Sheriff thanks residents

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk offered a round of thanks to residents, road commission employees, E-911 Central Dispatch workers and county employees for their part in the pair of January snowstorms.

Addressing the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday, Balk said cooperation from residents who abided by the snow emergency request to stay off the roads allowed road commission workers to tackle snow drifts on primary and secondary roads in an efficient manner.

Snow emergencies, declared by the county board, were in effect Jan. 6-7, and 27-28.

Balk also acknowledged the road commission, whose members made sure emergency vehicles had a way to get to their destinations during the storms.

In addition, Balk said the E-911 Central Dispatch team fielded hundreds of phone calls during the snow emergencies and he said its employees did an outstanding job.