Although Illinois isn’t known for dealing with hurricanes and major storms, they can certainly still happen. To date, there have been at least six major storms that have touched down in Illinois, including Texas Tropical Storm (1960), Hurricane Debra (1959), Tropical Storm Debra (1978), Hurricane Lester (1992), Hurricane Sandy (2012), and, most recently, Tropical Storm Alberto (2018).

Tropical Storm Alberto was a costly and deadly pre-season typical cyclone. The Atlantic Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30 each year, and Alberto developed and struck the Gulf of Mexico in late May. On May 28, Alberto reached its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a minimum pressure of 990 Mbar.

Alberto caused flooding and damage in many parts of the U.S., including Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and farther inland, Illinois. As many hurricanes and tropic storms do, Alberto spawned two tornadoes that touched down in both Ohio and Illinois. Additionally, the storm damaged an outbuilding and caused extremely heavy rainfall, setting rain records for the month of May in several Illinois cities, including Chicago.

Florida, on the other hand, experiences much more frequent storm-related damages. The average cost of a home water damage insurance claim is approximately $6,965, but can be much more costly after a major storm. Homeowners are already likely to repair roofs and other aspects of their property following weather damage, as 65% of property owners said it was their main motivation in a consumer survey. According to NBC -2, Florida fire departments are pushing for ordinances that would require homeowners to reevaluate their windows, doors, and shutters following both hurricane season and immediately after a storm strikes. Illinois residents could benefit from replacing and updating their windows, doors, and shutters after major storms, as well.

Greater Naples Fire Chief Kingman Schuldt is pushing for regulations that would require Florida homeowners to take down their storm shutters 30 days after a hurricane and an additional 30 days after hurricane season ends.

Section 2-1-44 of the ordinance reads:

“No person shall allow unpermitted storm shutters to remain on a residential or commercial structure longer than 30 days after the end of hurricane season, which is November 30 of any given year. Shutters which are exempted from this requirement will include permitted storm shutters and plywood window and door coverings secured in a manner which meets International Property Maintenance Code standards located in Appendix A: Boarding Standard or Florida Building Code.”

Additionally, if a structure is located within one mile of the coast where the wind speed is 110 mph or greater, the Florida Building Code requires windows to be impact-resistant.

In other areas that don’t regularly experience wind speeds in the triple digits, in order to protect their homes and windows, many property owners often secure their window openings with wooden boards and plywood. However, in some areas of the country, there are specific ordinances against the boarding up of windows. The new Florida regulations (section 6-115) would allow homeowners to board their window openings for hurricane protection, as long as they are removed within 30 days after the hurricane passes.

Whether you’re living in Illinois, Florida, or simply visiting a part of the country that could experience severe weather, make sure you’re aware of the importance of window safety.

It might seem shocking at first, but a surprising number of British Columbians hope to rid the province of clothing donation bins. Luckily, it isn’t the act of giving that’s spurred this decision; it’s the safety of the bins themselves.

Nearly 70% of the province’s populace thinks that clothing donation bins should be banned following the bin-related deaths of two people within the last month.

The Delta school district is among the first to enact the ban citing that the bins pose “a significant risk to health and safety,” according to the North Delta Reporter.

Now, property managers have until Jan. 29 to remove clothing donation bins from their premises. In the meantime, bins have been sealed shut and donors have had to find new ways to donate their gently-used goods.

Government officials and community members are suggesting would-be donors deliver their goods directly to the charities while others highlight garment services throughout the country that can pick up these used materials.

Though bins have been a primary way for many citizens to donate unwanted goods, opponents claim that these contraptions are causing more harm than good.

Since 2015, Kamloops Matters reported that six people have died as a result of getting caught in these donation bins. On top of the mounting death count, the news site also states that individuals will often donate goods they don’t want to the bins, whether they’re appropriate for donation or not. As such, both charity groups and municipal waste branches have suffered.

The Surrey school district has already removed 42 bins so far after the Jan. 14 ruling.

It’s estimated that 14.3 million tons of American clothing alone helps clothe people throughout the world, proving that clothing donations are becoming increasingly necessary. But without safe avenues for donation, countless people could suffer as a result. It’s estimated that 69% of British Columbians have donated clothing to a drop box within the last year, despite 71% of survey respondents claiming the bins need to go.

Alternative ideas have been tossed around, from at-home service to community facilities serving as drop-off centers.

