October one of 10 wettest in Illinois history

Posted on November 7, 2017
rain
Illinois averaged five inches of rain in October. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By WFMB/RFD Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Farmers are struggling to harvest their crops this fall and homeowners are mowing their lawns more than they did in the summer. It’s all thanks to a wet fall.

The Illinois State Climatologist reported October goes down as one of the 10 wettest ever. Jim Angel said average rainfall was about five inches, about 1.7 inches above normal.

“Rains were heaviest in the northern part of the state,” Angel said, noting Glen Ellyn received 15.9 inches last month.

Snow flurries were reported in a few places.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…