineer.
Georgia DOT continues to coordinate with all state agencies at the Emergency Operations Center and Special Operations Center which will remain active throughout this winter storm event.
Georgia DOT urges travelers to exercise caution and call 511 for updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org. For more information on Georgia DOT, please visit www.dot.ga.gov or subscribe to our Press Release RSS feed. You also may follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GDOTNE ) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/GDOTNE).
Schools out until Tuesday; GDOT asks public to wait until midday Friday to resume travel
Thursday, February 13. 2014
Barrow County schools will be closed for the fourth straight day on Friday due to road conditions. Then on Monday schools will be closed again for the scheduled President's Day holiday — giving students and staff a full week off.
In addition, the offices of the county government will delay opening Friday morning until 10 a.m., according to an announcement by the county clerk. And Auburn's city offices will open at 9 a.m. Friday.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Transportation is asking the public to watch out for crews and equipment on the state's highways and interstates.
“Please slow down and be cautious around our equipment as we finalize clean-up from the storm,” Georgia DOT Communications Director Karlene Barron asked.
Temperatures will be below freezing tonight and any moisture remaining on roadways will refreeze, creating dangerous black ice, she said.
"Thus, the Department continues to encourage the public to refrain from unnecessary traveling until midday, tomorrow, when temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees," the press release states.
In addition, the offices of the county government will delay opening Friday morning until 10 a.m., according to an announcement by the county clerk. And Auburn's city offices will open at 9 a.m. Friday.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Transportation is asking the public to watch out for crews and equipment on the state's highways and interstates.
“Please slow down and be cautious around our equipment as we finalize clean-up from the storm,” Georgia DOT Communications Director Karlene Barron asked.
Temperatures will be below freezing tonight and any moisture remaining on roadways will refreeze, creating dangerous black ice, she said.
"Thus, the Department continues to encourage the public to refrain from unnecessary traveling until midday, tomorrow, when temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees," the press release states.
Pax winding down, leaving messy roads behind
Thursday, February 13. 2014
Winter Storm Pax may be moving out, but it has left a mess on local roads. So Barrow County Emergency Services is asking local residents to continue staying off roadways.
"With all the sleet, freezing rain and snow that fell over the last two days, the roadways are covered and in bad shape," said Lt. Scott Dakin. "We are strongly advising citizens that if they get out on the roadways, they are still doing so at their own risk."
County road crews are back out on the roads plowing and spreading salt, but it is going to take time for conditions to improve enough to make the roads safe for travel, he said.
"With temperatures not expected to rise above freezing before noon, we are not going to get the melting effect to assist in clearing the roads," Dakin said. "Then tonight we will drop below freezing again; so you will want to monitor conditions before deciding what to do on Friday."
According to Barrow County Emergency Services Interim Chief John Skinner, the county's Emergency Operations Center will start closing around noon.
Though some local residents did not heed public safety warnings about staying off the roads, the vast majority did.
"With the roadways in the shape they were in overnight this could have been a catastrophic storm that would have been historical; instead it was handled easily by the staff we had on," he said.
"With all the sleet, freezing rain and snow that fell over the last two days, the roadways are covered and in bad shape," said Lt. Scott Dakin. "We are strongly advising citizens that if they get out on the roadways, they are still doing so at their own risk."
County road crews are back out on the roads plowing and spreading salt, but it is going to take time for conditions to improve enough to make the roads safe for travel, he said.
"With temperatures not expected to rise above freezing before noon, we are not going to get the melting effect to assist in clearing the roads," Dakin said. "Then tonight we will drop below freezing again; so you will want to monitor conditions before deciding what to do on Friday."
According to Barrow County Emergency Services Interim Chief John Skinner, the county's Emergency Operations Center will start closing around noon.
Though some local residents did not heed public safety warnings about staying off the roads, the vast majority did.
"With the roadways in the shape they were in overnight this could have been a catastrophic storm that would have been historical; instead it was handled easily by the staff we had on," he said.
Barrow emergency operations center: 'Strongly, strongly, strongly advising to stay home'
Wednesday, February 12. 2014
Barrow County Emergency Services Chief is issuing a warning to all citizens about all county roads in Barrow.
"As the Emergency Management Agency Director it is my duty to warn citizens of the worsening road conditions throughout the county," stated Chief John Skinner. "We are telling citizens to stay off the roads tonight, and into Thursday afternoon. If you do travel you must realize it is at your own risk."
