Blizzard closes roads, schools, businesses for second day
By Jim O’Reilly
Call it the Great Blizzard of 2019. The massive winter storm that shut down over 500 miles of Interstate 80 in Wyoming, state and local government offices, as well as schools and businesses is still causing problems.
The interstate remains closed Thursday after being battered by heavy snow and wind gusts to 60 miles per hour. Schools in Carbon County District Two will also remain closed a second day today, as will state government offices in Cheyenne.
Governor Mark Gordon praised the Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol for their efforts in assisting stranded motorists in winds he said reached the force of a Category 1 hurricane. I-80 first closed between Cheyenne and Laramie Wednesday morning following a power line fire near Buford. Crashes and worsening conditions kept the road closed. By noon, the shut down stretched from the Nebraska state line to Rock Springs.
WYDOT crews report drifts as deep as 10 feet between Arlington and Laramie. Meanwhile, residents in towns and on ranches across southern Wyoming are still digging out from snow drifts. Carbon County School District Two Superintendent Jim Copeland told Bigfoot 99 that the north schools and the schools in the Platte Valle will remain closed today because of the road and weather conditions that continue to plague the area.
All hands on deck as City of Rawlins tackles snow removal
Rawlins residents and business owners felt the impact of the storm immediately, with many waking up to driveways and streets already buried by snow drifts. City crews began plowing at 4 a.m. Wednesday, and they haven’t stopped. Cali O’Hare reports.
Historicorps seeks volunteers for restoration projects
Historicorps is currently looking for volunteers to sign up to participate in restoration work of the Hog Park Guard Station in the Medicine Bow Routt National Forest this summer. The project is taking place in July and August so that the public can rent the guard station as a cabin in the years to come. Emma Diercks has the story.
Click here for more information about volunteering
Home Alone Program provides welfare checks to area residents
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is reminding all area residents of its free program that monitors the welfare of home bound citizens. Cali O’Hare reports.
Saratoga officials recommend hiring full-time zoning officer
In Saratoga, at the March 19th town council meeting, the planning commission will recommend that the next zoning officer be a full-time position that could be shared with the public works department. meeting. Emma Diercks reports.
Sports: York prepares for state competition
