Snowstorms Cause Salt Shortage in Sparta

The stormy weather this winter has taken its toll on Sparta's road salt supply.

According to Sgt. John-Paul Beebe, the numerous snowstorms have caused a salt shortage in the township and roads must be "prioritized as far as to how much product is to be utilized."

Just two days after nearly 10 inches of snow fell in the area, Sparta's Department of Public Works will be dealing with as much as 8 inches of snow and up to a half-inch of ice on Wednesday.

Sparta Police remind motorists to travel at a "safe and prudent speed" regardless of the weather conditions or the amount salt and grit on the roadways. Police also urge parents to closely watch children playing in the snow as area schools are closed Wednesday for the second time this week.

"Children should never play near or on snow covered roadways especially when snow removal operations are in progress," Beebe said. "Flying pieces of gravel and debris hurled by snow plows and snow blowers engaged in snow removal can seriously injure your child or pet."

An elderly couple was struck Monday by a township DPW snowplow outside the Sparta library. The 60-year-old library employee suffered serious injuries while her husband escaped serious injury.