Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Firefighters hold onto a tow truck driver after tethering him with a rope so he can climb out of the wreckage of a tractor trailer that jackknifed on Route 89 near St. Albans, Vt., on Monday. The truck broke through the guard rail of a bridge, and pushed its way over the edge, closing the highway for hours.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Skiers can hit Stevens Pass on Thursday 12/4/07   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2007 Rain, sleet and snow wreak havoc in Northeast, but ski bums love it Associated Press STOWE, Vt. -- A winter storm that wreaked havoc on the Upper Midwest began its snowy assault on the East on Monday, spelling trouble for travelers but elation for ski resorts that suffered through an abysmal winter in 2006. Drivers in much of the region had to navigate a mix of rain, sleet and snow as the storm -- which was blamed for at least 16 deaths -- made its way east, blanketing northern New England overnight and threatening to dump up to 20 inches in places. "It's not snow. It's white gold," said Christopher Francis, innkeeper at Ye Olde England Inne, a 30-room inn in the shadow of Stowe Mountain Resort. In Vermont, seven inches of snow welcomed skiers and snowboarders Monday morning. School was canceled or classes delayed from New York to Maine as highways turned slippery and wind gusted to 40 mph. Ice storm warnings were issued for Massachusetts and Connecticut, and winter storm warnings were in effect in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and northern and western New York. At Portland International Jetport in Maine, flights were canceled because of poor conditions at connecting airports. Hundreds of flights into the New York City area's three main airports were delayed as long as two hours Sunday by wind and ice. But in northern New England, snowstorms are considered sacred events and parka-clad snow lovers will skip school, work or other commitments to take advantage. A line of people had already formed Monday when one of the lifts at Stowe Mountain Resort opened. "We were supposed to be leaving today, but we decided to stay once we saw the weather," said snowboarder James Bykowski, 31, of Belmar, N.J. "I was pretty pumped," he said. His girlfriend -- a teacher -- called in sick Monday. "This is a great way to start the season," said John Block, 37, of Huntington, N.Y., lacing up his boots in the parking lot. "It makes all the traveling and the waiting worthwhile." Last year, Stowe was forced to close for four days in December for lack of snow. This year, early season snow prompted the resort to open a week early Nov. 17, and cold weather has helped snowmaking since then. "How do I feel today? Euphoric," said spokesman Michael Colbourn.

1. Fire destroys Emory's restaurant 2. Man dies in apparent suicide on Edmonds beach 3. Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back? 4. Storm dents Tulalip couple's retirement plan 5. For many cougars, it's one night only 6. Lulu the St. Bernard helps out with crossing guard job 7. Business Briefly: L.A. man gets prison for repackaging Boeing 737 plane parts 8. Sultan man charged with assault for firing at deputy 9. Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first 10. Emory's blaze causes $2 million in damage 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Bazaar Fever • Hawks proud of historic season • Olson always put Edmonds first • ‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop • Mavs build early lead en route to easy win • Honoring student veterans • Tears of laughter, tears of grief • Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide • Edmonds gets education grant • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million