Jim Angel

While good rains in August and September have alleviated drought conditions in portions of central and southern Illinois, the most read more

While good rains in August and September have alleviated drought conditions in portions of central and southern Illinois, the most severely affected area in northern Illinois remains stubbornly dry.

That's just a little over an inch above normal. It's not spectacular but it's enough to make a difference here.

That's just a little over an inch above normal. It's not spectacular but it's enough to make a difference here.

Everyone's first concern is always the grass or their crops, but trees can suffer too.

Everyone's first concern is always the grass or their crops, but trees can suffer too.

We don't have large bodies of water to moderate the temperatures.

We don't have large bodies of water to moderate the temperatures.

The first three weeks were bitterly cold, but the last week was pretty darn warm.

The first three weeks were bitterly cold, but the last week was pretty darn warm.