True winter weather making driving treacherous

With another day of near-zero temperatures and blizzard conditions, motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution if driving is necessary.  All county schools are closed for a second straight day due to dangerously low temperatures and limited visibility on the roads.

Six crashes were investigated by the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office in the past 24 hours.  No injuries were reported.  There were also numerous cars in the ditch due to slippery road surfaces.  Although the road commission is doing a great job of keeping the roads clear of accumulation, the surfaces remain snow covered and slippery.

Motorists are reminded that parking on road shoulders in the county that could cause a hazard or impede snowplow activities is prohibited during the winter months.  Broken down vehicles need to be removed immediately.  When deputies come upon abandoned vehicles, they attempt to locate an owner to have the vehicle removed.  If that is not possible, then the vehicle is towed at the owner's expense. 

Pedestrians and exercise enthusiasts are reminded to use caution and common sense when using county roadways.  Bicycles must ride as far right as possible going with traffic and all other pedestrians, including Nordic skiers, must go against traffic.  Please wear visible colors, utilize daylight hours and remember that with growing snowbanks an decreased visibility, motorists may not see you.

Lake Leelanau man cited for DWLS

A 19 year-old Leland Township man was cited into District Court Monday for Driving with a Suspended License.  Leelanau County deputies stopped the man for a violation of the motor vehicle code on E Duck Lake Road and Herman Road in Suttons Bay Township and discovered that his privileges had been suspended.

Since the driver did not have a prior conviction for DWLS, he was cited and released.  Since he was suspended he was not allowed to drive away from the scene and left his vehicle in a parking lot until a licensed driver could pick it up.