By LISA McDOWELL
Saline County Resident
The arctic blast of January 2025 hit Saline County hard. While we often claim to be prepared for snowstorms, the truth is, we seldom are. The storm, which began in the early hours of January 4 and finally subsided on January 6, brought significant challenges.
As someone who has lived in the Kipp, Kansas, area since birth, I’m no stranger to harsh winters, but this storm caused me considerable concern. It’s not unusual for me to shovel large amounts of snow from my driveway. However, this time, I had to dig myself out to ensure my vehicles were positioned to face outward for when the county road maintainer passed by. Despite my efforts, I watched snowplows drive toward Kipp—the nearest town—multiple times without clearing my road. The road grader went through Kipp three times, and each time, I hoped they would clear the way for me and my son, who lives just a quarter-mile down the road. Yet, each time, they went in the opposite direction. Around 4 p.m., I called the Saline County Road and Bridge Department to ask when Schilling Road would be cleared. My son, a Great Plains Manufacturing employee, needed the road open to get to work. I spoke with Tyson Gold, who asked how he could assist.
I explained our situation, emphasizing the mandatory workdays my son had to attend. I requested the road from Kipp to Whitmore be cleared. Tyson assured me it would be done, and by Tuesday morning, the road was indeed cleared.
A family friend further assisted by clearing the stretch from Whitmore to my driveway and even created a path through a field so my son could walk out to reach work. Tyson had promised the roads on Schilling would be passable by 8 a.m. Tuesday after crews stopped work Monday at 4:30 p.m.
Despite multiple equipment breakdowns and crews working tirelessly since 4:30 a.m., they managed to keep their word. However, the challenges didn’t end there. A wall of snow was left on Schilling, which my family friend cleared.On Tuesday morning, I called the county to apologize, hoping my friend’s efforts hadn’t caused issues. I was reassured that the road crew could handle it without any problems. I left my house at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, only to find that Schilling Road, half a mile west of Kipp, was still not fully cleared. After three days of being trapped at home, I was grateful for my family friend’s help. But upon returning home at 3 p.m., I found a three-to-four-foot pile of snow blocking my driveway. Once again, I had to dig myself back in.When I reached out to Saline County Road and Bridge, Supervisor Darrin F. dismissed my concerns, remarking, “It happens.”
This response struck me as dismissive, leaving me with a lingering suspicion that the county was acting intentionally. Although I recognize the challenges faced by road crews, such as long hours, harsh weather, and equipment failures, I feel their actions have made life more difficult for us residents of the county.
Living in the country comes with its challenges, and not everyone has skid loaders to move 15 inches of snow and five-foot drifts. Still, I feel the county’s response fell short. Like many others, I’m eagerly awaiting spring or at least some sunshine to melt the snow.
If you’d like to submit an opinion regarding city or county issues please send it to [email protected]
The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Communications. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.