Snowstorm blasts southern New England, state of emergency in R.I.

BOSTON -- Heavy snow and whipping winds barreled into southern New England Sunday, canceling church services, delaying flights and ending what had been an unseasonably mild winter season.

Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri declared a state of emergency as blizzard conditions caused whiteouts on major roads. No serious problems were reported, but Carcieri's spokesman said the declaration allows the state to mobilize its emergency operations to help officials stay ahead of the storm. [...]