Getting into an accident can be incredibly stressful, but it’s unfortunately not uncommon. There are approximately 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year. Some states fare better than others. South Carolina has a staggering 62% more fatal car accidents than the national average, making it the ninth-most car accident ridden state. Illinois, on the other hand, is ranked 40th. Being able to respond to the situation quickly and correctly, if you ever do get in an accident, can be key to making sure nobody gets hurt. To help you prepare for an auto accident, here’s a quick step-by-step guide to what you should do after a car accident.

1. Remain calm: The most important thing to remember in a car crash is to remain as calm as possible. Panicking can make the situation more difficult for everyone; even if the situation is scary, do your best to take a deep breath and gather yourself before going ahead.
2. Get to safety: Get everyone to safety as soon as possible. This will be different for every situation, because no two accidents are the same. In some cases, staying in the car will be safer than getting out, like on a busy highway where other cars are close by. In other situations, you’ll want to get out of the vehicle, especially if the car is damaged. Assess your situation and figure out where is safest for everyone involved.
3. Call 911: As soon as you’re able to safely do so, call 911. In minor accidents, calling for the police is still important, as you’ll need to file a report. In major accidents, calling emergency services quickly can be key to saving lives, since emergency medical services will have access to crucial care that you likely won’t have in a first aid kit. Neurologically intact survival was 93% for patients treated with an onsite AED compared to 9% without an AED.
4. Assess the damage: If you’re sure that everyone involved in the crash is safe, take some time to assess the damage your car may have sustained in the accident. Check for both immediately visible damages as well as harder to spot damage; don’t forget to look under the hood and check your engine if you suspect it may have been damaged.
5. Document everything: If it’s safe to move around the accident and you’re able to do so, document everything you can about the accident. This will be helpful in filing a police report. Take pictures of damage, get the insurance information of any other drivers involved, and anything else you can think of. The more information you have, the easier it will be to file a report once you get away from the crash site.

According to IHS Markit research, more than 20 million vehicles on the road in 2021 will be over 25 years old. As more cars age, it’s likely there will be an increase in motor vehicle accidents on the road. Knowing how to handle a potentially dangerous car accident can help keep you and the other passengers safe, so make sure to keep these tips in mind next time you’re out on the road.

We’re in the midst of flu season and according to the Centers for Disease Control, flu cases around the country are continuing to rise. Fortunately, we’re not yet at epidemic levels, but we’re still early in flu season.

The U.S. Health and Human Services have divided the country into 10 regions, nine of which have reported flu-like symptoms and cases above the region-specific baseline. The national baseline is 2.2% for outpatient visits for flu-like illnesses and the CDC has reported 3.3% of visits being for flu-like illnesses.

At the beginning of December, only Georgia and Colorado had reported high numbers of flu cases. At the end of the month, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, South Carolina, and New York City all joined that list. Seven other states, along with Puerto Rico, are reporting moderate flu activity.

According to the CDC, about 79,000 people died from flu-like symptoms last year, 185 being children under the age of 18. This year, only 11 flu-related deaths of children have been reported so far.

Since the beginning of October, influenza A viruses have been seen throughout the United States, but influenza B viruses are going around too.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to get accurate accounts of flu-related illnesses and deaths. This is because it’s also the time of year when people come down with other illnesses and flu complications, like pneumonia. But there are people who are a higher risk of coming down with the flu and seeing complications, including pregnant women, children under five, people older than 65 (20% of the population by 2030), and those with certain medical conditions, like the 1.5 billion people who have chronic pain conditions.

Flu symptoms can vary but often include a fever, chills, a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough. The flu is typically accompanied by extreme fatigue, body aches, and headaches.

So how can you best protect yourself against the flu? Doctors still recommend that everyone six months and older get the flu vaccine. Because the flu virus can stay on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, good hygiene is crucial this time of the year. You should always wash your hands before eating and after being around someone who is sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when possible and keep your home clean. And if you do happen to get sick, make sure to keep your germs to yourself and stay home from school or work when possible.

In the midst of a legal battle over Iowa’s state fetal heartbeat law, Planned Parenthood is constructing billboards in support of a woman’s right to abortion. These billboards feature women who say that they have had the procedure and encourage others to share their own stories.

According to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, its “Say Abortion” billboards went up in the state capital of Des Moines on Jan. 4. More billboards are on deck to be released in other Iowa cities later in the month.

