By Jennifer Theurer

In preparation for the first snow of the season, Clay County Highway Administrator Bobby Shomper and his crew have filled the salt bin and tested the county’s eight snowplows, salt spreaders, and trucks.

“I’ll be out on the roads as soon as I know it’s coming down,” he said. “And then I’ll call in the guys immediately afterwards as we need them in the field.”

Crews will be using a salt and sand mix to reduce the risk of damaging paved surfaces. Asphalt roads are the first on the crew’s list to clear before moving on to any roads the county maintains, then county rock roads and township roads.

Shomper wants residents to understand that the safety of his crew is at the front of his mind.

“I try not to bring them out when it’s a dangerous [weather] situation,” he said. “So I would hope that the people do the same thing.”

For those needing to leave the house during wintry weather, Shomper offers some tried and true methods for making steps and driveways safer.

“Cat litter helps,” he said. “Salt, of course, and shoveling.”