Winter causes problems for many

Winter has certainly pounded Taylor County. While we haven't received the type of winter storms that have virtually shut down other parts of the U.S., we've gotten more than we have been accustomed to.

Taylor County Schools have had 10 missed days, while Campbellsville Independent has had seven. And while both districts have already implemented makeup plans, some days will likely be added to the end of the school year. Hold off on those graduation invitations.

But snow and ice have an impact on far more than school days.

From increased law enforcement presence to the work of road crews to keep our streets as safe as possible, a lot of time and money can be spent when winter weather hits Taylor County.

In the last three weeks, City road crews have worked 64 hours of overtime at a cost of $1,300.

Those crews have spread $13,800 worth of salt on City roads, more than half of the street department's $25,000 materials budget. According to City Clerk Cary Noe, three loads of salt are on order at $2,800 each.

Numbers weren't available from the County by press time, but County Road Foreman Brian Smothers said recently that salt supplies are running low and his department has ordered more this year than in previous years.

The problem is that Taylor County isn't the only community in need of salt. With demand so high, salt supplies are running very low. Noe says suppliers are saying it could be several weeks before the next shipment.

What that means for us is that road crews will have to limit themselves to salting hills, curves and intersections.

We can't control the weather, but we can greet it with some common sense. If you don't have to be out on the roads, stay home. If you do have to travel, drive slowly. Even if you are driving the speed limit, you can be cited for driving too fast for road conditions.

Make sure you have a full tank of gas. And it never hurts to have blankets, water, salt/sand to use for traction in case you get stuck, and a fully charged cell phone with you.

With any luck, winter's worst is behind us.