Now
Fair
53°
High
62°
Low
43°
Full Forecast

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Snow shuts down city, forces parking ban

Comments 48 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

By the Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Feb 05, 2008 - 10:23:33 pm CST

A winter storm rolled over Nebraska on Tuesday, shutting down the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and area schools while grinding life to a frozen halt.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln called off classes starting at 5 p.m. or later. Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln Catholic and Lutheran schools canceled classes today. The “Waffle Man” never plugged in his griddles at the Lakeview United Methodist Church.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the area until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The snow rarely let up Tuesday afternoon and evening, and 6 to 8 inches were expected to be on the ground by this morning.

Story Photo
Poor visibility and slick streets from Tuesday morning's snow contributed to a collision at 17th and Van Dorn. (Ted Kirk)

Related Link(s):


Full forecast and current conditions
See a list of Tuesday's snow closings
Weather closings?

If you know of an event that is canceled because of Tuesday's snowstorm, please let us know. E-mail the city desk at citydesk@journalstar.com

In an effort to combat the accumulation, snow plows worked through the night.

Mayor Chris Beutler said late Tuesday that a residential parking ban would go into effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, parking will be banned on the even-numbered sides of the street in all residential areas in the city.

City snow-removal crews will continue plowing snow emergency routes and major arterials throughout the evening and overnight hours. Snow removal operations began in downtown Lincoln around midnight.

Most area schools and organizations called off classes and events Tuesday, and the conditions contributed to at least one fatality -- a morning crash on Interstate 80 that killed a University of Nebraska-Lincoln associate vice chancellor. It also complicated the cleanup of a multiple-vehicle crash near the Waverly interchange that closed I-80's eastbound lanes.

Seward County Chief Deputy Sheriff Daniel Hejl said the second accident happened just east of the Utica exit at 10:30 a.m.

A westbound vehicle lost control, crossed the median and collided with an eastbound semitractor driven by Leland Potter Jr. of Kingman, Ariz.

The driver of the westbound vehicle died at the scene. His name had not been released.

On the same slick highway, the driver of a westbound semitrailer lost control of his truck, which slid across the snow-covered median and collided with another semitrailer heading east.

The collision tore both vehicles apart, ignited one of them and left the main arterial between Lincoln and Omaha partially closed for about three hours.

Both drivers were treated for what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries at BryanLGH Medical Center West, Sgt. Tim Salmen of the Nebraska State Patrol said.

In Lincoln, police had responded to 143 accidents as of 8 p.m. Tuesday, Lincoln Police Capt. David Beggs said.

The Sheriff’s Office had 32 calls for service in rural Lancaster County as of 4:30 p.m., according to Sgt. Tom Brookhouser.

In Saline County, slick roads resulted in a number of minor fender-benders, said Emergency Manager B.J. Fictum, as well as one serious accident on Nebraska 103 just outside Crete.

Former Crete Police Chief Rick Nettifee, 52, apparently lost control of his car, which was struck on the passenger side by a semi, said Crete Assistant Fire Chief Tom Ourada, who responded to the accident.

“It was extremely slick on that particular piece of road,” Ourada said.

Ourada said it was unclear what happened, but that vehicles ended up in the west ditch. Rescue workers removed Nettifee from his car using the Jaws of Life, and he was transported to BryanLGH Medical Center West, where he was in critical condition Tuesday evening.

