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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2018)
8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JANUARY 10, 2018 Are you ready? D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS Avoid accidents on winter roads K-9 retires Cottage Grove Police Chief Scott Shepherd (right) fought back tears during the Jan.8 city council meeting as he retired K-9 offi cer Torq. The dog, shown above with handler Sgt. Chris Joyce and Shepherd, had his fi rst shift in Cottage Grove on Sept. 19, 2011 after being trained overseas in the Netherlands. The 10-year-old dog sustained an injury in late 2017, leading to his retirement. According to Shepherd, Torq now enjoys naps, camping and fun with Joyce and his family. Winter weather causes many people to retreat indoors until the spring thaw. However, for those who embrace the cooler tempera- tures or fi nd that life must go on despite snow and ice, taking in- ventory of their vehicles is a must before the fi rst snowfl akes start to fall. Tire care is an especially important area of vehicle maintenance. Summer tires are made from materials that are optimized for warm conditions. When the mercury drops, these same materials can harden, reducing their ability to grip the road. That lack of traction can be compounded by the presence of snow or ice. Even all-sea- son tires, which are designed to be driven year-round, can be insuf- fi cient in severe weather conditions. Winter tires can help drivers safely navigate winter roadways. Bridgestone Tires says that having the right snow tires matters when driving in winter weather conditions. It’s important to look for tires that can disperse water suffi ciently and also grip the road. Snow tires are designed to remain softer and more fl exible to con- form to the road better in cold conditions. Some winter tires are even studded to provide better traction. Unfortunately, even the best winter tires cannot provide perfect traction on slippery roadways. That is why it is essential — in con- junction with the use of winter tires or snow chains — to modify driving techniques to navigate safely. • Drive slowly. Slow down on winter roads. Allow a greater dis- tance for stopping than for dry conditions. Slippery conditions can make it more challenging to stop, and excessive speeds can make the situation worse. • Shift into low gear. On hills, rely on low gears to maximize trac- tion to travel up and down hills. This can minimize skids or sliding. • Get the vehicle a tuneup. In addition to tires, be sure the braking system, battery and other major components of the vehicle are in good working order. • Replace windshield wipers. Reduced visibility can compromise the safety of drivers and their passengers. Replace windshield wip- er blades before winter arrives. Consider purchasing winter-rated windshield blades. • Know how to recover from a skid. When skids occur on black ice or slush, drivers should take their feet off of the pedals and steer gently in the direction they want to go. As the vehicle regains trac- tion, only then should the brakes or accelerator be applied. Winter weather requires making some vehicle modifi cations, and drivers may want to alter the way they drive to be more safe on the road. Winter Heating Tune-Up City to install electronic speed signs The city ordered and has received four new radar speed signs. These signs mount on regular street sign posts and are battery powered for up to two weeks at a time on one charge. The signs will replace the speed trailer that is current- ly used by the Police Department. These signs are a coordinated effort between the Po- lice Department and Public Works because not only do the signs display the speed of traffi c passing the sign but they also can col- lect data regarding the traffi c include num- ber of vehicles, when vehicles pass and the speeds of the vehicles. The data can be down- loaded and used much as the old road counter tubes. The city pur- chased spare batteries and brackets to assist in moving the signs around to different ar- eas and hopes to have them programmed and ready to install in a few locations within the next week. The city is purchas- ing the signs after a meeting late last year wherein councilor Mike Fleck suggest- ed the city look into purchasing electronic speed signs. Only $99* We’ll make sure your system is running eff ectively and effi ciently. Call for details and an appointment today, and beat the winter rush! Complete Heating & Cooling System Service Reasonable Rates • All Work Guaranteed * Limited-time off er. Restrictions apply. Call for details. Did You Know? With your subscription you receive access to the mobile friendly Cottage Grove Sentinel e-Edition. • Get Local & Breaking News, Sports and Classiieds • View our News Archives • Read Special Publications Moss Killer For F Roofs, Patios & Walk Ways Zinc Sulfate Also Available In Bulk WE’RE NOT CLOSING! S entinel www.cgsentinel.com Not taking advantage? Call or email us today! C ottage G rove Locally owned and operated We’re ready to serve you! View it on your computer, tablet and smartphone, with unlimited access, no need to download an app. 541-942-3325 You trusted local news, sports and special publications since 1889. Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster. • Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions. • Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home. • Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster. For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center. South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506 Twitter: @southlanefi re Facebook: southlanecountyfi reandrescue
