High pressure remains in control through Thursday and Friday-meaning lots of sunshine and dry conditions.  Rain chances hold off until the weekend.  Both Saturday and Sunday we have a chance for isolated thunderstorms.  Temperatures warm up little by little…eventually reaching in the upper 80s by Friday.  Nearing 90 degrees for the weekend.  The start to next week will be hot with highs in the lower 90s.

Temperatures will continue to gradually cool in locations that haven’t yet seen rain. Much drier air will filter in from the north overnight, allowing temperatures to drop to the upper 50s and low 60s tonight.

The severe thunderstorm watch that was in place for Johnson, Shelby, Morgan and Decatur Counties has been cancelled.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for counties to the south until 10PM.

Additional storms have continued to redevelop, especially over Monroe, Brown and Bartholomew Counties.

Overview: A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for south central Indiana until 10:00 PM. A line of storms is about to descend towards Louisville and exit Indiana. Although new storms have developed between Bloomington, Columbus, and to the northwest of Terre Haute, the threat for thunderstorms will decrease as we head into the overnight hours.

Tonight: Storms ending with skies clearing. Cool but comfortable with a low of 60.

Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine throughout the day. High of 80.

Thursday: Sunny skies continue with warmer temperatures, but with an increase in humidity. High: 84

Extended Outlook: Temperatures will be on the rise near the 90º mark by this weekend under partly cloudy skies Friday in the upper 80′s, very warm and humid. By Saturday we could see the return of shower and thunderstorm chances for your weekend, as well as the early part of next week through Tuesday.

Over into Monroe county, a heavy thunderstorm is moving over Lake Monroe and Forecast 8 VIPIR is indicating hail of up to one inch in size. It is moving very slowly to the south/southeast and it is producing plenty of rain over one area. If you are in the path of these storms in southern Indiana, stay indoors.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for much of south central Indiana until 10:00 PM.

 

Showers and thunderstorms have formed in Illinois and are forming here in Indiana just south of Indianapolis. They will continue to develop into a line as we head through the rest of this afternoon into this evening. A few storms may become severe with damaging winds and hail remaining as the threats.

A severe thunderstorm watch continues until 10:oo PM for portions of southeast Illinois and southern Indiana.

Monday, June 17, 2013 Blog

Great Wall Day!!

The Juyong Pass at the Great Wall of China

Today was a very exciting day for the three of us.  We were able to walk the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China.  The section of wall we walked was called the Juyong Pass.  It is northwest of Beijing.  It was a beautiful day and the first day we’ve seen blue skies since we’ve been here.  I think we were all amazed at the beauty and steepness of the climb.  As we were climbing the goal was to not let the people with canes or high heels pass us.  Trust me, that was a real challenge at times.  

The Great Wall spans 5,600 kilometers.  We found it very interesting that there were many gold locks (love locks) along the Great Wall path on these chains. We learned that when people get married they lock the lock on the wall and then throw the key over the wall to symbolize their everlasting love.  We felt very accomplished after we climbed down.

After we left the Great Wall and visited a jade factory.  We watched a craftsman work on a piece of jade.  He was working on a piece that is called “happiness ball”.  It will take him 25 days working 4 or 5 hours a day to carve this piece out of a solid piece of jade.  When he is done it will have 4 moveable balls, one inside another, representing 4 generations. 

Jade Craftsman

Following lunch we headed out to see on of the tombs of the Ming Dynasty.  This ruler, Emperor Zhu Di,was the third emperor in the dynasty and was responsible for moving the capital to it’s current location in Beijing.  We saw a massive copper statue of Emperor Zhu Di; people throw money at the foot of the statue for good luck.  The building that housed the statue contained many artifacts like jade belts, crowns, and gold pieces.  The next building housed the marker for the tomb, and then Emperor Zhu Di was buried in the hill behind the tomb marker.  I think we were all impressed with the details within the building and the rich history of this area. 

The next stop was a silk factory.  We learned about the process of making silk.  She showed us how the silkworm cocoons will have one or two silkworms inside.  The one with two worms inside is used more for bedding because the silk crisscrosses.  The one used for clothing only has one worm inside of it.  The part that I really did not need to know was that the silkworm poop is used as the stuffing inside some pillows…like at our hotel! 

In addition to climbing the Great Wall our next great accomplishment was crossing the street by ourselves without getting hit by a car, bus, bike, or moped.  Pedestrians do not have the right of way! 

We are looking forward to another day of sightseeing tomorrow.  We are seeing the Forbidden City (or sin city as Chris keeps calling it) and Tiananmen Square.

 

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for south central and southern Indiana until 10:00 PM. Showers and thunderstorms are starting to develop in central Illinois and soon will be developing here in central Indiana (see red circled area). Storms that do develop will carry the risks for damaging winds, large hail, and heavy downpours.

Temperatures are currently in the upper 70′s to low 80′s. Tonight lows will be cooler in the upper 50′s to low 60′s as a cold front will be making its way through the area.

The Indiana Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that said House Speaker Brian Bosma didn’t have the authority to levy fines on absent Democrats.  It says that Bosma’s decision can’t be questioned.

The fines were imposed when Democrats tried to stop right-to-work legislation by leaving the Statehouse and going to a motel in Urbana, Illinois.  Retired Representative Bill Crawford led several Democrats who argued the fines were illegal.

“It was over, on average for each member, over about $3400,” said Crawford.

The Supreme Court heard the case in January with an attorney for the Democrats telling justices that the House Speaker overstepped his authority when he had the money deducted from paychecks.  “Our clients are entitled to it whether they’re lying on a beach in Barbados,” said Mark GiaQuinta, “or cutting their grass at home on the weekends, or in the legislature.”

But the Supreme Court disagreed.  The ruling says “both the issuance and collection of fines as legislative discipline are functions constitutionally committed to the legislative branch…”

IHouse Speaker Brian Bosma believed all along that the courts were powerless in this case.  In a statement he said, “I consider this a victory for the Indiana Constitution and the proponents of limited government, and consider the matter closed.”

Asked if he regrets walking out, Crawford says, “Oh, absolutely not, I think the issues were clear.”

But he also says the fines reduced both his pay and his pension.

House Minority Leader Scott Pelath didn’t react publicly to the Supreme Court ruling.  That’s his way of saying it’s time to move on.
The state Democratic Party, however, is using the ruling to launch a fundraising appeal, suggesting that there is a need for more Democrats in the General Assembly.