South Lebanon officials, sheriff's deputies discuss winter preparedness; warming center availability unclear

Council members at the Jan. 2 South Lebanon meeting expressed concern about a forecasted winter storm and asked whether warming centers would be available for residents without heat. Council members and staff said they had not received clear information about warming centers and asked the county sheriff’s office to follow up.

Deputy Troy Fox of the Warren County Sheriff's Department told the council he would check with the main office and share any information the department receives about warming centers. Deputy Patrick O’Brien was introduced as a trainee assigned to work with Deputy Fox; Fox said O’Brien has prior Army service and is a member of the National Guard.

Why it matters: a lack of confirmed warming-center information can affect residents who need temporary shelter during cold-weather emergencies. Council members urged staff and county deputies to notify the city if warming centers are established.

Council and staff discussed the need to stay ahead of potential bad weather and to identify resources for residents who may not have warm shelter. City staff and deputies did not identify any warming centers that were confirmed as open during the meeting; Deputy Fox said he would check and report back to city officials.

No formal action (such as establishing a local warming center or authorizing emergency expenditures) was recorded in the transcript; the item was a request for information and interagency follow-up.