Nettifee was the only passenger in his car. The driver of the semi was not injured.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
yay! wrote on February 5, 2008 9:31 am:
" finally snow without the brisk cold!! and it's beautiful. let the snowmen assemble... "

 Tampa Husker wrote on February 5, 2008 9:59 am:
" Man, almost makes me miss Nebraska, especially when it is supposed to be in the 80's here today. "

 Allison wrote on February 5, 2008 10:01 am:
" This is absolutely ridiculous that the City of Lincoln cannot get out to clear the streets but Lincoln Public Schools are still having class today. Lets not worry about how the kids are getting to school or how safe the roads are, because they are not safe today! And what about picking our children up? More than likey the school will close tomorrow and tomorrow the weather will be fine. I get so disgusted with the decision makers at LPS. It's gotta make you wonder. "

 Grundle wrote on February 5, 2008 10:14 am:
" I know the roads are less than ideal, but why is it that here in the beginning of February, people STILL haven't figured out how to drive in the snow and on slick roads!?! Seriously, it's not that difficult. "

 Common Sense wrote on February 5, 2008 10:52 am:
" Common Sense people....slow down and pay attention. Stay off the cell phones. "

 Kevin wrote on February 5, 2008 11:05 am:
" It will be interesting to see how LPS handles the situation. "

 To Tampa Husker wrote on February 5, 2008 12:26 pm:
" I'll trade ya! :) 80's sound so nice! "

 leadership wrote on February 5, 2008 12:55 pm:
" Kevin......LPS......hmmmm......first it would require leadership.....and foresight.
First thought, how about staggering highschool dismissal so we do not release about 800 inexperienced drivers at exactly the same time. Even a 10 minute delay between juniors and seniors would make a huge difference.

Oh and do you let them all leave over the lunch hour to go out to eat or keep them on campus where oops not enough food is available to feed them all.

How do we get in and out of those drifted parking lots to pick our students up?

Should LPS let them walk home in wind gusts creating poor visability.

What about the parent whose car cannot get there due to the accidents....... "

 Curious wrote on February 5, 2008 1:21 pm:
" Common sense should tell people not to speed when it's snowing and very slick out. There was a vehicle trying to stop on my way to work and slid right through the intersection and across the median. Of course he was speeding as I was going 30-35mph. "

 KLP wrote on February 5, 2008 1:28 pm:
" Let's have an LPS "snow day"! "

 Carol wrote on February 5, 2008 1:37 pm:
" Yes, it was lovely this morning - can't believe I am saying that! It was a bit warmer, and so quiet when I took my granddaughter to school. And surprise, people actually were driving safely down A Street. But Dear Tampa, can we trade addresses for about a week? "

 Anne wrote on February 5, 2008 2:16 pm:
" For those folks who are speeding down Devoe Drive from South Street, for HEAVEN'S SAKE...SLOW DOWN!!!!!!! "

 Des wrote on February 5, 2008 2:28 pm:
" And even after one of its Assistant Vice Chancellors is killed due to road conditions, UNL still won't cancel classes. "

 LPS wrote on February 5, 2008 3:15 pm:
" LPS should have closed today - it took over an hour to drive what is usually a 15 minute commute. "

 JJ wrote on February 5, 2008 3:42 pm:
" Everyone has the choice to pick up your child early or not send them at all if you think their safety is at risk. Why would you wait for an LPS decision? They are your kids, you decide. I personally feel since my child is already there they might as well get a full day in, but if it's bad in the morning and school isn't cancelled I may choose to keep my kids at home. I just picked my kids up from school at 3pm and the roads are not that bad. This is Nebraska, get used to the snow and use your head while driving. "

 where do we live? wrote on February 5, 2008 4:37 pm:
" Hey folks, guess where we live? the midwest. where weather changes by the minute. some of you act like we've never seen snow or wintery conditions. What do you expect? sunny and 45? It's February! Simmer down, slow down and be patient. Spring will be here soon enough and you'll all be crabbing about the poor little LPS students that HAVE to stay in school when it's too hot. "

 Drive slow wrote on February 5, 2008 5:03 pm:
" I drove today from Iowa to Lincoln and the roads were slick.
It is strongly advisable to drive slow, however many were still going faster...even the semi trucks.
Shouldnt semi's be more careful? They can slip and slide hurting car drivers too. "

