Storm hits hard
Another powerful snow squall rolls over Oregon early Monday
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Monday, January 5, 2009 10:54 AM PST
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| Scott Ford | Argus observer
Vehicles move slowly down Southwest Fourth Street in Ontario early Monday morning. Another winter storm rolled over the state Sunday and early Monday morning, closing down the interstate between La Grande and Pendleton. |
ONTARIO — Highways around the Treasure Valley and the region were snow-packed this morning as road crews and motorists dealt with another round of snow — this time three to five inches — and battled snow drifts between the Oregon and Idaho border.
Some school closures were announced and Interstate 84 in Oregon was closed again at about 5 a.m. Mountain Standard time.
“It’s shutdown in Baker and in La Grande,” Tom Davis, Oregon Department of Transportation District 14 assistant manager said.
Severe weather, including high winds and low visibility were the reasons for the closure.
“When Baker reaches capacity we will shut it down around Ontario,” he said.
Davis confirmed the freeway was closed at Pendleton for eastbound traffic. It was snowing hard and continuously from Three-Mile Hill on into Baker City.
Greyhound Bus Lines again suspended service between Boise and Portland, according its Web site.
U.S. Highway 20 was snowpacked to Burns, with heavy snow going over Stinkingwater Pass. U.S. Highway 26 to John Day was snow-packed with snow flurries along the route.
School closures included Annex, at the north end of Malheur County and Homedale and Marsing in Owyhee County.
In other areas of the valley, though, it was business as usual at various schools.
“Everybody got in,” Nyssa School District Superintendent Don Grotting said, this morning bus routes. “We did well.”
“We have slick roads, but were getting all the kids picked up,” Don Dalton, transportation employee at the Ontario School District.
Malheur County Sheriff Andy Bentz said about mid-morning there had not been any traffic problems.
