BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Life is returning to normal in our area, but the effects of the winter storm continue to linger. Many stores and restaurants opened their doors again on Thursday, but some things remain shuttered: Most schools and parish offices will remain closed on Friday with an eye on reopening Monday. Bright spots were evident early Thursday: The first United Airlines flight took off from the city airport at 7:15 a.m. Highways and interstates began to open up, although Interstate 10 to New Orleans may remain a trouble spot into Friday. Read more about how things improved on Thursday. While Louisiana was still recovering after a winter storm, the Washington Mardi Gras was in full swing on Thursday for people who had traveled from Louisiana before the snow fell and temperatures dipped into the teens. Washington Mardi Gras, now in its 76th year, gives corporate and charity leaders, university presidents and economic development directors, lobbyists and trade associations a chance to socialize casually with the state's congressional delegation. Read more about this week's festivities. Baton Rouge city-parish maintenance workers have a lot of experience in handling weather events like hurricanes, tropical storms and floods. Recovery after this week's record winter storm required a bit of creativity, however. Read how they attacked the problem with just two trucks able to spread salt and not a single snow plow. | 