Law Enforcement Urged Caution After Heavy Snow

Local law enforcement saw an increase in calls for help as a result of the heavy snowfall last Thursday evening and Friday morning.

The Hampton Police Department responded to a total of 28 calls, most of which were from drivers who were stuck in the snow. The police department also issued 24 parking tickets to those who were parked on city streets during the city snow ordinance.

When asked about the road conditions around the county, Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd told the Chronicle Friday morning that their weather-related calls had slowed down but that they had to assist many motorists throughout the night and into the morning.

According to Dodd, the sheriff's office had responded to a total of 37 calls for motorist assists and vehicles off the roadway since 9 p.m. Thursday evening. They had also given rides to over a dozen stranded motorists.

"The road conditions are still poor and the highways have packed snow and ice on them (Hwy 3-65 and I-35)," Dodd said. "Drivers should limit their speed but not all are following this good advice. There is a large difference in speed which we have observed between those traveling safely and those traveling recklessly."

He added that a semi jack-knifed on I-35 Friday morning due to excessive speeds.

The area received around a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.