Caution Urged on Local Frozen Water Bodies

With the very cold weather of the past couple weeks, lots of ice is building up on area ponds and lakes. The bottom line - ice is never 100% safe, and falling through ice can turn deadly fast. If you do venture out on the ice though, be sure it will support your weight. At least 4" thick of new, clear ice is a typical recommendation for an individual person, and even thicker for larger groups. Ice can also vary in thickness on a body of water, so just because one spot is safe does not mean everywhere is. Be responsible for your own safety - if you're unsure, stay off the ice!