The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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December 23, 2009

A humbug storm begins

Citys want cars removed from streets

By Tim Krohn

MANKATO — Traveling conditions deteriorated Wednesday night as snow began falling over ice left by freezing rain and a major storm descended on the area.

Area communities, planning for heavy snow, are asking residents to get vehicles off the streets, whether or not snow emergencies are called.

Two people were injured Wednesday morning when two vehicles crashed on Highway 22 just north of Beauford.

David Langford, 42, was driving a 1998 Mazda B4000 north on the highway when he lost control, spun out and crashed into a southbound 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by 41-year-old James L. Schmidt of Mapleton, the State Patrol said. Langford and a passenger in his car, 18-year-old Cortney Langford of Winnebago.

The highway was closed temporarily as Cortney Langford was airlifted to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, the patrol report said.

David Langford was in fair condition at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital Wednesday night. There was no condition report available on Cortney Langford.

Schmidt and a passenger in his car, Nicholas Vivone of Iowa, had no apparent injuries.

In Mankato, Parkway Avenue, Monks Avenue and Stadium Road hills were closed Wednesday night until further notice.

Area officials are asking for help in clearing streets.

Mankato was unsure when it would likely call a snow emergency.

North Mankato does not plan to call a snow emergency but is asking that people try to keep cars off the streets to help with snowplowing.

St. Peter officials expect they may call a snow emergency and are asking people to move vehicles off the street in anticipation of one. St. Peter’s snow emergency hotline is 934-0675.

Shelly Schulz, public information director for the city of Mankato, said street crews expect to work through the Christmas holiday.

If a snow emergency is called, Mankato will send out text messages to people signed up for them, post a notice on its Web site and update its 24-hour snow emergency number: 387-9001.

People in Mankato who don’t have alternative parking during a snow emergency can park in the city’s downtown ramps for free.

The storm has area clergy faced with the decision of whether and when to cancel Christmas services.

The Rev. Dawn Carder of First Presbyterian Church in Mankato said she’s met with other pastors this week and the weather forecast was a big topic.

“Right now, none of them had plans to cancel, but we’re all watching.”

She said ministers are trying to balance waiting to see what develops with making cancellation notices early enough for congregations to get word.

“The last time I canceled (a service), some people still showed up,” she said.

“This storm sounds bad, so right now I’m just most concerned about the congregation.”

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the region that lasts at least through 6 a.m. Saturday.

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