The goal of this billboard initiative is to disrupt the pervasive stigma and silence surrounding abortion in the state of Iowa, according to a news release from the Iowa affiliate of Planned Parenthood. Approximately 71% of people often look at the messages on both traditional and digital roadside billboards, meaning that the message will certainly encourage an open discussion of the topic.

“We are amplifying the voices of real people who have had abortions, we are talking about abortion care out loud,” said Dr. Jill Meadows, medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

Iowa currently has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature passed a ban on abortions in the state after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which typically occurs about six weeks into a pregnancy. Critics of the ban say that this step in fetal development is too early in the pregnancy to legitimize the law since the presence of a heartbeat often occurs before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Despite Gov. Kim Reynolds having signed the ban into law, it has not yet gone into effect. Planned Parenthood and the Emma Goldman Clinic have filed a lawsuit against the legislation, effectively pausing the ban in the state.

Last fall, a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll showed that 52% of Iowans believed that the controversial fetal heartbeat law goes too far, while 39% thought it was appropriate. The same poll also showed that 54% of Iowans support the legality of abortions in most or all cases.

According to Dr. Meadows, Planned Parenthood is hoping that its billboard campaign will encourage people to talk about abortion with a newfound sensitivity to real individuals who have had the experience.

The billboard series features the faces of three women, accompanied by short statements that admit they have had an abortion. The https://supremeauctions.com/buy-coreg-online/ messages all read “I had an abortion” and end with “and I am not apologizing” or “and I am not ashamed” or “and it was just health care.”

Have we been thoroughly duped? Against the wily ways of the woman who currently holds the title of the world’s oldest woman in the Guinness Book of World Records, new claims of fraud have been brought forward against her and her family.

Jeanne Calment passed away in 1997 at the record-breaking age of 122 years and 164 days. A record which has stood undisputed since then. The typical resident of an assisted living facility is an 87-year-old woman who may be mobile but needs assistance with two or three regular day-to-day living activities. Jeanne Calment surpassed this age by a long way, but now some are saying that the record breaker wasn’t actually who she claimed to be.

Two researchers have brought forth what they find to be convincing enough evidence to substantiate their claim that Jeanne Calment wasn’t actually Jeanne Calment — but her 99-year-old daughter Yvonne Calment. Furthermore, they claimed that the family faked Jeanne’s age to avoid inheritance taxes after she supposedly died in 1934. Meanwhile, her daughter Yvonne assumed her identity for all those years afterward.

Their evidence isn’t very strong and is utterly dismissed by the gerontologist Jean-Marie Robine who helped confirm Jeanne Calment’s age in the 90s.

“All of this is incredibly shaking and rests on nothing. Do you have any idea how many people would have needed to lie? One Fernand Calment starts passing off his daughter as his wife? It’s preposterous,” Robine said regarding the accused lie of more than 80 years in length.

He went on to say that he’d used questions to confirm her age that Jeanne’s daughter simply could not have known, such as teacher names. After all, claiming to be born in 1875 isn’t something you hear every day. Nor does it seem plausible that information like that would be taught to a daughter to facilitate the lie of a life close to near a century old.

That said, there’s no way to tell the legitimacy or falsehood of it without having the bodies unearthed and tested. It’s uncertain whether that will be done.

American life expectancy has reached a new high of 77.8 years. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that there are currently 27 million people over the age of 70 years old in the U.S., and that number is projected to nearly double by 2030.

Just because people are living longer, however, doesn’t necessarily mean they are living healthier. The prevalence of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, has increased over the past 25 years in all age groups. Roughly 34.5% of men above the age of 20 are obese and elderly Americans have it even worse. In fact, from 1991 to 2000, a 56% increase occurred in obese people between the ages of 60 and 69 years old.

“We think it’s the perfect storm of several factors,” said Dr. Scott Kahan, an obesity medicine specialist at George Washington University. “It used to be thought that older patients don’t respond to treatment for obesity as well as younger patients. People assume that they couldn’t exercise as much or for whatever reason they couldn’t stick to diets as well.”

