Cooling Centers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- High temperatures and Excessive Heat Warnings continue this week as dangerous temperatures continue to impact the area.  Since June, 137 heat-related illnesses have been reported in Greene County.  Heat can have an accumulative effect and can lead to severe heat-related illness and even death if not treated properly.  The Springfield-Greene County Health Department advises residents to continue to take steps to protect against...

Springfield city leaders are trying to make sure everyone has a place to cool off. The Greene County Department of Emergency Management says starting Sunday, both of the Springfield YMCA locations and the Salvation Army will open their doors for folks to come in out of the heat. Each location will be open during normal business hours.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The temperatures keep climbing and so do the numbers of people filling local cooling centers.  St. John's Hospital says it treated 14 people for heat-related illness last week.  They say this number isn't particularly high given the type of weather we've seen over the last week or so. Doctors remind you it can be dangerous outside.  They say it's best to avoid outdoor activity but, if you must go outdoors, drink plenty of...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  With a National Weather Service heat advisory in effect beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday and continuing through at least 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, the following locations have been designated as public cooling centers during each building's normal business hours: American Red Cross, 1545 N. West Bypass Ozarks Technical Community College (Commons), 933 E. Central St. Salvation Army, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway YMCA, 1901 E. Republic Road YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave. Chesterfield Family Center lobby, 2511 W. Republic Road Doling Family Center lobby, 310 E. Talmage St. Mediacom Ice Park lobby, 635 East Trafficway Cooling centers are open to the public and meant to provide relief for those who otherwise do not have access to an air-conditioned environment.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Many communities in the Ozarks topped 100 degrees on Thursday as the Ozarks endures its hottest June in close to 60 years.  Springfield hit 101 close to 5 p.m., breaking the daily record of 100 set in 1954; it was also the hottest June day ever recorded in Springfield.  Other communities hit and exceeded 100 degrees earlier in the afternoon than Springfield.  The highest numbers were in Harrison with a record 107 and Mountain...

Edited news release from City of Springfield: As the National Weather Service's Heat Advisory continues through Saturday evening, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board is offering extended outdoor pool hours, including swimming until 10 p.m. Saturday at Fassnight Pool. Splash n' Sizzle Weekends already planned for July offer extended pool hours with admission for $1 or one canned food item donation. Splash n' Sizzle locations, days and hours include: Fridays in July Grant Beach Pool, 1300 N. Grant Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Westport Pool, 3100 W. Mt Vernon St., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Silver Springs Pool, 1100 N. Hampton Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Saturdays in July Fassnight Pool, 1300 S. Campbell Ave., 5:30 - 10 p.m. Meador Pool, 2500 S. Fremont Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Grant Beach Pool, 1300 N. Grant Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Westport Pool, 3100 W. Mt Vernon St., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Silver Springs Pool, 1100 N. Hampton Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. All outdoor pools are also open normal hours Thursday through Sunday, 1-6:30 p.m. Maintenance days are staggered Monday through Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Despite the hot weather, the Salvation Army in Springfield has not opened its emergency cooling centers -- at least not yet. But officials say they're in need of volunteers to help run the shelter when it does open, which could happen later this week. The Salvation Army opens its cooling center when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or excessive heat warning. No advisories or warnings have been issued yet, but the nonprofit's lobby is always open to anyone who needs a drink of water or temporary respite from the elements.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- By Sunday, the heat index for Missouri could easily hit 100 degrees! Last year, 47 Missourians died from heat stroke or heat exhaustion, mainly those in the age group 45 to 75. The State Health Department expects cooling centers to open in several locations statewide. Authorities urge adults to keep an eye on loved ones, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning or live alone.  They also say children and pets should never be left in cars with the windows up, as interior temperatures can quickly soar to 130 degrees or more, which can lead to death.

REPUBLIC, Mo -- Despite the hot and dry conditions, the Republic July 4th Have a Blast event proceeded.  For nearly 20 years, the city has celebrated with fireworks, this year was no exception.  Several cities in the Ozarks have burn bans and have canceled firework shows. Republic city officials took extra precautions. The event had three paid firefighter crews on scene to maintain safety.  The fireworks were set off more than 600 feet from the park.  The Have a Blast event has sponsors, which helps the city provide responders.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - As the Ozarks continues to be gripped by a relentless heat wave, more people are starting to feel its effects. The Springfield-Greene County Health Department reports at least 147 cases of heat-related illnesses in local emergency rooms from June 1 through July 27. Thirty-eight patients were admitted to area hospitals. Officials say 104 of those who visited area emergency rooms are Greene County residents. Statewide, 962 emergency room visits were reported due to the heat from May 1 - July 27. Public cooling centers are also open at the following locations through at least Tuesday: - American Red Cross, 1545 N. West Bypass - Ozarks Technical Community College (Commons)

SPRINGFIELD --   The extreme heat that's gripping the Ozarks has sent people to the hospital and cooling centers. So far this year, Mercy has treated 52 people for heat related illnesses, and last week alone 12 additional people were sick pushing the total to 64.      A hospital spokesperson said the patients range in age from 8 to 86 and most are middle aged.      So far this season, the Springfield Greene County Health Department reports that a little more than 152 people have been treated for heat related problems.

