Comfortly scared; climate change takes fall chill out of air for Halloween trick-or-treaters

by Mark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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Parents should keep a close eye on the Halloween weather forecast and dress kids appropriately if they're going trick-or-treating.

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As Halloween approaches, cooler temperatures will spread over Illinois. But weather experts say climate change is making October nights across the Midwest warmer, more often than not.

According to a new analysis from the nonprofit Climate Central, fall evening temperatures in the United States have warmed by nearly two degrees on average since 1970. It's even higher in cities such as Chicago and Peoria, which have seen increases of more than three degrees when comparing minimum temps.

Climate Central meteorologist Lauren Casey said it doesn't just affect traditional fall activities.

Photo: Charles Parker/PEXELS

"The extension of the allergy season can be a nuisance for some people who are sneezing and sniffling," she said, "but much more burdensome for people with other, more serious respiratory issues, like asthma."

Casey said parents should keep a close eye on the Halloween weather forecast and dress kids appropriately if they're going trick-or-treating. She also pointed out that mosquito season is being extended, too. To help mitigate these trends in the longer term, Casey said, Illinois residents should do what they can to avoid energy sources from fossil fuels.

Casey said adapting to these changes is another important step so that folks aren't caught off guard when the calendar flips to November.

"You can best prepare if you do have asthma, if you are potentially susceptible to mosquito-borne illnesses," she said, "all these things which can impact our everyday lives."

For prolonged allergy seasons, health experts have said vulnerable people should put some time and research into establishing a medication regimen that works for them. Meanwhile, Casey said the warmer weather results in heavier rain events, which attract more mosquitoes. She suggested being more mindful of areas of standing water as the fall drags on.

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Season cut short

TOLONO - Ruby Tarr and teammates from the Unity volleyball team react while players from the opposing team celebrate their first-round postseason match at the Rocket Center. Tarr and the Rockets' season came to an end after facing Warrensburg-Latham on their home court on Monday. After taking the first set 25-13, Unity dropped the pair, 27-25, 25-15. UHS finished with a 16-17-1 record and closed out the regular seasono 7th in the Illini Prairie Conference. Follow this link to view more match photos ...

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Unity Junior High 8th Grade Honor Roll announced

TOLONO - Last week, Unity Junior High School announced the names of eight-grade students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll status after the third quarter. Congratulations to the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.

High Honor Roll

Cameron Pierre Barnes
Patrick Benjamin Baxley
Cooper Charles Beckett
Brilynn Creola Cain
Jackson Christopher Cheely
Soren Lovell Davis
Andrew Patrick Donovan
Dillon Michael Ellars
Kaylee Grace Estes
Carson David Fairbanks
Cohen Fincham
Reagan Elizabeth Lisle Fisher
Jordan Stephen Harmon
Brady Cullen Harris
Roman James Hastings
Tessa Lynn Horn
Karleigh Grace Jamison
Lincoln Banner Johnson
Joseph Brooks Kamradt
Tatum Anne Kirby
Bryan Michael Kleiss
Tysen Mac McConaha
Nolan Mark Tempel Meharry
Dalton Robert Moose
Rhianna Olivia Ocasio
Larissa Marie Parr
Kandace Lachelle Reed
Caleb Arthur Saxon
Carter Charles Schmid
Ava Sommer
Kole David VanSickle
Gavin James Warren
Sawyer Allen Franks Weller
John William White
Austin James Wiersema
Olivia Ann Williams
Olivia Ruth Witheft
Cole Thomas Zorns

Honor Roll

Joseph William Willard Baird
Beckam Krystopher-Wayde Brown
Sadie Jo Carpenter
Madison Grace Castor
Skyler Andrew Chilton
Garrisan Martin Cler
Devlin Davis
Shamya Merari Davis
Kinzey Nicole Duitsman
Zoe Margaret Fish
Shae Lin Fournier
Mackinzee Brooke Gumm
Nathaniel Howard Hammer
Hallie Lynn Handal
Adien Hanes
Brooke Raelynn Henson
Joel Ryan Hoewing
Khison Able Kern
Kane William Knudsen
Jax Hunter Logsdon
Clint Michael McCormick
Lilly Jean-Elizabeth Moore
Payten Renee Niles
Clayton Wyatt Pruitt
Journee Lynn Ring
Lillian Yvonne Ring
James Rohn
Riley May Schendel
Caleb Joshua Siegwald
Ian James Skibbe
Bradley Scott Smith Jr
Bodie Springer
Kelsie Sue Lynn Tritchler
Lylliana G Trujillo
Wyatt R VanDyke
Taydyn Kawvin Dewayne Wilson
Reece Earl Winfrey
Makaylah Winland

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Unity Junior High First-Quarter 7th Grade Honor Roll

TOLONO - Last week, Unity Junior High School announced the names of seventh-grade students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll status after the third quarter. Congratulations to the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.

