Latest Update From City Of Spokane

City of Spokane snow removal crews are moving along with work in the residential areas today and will continue that work overnight. In addition, they are scraping off slush on some arterials as they work to keep the main streets in good condition.

Sign Up If You Need Weather-Related Help

KXLY TV wants to connect people who need help with snow-related problems to people who can do something about them. KXLY has created a database of people requesting assitance with plowing, shoveling snow off roofs, or other emergency assistance. Volunteers can then contact those people to offer help. Here's a link to register on for that database.

In Spokane County, for non-emergency requests such as medical concerns, medication, food, water and heat you are asked to call 2-1-1.

SRTC Holiday Hours

SRTC will be closed starting at noon today through Thursday. We'll be back Friday morning though and ready to actually do some work (that will be a novel feeling after the past few weeks of spending 8 hours a day gorging ourselves on baked goods).

We'll see you in the new year and remember, if you're going out tonight, take it easy on the roads. Even if you aren't drunk, chances are someone in a car nearby may be.

WSDOT Moving Plows From Western To Eastern Washington

Did you know that the Washington State Department of Transportation uses rubber plow bits in most parts of Western Washington to protect raised pavement markers, but recessed pavement markers in most parts of Eastern Washington? That's right, and they're changing out those plow bits because WSDOT is shifting some of its plows and crews from western Washington to the eastern part of the state for the next five days. Here's the latest from the WSDOT blog.

Latest Snow Info From The City of Spokane

City of Spokane snow removal crews are finishing up the snow emergency routes, major and secondary arterials, and bus routes this morning. All streets are open again today. Crews also have started a new full-City plow of the residential streets today.

As the bad weather continues, some citizens may find they need non-emergency assistance. For those with non-emergency special needs such as wellness checks, or those who need help getting medications, foods and other special needs, please call 2-1-1. For emergencies, of course, please call 9-1-1.

Don't Be A Snow Ostrich

The Washington State Department of Transportation asks you not to be a 'snow ostrich.' So what is one? WSDOT tells you on their blog. Plus, they've got a refresher on who's responsible for plowing what. It's helpful so you know who to call up and yell at.

County Not Screwing Around Anymore

Spokane County is calling in the big guns. The Washington Air National Guard’s 141st Refueling Wing (ARW) has been called upon to augment state and local jurisdictions with snow removal. The 141st ARW is providing ten citizen airmen to operate two industrial snow-blowers, one truck with a plow and one front-loader. Their mission will be seven-days in duration unless they are called off sooner. Go Guard!

In the meantime, Spokane County road crews are continuing to clear primary arterials and emergency routes.

Don't Count On Cab Service

If you have plans for New Year's Eve that involve taking a cab home, be aware that the weather is taking a toll on the local taxi business, in addition to everything else.

Spokane County's Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program received notification from local cab companies that, due to weather conditions, they are running significantly behind schedule. That means if you're part of the CTR program and need to use the Guaranteed Ride Home program, you may get home either really late, or have to find another way to get there.

I found out about this the hard way last weekend. Trying to be proactive, some friends and I got a ride to a local establishment to celebrate a friend's birthday, planning to take a cab home. When we called for one at 11:30, we were told we couldn't get a ride until at least 2 a.m.! So guess who spent several hours in the bar parking lot on a Friday night waiting for a ride? Never did show up either. We finally got a friend out of bed in the early morning hours to come get us.

The Latest From The City; Changing Strategy & Mayor To Speak

To keep people moving in today's heavy snowfall, the City of Spokane is changing its plowing strategy to concentrate on specific north-south and east-west corridors. Plow crews will rotate through these corridors continuously.

Mayor Mary Verner will update the media on current plowing efforts and related work at the City Street Department's Normandie complex near Sinto and Washington at 2:30 p.m. today.

Here are the east-west routes:

* Francis Avenue. This corridor will start at the west City limits on Nine Mile Road to Havana on the east.
* Wellesley Avenue. This corridor will run between Assembly and Freya.
* Second and Third avenues. This corridor will include the Sunset Highway to the east, and then run along Second and Third until Havana.
* 29th Avenue. This corridor runs between Cedar and Havana.
* 37th Avenue. This corridor runs between Bernard and the east City limits.

Here are the north-south routes:

* Maple/Ash corridor. This corridor runs from Country Homes Boulevard on the north to Hatch Road on the south.
* Division Street and Stevens. This corridor starts along the Newport Highway on the north, through the "Y", through town and up the South Hill along Grand, Stevens, and Bernard streets to 29th.
* Market Street and Thor/Ray. This corridor runs along Market/Greene across the interstate and up Thor/Ray on the South Hill to 37th Avenue.

Snow Update From The City Of Spokane

This just in from the City of Spokane: snow removal crews are once again working to clear emergency routes and major arterials as the snow continues to pile up. Plows have moved to main streets but graders remain in the residential streets, with the second round of residential plowing expected to be completed today.

Temperatures currently are below freezing, but are expected to increase during the day. Some street flooding is possible. Citizens are asked to clear storm drains, if possible, to help minimize street flooding.

Spokane Fire Department officials also are asking people to clear away snow from hydrants to allow for access during emergencies.

