NORTHEAST Schools close early, pools open late amid high heat

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Even in black pants, a black vest and long-sleeved shirt, Amish flower vendor David Stoltzfus had no complaints about working outdoors Tuesday as the stagnant air simmered at close to 100 degrees.
"I do it every day, work in warm weather," said Stoltzfus, who came from his farm in Lancaster County to sell flowers near Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square. "We're fine. I'm comfortable."
But he was among the few people not complaining about the heat wave that has gripped much of the nation with temperatures in the 90s and 100s since the weekend. Cities across the country took steps to ease the health threat and conserve energy. At least six deaths have been blamed on the heat, and the weather was suspected in at least three others.
In New York City, the mayor ordered city offices to turn off unnecessary lights. In Pennsylvania, swimming pools stayed open late and summer school classes were dismissed early.
The thermometer hit 95 degrees by 2:30 p.m. in Central Park, the National Weather Service said. The heat index, measuring the combined effects of heat and humidity, was expected to reach 104.
The Northeast could get a break starting Tuesday night, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected for parts of the region, but the heat was likely to persist in the southern Plains until Friday. Forecasts in Nebraska called for temperatures around 110 degrees Wednesday.