What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

•  478 Comments
• Photos (2)

Share Your Photos: How Much Snow Do You Have?

Let's measure the blizzard through lawn ornaments!

We at Patch like to have fun – even when we’re covering a story as big as the Blizzard of ’13! So when the biggest storm in years (potentially in the history of Boston weather) is headed our way, we get into battle mode – and even get a little silly. That’s what this idea is about – and we want you to take part too! A fun way we want to track the storm across Massachusetts is through lawn ornaments. They serve a purpose in the spring and summer, but often feel left out in the cold of winter. Not anymore. We are posting photos of lawn ornaments throughout Massachusetts to highlight snowfall across the commonwealth during and after the storm. All you need to do is hit the Upload Photos and Videos button and upload your own. If we’re stuck at…

•  59 Comments
• Photos (161)
• Videos (5)

Easton Fire Chief: Clear the Roads, Be Prepared For Power Loss

Easton Fire Chief Kevin Partridge updates residents with the impending storm.

Easton Fire Chief Kevin Partridge met with the Emergency Management team Thursday afternoon and took time to update residents with the impending snow storm. Partridge warned that roads should be cleared to allow emergency vehicles to pass through. He also warned that losing power is a possibility and a shelter could be opened if enough residents lose power. A regional shelter will be open as well. "We are preparing if we need to put a shelter in place," he said. Partridge also offered these tips in case of a power loss:

• Videos (1)

Question of the Day

National Grid Faces Unprecedented Fines [Poll]

Are the fines imposed against National Grid sufficient?

As we near the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene, which left thousands of Easton residents (and nearly a million total Massachusetts residents) without power for days, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is proving that she hasn't forgotten what she calls an "inadequate response" to both the tropical storm and an October snowstorm with similar results. Coakely is recommending a $16 million fine against the company – the largest penalty ever recommended against a utility in Massachusetts, according to a statement from her office released Thursday. The penalties, if passed would not affect National Grid customers and would have to be borne on shareholders. The AG’s Office made the recommendation in a brief filed …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Question of the Day: Rating National Grid

How do you rate National Grid's response in Easton during "Snowtober"?

We'll be asking Easton Patch readers a different question every weekday. Questions could range from local decisions made by officials, to state issues, to national politics and entertainment. Whatever it is, we want to know what EASTON thinks! For the second time since late August, National Grid, the power company that serves Easton and many other nearby communities, had its hands full after an October snowstorm knocked out power for more than 600,000 Massachusetts residents. After Hurricane Irene, many Easton officials were upset with National Grid's response. Some residents were without power for nearly a week. This time, however, most residents in Easton who lost power had power back within the first day, despite three poles that fell …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Updated: Storm Leaves Many Easton Residents Powerless

An October snowstorm hit Easton last night, leaving many without power.

A rare October snowstorm struck Easton Saturday night, closing some roads and leaving some Easton residents without power Sunday. Over 600,000 Massachusetts residents woke up Sunday without power and Easton was not immune. Over 100 residents in the Bay Road area and near Borderland State Park lost power. The storm knocked down three telephone poles on Bay Road just north of Beaver Dam Road. Wires were also down on Allen Road and Highland Street. As of 7:30 p.m., large areas of Easton had been restored, but there were still scattered outages in parts of town. A regional shelter was opened at La Salette Shrine, 947 Park Street, Attleboro for those still without power. National Grid did not give a specific timeline on power restoration, but …

• Photos (1)