There are newspapers in the food store.
You would think that something serious enough to drive everyone from town would be in the newspaper, right?
You read and walk and walk and read.
Apparently, it is the year 2012 in the month of March on the 17th day.
The headline story regards a new place to buy ice cream. They should be opening soon, according to the article, but the exact date is not known.
The name of the city is also listed; it is unfamiliar.
Is there any specific section you wish to check?
You find a gun store. The two inch glass here has been shattered, and much of what was here has been removed.
You find a double-barelled shotgun; the barrels have been sawed off by an amateur, by the look of it. (Lethal, range 3':8':13':18':+10/5') It was under the counter and tucked under a magazine; whoever looted the place must have missed it. It has 2 shells in it, but you don't see any more.
The clock here says it is one o'clock.