January 1-16, 2007 Tollhouse News and Gossip

Monday, January 15, 2007
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Sunrise:	7:10 am - Sunset: 5:04 pm
Today:	High: 47/Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 23/Clear

WEATHER: Clear and cold continues to be the rule today as the Big Freeze of 2007 continues. Our official thermometer recorded a low of 19 this morning, but many other folks indicate readings around town as low as 16 degrees. It's definitely not weather for the faint of heart, or the less than well bundled up. The forecasters have finally indicated that things may ease a bit after tonight. But lately, given what we've seen as to the accuracy of the forecasts, we'll believe that when we see it. The storm that had been expected to give us a slight chance of precipitation in yesterday's forecast has taken a more westerly trajectory and is not now expected to have any measurable effect on local weather other than a few possible clouds starting on tomorrow or Wednesday. The forecast also is calling for warmer night time temperatures starting on Wednesday. TRAFFIC: No chain restrictions are currently in effect on SR 168 and the news continues to be surprisingly clear of traffic incidents that we've heard about. Black ice continues to be a problem, especially on the lesser travelled local roadways, and in those areas, where they are exposed to the cold, biting winds, we've been having. Late night and early morning driving should be done most cautiously. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: Today is Martin Luther King's birthday as many groups in the county held celebrations of Dr. King's life and legacy. A downtown parade was held in Fresno to commemorate the event. This is the first year of the holiday, when Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King has not been with us to celebrate her husband's legacy, as she passed away last year. The local news continues to be the weather, and reports have come in from around Tollhouse, Burrough Valley and from folks in between about the number of pipes that have been ruptured by the freezing temperatures. Temperatures for the past several nights have stayed below freezing for more than 12 hours at a time, leading to a number of plumbing problems. A number of residents have also indicated that a number of them have been without running water at times, as pipes to and from local wells have frozen solid. The situation is expected to improve by Wednesday.

In another of Mother Nature's 'ice sculptures' this one, some would say in the shape of a cat.

Sunday, January 14, 2007
Sunrise:	7:10 am - Sunset: 5:03 pm
Today:	High: 45/Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 20/Clear

WEATHER: The big freeze of 2007 as it will probably end up being called continues today. Many residents report temperatures in mid teens in the Tollhouse area, with single digit readings being reported for Shaver Lake. The current forecast calls for more of the same for at least another couple of days. There is a hope that slightly warmer temperatures will prevail by Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The daytime highs continue to only climb into the mid to high 40's, but the forecast indicates that this may change as well, by Wednesday. The weather models have hinted that a possible front coming through the area on Tuesday night to Wednesday morning may bring a slight chance of precipitation. TRAFFIC: The lack of any new snowfall has left SR 168 open without chain restrictions, but drivers are being advised to drive with extreme caution in the higher elevations, as reports of black ice in shaded areas of the roadway have been reported even in the afternoon hours. The lack of any major traffic incidents that have come to our attention today, seem to indicate that folks are indeed heeding this advice. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: The real estate trade continues to make news in the area with the announcement that Tollhouse resident Alison Cary, whom has worked with Coldwell-Banker for the past 2 1/2 years has moved her shingle over to Century 21 Sierra Realtors. An interview today with Alison indicates that she's excited about the change and is looking forward to the prospects of working out of Century 21's Shaver Lake office. That doesn't mean that she'll be ignoring her friends and neighbors here in Tollhouse however, as many of her listings are in this area, as well as her current home. We all wish Alison the best and hope that she enjoys her new career with Century 21.

Rick brought our attention to this 'ice sculptor' by Mother Nature that some think looks like the silhouette of an eagle.

Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 5:02 pm
Today:	High: 42/Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 19/Clear

WEATHER: Clear skies and lack of moisture in the air, not to mention air that was cold to begin with, have led to extremely cold overnight temperatures. Even though the official forecast for Tollhouse overnight was 21 degrees, a number of spotters have reported temperatures this morning in the mid-teens. Brrrrr. The official forecast for tonight is even colder with the predicted Tollhouse temperature expected for 19. Lately, we've managed to end up with temperatures a few degrees colder than the official forecast for our elevation, so it will be interesting to see tonight exactly how cold it gets. The cold streak is expected to remain with us until Tuesday, before a more gradual warming trend is expected to bring temperatures more akin to normal for this time of year. TRAFFIC: Chain restrictions are currently in effect this morning at a point about 10 miles east of Shaver Lake, however, motorists are advised to exercise caution when driving on any foothill roadways this morning, as black ice is widespread and prevalent from about Sample Road on up along portions of SR 168. Without warning, a person rounding curves on what appears to be dry roadways can suddenly find themselves in a deadly spin. Our advice is to take it slow, and get there alive and in one piece. TRAFFIC: 10:00 am Update: Chain restrictions have now been lifted on SR 168 this morning. Good news for folks wanting to get to Shaver and for the skiers, of course. (smile)

Contemplating the Sunset.

Friday, January 12, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 5:01 pm
Today:	High: 43/Partly Cloudy	Chance of Snow: 20%
Tonight:	Low: 21/Clear

WEATHER: The weather continues cold and colder. A number of reports from the area indicate that overnight temps last night approached the teens, with temperatures the next several nights to be even colder. Spotters have also indicated that black ice is taking folks by surprise in a number of areas in the lower foothill elevations. Sub-freezing temperatures will continue to be with us for the next several days as the pool of cold air ushered into the area by the two cold fronts will remain in place, at least until Tuesday. A combination of clear skies and lack of moisture in the atomosphere will lead to long, chilly nights for the next several nights. Frozen plumbing will continue to be a problem for Tollhouse area residents until a slight warming trend arrives sometime next week. TRAFFIC: As previously mentioned in the weather forecast, black ice continues to be a problem on local roadways, and with the sub-freezing temperatures lasting well into the morning hours, spots of black ice in the Tollhouse area have continued to persist in shaded spots on places like Lodge Road, Burrough North, Burrough Valley Road, until nearly 11:00 am, taking many motorists by surprise. This has been reported to us by a number of local spotters. Several early morning accidents due to slick roadways occurred in the lower elevations near Sample Road and Nicholas Road along SR 168 this morning for just this reason. In the upper reaches, chains were required this morning and for most of the day, mid-way up the 4-lane, more due to ice, than to any large accumulation of snow. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: Local Tollhouse resident Rick tells us that we got it slightly wrong yesterday. We did indeed get a very light dusting of snow yesterday, though the accumulation wasn't enough to stay on the roads, enough did fall to accumulate for a time on colder surfaces such as cars and metal objects left outside. We apologize for the error. Residents with a clear view to the west, the past few nights have been treated to a view of an unusual sight in the western sky near the setting sun. Comet McNaught, discovered last year, has been visible in the western sky at dusk for the past several nights for about an hour after sunset. It will continue to be visible for another evening or two, for briefer and briefer periods, as it approaches the sun. It has displayed a visible tail as it's approach to the sun continues.

H20 + 25 degrees x 12 hours = Broken Pipes

Thursday, January 11, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 5:00 pm
Today:	High: 47/Partly Cloudy	Chance of Rain: 20%
Tonight:	Low: 23/Mostly Cloudy	Chance of Snow: 30%

WEATHER: Mostly sunny skies prevailed in Tollhouse again today, but temperatures got colder and colder as the afternoon progressed. Whether it will snow tonight or tomorrow still remains the big weather question today. Temperatures are forecast to drop dramatically overnight as the cold front comes through the area. The snow level, if any precipitation develops will be at around the 500 foot level. Black ice will be a real possibility overnight on local roadways, even if no precipitation develops. The next few nights are expected to be the coldest of the year, not only up here in the foothills but for the flatlanders as well. TRAFFIC: At present, this evening, local roadways remain free of chain restrictions, but folks are warned to be on guard for icy roads throughout the evening in the entire area. No traffic incidents of note came through to us today, but we may have missed something. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: We'd like to thank one of our website visitors for sending us an email about the locked gate and cable across the old Tollhouse Grade, and the legality of it being there. This is something that we've discussed in the recent past, and we're working on getting an answer from some county officials that we've contacted, but as of yet, have received no reply. We'll let you know as soon as we do.