High Honor Roll

Kelsey Marie Adcock
Kenny Wayne Adcock
Lilly Annabelle Bailes
Ethan Earl Bent
Katherine Elaine Berkey
Konnor Lewis Bletscher
Kale Boden Cowan
Trevor Daniel Coy
Hayden Bradley Grussing
Kynedy Ashlynn Hoel
Alivia Krall
Adeline Marie Marinelli
Tatum Faith Meharry
Baeden Edward Millsap-Moore
Kelvin Justus Moose
Holden William ONeill
Jaxon David Pendleton
Carolina Maria Pagaduan Popovics
Luc Sandor Marcelo Popovics
Maxwell Douglas Powers
Marina Ray Price
Bella Rose Robbins
Skylar Grace Savona
Connor Allen Schwartz-Rouse
Jaylan Serczyk
Austin David Shafer
Vivian Rosalie Shunk
Hayden Dale Smith
Dylan Robert Stierwalt
Olivia Jane Styan
Nicholas James Thomas
Hayley Olivia Thompson
Cassandra Pearl Thweatt
Charles Reider Watson
Quentin Stephen Webber
Za'Brya White-Thompson
Aria Marley Shafer
Daisy Mae Stierwalt
Clementine Lucille Summitt
Silas Richard Swim
Jaycob David Tatman
Justin Michael Tempel

Honor Roll

Brooklyn Blair Bates
Elizabeth Joanne Berkey
Alec Joseph Daly
McKenzie Lynn Deakin
Emma Nicole Denney
Katelyn Dhom
Ian Robert Gaines
Keelie Rae Germano
Amelia Marie Good
Aubrie Paige Gumm
Jordan Elizabeth Hamilton
Cora Dee Leonard
Owen Michael Lighty
Russell Patrick McCabe
Scarlet Rosemary McCann
Lane Lucas Meharry
Lilly Madelyn Meharry
Ellery Merkle
Lillian Calen Mohr
Jacklynn Kay Alexandra Moore
Maya Alexis Rawdin
Henry Scott Ritchie
Madelyn Olivia Roth-Robertson
Grace Catherine Schriefer
Sophia Isabella Schuckman
Jasper Lee Souza
Tucker Douglas Stierwalt
Virgil Laurence Summitt
Jack Christopher Terven
Jayden Michael Terven
Deklyn James Thomas
Hallee Ann Weber Patterson
Ethan Matthew Wishall
Ashton Jace Wolf
Adam Scott Wolken

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Unity Junior High 6th Grade First-Quarter Honor Roll

TOLONO - Last week, Unity Junior High School announced the names of sixth-grade students who achieved honor roll and high honor roll status in the third quarter. Congratulations to the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.

High Honor Roll

Maylie Rose Bates
Rya Jolee Bialeschki
Nora Kristina Blanchard
Brailey Marie Cain
Viola Ayame Carman
Lydia Grace Crowe
Elizabeth Irene Davidson
Bronson Edwin Davis
Quentin Xavier Dykeman
Brady Gallagher Eckstein
Beau Richard Eisenmenger
Alarik Byrum Ellison
Cooper Alexander Fairbanks
Hayden Marie Gabbard
Lena Anne Guild Borchers
Natalie May Gumbel-Paeth
Jessica Marie Hamilton
Dylan Paul Holladay
Gabriel Heinrich Jahnel
Allie Rose Kamradt
Molly Kathryn Lydia Kleiss
John Isaac "Isaac" Leaman
Adeliah June Little
Adelyn Jolene Maxwell
Owen Thomas Menacher
Finn Alexander Merkle
Graham Charles Moore
Ashley Ann Mumm
Nicole Nava Palomares
Jordan William Pruitt
Avery Elizabeth Remole
Riker Alan Rogers
Kyle Sean Roosevelt
Camdon Levi Schmid
Nora Julianna Shields
Drake Alan Siuts
Cashtyn Ryder Sutherland
Owen Robert Vasey
Kadence Ryleigh Wiese
Alexis LeAnn Wolken
Alivia RaeLyn Wolken
Brendan Kurtis Zerrusen

Honor Roll

Ashlyn Nicole Alt
Kaylee Jo Black
Isaac Mathew Boitnott
Rowan Bryant
Harper Christine Causey
Raeann Loucille Cozad
Kylee Paulette Cunningham
Olivia Kate Davis
Greyson Zachary DeHart
Savannah Jo Drewes
Collin Daniel Eckstein
Tinsley Layne Elliott
Kenzlee Rae Evans
Nadia Grace Fairbanks
Evelyn Anne Gould
Libbey Marlene Ethel Griffin
Casen Quartez Harden-Powell
Harper Quinn Harris
Addilynn Mae Hatfield
Mason James Holladay
William Timothy Huntington
Finnegan Samuel Bowie Isberg
Matthew Stephen Kroes
Azaria Christianne Lisanby
Jack Thomas Ludwinski
Collin Danger Manion
Lillith Rose Meuser-Willis
Caylynn Josie Parker
Ellie Rose Parker-Johnson
Maxwell Tyler Pound
Raelyn Marie Prosser
Makena Jade Pruitt
Payton May Richards
Liam Joseph Ryan
Jonah Ryan Schriefer
Layla Marie Scott
Aria Marley Shafer
Daisy Mae Stierwalt
Clementine Lucille Summitt
Silas Richard Swim
Jaycob David Tatman
Justin Michael Tempel
Annabelle Patricia Thorman
Meah Ann Tieman
Colby Aaron Weaver
Lucy Jeane Weaver
William Ross Wetherell
Phoebe Ashlynn Witheft

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