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Invasive bug spotted in Illinois

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) - The Illinois Department of Agriculture has detected an invasive species of bug in Illinois.According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, officials with local, state and federal agencies have located a moderately populated area of spotted lantern flies. A mature adult lantern fly was found on Sept. 16, and 10 days later, the identification was confirmed. The insect poses no health harm to humans or animals, the agriculture department said. See this pattern on leaves? It could be an invasive insect “If there is a silver lining associated with spotted lantern fly in Illinois, it is that we have no reason to believe that widespread plant or tree death will result from its presence,” said Scott Schirmer, the department's section manager for its nursery and northern field office. "This is likely going to be a nuisance pest that interferes with our ability to enjoy outdoor spaces and may have some impact on the agritourism industry, including orchards, p...

Central Illinois cities rank among highest in the country for real estate taxes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - A 2023 study conducted by SmartAsset to determine the highest real estate taxes in America showed some surprising results for Central Illinois.The study shows that while real estate taxes can be over $10,000 for homes in California, the taxes paid in Illinois are significantly higher when compared to median home values. Hispanic Heritage Month: Café Santa Rosa plans big future in new location Of the top 20, seven are located in Illinois, the highest of any other state. Rockford is ranked first for homeowners paying an average of 3.04% of their home's value in real estate taxes.Other cities in Central Illinois include Springfield and Peoria.A full list can be found below:RankCityMedian RealEstate TaxesMedianHome ValuePercent ofHome Value1Rockford, IL$3,283$107,9003.04%2Waterbury, CT$5,324$193,3002.75%3Bridgeport, CT$6,130$229,9002.67%4Aurora, IL$6,128$235,8002.60%5Elgin, IL$6,194$244,9002.53%6Rochester, NY$2,806$112,0002.51%7Syracuse, NY$3,026$125,6002.41%8Peo...

After eight years abroad, Brandon Kozun felt a tryout with Avalanche was “time to take a shot”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

The Colorado Avalanche invited a pretty interesting group of players to training camp on tryout contracts this season.Joel Kiviranta had the biggest night of his NHL career at the Avs’ expense in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Dallas. Peter Holland was retired last season, and has already had an eventual, life-changing experience during camp.Then there is Brandon Kozun, who can match Holland for the most interesting journey to this point of the bunch.Kozun, who was born in Los Angeles and lives in Calgary in the offseason, has not played for a team on North American soil since 2014-15, when he and Holland were teammates in the Toronto organization.He has spent most of the past eight seasons playing in the KHL, including stops in Helsinki, Yaroslavl, Magnitogorsk and Minsk.“It’s obviously been a while since I’ve been at one of these,” the 33-year-old Kozun said. “I just felt like at this point in my career, it was time to take a shot.”A sixth-round pick by Los Angeles in 2009, Ko...

Broncos safety Justin Simmons returns to practice after missing Sunday’s loss due to hip injury

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

Broncos safety Justin Simmons returned to practice Wednesday after not playing in the team’s 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday while recovering from a hip injury.Simmons, who was a limited participant along with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee), said he’s feeling “a lot better.” He did not commit to playing against the Chicago Bears on Sunday but said “I’m trying my best to get there.”Simmons did not practice all of last week, only stretching on the side field during the media viewing period. Second-year safety Delarrin Turner-Yell started in his place against the Dolphins, who recorded 10 touchdowns and 726 total offensive yards in a franchise-worst performance for the Denver defense.Simmons might not have been enough to prevent Sunday’s bloodbath, but his return would certainly help a struggling secondary. Through three games, the Broncos are ranked 29th in passing yards allowed (280.7 per game) while opponents have a 133.6 quarterback rating against them.While Simm...

Broncos S Justin Simmons in defense of DC Vance Joseph: “I believe in him and I believe in this staff”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

Justin Simmons didn’t play Sunday against Miami and he’s not sure he’ll play this weekend against Chicago, but he did some defending Wednesday nonetheless.The Broncos veteran safety jumped to shield his already embattled defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, after Denver gave up 70 points to the Dolphins and catapulted to the bottom of nearly every defensive metric in the NFL through three weeks.“Have I seen seen the group rally behind (Joseph)?” Simmons repeated back to a reporter rhetorically during his post-practice news conference. “What are you trying to get from that question, is what I’m trying to ask?”Then he set about answering.“I think this: I think that question is trying to pin a certain narrative against the defense and whatever people think is being called and with Coach Joseph,” Simmons said. “The moral of the story is this: You go watch that film and there are numerous amounts of things that, obviously,...

