Smoke Signals and other news
This week’s news about the area is icy roads, frigid temperatures, low gas and water pressure, and frozen and bursting pipes.
Many local businesses were either closed or opened and closed early due to road conditions. This could be a disaster for small business owners who may have already been struggling to stay afloat. It trickles down to other businesses as there is less money to spend. Due to snow and ice on the roads, local banks and grocery stores were closed.
The closures may make it difficult for some who will not receive their regular weekly paycheck. The weekly income not being there may cause problems for some people paying rent or other bills.
There was no mail delivery or garbage pickup last week.
Many large trucks were stranded or never left their terminal, meaning needed goods were not delivered. I know some truck drivers running constantly because their truck lines put them back on the road. The truck drivers must move the freight sitting at terminals or be stranded for days. Payloads need to get moved to the next location.
After many stores reopened, the stock was low, and they were waiting on the trucks to deliver and stock up the shelves again. Please be kind to the workers who risk their safety to serve our needs.
Doctor appointments had to be cancelled and rescheduled. Those who needed urgent care or medication found it hard to acquire. I only had one appointment I could not get to, and thankfully, they closed their office. They are typically closed on Fridays but have chosen to open for the next few Fridays to accommodate appointments for those who had to cancel. Thank you to those pharmacies and doctors who were able to be open.
Traffic on my road was basically non-existent until Saturday. My little dog refused to leave the porch for several days. When I took him out, he would stand and gaze at the snow. My dog has seen snow before, but not this much. He has finally ventured beyond the steps, but he comes back quickly. He is such a smart little dog and truly keeps me company. He is very opinionated, as are many dogs. He demands his meals on his schedule, his demands for potty breaks have to be met at once, and when he is ready to go to bed, he insists I go to bed right then. He misses my husband Doug greatly, and he was very “clingy” for a time but seems to be settling down a bit.
Business picked up for tow trucks, body shops, and plumbers. Some of my neighbors have dealt with frozen or broken pipes and have been able to get water from my house. I’m happy that I could provide this small amount of help.
I have been blessed with no power failure, no frozen or broken pipes, and plenty of food for myself, the pets, and the birds. My heat has run almost constantly as I have a heat pump, and it is struggling to keep up. I have the thermostat set at a lower setting, and I am quite comfortable. I’ve only ventured out twice with someone else driving to attend the Town of Byhalia board meetings. I will say it was beautiful, with everything covered in a blanket of white. My small pond appeared to be frozen solid. I did not try to skate on it as the family has done in other years in such temperatures.
Many events had to be postponed: The Rock and Roll Event at Hometown Kitchen is now scheduled for January 27 from 6 p.m. To 9 p.m. It is a free event. The Byhalia Garden Club’s event at the Ruth B. French Library, “What’s All the Buzz About,” has been rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m.
Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.