Sunset with cloudy skies looking to the west recently.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 5:00 pm
Today:	High: 58/Partly Cloudy
Tonight:	Low: 31/Partly Cloudy	Chance of Rain: 10%

WEATHER: The weather is still the predominant subject of conversation around town today, as everyone keeps trying to figure out just how cold it's going to get. A number of residents and property owners were seen around the community getting pipes wrapped up as tomorrow night and Friday night are expected to be some of the coldest nights we've had this winter thus far. Some forecasts are even suggesting that we'll see some upper teens in the area tomorrow night, Friday or Saturday mornings. The extremely cold weather coming is going to be lacking much in the way of moisture, so it remains to be seen whether we'll see any snowfall from this storm. Based on computer models, any precipitation that does fall as a result of the storm will be in the form of snow above 500 feet. (no, that's not a mistake, it's 500, not 5000) To our knowledge, chains haven't been required to get to Prather, Tollhouse or Auberry since the big freeze of 1991, but this is a possibilty in the next day or so. TRAFFIC: The only accident of note that we've come across today is a 3 car accident about 6:40 pm this evening on SR 168 near the Academy historical monument. According to reports, the roadway was partially blocked for nearly an hour as a result of this accident. No word on whether there were any injuries. At the moment, no chain restrictions are in effect for the upper reaches of SR 168, but that's expected to change by tomorrow. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: Our webmaster has had to make a trip to Santa Cruz for work, and is quite disappointed that he won't be around for any possible snow tomorrow or Friday in Tollhouse. Chuck at the Tollhouse Market has agreed to keep a digital camera on hand, and he's also asking any of the rest of you that happen to have digital cameras to keep them handy and email him any snow photos to us for inclusion in the website. Our thanks in advance. We'll make sure you get credit for your photos.

In a breach of Flag ettiquette, we saw these flags flying in the rain, and at full staff in spite of the 30 day mourning period for former President Gerald Ford, at a Fresno Islamic Center.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 4:59 pm
Today:	High: 57/Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 29/Clear

WEATHER: Sunny skies and pleasant termperatures were on tap today for Tollhousians. While the haze kept the skies for the flatlanders looking rather lackluster, clear blue skies were the rule for mountain folk today. We reached a high of 64 today in Tollhouse, well beyond the 57 degrees originally predicted. All that being said, temperatures will be chilly overnight tonight, but not as cold as recent temperatures have been. We'll also most likely have one more day of warm weather before things change to a much colder weather regime. The current forecasts say that the first of two cold fronts will arrive in the area late tomorrow, followed by the second sometime on Thursday evening or Friday morning. A possibility of snow will exist with the passage of the second front, and is noted in our daily forecast header. TRAFFIC: Traffic incidents have been sparse today with the only thing we've heard about today so far was a hit and run on Burrough Valley Road early this morning, when a vehicle slid, ran a car off the road, and slid into an embankment, then took off. Thankfully, for both the driver that left the scene, and for the occupants of the other vehicles no injuries were reported. This makes the hit and run only a misdemeanor and not a felony. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: We'd like to thank Tollhouse resident Ella for her email of last night. She reported that after our story the other day about the huskies or malmute dogs that we reported on that had attacked some sheep. It would appear that the same dogs also were after her family's llamas. She also told us of a story of how our little website here was used as a working example of community contribution and service when her daughter was working on a service merit badge for Girl Scouts. We had to admit that this did give us a boost, knowing that we were able to help in this regard.