A coordination of all agencies involved in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), including law enforcement agencies and public works departments, has determined that as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, county roads have deteriorated to the point that they are very treacherous and quickly becoming impassable. Barrow County Roads and Bridges as well as several municipality public works departments have been plowing and treating roads and bridges with salt since Tuesday night. After 3/4" of sleet and freezing rain falling overnight and throughout the day, and temperatures falling below freezing, it has become a losing battle.
Barrow County will remain under a Winter Weather Storm Warning until 1 p.m. Thursday, and conditions are expected to continue to worsen. The National Weather Service is forecasting between two and four inches of snow to fall overnight Wednesday.
The Emergency Operation Center is STRONGLY, STRONGLY, STRONGLY advising citizens to stay home and stay off all roadways. If you choose to travel and become stranded, understand that public safety will have an extended response time and will be prioritizing all calls for help.
"In the interest of the safety of our citizens as well as our public safety personnel we are taking steps to reduce our traveling on the roadways," commented Chief Skinner "We have and will continue to prioritize all calls for help, and will send crews out on true emergencies first."
Roads and Bridges crews, who have been going for over 24 hours straight, have also been pulled off the roads for the night. They will not be out salting roads except when requested by the EOC to assist public safety personnel responding to emergency calls.
The weather has also started affecting power for county citizens. At one point Walton EMC was reporting ten percent of their Barrow County customers were out of power.
"We also want to remind citizens that the 911 lines are for emergency calls and with this weather we are seeing an increase in call volume," stated Chief Skinner. "We remind you not to call 911 to find out about road conditions or weather conditions. To report power outages you need to contact your power company."
Barrow County Emergency Operation Center will remain fully operational over night and as long as necessary monitoring weather conditions as well as assisting in allocating resources for emergency responses. Our Emergency Operations Center nonemergency help desk number is (770) 307-2987 Extension 4996.
"As the Emergency Management Agency Director it is my duty to warn citizens of the worsening road conditions throughout the county," stated Chief John Skinner. "We are telling citizens to stay off the roads tonight, and into Thursday afternoon. If you do travel you must realize it is at your own risk."
A coordination of all agencies involved in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), including law enforcement agencies and public works departments, has determined that as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, county roads have deteriorated to the point that they are very treacherous and quickly becoming impassable. Barrow County Roads and Bridges as well as several municipality public works departments have been plowing and treating roads and bridges with salt since Tuesday night. After 3/4" of sleet and freezing rain falling overnight and throughout the day, and temperatures falling below freezing, it has become a losing battle.
Barrow County will remain under a Winter Weather Storm Warning until 1 p.m. Thursday, and conditions are expected to continue to worsen. The National Weather Service is forecasting between two and four inches of snow to fall overnight Wednesday.
The Emergency Operation Center is STRONGLY, STRONGLY, STRONGLY advising citizens to stay home and stay off all roadways. If you choose to travel and become stranded, understand that public safety will have an extended response time and will be prioritizing all calls for help.
"In the interest of the safety of our citizens as well as our public safety personnel we are taking steps to reduce our traveling on the roadways," commented Chief Skinner "We have and will continue to prioritize all calls for help, and will send crews out on true emergencies first."
Roads and Bridges crews, who have been going for over 24 hours straight, have also been pulled off the roads for the night. They will not be out salting roads except when requested by the EOC to assist public safety personnel responding to emergency calls.
The weather has also started affecting power for county citizens. At one point Walton EMC was reporting ten percent of their Barrow County customers were out of power.
"We also want to remind citizens that the 911 lines are for emergency calls and with this weather we are seeing an increase in call volume," stated Chief Skinner. "We remind you not to call 911 to find out about road conditions or weather conditions. To report power outages you need to contact your power company."
Barrow County Emergency Operation Center will remain fully operational over night and as long as necessary monitoring weather conditions as well as assisting in allocating resources for emergency responses. Our Emergency Operations Center nonemergency help desk number is (770) 307-2987 Extension 4996.
GDOT: 'No overnight driving'
Wednesday, February 12. 2014
From the Georgia Department of Transportation at 7:58 p.m. Wednesday:
ATLANTA – Overnight driving in all but the most dire emergency is strongly discouraged by the Georgia Department of Transportation as conditions will be ideal for the formation of treacherous and difficult-to-see black ice. Periodic bands of snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected to fall throughout central and north Georgia throughout the night while temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing. Those conditions, combined with darkness, make for extremely dangerous driving conditions. Georgia DOT continues to urge the public to avoid all but emergency travel until at least mid-day Thursday. Snow accumulations in North Georgia continue to pose driving hazards there. In a wide area across the state between a line just north of Columbus, Macon, Warner Robins and Statesboro and extending northward to as far above Interstate Highway 20 as Athens, significant icing is occurring. A State of Emergency remains in effect for 91 counties in this region.