Here are some elderly health tips that will help combat obesity and improve your overall quality of life:

• Slow motion exercise — If you’re in your 60s, 70s, 80s, or beyond, you probably won’t — and shouldn’t — be able to work out like you did in your 20s. And that’s okay. You do need to still get exercise, though. With proper personal training, slow motion exercise typically only requires 20 to 30 minute sessions once or twice a week.
• Beware of certain medications — Unfortunately, as you age, you’ll likely have to start taking more and more medications. Obviously, you should be careful with any type of medication, but there are a few that you should specifically watch out for if you’re trying to combat obesity. The following medications have been known to cause weight gain: Antidepressants, antiepileptics (antiseizure), antipsychotics, antihyperglycemic drugs, steroids, and beta-blockers.
• Hydrate often — No matter how old you are, you could always benefit from drinking more water. Elderly individuals can find it difficult to identify when they are thirsty, but it’s recommended to get at least 64 ounces of water each day. Additionally, if you are struggling to drink a lot of liquid, consider eating tomatoes, cucumbers, and other foods that are naturally rich in water.
• Practice portion control — Typically, as you grow older each decade, you’ll need about 100 fewer calories a day to maintain a healthy weight. But there are plenty of elderly Americans that attempt to eat the same way they did when they were younger. Try cutting back on your plate size and don’t eat as often as you did in the past.
• Start small — You don’t have to dive headfirst into a workout regime. Doing only 10 minutes of physical activity a day is enough to improve your mobility and life span. Try to make it a habit, too. Choose a trigger — something that incites you to get some activity — and a reward for when you’re done. After a few times, the habit will stick and you can start increasing the amount of activity you get, hastening you towards a healthier lifestyle!

Despite numerous disagreements across party lines on a variety of different issues this year, Congress voted for an $867 billion farm bill with strong bipartisan support and President Trump has signed it into law.

The farm bill is a centerpiece of the federal food and agricultural policy and Congress updates it about every five years. This past fall, the previous farm bill expired when the Senate and House were unable to reconcile the differences in their proposed legislations. In December, the two legislative bodies found a compromise and the president signed the 807-page farm bill on Dec. 20.

As with any piece of major legislation, there are critics of the far-ranging farm bill on each side of the political spectrum. However, most of mainstream U.S. agriculture is in favor of the farm bill, as it financially supports farmers and ensures a safe and affordable supply of food. As the bill supports farmers, it also helps associated industries, such as the tractor industry. For major farm equipment manufacturers, such as Kubota which has been making agricultural equipment for nearly 130 years, the success of American farmers equals their success as well.

The recently passed farm bill gives support in several different ways. The approved bill allocates billions of dollars in subsidies to American farmers. In addition to continuing funds for farmers who do the work in the field, the bill extends those federal subsidies to nieces, nephews, and first cousins of farmers, even if they do not directly work on the farm. The hope is that this will encourage more people to involve themselves in farming.

The most debated point of the bill was in regards to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as food stamps. House Republicans had wanted to heavily restrict which families received food stamps. Their proposed cuts would have resulted in lost benefits for up to 1.1 million households, according to an estimate from Mathematica Policy Research. These proposed changes did not make it into the final version, resulting in no cuts to the food stamp program under the farm bill.

The final bill also provides permanent funding for programs that assist local farmers markets and organizations that help train the next generation of farmers in new technology. Experts have voiced concerns about the aging industry, but Caledonia Solutions conducted a survey just last year and found that approximately 25% of large farmers were investing more in developing technologies. The farm bill will now help them gain the knowledge to properly operate those technologies.

For the first time, the farm bill establishes permanent funding for organic farming research. The bill allocates $50 million in annual funding for the research by 2023. As under 1% of American farmland is organic, this type of research is vital in bringing more farmers and their land into organic production.

While demand for organic agriculture is widespread across the country, the supply is evidently not on equal grounds. The U.S. imports many organic crops to satisfy the demand, despite net farm incomes declining by more than 14% this year. When compared to the construction industry that has a predicted 6% growth and a value of an estimated $712 billion, the similarly labor-intensive agricultural industry is in need of a new market.

According to The Hill, organic production could be that very market that boosts the net incomes of farmers. The research that the new farm bill funds will provide farmers with a better understanding of how to manage organic systems and transition their current production to an organic one.

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If you thought the crowds were intense before Christmas, you haven’t seen anything yet. In fact, nearly 68% of holiday shoppers are expected to continue taking advantage of holiday deals in the weeks following Christmas.

The few weeks following Christmas have truly become a holiday all their own. Between end-of-year sales, post-Christmas sales, and other promotions, consumers have made bargain-hunting a holiday tradition.

