While most of the valley was bundled up on Saturday morning, people in Peoria were wearing nothing but bathing suits.
150 people took part in Peoria's Polar Plunge to promote water safety.
The water was only 42 degrees!
"When you first get in, it doesn't feel that cold but when you're in the middle it hurts," said Andy Bellissimo, polar swimmer.
10-year-old Bellissimo came to Sunrise Mountain pool sporting a coat and swim trunks. He was in the first group to take the plunge.
Some swimmers weren't sure they could handle the cold temperatures.
"I didn't think I could do this," said Kristen Leslie.
But, swimmers like 9-year-old Leslie helped Peoria firefighters spread the word that drownings know no season.
"Water safety is a year problem so we wanna make sure people don't forget they have pools in their backyard," said Tim Eiden, public educator with Peoria Fire Department.
The Polar Plunge came at the perfect time. Just a few weeks ago, Peoria firefighters had to rush a 2-year-old girl to the hospital after she was found in a backyard pool.
"Drownings happen during the summer, drownings happen during the winter and a lot of times people forget that they have pools. They forget that they always need to watch their kids around water, whether the kids are going in or not," said Eiden.
The Polar Plunge swimmers hope their cool dip Saturday morning helps people pay attention and prevent more close calls.
Afterward, the swimmers were ready to warm up.
"[I'm going to] go in the hot tub when I go home," said Bellissimo.
"I think I'm gonna drink hot chocolate," said Leslie.
The swimmers certainly earned a reward after braving Arizona's cold water.
Swimmers donated $20 to help cover the cost of swimming lessons for underprivileged children in their community.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:40:02 GMT
The mastermind of a botched robbery that resulted in the death of an NYPD officer has been convicted of murder. Nelson Morales was also convicted Friday of burglary in the December 2011 incident that
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Friday, May 24 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:29:58 GMT
The National Park Service is ending unpaid leave for U.S. Park Police officers earlier than expected. National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said the furloughs will end on June 3, after just
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Friday, May 24 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-05-24 18:46:22 GMT
A Bronx teacher says her language lesson was lost in translation when she was fired for calling a student "Negro" — though she claims she was simply using the Spanish word for the color "black".
A Bronx teacher says her language lesson was lost in translation when she was fired for calling a student "Negro" — though she claims she was simply using the Spanish word for the color "black".
Friday, May 24 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 18:08:29 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:59 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:59:43 GMT
Five people were injured when a van jumped a curb in downtown Brooklyn on Friday.
Five people were injured when a van jumped a curb in downtown Brooklyn on Friday. The van rear-ended a Taxi and Limousine Commission vehicle at the corner of Church Ave. and Utica Ave. at about 7:45 a.m., said police. One of the pedestrians that was struck by the van was taken to Brookdale Hospital. Four other victims were taken to Kings County Hospital.
Delta Air Lines is opening a $1.4 billion terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport, strengthening its hand in the battle for the lucrative New York travel market.
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Friday, May 24 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:25:15 GMT
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
Connecticut is making $5 million available immediately to cities and towns to help reimburse them for school safety and security upgrades following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
Connecticut is making $5 million available immediately to cities and towns to help reimburse them for school safety and security upgrades following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:50:33 GMT
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
