Desert Messenger

January 1, 2020 www.DesertMessenger.com 39 Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews Follow on Twitter @DesertMessenger @QuartzsiteRain Heading to play in the snow? Think safety, leave prepared Expect plenty of company and don't park on highway shoulders PHOENIX – This week's winter storms will likely have many desert dwellers heading to the high coun- try to toss snowballs, make snow angels, sled, etc., etc. Have a great time if you're among them, but leave prepared to spend extended time in frigid conditions and pack a fully charged cellphone and other safety essentials. Wherever you decide to play in the snow, make sure it isn't along a highway. Using shoulders for any- thing but emergencies can endan- ger you, your passengers and other motorists while interfering with fi rst responders and snowplows. In addition, the Arizona Depart- ment of Transportation's plows can throw snow and ice a great distance off the roadway. Pack plenty of patience and com- mon sense along with coats, blan- kets, snacks, water and other es- sentials that ADOT lists at azdot. gov/KnowSnow. Pay close attention to the fore- cast. The latest for Arizona's high country calls for snow showers to decrease but continue into Satur- day around Flagstaff while persist- ing over the White Mountains. Be sure to slow down on roads slick with snow and ice. With ADOT's snowplows likely to be operating in many areas this weekend, always respect the plow. Stay a minimum of four vehicle lengths behind and don't pass a snowplow until the operator pulls aside. Remember: The safest place on an icy highway is behind a snow- plow. Larger crowds tend to gather on weekends around the holidays at popular areas such as US 180 northwest of Flagstaff. That often leads to delays at day's end when people stream home en masse. You may be able to reduce your chances of being caught in delays by starting back early. And those taking US 180 through Flagstaff can save time by using a marked alter- nate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Drive and Route 66, and then heading west to I-17. The Flagstaff Convention & Visi- tors Bureau lists designated snow- play sites at FlagstaffArizona.org and offers a winter recreation hot- line at 844.256.SNOW. Be sure to check highway condi- tions before hitting the road. Visit- ing ADOT's Arizona Traveler Infor- mation site at az511.gov or calling 511 will alert you to incidents as well as snow and ice on the road. For Interstate 17 travelers, ADOT's message boards provide estimated travel times to Flagstaff, Prescott and other popular high-country destinations. The free ADOT Alerts app, avail- able for iOS and Android devices at ADOTAlerts.com, will notify users about weather-related closures. In addition, it will alert those along US 180 if delays back to Flagstaff ap- pear likely. Headed to the snow? Got Drugs? Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal Quartzsite Police Department 305 N. Plymouth Ave. during regular business hours No needles or liquid solutions THE MAIN TRADING POST INDIAN ARTIFACTS & JEWELRY 928-927-3200 1170 W. Main St. (across from Pilot) PO Box 4028, Quartzsite, AZ 85346 BEADS Findings Much More! Sterling Silver Jewelry 50% OFF! LIVE MUSIC 3 PM ~ AT THE STAGE! Nov. 15 - March ~ Updates on our Facebook Page BLM CAMPING QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA PLOMOSA RD HI JOLLY MP 112 DOME ROCK ROADRUNNER MP 99 SCADDEN WASH LA POSA BLM LTVA CAMPING BLM 14-DAY FREE CAMPING AREAS BLM LONG TERM VISITOR AREA CAMPING KEY Courtesy of Quartzsite Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

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