Low clouds over Tollhouse and the nearby ridge have been a common sight here recently.

Monday, January 8, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 4:58 pm
Today:	High: 57/Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 28/Clear

WEATHER: The folks at the Weather Service are still scratching their heads a bit on the forecast for the middle of the week. Their computers are still saying that a very cold and very strong low pressure system will be descending along the coast from Alaska on Wednesday and heading this direction. Their problem is the computers can't agree whether this system will track across Northern California into the Great Basin east of us or further down along the coast and cross over us. In this particular case, the track of the storm and therefore, it's moisture is very important. If the storm tracks to the east, we could still get a dusting of snow, as the expected snow level from this storm is about 300 to 500 feet, though there would not be a great deal of moisture to produce snow. If the storm should track through our area, however, a widespread snow event could occur, even on the valley floor, as there would be ample moisture for perhaps as much as a foot of snow at the lower elevations. It will be interesting to see how this progresses. In the meantime, starting on Wednesday night, however things turn out, our area can expect very cold weather with temperatures in the low 20's for several days and on Friday, a high that may only reach up into the high 30's. TRAFFIC: Traffic incidents got off to an early start this morning. Late last night, what might be considered a miracle by some, a caller along SR 168 below Prather reported a dead deer on the side of the road. Shortly after this, the 'dead' deer got up and ran away. We guess it had a difference of opinion with the reporting party as to just how dead it was. (smile) At about 2:40 am this morning a solo vehicle accident was reported on Tollhouse near it's intersection with SR 168 (this would be where Tollhouse Road splits away from from 168 in the lower foothills) There are sparse details with the accident, but apparently no one was injured and the CHP log contains the cryptic entry: "Subject was cited and released to uncle." OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: An item of interest from Saturday: Apparently two dogs were making the rounds of the neighborhood on Saturday. The animals, described as well kept malmutes or huskies made the rounds along Old Tollhouse Road, then along Tollhouse road where they visited nearly every property along both sides of the road, then headed over towards the post office and beyond where they ended up attacking one or more sheep owned by a local rancher. The rancher dropped by here on Saturday afternoon looking for the owner of the dogs. We hope that she managed to find them. It should be noted that the laws have changed in the state as of January 1st, it is illegal to tie a dog to a fence, post or other fixed object for more than 3 hours at a time. Owners of dogs that do so may face fines as high as 100 dollars a day.

Clouds from a recent storm form a contrasting cloudscape over the Sierra as seen from Fresno.

Sunday, January 7, 2007
Sunrise:	7:12 am - Sunset: 4:57 pm
Today:	High: 54/Mostly Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 28/Clear

WEATHER: Sunny and mild best describes this Sunday here in Tollhouse. Most of the day saw nearly perfectly blue, clear skies. The temperature even made it to the upper 50's for a day, that overall wasn't that bad at all. The weather forecast continues to discuss what they call a 'polar low' coming into the area sometime on Thursday or Thursday night. The models are in some disagreement as exactly where the low will come through, with some suggesting the low will bring a heavy snowfall event throughout the area, but most of the others suggesting the low will pass mostly to the east of us, leaving our area, and possibly the valley floor, with only a very light dusting of snow. The one thing all the models agree on though is that it's likely going to be the coldest night of the year on Thursday night, with a possible 19 or 20 degree reading here in Tollhouse and something possibly close to zero up in the Shaver Lake area. In our opinion, we'd call that COLD!! (smile) TRAFFIC: Authorities were still investigating last night's midnight hit and run this afternoon over by Prather that we reported on yesterday. In addition, there was an accident this afternoon about 1:00 pm on Auberry Road near Meadow Lakes in which a single vehicle apparently took a curve too quickly, slid and then overturned off the roadway. Minor injuries were reported in this accident, but their extent are unknown to us at this time. Another single vehicle rollover accident took place at about 3:40 pm this afternoon, on a lower stretch of Auberry Road near the Eucalyptus Grove. As in the other accident, minor injures were also reported with this one. According to reports, the fire department was also called out as the vehicle was 'smoking' after the accident, according to witnesses. At about 4:00 pm, another accident was reported near the bottom of the 4 lane near where the highway passes over Qualls-Prather Road. No details on this accident are currently available, but it appears that no injuries were sustained as a result of this accident. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: As the local real estate market continues to consolidate in the area, comes word via Carrie Lieder with a posting in the Tollhouse Coffee Klatch that Guarantee Real Estate will soon be merging it's operations into Hometown Realty which is located in Prather, behind Long's Drugs. Ms. Lieder announces that several of the Guarantee agents will be making the move over to Hometown as well. With this latest move, which follows on the heels of the operations of Remax being folded into London Properties, and with the recent expansion of local Century 21 operation Sierra Realtors, owned by local Broker Kevin Christiansen into a 13 office enterprise, spread throughout the Sierra Foothills, the face of real estate in the area is certainly changing dramatically.

