Storm shutters schools
BY ALYSSA MEIER
Editor
Washburn and Wilton schools both closed their doors to cold weather Monday and Tuesday, extending the Thanksgiving holiday vacation for students and staff.
The anticipated double-digit inches of precipitation did not arrive early this week, though the snow that did fall was more than enough to keep kids home for at least Monday and Tuesday this week. Reportedly 9 inches fell in Washburn and 6.9 inches in Wilton by Monday afternoon, with another 2-4 inches expected throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Plows piled up high mounds of snow on Main Avenue in Washburn, gathering it in the middle of the street to clear the road before it could be moved elsewhere.
Chief Deputy Richard Johnson of the McLean County Sheriff’s Department said there had been several minor accidents in the area and 23 vehicles stuck in ditches since snow started falling Sunday night. Richard advised residents don’t go out unless it is an emergency and to check road reports and travel slowly if they do.
Weather Wednesday was expected to stay chilly, with a possibility of slight snowfall. It wasn’t known yet if area schools would be back open the rest of the week.