Edited news release from City of Springfield: As the National Weather Service's Heat Advisory continues through Saturday evening, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board is offering extended outdoor pool hours, including swimming until 10 p.m. Saturday at Fassnight Pool. Splash n' Sizzle Weekends already planned for July offer extended pool hours with admission for $1 or one canned food item donation. Splash n' Sizzle locations, days and hours include: Fridays in July Grant Beach Pool, 1300 N. Grant Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Westport Pool, 3100 W. Mt Vernon St., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Silver Springs Pool, 1100 N. Hampton Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Saturdays in July Fassnight Pool, 1300 S. Campbell Ave., 5:30 - 10 p.m. Meador Pool, 2500 S. Fremont Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Grant Beach Pool, 1300 N. Grant Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Westport Pool, 3100 W. Mt Vernon St., 5:30 - 8 p.m. Silver Springs Pool, 1100 N. Hampton Ave., 5:30 - 8 p.m. All outdoor pools are also open normal hours Thursday through Sunday, 1-6:30 p.m. Maintenance days are staggered Monday through Wednesday.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield-Greene County Parks Department offers extended outdoor pool hours and two cooling centers this week during the Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service. Fassnight Pool will remain open until 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, and Thursday, July 5. Splash n' Sizzle events already planned for this week offer extended pool hours with admission for $1 or one canned food item donation. All food collected goes to Ozarks Food Harvest. Splash n' Sizzle locations, days and hours include: Wednesday, July 4 Fassnight Pool, 1300 S. Campbell Ave., 12-8 p.m. Grant Beach Pool, 1300 N. Grant Ave. 12-5:30 p.m. Meador Pool, 2500 S. Fremont Ave. 12-5:30 p.m. (All other pools closed for Independence Day holiday)

REPUBLIC, Mo -- Despite the hot and dry conditions, the Republic July 4th Have a Blast event proceeded.  For nearly 20 years, the city has celebrated with fireworks, this year was no exception.  Several cities in the Ozarks have burn bans and have canceled firework shows. Republic city officials took extra precautions. The event had three paid firefighter crews on scene to maintain safety.  The fireworks were set off more than 600 feet from the park.  The Have a Blast event has sponsors, which helps the city provide responders.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Sometimes the best way to beat the heat is to go underground. “We have been out in the heat the last two days and we thought we'd take a nice cool trip in the cave. It's fascinating. It's cool and it's comfortable," said visitor Fritz Hegeman. The natural air conditioner at Fantastic Caverns means more ticket sales. “We are seeing business increase,” said Kirk Hansen, with Fantastic Caverns. It stays 60 degrees in the cave year round.  Workers say, while summer is the busiest time of the year, the hotter it gets outside, the more people come inside.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Many communities in the Ozarks topped 100 degrees on Thursday as the Ozarks endures its hottest June in close to 60 years.  Springfield hit 101 close to 5 p.m., breaking the daily record of 100 set in 1954; it was also the hottest June day ever recorded in Springfield.  Other communities hit and exceeded 100 degrees earlier in the afternoon than Springfield.  The highest numbers were in Harrison with a record 107 and Mountain...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  With a National Weather Service heat advisory in effect beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday and continuing through at least 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, the following locations have been designated as public cooling centers during each building's normal business hours: American Red Cross, 1545 N. West Bypass Ozarks Technical Community College (Commons), 933 E. Central St. Salvation Army, 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway YMCA, 1901 E. Republic Road YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson Ave. Chesterfield Family Center lobby, 2511 W. Republic Road Doling Family Center lobby, 310 E. Talmage St. Mediacom Ice Park lobby, 635 East Trafficway Cooling centers are open to the public and meant to provide relief for those who otherwise do not have access to an air-conditioned environment.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A heat advisory    is posted for a large part of the Ozarks from 1 p.m. Thursday to 7 p.m. Saturday. * Timing and areas affected are south and east of a Powell-to-Greenfield-to-Iberia line. * Temperature s likely will be in the upper 90s to around 105 each day, with heat index values from 100 to 107. * Increasingly hot and humid conditions will combine to make prolonged outdoor activities dangerous. Heat index values of around 105 degrees or higher will make those performing outdoor activities more susceptible to heat related illnesses.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Despite the hot weather, the Salvation Army in Springfield has not opened its emergency cooling centers -- at least not yet. But officials say they're in need of volunteers to help run the shelter when it does open, which could happen later this week. The Salvation Army opens its cooling center when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or excessive heat warning. No advisories or warnings have been issued yet, but the nonprofit's lobby is always open to anyone who needs a drink of water or temporary respite from the elements.