warming centers

With single-digit temperatures and sub-zero windchills throughout the Stateline, it's nice to know that our area warming centers are helping to cut the chill.

As I write this, Rockford's current temperature is 10 degrees, with a "feels like," or windchill of 5 below zero.

There's chilly, then there's cold, and then there's killer cold. We're definitely past the first two.

Brr....It's so colder than cold and not good for a person to be out long in the freezing temperatures. Winnebago and Boone County have both opened several warming centers for individuals to get out of these cold temperatures and warm up.

The full-blown cold of winter is not upon us yet, but local officials are grabbing a head start by getting out information about warming centers around the area.

With temperatures in the single digits tonight and frigid conditions expected the rest of the week, Winnebago and Boone county officials have released a list of warming centers in the region. Officials say centers are designed to provide safe and warm locations during extreme cold temperatures for those without housing as well as those who may not have the resources to heat their homes adequately.

The cold temps this morning are just the beginning. This winter promises more days like this...and worse. For many people who don't have housing, or don't have the finances to adequately heat their home, a warm place to go when the weather is cold is an absolute must...