People seek relief in water, air conditioning from unrelenting US heat wave; 30 dead

By Associated Press, Published: July 7 PHILADELPHIA — Americans dipped into the water, went to the movies and rode the subway just to be in air conditioning Saturday for relief from unrelenting heat that has killed 30 people across half the country. The heat sent temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in several cities, including a […]

More Than 400 Jail Inmates Relocated When Air Conditioning Fails

CHICAGO (STMW) – More than 400 Cook County Jail inmates had to be shifted to different facilities Friday night when air conditioning units in the building they were housed in overheated. The air conditioning went out about 8:30 p.m. in the jail’s Pre-Release Center Building at 3026 S. California Ave., Cook County Sheriff spokesman Frank […]

Chicago Hits 103 Again, For 3rd Straight Day Of Triple Digit Temps

UPDATED 07/06/12 1:05 p.m. CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago broke another record for heat on Friday as the temperature reached 103 degrees again, making it the third straight day the mercury has reached triple digits in the city. The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed six deaths related to the extreme heat so far. The 100 degree […]

Lessons from ’95 disaster help city bare latest heat wave

Chicago learned from a major tragedy and now responds to severe heat differently, author says By Lolly Bowean, Chicago Tribune reporter, July 8, 2012 In his book, “Heat Wave,” New York University sociology professor and author Eric Klinenberg examined the heat wave disaster in 1995 that led to the deaths of more than 700 residents. […]

Chicago cancels summer school classes in 21 non-air conditioned buildings

By Associated Press 8:17 a.m. CDT, July 5, 2012 CHICAGO (AP) — School officials in Chicago have canceled summer school classes in 21 non-air conditioned buildings due to the excessive heat that’s plaguing Illinois. Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard on Thursday canceled classes at three elementary schools, which have air conditioning that isn’t functioning […]

Midwest can’t get any relief from oppressive heat

When the air conditioner stopped recently in Ashley Jackson’s Southfield, Mich., home, so too did normal conversations and nightly rest. “Inside the house it was 91 degrees. … I wasn’t talking to anybody. Nobody was talking to anybody,” said Jackson, 23, who works as a short-order cook in Detroit. “We mostly slept, but it was […]

Business heats up for air conditioner repairs

Calls for service in Chicago area have risen with the temperature By Matthew Walberg, Chicago Tribune reporter July 6, 2012 As extreme heat continues to bake the region, air conditioning repair companies are working up a sweat trying to keep up with the hundreds of service calls. “Some people, unfortunately, don’t realize that with these […]