High thin clouds and cold enough temps can sometimes cause the clouds to freeze into ice crystals forming a ring around the moon such as this one.

Saturday, January 6, 2007
Sunrise:	7:12 am - Sunset: 4:56 pm
Today:	High: 52/Mostly Sunny
Tonight:	Low: 26/Clear

WEATHER: The current forecast has continued to be a chilly one, with a low of 26 predicted for tonight, and below freezing night time temps for Sunday and Monday night as well. The skies have been mostly clear however, and even with a chill in the air during the day, it's been a beautiful weekend up here in the foothills so far. What is interesting in the discussions that the folks at the US Weather Service are having, however, is what the models are predicting for the upcoming week. Currently, the computer models are almost in complete agreement that another storm system will be making it's way into the area about Thursday sometime. The interesting thing about this storm system, is that the folks that predict the weather, say the models are almost identical to those of December 20th, 1998. For those that were living here at that time, you may remember the snow that came through on that day, and left a dusting of snow all over the valley floor. Of the main computer models at present, 5 of them are in agreement with this scenario for Thursday's storm, bringing with it, what the forecasters call 'ridiculously low' snow levels. It will be interesting to see if this scenario actually plays out. TRAFFIC: Chain restrictions are now in effect from about 20 miles east of Shaver Lake today, with skiers having to put on chains for those last few miles to Sierra Summit. Speaking of Sierra Summit, an accident at about 1:40 pm this aftertoon, left a vehicle on it's side on a blind curve near the ski resort, but thankfully no injuries were reported in the incident. Another incident was reported this evening at a few minutes before midnight on SR 168 near Prather. It was reported that a vehicle took out a section of fence and also struck another vehicle and then left the scene, so the incident was described as a hit and run. As in the previous incident, no injuries were reported. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: It's been interesting to see the past few days, all the activity taking place in the Tollhouse Coffee Klatch. After being dormant for quite some time, we seem to be getting a lot of activity and new members and visitors, so for those of you that haven't visited yet, please feel free to drop by and see all the lastest postings.

This photo would be hard to date from if one didn't know that it was taken in 2007. Cars from another era visit the Tollhouse Market.

Friday, January 5, 2007
Sunrise:	7:12 am - Sunset: 4:55 pm
Today:	High: 49/Partly Cloudy
Tonight:	Low: 25/Mostly Clear