 Brian wrote on February 5, 2008 5:28 pm:
" I wonder if the situation earlier in the year when the weather men forecasted bad weather that never came. That's when UNL and LPS shut down school the day before and nothing was really that serious, except for the morning. So I can see how hesitant they could be. Unfortunately, it cost a revered faculty member his life. "

 student wrote on February 5, 2008 5:46 pm:
" I was supposed to have class at UNL before the 5 pm cancellation, but I skipped class rather than put my life in jeopardy! "

 ALM wrote on February 5, 2008 5:49 pm:
" Not all accidents are due to people "speeding and not having common sense." I was literally going under 20 MPH when my car did a 180 and slid off the road. Just an FYI. I do agree, however, to STAY OFF THE CELL PHONES!!! "

 People, people, people. . . wrote on February 5, 2008 6:12 pm:
" I get so sick of "LPS should have closed, the weather was awful" or "LPS shouldn't have closed, the weather was fine". Stop and consider for one minute the many factors that have to be taken into consideration for a snow day. You can't just have 32,000 students stay home unless there is absolute certainty that it is necessary. When the weather forecast changes and the snow doesn't begin until after buses have already begun their routes, it is difficult to reverse that. Again, make an educated decision for your family. I teach for LPS and nobody likes a snow day more than me, however, please understand that it is a difficult decision to make. Regardless, someone always complains. Drive safe out there!! "

 Keep em' at home wrote on February 5, 2008 6:22 pm:
" As parents we have the right to decide when we keep our own children home safe and warm. For me and my family, I have already made the decision we will be staying home tomorrow from work and school!!! I'm not risking the lives of my children because LPS can not make a decision before 6:00a.m. "

 mother wrote on February 5, 2008 6:56 pm:
" First of all, we live where the weather can change in a heartbeat....Be cautious when driving at ALL times, not just in bad weather. If you are on your phone, you aren't paying attention as one driver found out when they almost sideswiped me on O street. I have a cel phone but will not answer it or call anyone when I am driving as I am one of the few that like to stay alive and pay attention to my surroundings...Please everyone pay attention and be safe. As for the schools, I thought at first they should have called it off but after some thought, I would rather my child be safe at school than being left alone or in a car accident. Alot of inexperienced drivers are out there and accidents do happen, that's why they are called accidents but, even the experienced driver can have an accident so don't pin it all on the young drivers...just my opinion "

 Me wrote on February 5, 2008 7:43 pm:
" Allison as for the City of Lincoln not clearing the streets...the plows were out. However, what you don't seem to realize is that by the time they get to the end of the route the beginning of the route was snow covered again. I get tired of hearing people gripe about the City not not clearing the streets fast enough. I don't think anyone else could have done any better today! "

 ellfie wrote on February 5, 2008 7:46 pm:
" I grew up in western Nebraska where snow is measured in feet not inches and from Kindergarten throuhg 12th grade schools were closed exactly once for weather related issues. Lincoln is populated by wimps who are raising their kids to be wimps too. Grab yer shovels, scoop yer sidewalks and driveways, leave home early, stay off the the stinkin cell phones and drive slowly. You'll get where yer goin'. Don't use the schools as babysitters and if you don't feel like puttin' yerself out keep the kids home. I wonder if those who couldn't get their kids to schools were ones I saw droppin them off at the mall later in the afternoon. Buck up folks. Its winter. Its Nebraska "

 LPS Keeps Kids Fed wrote on February 5, 2008 7:53 pm:
" Instead of the knee jerk reactions stop and think. There are a significant number of kids in Lincoln who won't eat if there is no school. More than half the kids in many of the core schools are on the free and reduced lunch program and depend on the Backpack Program donations to have food to eat over the weekend. LPS makes decisions based on the best outcomes for all of their students. "

 Justin wrote on February 5, 2008 8:20 pm:
" ellfie,
six inches of snow is a little different in traffic-heavy lincoln than downtown kimball or sidney. there are more vechicles, more people, more chances for accidents. anyone can make it to school when you're the only vehicle on the road. "

