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Schools Delayed On Last Day Of Subzero Temperatures

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Alexander, Athens City Schools, Beacon School, Federal Hocking Local, Nelsonville-York City,Tri-County Career Center and Trimble Local Schools were all on a two-hour delay Wednesday morning thanks once again to subzero temperatures.

The low temperature in Athens just before daybreak was minus 6 degrees but it wasn't the coldest in the region as minus 13 degrees was reported just northwest of Athens County.

The frigid winter weather in central Ohio is causing an unexpected problem – unhealthy air.

Authorities say the cold, stagnant air is trapping and concentrating pollution across central Ohio.

That has led the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to issue a soot alert that will run through Thursday.

That means older people, children and those with breathing disorders should limit strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities.

The alert was issued for Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking and Madison counties.

Planning commission spokeswoman Evelyn Ebert said light winds, low temperatures and high pressure worked together to force soot closer to the ground.

She said it hasn't happened since February 2009