Schools closed early and many evening events were canceled yesterday as snow began falling in Carroll County earlier than had been forecast.

The county's snow-emergency plan was in effect by 11: 30 a.m.

State police at the Westminster barracks responded to about 70 traffic accidents between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A few injuries were reported, but the police said most accidents were fender-benders.

Jim Doolan, supervisor of pupil transportation for the Carroll County Board of Education, said some school buses were delayed because of icy roads, primarily in the southern part of the county, where the snow was heaviest.

Public schools closed about noon, and adult-education classes were canceled, as were many PTA and other school events.

Evening classes at most local colleges were canceled.

"What we had here was just a drop in the bucket," said Donald W. Schumaker Jr., a spokesman for Western Maryland College in Westminster, "but we have a lot of students who commute from Frederick, Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties, and we heard the storm was really sweeping through that area."

He said undergraduates, most of them campus residents, can expect a regular class schedule today.

Manchester postponed its council meeting until 7: 30 tonight, and Hampstead rescheduled a public hearing and council meeting for 7 tonight. The hearing concerns financing of a town police station.

Pub Date: 3/10/99