[Southsider2k12]

Franklin Street Will Close For Snow Removal

Mayor Chuck Oberlie and John Jones, Director of Emergency Management issued the following statement today:

“Continued snow will accumulate today according to a phone report from the National Weather Service this morning, reported John Jones, Director of the city’s Emergency Management Agency. We are expecting an additional one to one and one half inches of light to moderate snow fall before noon today. After noon we are bracing for a short lived burst of intense lake effect snow that will move out of the area by early evening. Light snow flurries will continue this evening before it stops overnight. The lake effect snow continuing overnight will produce an additional two to four inches for a total of up to five and one half additional inches of snow adding to the Tuesday night barrage.

“We have been relatively lucky continued Jones. In the entire NIPSCO service area only 22 customers were without power this morning. Michigan City had one outage affecting 8 customers as of 8:00 a.m. this morning. We expect the power to be restored rather quickly”.

Moving forward, the city announced the following plans to combat the snow. The local State of Emergency continues until such time as we can clear streets so that emergency crews can adequately access all areas of the city. Beginning this evening from 4:00 p.m. until approximately 11:00 p.m., Franklin Street will be closed from U.S. 20 to 4th street to remove snow. Additional Police and volunteer crews will be blocking Franklin Street while crews load semi trucks hauling snow. A tow order remains in effect for violating cars parked on designated snow routes.

In addition, the Refuse Department will be picking up garbage today but will not in all probability complete the scheduled routes. Remaining pickups will be done on Thursday.

Mayor Oberlie is encouraging citizens to continue to cooperate by limiting travel to trips that are essential. Citizens are asked to check on their neighbors and the elderly to make sure they have adequate heat and food supplies. Warming Shelters are continuing today for both general populace and the Homeless. Anyone requiring assistance during the snow event should call City Hall at 219-873-1400 until 4:30 p.m. today and/or the Police Department’s non-emergency number on a 24 hour basis at 219-874-3221. The LaPorte County United Way 2-1-1 call center is also available to refer residents in need.

[Southsider2k12]

Completely off topic, but I don't ever remember these messages including John Jones name in the past. A little bit of free publicity for a guy about to declare for Mayor?