 This is Stupid wrote on February 5, 2008 8:26 pm:
" LPS should be closed tomorrow the snow is rediculas LPS is so STUPID if they don't close school tomorrow!!! The weatther might be nice tommorow but I bet the snow is over five inches and schools close if the snow is over five inches and just think if kids have to walk home from school they would get home covered in snow "LPS if you are reading this CLOSE school tomorrow do you hear me close schools tommorow!!!!!!!!!!!" "

 PK wrote on February 5, 2008 8:52 pm:
" Oh, people in western Nebraska have more common sense.
I watched Old Cheney all day and cars were flying down it
the normal zoom speed. Face it, Lincoln drivers could
care less whether they kill ya or not! "

 Staying home wrote on February 5, 2008 9:00 pm:
" My family will be staying home from school tomorrow. They will be fed a nice warm breakfast at home. They won't go out with high winds blowing and walk on slick sidewalks. They also won't be driven to school on slick streets. They will spend a safe day at home, and they'll probably learn a thing or two also. "

 beyond sidney wrote on February 5, 2008 9:14 pm:
" Hey, home school yur kids and snow won't bother. Na, for the folks in lincoln, think about this. In lincoln its all paved streets with buildings to block the wind. For the one who wrote that sidney only has one car driving in the snow think about it a minute, only one car, no roads graded, wind blowing drifts, 50 miles from home to school (thanks to the legislature) and we have it easier. Man some of you people should take a 400 mile drive sometime to see how the rest of the state lives. Ever wonder where the term city slicker comes from. "

 LPS Closed wrote on February 5, 2008 9:35 pm:
" No School for LPS on Wed. "

 Nina wrote on February 5, 2008 9:40 pm:
" Justin, I've driven both open country and Lincoln streets today, and I much prefer Lincoln streets, where all you must do is go slowly, leave plenty of room to stop and room between cars. The are deceiving when you compare what else is out there. At the other end of my commute there is snow blowing so hard you cannot see the highway in places, drifts, a whiteout every time some fool passes you, seven vehicles in the ditch between home and Lincoln, and I saw a semi drift off the icy road, across the median and continue eastbound in the westbound lanes, still trying to get control. A blizzard in open country is a whole lot different from conditions in the city. "

 JJ wrote on February 5, 2008 10:01 pm:
" Hey LPS complainers, school was called off at about 9:15. Hope that isn't too late to interupt your overly important lives. Now, continue to complain that I called you all out! blah blah blah "

 NPark Blvd Resident wrote on February 5, 2008 10:14 pm:
" I am suprised to see that the city claims to clear streets and this time with a parking ban. The city of Lincoln street crews do not even know our street exists. It never is cleared, sanded, salted NOTHING. We are however the street parents are to drive for the drop off to Goodrich Middle School. So LPS being open, street not cleared makes for great traffic headaches year after year on NPark Blvd. I for one am glad there is no school so that we can at least shovel in the street in front of our driveway since the city won't. Where do I send the bill for my time and gas for snowblower?? "

 hey JJ wrote on February 5, 2008 10:16 pm:
" You are right LPS called off school TONITE for tomorrow. This is the first time they have done that since they started their calling us all with a recording. Leave your number I'll call you at 5a see how receptive you are. However the recording stated the first time around LPS would be closed today. 20 minutes later another call saying oops we meant tomorrow. Nice work LPS. "

 Ed wrote on February 5, 2008 10:52 pm:
" It takes forever to get anywhere in lincoln when the streets are dry, why should it be any different when it snows!!!! "

 Be Prepared wrote on February 5, 2008 11:49 pm:
" Gee, I live in a snow state, which is why I have a tall-tired 4x4 that motors around fine till the snow gets about 15 inches deep or so. Most of the year I drive an econobox, so it's all good. Be prepared! "

 CB wrote on February 6, 2008 12:45 am:
" Don't complain too much, though. In the past, snow was a normal, accepted part of winter in many other places. But many have not had any snow for years - such here in Holland. "

 speed holman wrote on February 6, 2008 8:35 am:
" Ya know after flying all these years and lookin at various communities thru the years and what I have been reading here......

