White Death turned away

Well, it looks like the Great Winter Storm of 2008 has mostly missed the Blytheville area once again.

Kudos go out to all those who kept their heads about them in the face of the wintry forecasts. That includes all the local public schools that resisted any knee-jerk temptation to close their doors at the first sign of crystalized water falling from the sky.

But thumbs go down to all those who took part in the traditional pre-snow panic that inevitably takes hold around here anytime snow or ice is remotely part of the forecast. That goes to all those who rushed to Wal-Mart to stock up on milk and bread; all those who assumed school would be canceled Thursday and/or Friday, and failed to plan accordingly; and those handful of entities who did abruptly shut down Thursday afternoon when some snow and ice briefly appeared.

We may or may not have another taste of winter precipitation before the winter is over, but here at The Talker, we hope everyone remembers not to panic. It's just snow. It's not White Death.