Watch For Black Ice, Especially In West Plains Area

*&^%$#... more snow! And not just new snow, but it's sitting on top of a layer of ice that froze after yesterday's melt-off. Area law enforcement says the worst area is I90 in the West Plains area. Several slideoffs have already happened there this morning.

Just like all the other area agencies that deal with transportation, the Washington State Department of Transportation says, "We're doing the best we can, but no we can't clear the snow out from in front of everyone's driveway." Here's a link to their latest blog entry.

P.M. Rush Hour More Dangerous Than A.M.

According to 'Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do (And What It Says About Us', by Tom Vanderbilt (Alfred A. Knopf, $24.95), the morning rush hour is twice as safe as the evening rush hour, in terms of traffic accidents. That's because, when you're driving home in the evening, drivers are out shopping, picking up kids, etc. and not concentrating on driving as much as they should be. They are also more likely to have had a drink or two on the way home from the office.

So remember that on your drive home tomorrow and be especially observant.

County Declares State Of Emergency

This morning, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in emergency session and unanimously declared a State of Emergency in Spokane County. This action was taken because County Engineer Bob Brueggeman reported severe blowing and drifting snow in the southeast portion of the County, crews struggling to keep right-of-ways clear, and numerous power outages, primarily in north Spokane County.

By declaring a State of Emergency, the BOCC now has the authority to hire private contractors to assist in snow removal without going through a time-consuming bid process. An officials State of Emergency also enables the County to obtain supplementary resources from other local governments/jurisdictions, implements the Spokane City/County Emergency Management Plan, as necessary, and directs the Emergency Management Department to coordinate all incident-related assistance to the affected areas.

Since December 17th, Spokane County has been spending $70,000 daily on snow removal efforts.

Saturday Snow Update From the City

City of Spokane plow crews are once again plowing emergency routes and major arterials; they gradually will move to secondary arterials and bus routes tonight (Saturday).

In the residential areas, they've completed plowing on the South Hill for a second time. Depending on snow fall, the second round of residential plowing should be complete by Sunday or Monday.

Crews re-plowed downtown, “racking” the snow to the center of the streets again. Don'tattempt to cross these berms; you will get stuck!
Here's City's snowplow webpage for info on when plows will be in your area.

Snowzilla: Public Enemy #1 For Tying Up Traffic

SRTC in no way endorses this, but here's an idea from Ryan in our office of what you can do with all that extra snow in your yard: build a 'Snowzilla' snowman. Better ask the authorities first though, Anchorage officials have given the builders of Snowzilla a cease and desist order, saying so many people are coming to see the snowman that traffic has increased to the point of endangerment in the neighborhood and that the snowman itself was unsafe. Oh well, it's not like he's permanent.

This Just In: SRTC Closure

Well we finally did it. We convinced the boss to let us leave the office for a couple days (although my ankle bracelet gives me a shock if I'm off the premises for more than 72 hours at a time).

SRTC will closed this afternoon (Wednesay), Thursday, and Friday. We'll be back and (hopefully re-energized) on Monday. I know I'll be feeling better after four days of dressing the cat up for the holidays.

Freeway Slow, Man Threatens Plow Drivers, People Needed To Help Elderly & Disabled

Just got downtown and the freeway was pretty slow. Two accidents between Barker and Freya had things crawling. Speaking of accidents, I've heard from several people that some drivers are trying to create their own lanes when there is only one lane plowed in each direction. This is especially true going down hills; there is a line of cars waiting their turn, but some clown tries to pass in the lane that no longer exists because it's covered in snow. This causes accidents, bottlenecking, anger, etc.

We're all frustrated about the snow situation, but let's keep it in perspective. A man was arrested yesterday for threatening to kill any snow plow driver who came down his street. Here's the story.

Maybe he needs some community service. Catholic Charities is looking for people to shovel out the elderly and disabled. Some of Catholic Charities' clients have been house-bound for a week now. If you have a snowblower, a plow, or a strong back, and some time to spare, call Catholic Charities at (509) 328-8400.

Looking for last minute gift ideas?

It looks like Santa came early for Tempe Arizona drivers this week. Four people dressed in Santa outfits hit the streets on Monday and "packaged up" three traffic cameras that issue tickets for speeding and running red lights. They didn't make the highway patrol too happy, but judging by the horns honking in this video, I suspect there were more than a few grateful gift recipients...

SR 27 Closed

For those of you trying to reach Pullman or Colfax, turn back! State Route 27 is closed for snow removal until further notice. Compact snow and ice and snow drifts caused the closure from the Pullman City Limit to Fairfield City Limit starting at 8:00 this morning.

Holiday Closures

Here's a roundup of closures for this week at area government agencies:

- SRTC will be open on Christmas Eve (tomorrow), but chances are we will sneak out a little early, so if you need something, try to catch us before 1 p.m. After that, Jeff and I will be enjoying a little 'holiday cheer' if you know what I mean, to take our mind off all this snow.

- All Spokane County offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, but Spokane County Courts will be open on Friday.

- Spokane City Hall will be closed starting at noon on Wednesdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, and all day on Thursdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

- Downtown Spokane parking meters don’t have to be plugged on Thursdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

- Spokane Valley City offices will be closed on Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26.