Ya ya ya all the commentary and "buck up , it's Nebraska" doesn't fly anymore.. There are communities of 50,000 that are plowing after 2 inch snowfalls and when I did call Lincoln Public Works about the last snowfall they told me they wait til it reaches 4 inches. The sidestreets in the south end of Lincoln never recieved much attention til it gets 2.5 inches of packed down ice (Bonacum Ave etc) and then it barely recieves any sort of gravel or salt UNLESS you call those folks. Yes, I also have seen Lincoln PW with its plow blades up driving down the road, what is that about??

LPS is another story..... I hear about adminstrators driving around at 0430 in the AM "checking it out" Maybe decisions could be made alot better than that who knows?
BUT how many snow days are built in to that wonderful LPS calendar?? Remember the storm of '97?? LPS was closed for 2 -4 days, power was out in some location, etc. Ya we know about all the buses that have to run also!!

HEY, snow and weather happen every where for those bright commenters out there hammering their brother man about "It's Nebraska" "slow down" ETC ETC

For you bright bulbs out there.... ya don't have to be speeding to get in an accident

And for those "Common Sense" commenters...... Common sense isn't so common, ANYMORE

Have A Nice Nebraska Snow Day...you deserve one "

 wake up wrote on February 6, 2008 9:17 am:
" Its alarming when unl has to lose one of there own before they consider canceling clase "

 Waaaaaa! wrote on February 6, 2008 10:38 am:
" Come on, let's get the "why isn't my street plowed?" mantra going! You old folks have to have something to cry about! "

 Horrible Snow Removal wrote on February 6, 2008 10:45 am:
" What are tax dollars going to? Every time it snows the city acts like the federal government after Hurricane Katrina. It's not like the snow was unexpected, but I guess we have come to expect horrible snow removal from the city. The city must think that since we have such low expectations of its snow removal that it doesn't have to do anything about it. It's about time the city gets with it and plans ahead and gets the main roads taken care of before we have over a hundred accidents "

 LPS wrote on February 6, 2008 11:59 am:
" we did get a call from LPS around 9:30 last night - great job on letting us know early on the school closing! "

 ellfie wrote on February 6, 2008 12:49 pm:
" Justin- 1 car on the road? Try no cars on the road. We walked to school. Couldn't get the cars out of the garage or drive ways and shoveling 3 or more feet of snow was not an option. They used road graders from the highway department to plow the streets eventually. Think people in Lincoln are the worst rudest drivers i've encountered anywhere and that includes stints in California and New York before coming back to Nebraska. The majority of the accidents i saw yesterday involved SUV's one of which flew around cars on 63rd and vine and met a light pole and another car at 56th and Vine. I honked and waved as i drove by at 15 mph and laughed all the way home. "

 Gregg wrote on February 6, 2008 1:17 pm:
" we shut everything down over 6" of snow?

It'll be rough to see what happens when we get a real storm... "

 Anti-Whiner wrote on February 6, 2008 3:56 pm:
" LPS this...LPS that... Who cares! If I was a kid today I would be thrilled that there's no school and it's a great day! Roads are clear enough to get that bike to the hill and go SLEDDING!! Let your kids enjoy their snow days while they can.....I'm sure you miss them too! "

 Hmm wrote on February 6, 2008 11:17 pm:
" UNL loses one of their own and still doesn't cancel class. Wow.

And whoever pointed out the kids that go hungry if they don't go to school...these are also the kids that have to walk to and from school. So you tell me...I'd rather go a day than risk injury or worse from walking in this crud. "

Ads by Yahoo!