Nuggets championship odds 2024 after news of Damian Lillard’s trade to Bucks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

The defending NBA champions’ odds to repeat have improved, but they are no longer the favorites to bring home the Larry O’Brien trophy.Related ArticlesDenver Nuggets | Nuggets Journal: Ogi Stojakovic lives out “childhood dream” as assistant coach on Serbia national team’s silver medal run at FIBA World Cup Denver Nuggets | Nuggets Journal: New NBA rule on resting multiple stars doesn’t affect Denver … unless Jamal Murray has eyes on All-NBA prize Denver Nuggets | Justin Dodge, police sergeant injured during Nuggets parade, sets tone for Parker football rivalry as Legend rolls Ponderosa Denver Nuggets | Nuggets Journal: New Grand Rapids Gold general manager Ben Tenzer on G League passion, Peyton Watson and more Denver Nuggets | Nuggets G League affiliate Grand Rapids Gold announces open tryout in Denver Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have +475 odds — me...

California man dies after falling 120 feet below Hawaii waterfall

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

A California man has died after he fell from the Waipo‘o Falls Trail in Hawaii, officials announced.The victim was identified as Mark Debarr, a 66-year-old from the Golden State, a news release said.Kauai police responded to reports of a man falling from the hiking trail shortly after 10:10 a.m. on Friday, which is about 1:10 p.m. in California.   What caused the Maui wildfires? Authorities discovered that Debarr fell off the trail and was located about 120 feet below the falls.Foul play is not suspected in DeBarr’s death and an autopsy is pending, police said.Kauai is home to Mount Waialeale, considered to be one of the wettest spots on Earth, and features hiking trails and popular beaches frequented by locals and tourists alike.Earlier this year, a 77-year-old California woman died after experiencing trouble while snorkeling in Kauai and last year, 46 people were rescued off the Kauai coastline, SFGate reported.

2 California cities ranked among the 'best' for women

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

Finding the perfect city to call home can be challenging, especially for women looking for a safe place to flourish.A new analysis from WalletHub determined which metro areas in the United States are best for women to thrive and maximize their potential.The personal finance website compared 182 cities, including 150 of the nation's most populous, and scored them based on factors that could shape a woman's quality of life. Experts weighed metrics like job security, poverty, social well-being, safety, suicide rates and healthcare access when ranking each city.Columbia, Maryland, ranked No. 1 overall on the list. The top city also had the highest median earnings for female workers when considering the cost of living. In California, Fremont landed at No. 3 and Irvine at No. 4. Both cities received high marks in the Women's Health Care & Safety rankings.The analysis noted that living in a city with better earnings potential may help set women up for future financial success because t...

Roy Lewis Woods Killed, Karla Kay Coyle Injured in Motorcycle Accident on FM 279 [Van Zandt County, TX]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

58-Year-Old Motorcyclist Fatally Struck in Deadly Collision near EdomVAN ZANDT COUNTY, TX (September 27, 2023) – Late Saturday afternoon, Roy Lewis Woods lost his life in a motorcycle accident that occurred on FM 279.At approximately 4:32 p.m., law enforcement arrived at the location near Edom.According to initial accounts, Karla Kay Coyle, a 63-year-old resident of Brownsboro, was operating an eastbound Ford F-150 along the roadway. Woods was navigating a Harley Davidson motorcycle and failed to negotiate a bend.Both vehicles then collided on the eastbound lanes. Due to the severity of his injuries, 58-year-old Woods from Ben Wheeler, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical professionals.Medics also treated Coyle for non life-threatening injuries.Emergency responders temporarily closed off the surrounding area to facilitate cleanup and preliminary duties. As soon as additional information becomes available, it will be shared with the public.The team at Sweet James would l...

Jennifer Smith Pronounced Dead after Collision with Horse on Van Buren Boulevard [Jurupa Valley, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:18 GMT

Car Versus Horse Accident near 56th Street Kills One WomanJURUPA VALLEY, CA (September 27, 2023) – Sunday night, a vehicle vs horse accident on Van Buren Boulevard fatally injured Jennifer Smith.The deadly collision happened around 8:45 p.m., just north of 56th Street, along Van Buren Boulevard.According to the police, the horse broke free from its fenced enclosure and ended up on the roadway.Furthermore, Smith driving a car struck the horse in the road, causing her to crash. Both Jennifer Smith and the horse were pronounced dead at the scene, police stated the horse was not carrying a rider at the time.Responding authorities closed down a portion of the area to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties, but has since been reopened.The investigation is currently being led by the Jurupa Valley Department’s Accident Investigation Team. Moreover, anyone who witnessed the fatal incident is urged to contact local authorities.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would l...