DOT Communications Director Karlene Barron cautions that while the Department is utilizing all of its assets and available personnel to treat roadways, black ice at night often is only detected too late. “It is almost impossible to spot at night and once most drivers encounter a patch, it is almost equally impossible to successfully negotiate it. Everyone will be better served if they can simply stay home this evening and not travel until well into the day Thursday when temperatures are expected to climb back above freezing.”
As of Wednesday evening, perilous roadway conditions exist in Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall Counties. These are some of the trouble spots:
• SR 369 from SR 9 to SR 400 is closed due to a tree and power lines across the road, with no estimated clearance time.
• Reports of icing on I-985 northbound and southbound from I-85 in Gwinnett past exit 24/SR 369 in Gainesville.
• Reports of icing on Interstate 85 northbound and southbound exit 137/SR 11/US 129 in Jackson County through Banks County to Exit 154/SR 63/Martin Bridge in Franklin County.
“Avoid these routes while our crews work diligently to break through the ice and can improve conditions on these roadways. Please do not multiply the hazards by driving unless it is an emergency situation,” asks Bayne Smith, Georgia DOT District Engineer.
ATLANTA – Overnight driving in all but the most dire emergency is strongly discouraged by the Georgia Department of Transportation as conditions will be ideal for the formation of treacherous and difficult-to-see black ice. Periodic bands of snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected to fall throughout central and north Georgia throughout the night while temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing. Those conditions, combined with darkness, make for extremely dangerous driving conditions. Georgia DOT continues to urge the public to avoid all but emergency travel until at least mid-day Thursday. Snow accumulations in North Georgia continue to pose driving hazards there. In a wide area across the state between a line just north of Columbus, Macon, Warner Robins and Statesboro and extending northward to as far above Interstate Highway 20 as Athens, significant icing is occurring. A State of Emergency remains in effect for 91 counties in this region.
DOT Communications Director Karlene Barron cautions that while the Department is utilizing all of its assets and available personnel to treat roadways, black ice at night often is only detected too late. “It is almost impossible to spot at night and once most drivers encounter a patch, it is almost equally impossible to successfully negotiate it. Everyone will be better served if they can simply stay home this evening and not travel until well into the day Thursday when temperatures are expected to climb back above freezing.”
As of Wednesday evening, perilous roadway conditions exist in Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall Counties. These are some of the trouble spots:
• SR 369 from SR 9 to SR 400 is closed due to a tree and power lines across the road, with no estimated clearance time.
• Reports of icing on I-985 northbound and southbound from I-85 in Gwinnett past exit 24/SR 369 in Gainesville.
• Reports of icing on Interstate 85 northbound and southbound exit 137/SR 11/US 129 in Jackson County through Banks County to Exit 154/SR 63/Martin Bridge in Franklin County.
“Avoid these routes while our crews work diligently to break through the ice and can improve conditions on these roadways. Please do not multiply the hazards by driving unless it is an emergency situation,” asks Bayne Smith, Georgia DOT District Engineer.
Sheriff to thrill seekers: 'Stay home'
Wednesday, February 12. 2014
Risk takers venturing out onto Barrow County’s icy roads in their cars and trucks for no good reason are making it harder for Barrow County’s emergency agencies to do their jobs, according to Sheriff Jud Smith.
“We are pleading for people not to create an emergency for us,” the sheriff said. “We don’t mind being out there and we are answering the calls that come in, but if you are out driving for any reason other than a family emergency, and you cause damage to someone else’s property or a wreck, you are going to be held responsible.”
Most of the calls coming into the E-911 Center are for avoidable accidents, he said flatly.
“The last wreck we worked, the lady was going out to get beer for her mother,” Smith said. “I worked one today where the guy went off a 20-foot embankment off (highway) 316. He was going 45. He said he lost control and took down a highway sign and some guard rail. We’re responding to one now where a battalion chief pulled a vehicle out of a ditch.”
The sheriff said people mistakenly think they can brave the elements no matter how bad things get.
“I don’t care what type of driver you are, you are going to slide around and you are going to cause problems and risk the safety of the emergency personnel who have to come help you.”
He said people have been driving four-wheelers down the road with kayaks tied to them.
“That’s not safe," the sheriff said. "If they get seriously injured, the response times for ambulances and fire trucks are going to be very, very long.”
It also is possible that insurance companies could refuse to pay claims for accidents caused by drivers who don't heed public safety warnings about staying off unsafe roadways, he said.
A wintry mix of precipitation is still falling in Barrow County. The latest forecast is for another couple of inches of snow by Thursday morning.
