STATE PATROL RESPONDS TO 470 CRASHES THURSDAY

The state patrol reported a busy day Thursday during the first significant winter storm of the season.  State troopers responded to a total of 470 crashes between midnight and 8:30 pm  with 38 resulting in injuries.  Officials say 261 vehicles went off the road and there were 30 jackknifed semis.  The crashes include a semi vs Ford Escape near Garden City that critically injured a Janesville man.  A four-vehicle crash reported in Le Sueur County and an incident in Blue Earth County where an 11-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle on a snow and ice covered road.  The boy was hurt but not taken to a hospital.  South central and southeastern Minnesota received the most snowfall.  Winthrop, New Prague and Kellogg had seven inches of snow.  Zumbrota and St. Peter got 6 1/2 inches.  Around five inches fell in the New Ulm, Mankato, Twin Cities and Willmar areas.