This scene depicts Mother Nature’s handiwork last week outside Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham. Residents report receiving up to 19 inches of snow on Dec. 29.

Piawlock fundraiser date set

Al Garcia announced that the fundraiser to benefit the Piawlock family has been set for Friday, Feb. 25, at Spire 29, 29 School St.

Organizers plan to meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, in the fishbowl meeting room at Gorham Recreation Department in the municipal center, 75 South St. Volunteers are being sought to help with the event.

Joseph Piawlock, 45, was killed in a collison during a winter storm last month on Narragansett Street and his daughter, Paige, 10, later died from injuries.

House to attend inauguration

Alison House, chairwoman of the Gorham Republican Committee, will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the Presidential inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20.

House will accompany Sen. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough, who represents Gorham in the Maine Senate.

Terry’s committee assignment

Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, has been appointed to serve on the Legislature’s Taxation Committee.

Terry, a local chef and business owner, is serving her first term in the Maine House.

Chief’s tips for winter driving

With winter in full swing, Gorham Police Chief Daniel Jones this week offered American Journal readers some safety precautions for driving. Here they are:

• Make sure your car is ready for winter. Tires and windshield wipers are especially important.

• Keep emergency supplies in the car. Flashlight, sand, small shovel, ice scraper, blankets, etc.

• Know your car. Do you have ABS brakes? That totally changes how you brake in an emergency. Full brake with ABS, modulate pedal without.

• Remove all snow and ice before driving. Keep windows clear. Stay off the roads if you can.

• Don’t overestimate the power of  four-wheel drive, ABS brakes, traction control, etc. They may help with traction, but they cannot overcome the laws of physics. Once you lose traction, it is difficult to regain it.

• Slow down! The faster the vehicle is going, the more likely you are to lose traction and the potential for serious injury increases.

• Increase following distances. It will give you more time to respond to the events in front of you.

• Seat belts, seat belts, seat belts. Child safety seats properly secured (preferably in the back)

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Dec. 29 that the U.S. public debt was $19,879,151,754,933.53.