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Carlinville copes with heat

It has taken awhile, but the dog days of summer have finally arrived in central Illinois.

After weeks of rainy weather, temperatures have hit well above the 90-degree Fahrenheit mark. Combined with high humidity, there’s no doubt summer is here.

Perhaps the most noticeable effect of the high temperatures has been on Carlinville’s streets. The oil has begun liquefying, forcing city work crews to place additional rock on the roads. “That happens every summer,” Alderman Robert “Sonny” Albertine said. “The oil just heats up, so it sticks to the tires and your shoes. But just imagine what it’s like for everyone who has to work outside in this weather.”

“You have to pace yourself,” added fellow Carlinville Public Works employee Joe Boatman. “When you’re out in the sun, it can get to you, so you have to make sure you take water breaks and cover up. Yesterday was even hotter than today, but this whole week is going to be nasty.

While quite a few workers found themselves outside in the hot and humid conditions, others tried to find ways to beat the heat.

Colton Delong, above, braces for impact just before hitting the Carlinville Country Club swimming pool. High temperatures brought out large numbers of swimmers to the pool.

Source: Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat, June 26, 2009