After several inches of snow, the Whitewater Valley’s road conditions are prompting a new round of delays for Wednesday, Jan. 8, and downgraded travel advisory.
Last update at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Travel watch
- Wayne County Commissioners canceled the snow emergency at noon Tuesday and issued a Level 1 travel advisory encouraging careful driving until noon Wednesday.
- Preble County canceled its Level 1 snow emergency at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
- As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Fayette County’s travel advisory decreased in severity, moving to the orange level from red. Connersville Police Department officials say the city’s main roads and highways are OK, but as temperatures decrease, roads could get icy. Side roads are still lightly covered, and county roads are drifting and causing hazardous travel conditions and vehicles to get stuck. They encourage travel to be limited to essential trips.
Closures/delays
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Schools
- Community Christian School in Richmond is on a two-hour delay Wednesday. Morning extended care: 9:30-10 a.m.; morning drop off: 10-10:10 a.m.; preK from 10:10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Fayette County School Corp. will be closed Wednesday and offer e-learning. School buildings will be open Wednesday from 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. should families wish to retrieve their child’s Chromebook and can do so safely. Otherwise, time will be given to make up work as previously described for those who do not have adequate technology or connectivity. Future closures will be made up at the end of the school year. The wrestling match at Richmond and girls basketball game at Union County have been postponed.
- Nettle Creek is on a 90-minute delay Wednesday. Classes will begin at 10 a.m. Daycare for preschool and before school care will open at 9 a.m. Breakfast will not be served.
- Northeastern Wayne Schools are delayed Wednesday. Latchkey is canceled. Elementary drop off is at 9:40 a.m. for a 9:55 a.m. start; Preschool drop off at 9:55 a.m. for 10 a.m. start. Middle and high schools’ drop off is at 9:45 for a 10 a.m. start.
- Richmond Community Schools will follow a 2-hour delay Wednesday. Buses will run two hours later than usual. There will be no morning half-day preschool classes at Charles, Crestdale and Westview.
- Seton Catholic School will operate on a two-hour delay Wednesday.
Warming resources
The Emergency Warming Center in Richmond is open in the evenings while temperatures remain below 25 degrees at LifeSpring Church South (501 S. Seventh St.) Enter through the South E door. Free transportation is available upon request when volunteers can provide it. 765-313-9670
Some Wayne County volunteer fire stations will open for those needing temporary emergency warming.
Additional warming center information is available by calling 211 or visiting https://in211.communityos.org/
Find other health and support resources compiled by the Western Wayne News.
Safety information
On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Postal Service reminded customers of the importance of keeping walkways, sidewalks and areas around mailboxes clear from snow and ice so letter carriers can provide safe and timely mail delivery. Customers receiving curbside delivery should ensure clear access to their mailboxes for letter carriers who deliver from the street.
Local emergency personnel urge residents not to call 911 or other first responders for road conditions so that communication is open for those needing emergency services.
Find road conditions at in.gov/indot/travel-conditions/travel-information/.
Indiana county travel statuses are updated at in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/.
For local weather alerts, visit WayneCounty.info, sign up for Nixle notifications at nixle.com or Text 89EMA to 888777.
Schools, government units and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to send cancellation/delay information to contact at westernwaynenews dot com.