Emergency declared; county digs out

Heavy snowfall late Friday into Saturday resulted in the declaration of a statewide disaster emergency. In Bedford County, the storm caused power outages in the southern portion of the county and treacherous road conditions throughout the county. The county commissioners also declared a countywide disaster emergency and encouraged all municipalities to follow suit. Such declarations allow governments to bypass bidding procedures, for example, if emergency help is needed. For example, Bedford Borough has contracted with two local contractors to haul snow out of the business district and from along school bus routes for safety reasons. Emergency Services Coordinator Dave Cubbison said several major roadways were down to one lane for a time and a number of trucks jackknifed, causing some traffic delays, during the brunt of the storm. Even people with four-wheel drive found it difficult to maneuver in the deep snow, he said. Road crews from boroughs and townships, as well as PennDOT, worked 12 to 16 hours to try to keep up with the storm, which has been followed by bright sun and frigid nights, so snow that melted Sunday froze Sunday night, causing a different danger. Snowfall reports around the county ranged from 22 to 26 inches.

Schools starting late

As of midnight Sunday, all but Northern Bedford County schools had announced a two-hour — 1 1/2 hour in the case of Tussey Mountain — delay to the start of classes Monday. The ACM campus at Everett is closed Monday.

DEATHS

BOLLMAN, William Keith, 71, of Bunker Hill Road, Everett. (Arrangements incomplete)

BRODE, Michael Kevin, 39, of Saxton.

HORNE, Jane P., 84, of the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, Hollidaysburg, formerly of Manns Choice.

SHAFFER, Bertha, 75, of Helixville Road, Schellsburg. (Arrangements incomplete)

TWIGG, Garry, 64, of Forrest Ave., Bedford. (Arrangements incomplete)