Winter weather caused two power outages in parts of Big Lake recently. Connexus Energy customers experienced the first Jan. 10, after a vehicle hit a utility pole, Connexus Energy spokesperson Samantha Neral said. “It was very icy with freezing rain that day,” she said. The power was out so long Coborn’s Manager Mitch Utecht was forced to close the store. “We had to lock the doors,” Utecht said. “You can’t do any business that way.” Saturday afternoon the power went out again in Big Lake, this time due to high winds as a trough of cold air made its way into the area, taking down a power line. “That’s a lot easier to fix,” Neral said. “The power was out for about 30 minutes.” Staff helped customers already inside the store to the exits and again the doors were locked until power was restored. Connexus Energy and Xcel Energy both provide electrical services in the Big Lake area.