March Snowstorm Prompts Cancellations
After a beautiful weekend of sunshine and temperatures in the 40s, Monday’s March snowstorm ice and snow mix served as a frigid reminder that it’s not quite spring yet.
Road crews ready to go
Road crews were ready for the predicted snowstorm. “We’re working on getting this one ready to go,” says Crystal street superintendent, Bill Bowman, as crews put finishing touches on getting trucks ready for a round of snow removal. “We’re filling them up with sale brine and making sure they are filled up with fuel so they are ready to go by the storm.”
Drivers got out early to work on the ice and prepared to be out mid-day to start removing snow.
“Papa Hawk” tweets out school cancellations
When school administrators saw the forecast of ice followed by inches of snow, they proactively started cancelling Monday classes and evening events for Monday night. One principal got creative and put the school closure on social media by song. Cooper High school principal Frank Herman, who refers to himself frequently as Papa Hawk on his Twitter feed, sat by the piano and played a little tune.
“Hey, this is Papa Hawk to all his Hawks, there’s no school tomorrow,” said principal Herman. “So, tomorrow I want you to stay home and I want you to be safe.”
The tweet went out to followers late Sunday night.
Snow delays garbage collection meeting in New Hope
A meeting with six garbage hauling companies that serve New Hope was postponed due to the winter weather. The meeting has been rescheduled for April 2.
New Hope is trying to decide whether organized garbage collection would work in the city. An organized system would mean fewer trucks and less wear and tear on the roads, plus less noise and emissions. But many residents say it will not allow them the freedom to choose their own hauler and negotiate prices.
Robbinsdale’s Dairy Queen is open
One vibrant reminder of spring and summer days still shined in Robbinsdale. The “open” sign remained lit at the Dairy Queen downtown, which opened in February for the spring and summer season. The shop which sells mainly ice cream and treats had a robust weekend, followed by a very slow Monday. “It’s not necessarily a blizzard,” says manager Terryll Buie of the weather. “I wouldn’t mind more snow, but I would rather sell blizzards than have a blizzard.”
The first day of spring is also Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen, when Buie says people will be lined up down the block for a free ice cream cone.
Cooper High School