WEATHER: The weather is windy in most places this morning, but not here. As we hear reports of gale force winds on the west side of the valley and over the Grapevine, winds remain calm today in Tollhouse. It's definitely colder today, with the noon time temperature sitting at only 43 degrees. The current forecast calls for some warming tomorrow, both in the daytime and overnight, but as for tonight, it's supposed to be another cold one with a night of deep frost. The current forecast is now calling for mostly clear and cool for the weekend and for the first few days of next week, before another storm appears on track to visit the area at that time. Bundle up folks, it's going to be a cool weekend. TRAFFIC: Reports reached us last night that an accident took place on Auberry Road and Cherokee Road involving some sort of school bus and two other vehicles. Reports were that the bus had rear ended two vehicles. Minor injures were reported to occupants of the vehicles, but we've been unable to obtain more information as to what kind of bus was involved or to what school that it belonged. .... At about 8:50 am this morning, there was an accident on SR 168 about 5 miles below Prather. Details of the accident are scarce, but it would appear that no injuries were sustained from the accident. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: The talk around town the past few days has been around an incident that occurred around New Years Day on Gibbs Ranch Road. A horse owned by Sandy Jones was shot and injured at that time. This is an act of cruelty on the part of someone, and the responsible party needs to be brought to justice. What makes this act so inhumane, is that the same horse was attacked about a year ago as well. At the time, the responsible party was never captured, and it would appear that perhaps the same party came back for a repeat performance. It's urged that anyone that has any idea of who might be responsible for this heinous act, please contact the Sherrif's Department to bring to justice the person responsible for this cruel and vicious act.

Low clouds overhang Tollhouse and it's environs.

Thursday, January 4, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 4:54 pm
Today:	High: 52/Rain	Chance of Rain: 90%
Tonight:	Low: 31/Chance Rain	Chance of Rain: 30%

WEATHER: The storm arrived overnight with light rain already starting to fall over the area. The Weather Service has backed off a bit this morning with their predictions of exactly how much rainfall we'll get with the storm. Either way, we'll see some rainfall from this storm. The storm is supposed to pass quickly through the area and be to the east of us by some time tonight. Following this, the area is expected to dry out quickly and a fog regime rebuild into the area. TRAFFIC: The slick roadways from the rain this morning have caused a number of traffic problems in the area. At about 7:50 am this morning, an accident was reported at SR 168 and Nicholas Road in which a silver Jeep Cherokee slid off the road blocking one of the 2 lanes of the highway at that point. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, in which it appears that the vehicle was going too fast to round one of the many curves on that section of the roadway. At about 9:00 am, a vehicle slid off of SR 168 near Red Mountain Drive between Shaver and Huntington and the vehicle, a pickup, ended up on it's side, leaking fluid of some kind, also blocking the roadway. Again, no injuries were reported as a result of the accident. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: Much to the disappointment of many conservative Tollhouse residents, a new Congress began it's session today, with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, being sworn in as Speaker of the House, and with the Democratic Party, it would appear, firmly in control of Congress. As may have been noted from this website over the past few years, the foothill residents of the Tollhouse area appear to lean rather strongly to the Republican party in political matters, much more so than the ratio of Republicans over Democrats that exist in Fresno County as a whole.

Another frosty early morning scene around Tollhouse.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 4:53 pm
Today:	High: 59/Partly Cloudy
Tonight:	Low: 43/Partly Cloudy

WEATHER: The storm approaching the area is expected to arrive overnight and continues to get better organized and it would appear, being able to access a fair amount of moisture. Current forecasts tell us that the storm will arrive overnight and continue through the day tomorrow. The folks that predict the weather indicate that as much as 2 feet of new snow may fall over the upper reaches of the Sierra Nevada by the time the storm passes through tomorrow night. Rain should be falling in the area by sunrise and continue through most of the morning before tapering off in the afternoon. The snow level will start out at about 5500 feet, but rapidly fall to about the 3500 foot level as the front passes. Lingering showers tomorrow night may allow a brief dusting of snow on the hillsides around Tollhouse. Winds could also be a problem tomorrow afternoon as the trailing edge of the storm passes through the area. TRAFFIC: It's been an extremely quiet traffic day in the area, as we've come across no traffic incidents to report. SR 168 all the way to Sierra Summit remains free of chain restrictions today, but that will most likely change rapidly during the overnight hours tonight. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: The nation laid to rest our 38th President, Gerald Ford today, at his presidental library in Grand Rapids, MI. After services at his Rancho Mirage home last week, following being transported to the nations capital to lie in state and services at the National Cathedral yesterday, the former president has finally returned to his home state. President Ford, long noted for his integrety pardoned former President Nixon a month after he resigned as a result of the Watergate scandal. It's widely believed that this single act cost him election in his own right when he ran against Jimmy Carter in 1972. President Ford also has the distinction of being the only President to date, never to be elected to the office. He was pegged by Nixon to replace Vice-President Spiro Agnew, who was forced to resign in his own scandal, then replaced Nixon when he was forced to resign or be impeached.

