The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, MO. -- Columbia city officials continue to operate in weather emergency mode as they try to dig out of the winter storm.

Most of Columbia’s priority roads are clear, but many residential streets remain covered with snow and ice.

With more than 500 miles of streets, it will take several days to remove all of the snow in Columbia neighborhoods.  18 Columbia snow plow trucks are working around the clock.  City Officials are asking citizens to be patient.  Make sure your car isn’t parked on an unplowed street or it might get buried.  Jamie Brungard is fed up with the snow.

Brungard said, “The worst thing is cleaning off the cars, definitely.  Most of the restaurants aren’t open.  It’s just no good.”

Not everyone sees the snow as a bad thing.  A small group of dedicated sledders made their way to the big hill at Columbia’s Stephens Lake Park.  Clara Strathausen, 8, thought the snow was never going to stop.

Strathausen said, “We were at one of our friend’s house when it happened.  We thought we couldn’t get out.  We ended up getting out and going home and getting hot chocolate and warming up.”

Boone County Emergency Officials are reporting very few slide-offs because most people stayed home during the storm.  Now that the storm is behind us, authorities are urging everyone to stay indoors to avoid injuries and overexposure.

Columbia Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Sapp said, “If you are going to be outside shoveling snow and anticipating the plows to come through, take frequent breaks.  Watch out for strains, slips and falls.  Don’t overexert yourself so you are not putting yourself in line for a heart attack.”

Sapp said bright sunshine during the daylight hours can be deceiving.  The snow is still deep and the temperatures are still bitterly cold under sunny skies.

Boone County Officials say 911 responses could be a little slower than usual for the next few days.

Ambulance drivers and other emergency personnel are trying to get around town under the same conditions as everyone else.