In Taunton, the trees create a beautiful scene.

The latest winter storm didn't hit Minneota last weekend — then suddenly, the winds blew, a deep chill moved in and life nearly came to a standstill on Monday.

"I got to the edge of Minneota and wasn't able to see the road, so I turned around and came back into town — and felt fortunate to do so," said one resident.

"I was going to Marshall for a meeting and got as far as Ghent and turned around and came back," said Sandy Swedzinski of Minneota.

That's the way it was throughout the area. Folks decided to stay put rather than risk their chances in the outdoors.

In Marshall the National Guard Armory was set up as an emergency shelter for stranded motorists. "The hotels are all full," was the report from Marshall.

In Minneota, the boys' basketball game with Lakeview, which was already a makeup, was postponed to Feb. 6. The city council called off its special meeting which was set to go over applications for the open city council seat. It appeared all meetings for the night were canceled or postponed.