Rutherford County’s Winter Wonderland: A Day of Snowy Surprises and Thrilling Adventures

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — Deputies from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s office have responded to numerous collisions throughout the county due to icy roads creating perilous conditions.

“Ice has formed already, making roadways and bridges treacherous,” stated Patrol Sgt. Brad Horne. “Please exercise caution while navigating the slick roads.”

Authorities are reminding drivers that black ice can develop as temperatures decrease, heightening the likelihood of accidents. They advise drivers to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and refrain from traveling unless absolutely necessary.

As road crews worked diligently to clear the thoroughfares, some locals took advantage of the snowy weather.

Felicity Gracia, aged 4, was eager to stir her mother from sleep to enjoy the outdoors.

Her mother, Heather Gracia, mentioned this was the first time Felicity genuinely delighted in the snowfall.

“Since I work night shifts, I finished around 4 a.m., managed to get some sleep, and then came out here. She’s been pestering me the entire time: ‘Mommy, wake up! I want to play in the snow,’” Gracia shared.

Smyrna firefighters participated in the winter enjoyment as well, shoveling the station’s drive and sidewalks and constructing a snowman.

Margie Dougherty, another resident of Smyrna, seized the opportunity to go for a stroll in the wintry weather.

“I relish this because I’m a walker, and it offers a chance to step outside and enjoy the conditions. To me, it’s a blessing and a change of scenery, making it pleasurable to revel in and celebrate,” she remarked.

In the meantime, road crews across the county concentrated on clearing major routes and essential areas, such as hospitals, police departments, and fire stations. Although main roads have improved, secondary roads and neighborhoods continue to be problematic. At certain instances, some roads were required to close.

Raymond Hillis, the executive director of public works for Murfreesboro, indicated that crews are hurrying to eliminate slush before temperatures dip further.

“We aim to blade all the sludge off the streets to clear the roads prior to any refreezing,” Hillis stated.

Hillis noted that advance preparation made a significant difference. “It’s much easier compared to some typical snow events we experience in Middle Tennessee, where fronts initially arrive as rain, freeze, and then transform into snow. Such conditions are far more challenging to manage than what we encountered today,” he explained.

Despite the progress, Hillis warned that the danger of black ice persists. “My primary concern is the temperature dropping and causing refreezing on the roadways. Even when we clear the snow, there’s still moisture or standing water that could lead to black ice,” he mentioned.

Authorities continue to request residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary as crews work tirelessly to ensure safety.

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World War II veteran Jimmy Wren commemorates his 101st birthday by reflecting on the past

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