Early morning frost has been a consistent sight of late in the Tollhouse area.

Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 4:52 pm
Today:	High: 54/Partly Cloudy
Tonight:	Low: 31/Partly Cloudy

WEATHER: The first work day of the New Year started out foggy for the Flatlanders and overcast for Tollhousians. The forecast changed overnight with an increase chance of rain for Thursday as well as a much colder forecast for last night and tonight. Clouds ahead of the upcoming storm have already started to stream into the area, and this is expected to keep most valley locations above freezing and by tomorrow night keep temperature up here in the foothills well above freezing. The latest prognostication from the folks at the Weather Service tell us that the storm due during the day on Thursday will bring as much as a foot and a half of snow in the mountains between Kings Canyon and Yosemite, and as much as an inch or more of rain here in the Tollhouse area. TRAFFIC: The day has been relatively quiet traffic-wise with only one incident reported as of 9:00 pm this evening. That incident was a solo vehicle accident, which occurred about 3:40 pm when a dark green Explorer went off the roadway on an S-curve on SR 168 near Shaver Lake. The driver of the vehicle was able to contact a supervisor by radio in the Explorer, and it was the supervisor who reported the accident.

A small amount of snow still remains from very brief recent storms in this photo taken near Cressmans.

Monday, January 1, 2007
New Year's Day
Sunrise:	7:11 am - Sunset: 4:51 pm
Today:	High: 50/Partly Cloudy
Tonight:	Low: 26/Clear

WEATHER: The storm expected to pass through the area pretty much fell apart moisture wise as it passed through the area last night, leaving the area high and dry. The first day of 2007 dawned with low clouds hanging over the mountains this morning. The current forecast calls for continuing partly cloudy skies through Wednesday. On Thursday, the forecast is now calling for another storm coming through the area, delivering a substantial chance of rain. Between the cloudy skies and upcoming storm, night-time temperatures will be much more moderate the next several days than they have been lately, with temperatures only dipping slightly below the freezing mark tonight, and possibly staying slightly above during the rest of the work week. TRAFFIC: The new year has gotten off to a rocky start traffic wise with an accident this morning on SR 168 near Tollhouse Road at about 6:15 am. A vehicle went off the side of the roadway and ended up nearly 100 feet down the hill in the stream bed of Dry Creek. While the accident didn't leave the roadway blocked, a closure of the roadway was necessary to bring in equipment to retreive the vehicle from the creek. This took place about 8:00 am. The roadway was then reopened shortly thereafter. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of this accident. It looks like airbags required in newer vehicles have been making a difference in the number of injuries in accidents of late. At 10:30 am, an accident took place on Powerhouse Road on the outskirts of Auberry, with the log entry describing the incident as "Vehicle vs. Rock and Power pole." No further details about this accident are currently available. A hit and run on the upper reaches of Auberry Road this afternoon at about 2:30 pm left authorities searching for a vehicle in the area. OTHER NEWS AND TIDBITS: All of us here at the website would like to take the opportunity today to wish all of our visitors a very Happy New Year, and also to our friends, neighbors and other Tollhousians, near and far. We sincerely hope that this year brings to you only good things, and that this new year brings to you many wonderful adventures.

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