Keep Your Shovel Handy, the Stateline Braces for Blizzard Conditions

Winnebago County, IL - Snowmobilers hit the more than 200 miles of trails in Winnebago County on Monday afternoon enjoying the fresh snowfall. "We finally have enough where it`s safe to ride," says Mike Hazzard, the Trail Boss for the Winnebago County Sno-Gliders Snowmobile Club. "The trail system needs at least four inches to start out, and that`s to protect your machine, protect yourself, and protect the property you`re riding on." Others were out fighting the snow. Private plowing companies were in full force. But they say this successful winter season comes with a price. "Everybody`s out there, they`ve been out there for 20-30 hours straight, no breaks," says Kevin Keeling of Keeling Landscape, Inc., which plows driveways and residential sidewalks. "You can stop get something to eat then, but you`re right back out there in the truck." The City of Rockfords snow budget is also feeling the squeeze. Its 25-truck fleet has been out since 6:30 a.m. clearing the way for drivers. But too much snow falling too fast poses a clean-up and budget problem. These latest snowfalls are putting the Public Works Department right on the edge of going over budget. Public Works Superintendent Bill Morr estimates spending $1.8 million on snow removal for the city each year. Already hes spent $1.695 million. "December first took a lot of resources, a lot of time, and a lot of salt in order to deal with that," says Morr. "We don`t usually get 10, 11 inches of snow within nine and half hours." But you wont hear a snowmobiler complain. "We can leave right here and drive to Canada," says Hazzard. Since December first, Rockford has seen almost 22 inches of snow fall. Not quite the annual average of 35, but the seasons not over yet.