But the deals aren’t the only draw for consumers. Many shoppers who received money over the holidays are eager to put that money to good use splurging on items that would have been too expensive before receiving gift cards.

Consumers managed to spend an estimated $850 billion between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24. This means that holiday shopping increased by over 5% compared to statistics last year.

But between returns, deals, and gift cards, two of the busiest shopping days now happen after Christmas: on Dec. 26 and 29.

It’s estimated that the average American will spend around $1,700 on apparel and similar services each year. In fact, Kohl’s saw an increase in stocks by nearly 10% despite the ups and downs witnessed by the stock market in the last few weeks.

“What happens in the stock market doesn’t necessarily lead to difficulties in the retail industry since stock ownership is not widely spread in the US,” claimed Michelle Grant in an interview with NBC. Grant is the head of retailing at Euromonitor International.

The surge in holiday sales this season was also reportedly due to lower gas prices and increased online shopping. According to Mastercard, online sales increased by more than 19% compared to statistics from 2017.

To accommodate the flood of online shoppers during the holidays and the weeks following, both online companies and big-box retailers tried to get in on the action. Amazon rolled out free holiday shipping to all its users for the first time while brick and mortar stores like Walmart and Target added grocery pickup options and shipping discounts.

Should the shopping trends continue to rely heavily on online stores, companies might need to continue expanding their capacity for e-commerce. It’s estimated that the average data center must upgrade their IT equipment every three to five years to accommodate consumer needs.

If you haven’t taken advantage of the holiday deals this season, don’t worry; sales are expected to persist throughout the new year.

If you’re in a committed relationship, you know the stress that comes with planning the perfect Valentine’s Day. There’s the perfect gift to choose, the perfect day to plan, and luckily, the perfect person to spend it with. Regardless, waiting until the last minute can make Valentine’s Day planning all the more chaotic and stressful.

Now that the holiday season has finally come to a close, you officially have the time needed to plan for Valentine’s Day. Here’s why you should always plan early for the most romantic day of the year.

Valentine’s Day 2019 is on a Thursday

This year, Valentine’s Day is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 14. While Thursday is one of the most un-sexy days of the week, it also means it’s going to require more effort to plan than working with the luxury of a weekend date. As such, you’re going to have to plan in advance to make the day special.

During weekdays, you’ll find that about 50% of limousine services are already booked by businesses. So if you’re looking to reserve a classy limousine for your special night out, you’ll need to plan ahead.

Finally, it’s likely that you’ll both have to work on Valentines Day, which means you’re running out of time to request the day off. You also might want to talk to your spouse or significant other in advance if you’d rather wait until the following weekend to celebrate. As such, you’ll need to decide on the celebration date to plan your special day accordingly.

Booking trips is a hassle

There’s no better gift for Valentine’s Day than going on a luxury vacation with the one you love. After all, a recent survey revealed 71% of couples, both married and otherwise, claim that talking and reconnecting through quality alone time is the best reason to travel together on vacation.

Everyone knows that booking flights and trips should be done in advance if you want to get the best deal. If you’ve waited until after the holidays to book that special destination vacation, now is the time to lock those plans into place. Otherwise, you might find yourself scrambling at the last minute to book a room, let alone find the best deal. Now that you only have a month and some change left, it’s time to start hotel-hunting.

There are plenty of after-Christmas deals

Now is the best time to shop for the surplus products that stores weren’t able to sell over the holidays. There are also plenty of bargains and deals hoping to cash in on those holiday bonuses. Regardless of the reason behind the sales, getting the best gift for Valentine’s Day might be right after Christmas.

For example, some gaming laptops are being sold for up to $200 off in some locations. Whether you’re trying to book a romantic getaway or want a physical representation of your love, grabbing those last-minute deals might save you in the long run.

You might want to plan a party

Valentine’s Day is known as a romantic holiday for two, but countless singles, friends, and family members also celebrate on the loveliest days of the year. You might need to get a small token for your parents or buy chocolates for your children. Family members also appreciate the love around Valentine’s Day.

If you want to set up a singles mixer or throw a party to celebrate the holiday, planning in advance is vital to ensure you get the best turnout. Just be sure to have around 100 napkins for every 25 guests who come to your special Valentine’s Day event.

It might seem exhausting to do so much planning right after the hubbub of the holidays, but there is less time to plan for Valentine’s Day than you think. With this special date only a few weeks away, it’s time to plan sooner than later if you want to make it a day to remember.