•••••••••
From the Barrow Journal staff: Do you have some photos of your family's encounter with Winter Storm Pax? If you would like to share them, just email them to cbridges@barrowjournal.com and smobley@barrowjournal.com. Stay safe!
“We are pleading for people not to create an emergency for us,” the sheriff said. “We don’t mind being out there and we are answering the calls that come in, but if you are out driving for any reason other than a family emergency, and you cause damage to someone else’s property or a wreck, you are going to be held responsible.”
Most of the calls coming into the E-911 Center are for avoidable accidents, he said flatly.
“The last wreck we worked, the lady was going out to get beer for her mother,” Smith said. “I worked one today where the guy went off a 20-foot embankment off (highway) 316. He was going 45. He said he lost control and took down a highway sign and some guard rail. We’re responding to one now where a battalion chief pulled a vehicle out of a ditch.”
The sheriff said people mistakenly think they can brave the elements no matter how bad things get.
“I don’t care what type of driver you are, you are going to slide around and you are going to cause problems and risk the safety of the emergency personnel who have to come help you.”
He said people have been driving four-wheelers down the road with kayaks tied to them.
“That’s not safe," the sheriff said. "If they get seriously injured, the response times for ambulances and fire trucks are going to be very, very long.”
It also is possible that insurance companies could refuse to pay claims for accidents caused by drivers who don't heed public safety warnings about staying off unsafe roadways, he said.
A wintry mix of precipitation is still falling in Barrow County. The latest forecast is for another couple of inches of snow by Thursday morning.
•••••••••
From the Barrow Journal staff: Do you have some photos of your family's encounter with Winter Storm Pax? If you would like to share them, just email them to cbridges@barrowjournal.com and smobley@barrowjournal.com. Stay safe!
Schools closed for Thursday; roads 'terrible'
Wednesday, February 12. 2014
4:30 p.m. Barrow County Emergency Services has issued another alert to ask the public not to venture out on the roadways. The streets are still icy, with sleet and ice still falling and expected to get heavier in the coming hours. GDOT crews are in Barrow County salting state highways, and local public works departments are working hard to salt local roads.
2:09 p.m. update: Barrow County public schools will be closed again on Thursday, school officials announced.
11:47 a.m. update: Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith says he has never seen the county’s roads this bad.
“There’s about a quarter- to a half-inch of ice packed on the ground, and all roads are white,” he said. “It’s just a sheet of ice on everything. Terrible conditions. People walking down the sides of roads are slipping and falling.”
He likened the situation to trying to control a vehicle on a hockey rink.
“We are urging people not to get out in this unless it’s an absolute emergency,” the sheriff said.
So far, that is what most — but not all — local residents are doing.
“We are responding to a call right now on Highway 316 of a vehicle in a ditch,” Smith said. “We’re not sure if she’s hurt.”
But the sheriff said in the four miles of Highway 316 that he has just driven, he has seen only one 18-wheeler driving about 20 miles per hour and one other smaller truck.”
The only emergency calls to the sheriff’s office today have been to check alarms triggered by the winds, vehicles stuck in ditches, and a few people “not using common sense,” Smith said.
“We’ve had a couple of calls about people doing donuts and stuff in the roads.”
From the Barrow Journal staff: Do you have some photos of your family's encounter with Winter Storm Pax? If you would like to share them, just email them to cbridges@barrowjournal.com and smobley@barrowjournal.com. Stay safe!
2:09 p.m. update: Barrow County public schools will be closed again on Thursday, school officials announced.
11:47 a.m. update: Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith says he has never seen the county’s roads this bad.
“There’s about a quarter- to a half-inch of ice packed on the ground, and all roads are white,” he said. “It’s just a sheet of ice on everything. Terrible conditions. People walking down the sides of roads are slipping and falling.”
He likened the situation to trying to control a vehicle on a hockey rink.
“We are urging people not to get out in this unless it’s an absolute emergency,” the sheriff said.
So far, that is what most — but not all — local residents are doing.
“We are responding to a call right now on Highway 316 of a vehicle in a ditch,” Smith said. “We’re not sure if she’s hurt.”
But the sheriff said in the four miles of Highway 316 that he has just driven, he has seen only one 18-wheeler driving about 20 miles per hour and one other smaller truck.”
The only emergency calls to the sheriff’s office today have been to check alarms triggered by the winds, vehicles stuck in ditches, and a few people “not using common sense,” Smith said.
“We’ve had a couple of calls about people doing donuts and stuff in the roads.”
From the Barrow Journal staff: Do you have some photos of your family's encounter with Winter Storm Pax? If you would like to share them, just email them to cbridges@barrowjournal.com and smobley@barrowjournal.com. Stay safe!
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