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Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Don't reach under that log! See which venomous snakes to look out for in Illinois
Summer vacation typically involves plans of camping, hiking, tubing and more, meaning some Illinois residents may come face-to-face with creatures they're not used to – such as snakes. Though your instinct may be to fear them, very few of the state's native species are harmful, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. You just need to know how to correctly interact with and identify them while in their home territory. Here's a look at what snakes you might find around Illinois and what to do if you spot them. Are there venomous snakes in Illinois? Only four of Illinois' 40 native snake species are venomous, according to the IDNR. Here's what to look out for: Found throughout southern Illinois. Average length of 24 to 36 inches with a flattened head wider than its neck and ridged scales. The snake has a copper-red head, red-brown or yellow-brown body and hour-glass markings across the back when viewed from above. They prefer forests and river bluffs. Found mostly in southern and western regions of Illinois. Average length of 36-60 inches in length. A flat head much wider than the neck with a rattle at the tip of its tail and ridged scales. The body is gray, yellow or green-white with a series of dark bands along the back and a rust-colored stripe in the middle of the back. A dark bar may be found between the eye and jaw. Northern Cottonmouth: Found in swamps and wetlands in the southern tip of Illinois. Averages 30-42 inches in length with a flat head much wider than its neck. Ridged scales with plain black or brown coloring and little evidence of a pattern. Some have dim crossbands across the back. Found in prairie wetlands and river flood plains in the Chicago metro area, as well as parts of central Illinois. Average length of 18-30 inches with flat head much wider than its neck and ridged scales. The snake has a rattle at the tip of its tail, a row of dark blotches down its back and three rows of dark spots on the sides. The body is gray. Non-venomous snake species found in Illinois Here's a list of the remaining nonvenomous snake species found in Illinois: Scarletsnake North American Racer Coachwhip Prairie Kingsnake Eastern Kingsnake Milksnake Rough Greensnake Smooth Greensnake Great Plains Ratsnake Western Foxsnake Gray Ratsnake Eastern Foxsnake Gophersnake Flat-Headed Snake Common Wormsnake Western Wormsnake Ring-Necked Snake Red-Bellied Mudsnake Western Hog-Nosed Snake Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake Kirtland's Snake Mississippi Green Watersnake Plain-Bellied Watersnake Southern Watersnake Diamond-Backed Watersnake Common Watersnake Graham's Crayfish Snake Queensnake DeKay's Brownsnake Red-Bellied Snake Western Ribbonsnake Plains Gartersnake Eastern Ribbonsnake Common Gartersnake Lined Snake Smooth Earthsnake What to do if you see a snake The Illinois Poison Center and IDNR recommend avoiding the following actions if you find yourself in areas with snakes: Intentionally handling a snake Attempting to trap or feed a wild snake Touching a snake that appears dead (freshly killed snakes can bite) Stepping on a snake in the wild Reaching under or stepping over rocks or logs (look around before sitting) The two organizations recommend wearing leather boots in areas known to house venomous snakes. What to do if a snake bites you The IPC recommends the following actions if you are bitten by a snake: Immobilize the affected limb. Remove any jewelry such as rings, bracelets and watches. Do not apply ice or heat, tight tourniquet, electric shocks, conduct oral suctioning or make incisions to the bite area. Go to the nearest emergency department immediately. You can speak to toxicology experts through the IPC's helpline 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222. Snakebite symptoms Here's a list of venomous snakebite symptoms, according to the IPC: Rapid progressive swelling Severe pain Redness on skin Broken blood vessel or bruised appearance Large blisters Bleeding Tissue ulceration Tingling of the mouth, hands and feet Drop in blood pressure or shock Respiratory failure Weakness and sweating Nausea and vomiting Are venomous snake bites deadly? Venomous snake bites are usually not deadly, but are painful and can cause swelling, nausea and the risk of infection, according to the IDNR. If you are bitten, go to a hospital for treatment immediately. Jenny Porter Tilley contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Does Illinois have venomous snakes? What to do if you see one, get bit Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Father and son's 'fun' game of catch in Lake Michigan ends in horrific double tragedy
A father and his son drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend during what was meant to be a relaxing summer boat ride - after a game of catch ended in tragedy. David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Illinois, and his son Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, died on the afternoon of July 5 near Dune Acres, Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Indiana conservation officers responded around 4:20 p.m. to reports of an active water rescue near the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk area. Jameson's mother, Candace Keller Meneou, told NBC 5 Chicago the father-son pair had gone out boating - one of their favorite shared pastimes. 'Boating was something they always did together,' she said. 'Jameson couldn't drive a car, but he could drive a boat.' At some point, the two began playing catch. When the ball flew too far, Jameson jumped in to retrieve it but quickly found himself in trouble. 'Playing catch with his dad was his favorite thing to do,' Keller Meneou said. 'David really loved his son.' According to a preliminary investigation, Jameson - who had autism - began to struggle in the deep water. His father jumped in after him but also became overwhelmed, the IDNR said in a statement. 'David Meneou attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle in the deep water,' the agency said. By the time emergency crews arrived, a good Samaritan had pulled both men from the lake. Conservation officers and National Park Rangers performed CPR as they rushed the pair by boat to the Port of Indiana. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The investigation remains ongoing. Neighbor Bob Heinzel told the Chicago Sun-Times he wasn't surprised Meneou tried to save his son. 'There wasn't any way he was going to let anything happen to his son. He was very devoted to his son. That's what makes it even more tragic,' said Heinzel, 69. 'He was a really nice guy. I'm still in shock. A lot of us are.' Heinzel said he often spoke to Meneou about boats and cars. 'He was easy going,' he added. He said he first learned of the tragedy from another neighbor, Joe Bannon, on Sunday afternoon. 'I knew he was out on his boat over the weekend,' Heinzel said. 'I've talked to like five of the neighbors around here and they are just all in disbelief.' The Indiana Dunes may be a popular summer getaway, but the area can be deceptively dangerous - especially the waters of Lake Michigan. Southern Lake Michigan is considered one of the most hazardous areas in the Great Lakes for rip current-related drownings. Between 2002 and 2020, the lake accounted for over 125 drownings and 360 rescues caused by rip currents alone, according to the National Weather Service and National Park Service. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources warns swimmers may encounter steep underwater drop-offs just feet from shore, and that cold water shock - even during hot summer months - can cause panic, muscle cramps, and hyperventilation. Some of the dunes themselves also pose rare but serious risks. In 2013, a six-year-old boy was buried for hours after falling into a sinkhole formed by internal dune erosion at Mount Baldy, one of the park's tallest dunes. Officials urge visitors to swim only in designated areas, follow warning signs, and remain aware of fast-changing lake conditions.
Fox News
10-07-2025
- Fox News
Father and son drown in Lake Michigan during weekend family boating trip tragedy
A father and his son drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend during what was supposed to be a fun boat outing. The deceased have been identified as David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, Illinois, and his son, Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, Illinois, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Indiana conservation officers are investigating the drowning after they responded to a call around 4:20 p.m. Sunday reporting an active water rescue on Lake Michigan near Dune Acres, Indiana. Meneou's mother, Candace Keller Meneou, told NBC 5 Chicago that the father-son duo had gone out for a boat ride that day. Boating was one of their favorite activities to do together because while Jameson could not drive a car, he could drive a boat, she told the outlet. At one point, they were playing catch when the ball was thrown too far into deep water and Jameson began to struggle. "Playing catch with his dad was his favorite thing to do," Keller Meneou told NBC 5, adding later that "David really loved his son." A preliminary investigation revealed that both father and son were in the lake when Jameson – who has autism, according to NBC 5 – went "into deep water and began to struggle." "David Meneou attempted to rescue his son but also began to struggle in the deep water," IDNR said in a press release. A good Samaritan had removed the two men from the water by the time officials arrived using off-road vehicles in the remote location. Conservation officers and National Park rangers transported the men via boat to the Port of Indiana while performing CPR, according to IDNR. The two men were taken to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased, and the investigation into their deaths remains ongoing.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker signs bill to protect gray fox, gives IDNR control over hunting season
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — A measure aimed at protecting the gray fox population in Illinois was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on Monday. House Bill 3760 creates a designated hunting season for the gray fox, according to Pritzker's office. And, it allows the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to set the hunting and trapping season for the gray fox, based on current research and population data. Changes coming to Illinois after Pritzker signs multiple bills State Senator Linda Holmes, one of the sponsors of the measure, said the gray fox population has been in decline for the last 30 years. Homes cited diseases, like canine distemper, and competition with coyotes, as part of the reason for the decline. But despite the decline, Illinois law did not allow the state to adjust the hunting season based on population numbers — until now. 'The Illinois Department of Natural Resources can be proactive in managing the gray fox population to avoid further declines and remove extra pressure on the population,' Holmes (D-Aurora) said in a news release. 'This applies for the 2025 hunting and trapping season only to provide adequate notice for hunters and trappers. IDNR can consider accommodating their future seasons when the population rebounds.' Rantoul officials share tips to keep pets happy during July 4th The law was signed on Monday and takes immediate effect. Other states such as Indiana, Ohio and Iowa, are also looking at similar legislation to address the gray fox decline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Corn crops way past ‘knee high at the Fourth of July' in Central Illinois
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — 'Knee high by the Fourth of July,' is an old adage farmers use to measure the success of their corn's growth. Some of the corn in Champaign County, however, is over six-feet-tall and tasseling already. Both scientists and farmers agree the phrase is outdated. Happy Ag Birthday! | Ag in the Classroom 'I've heard that all my life, and a lot of farmers talk about it, but, oh my gosh, it hasn't been that way for many years,' Champaign County farmer Dennis Riggs said. Recent extreme heat in the area hasn't been good for all plants, but it is causing the corn crops to thrive. 'It's really speeding the crop up,' Dr. Fred Below, a crop science professor at the University of Illinois, said. 'Corn grows by accumulating heat units. It's 90 plus, you're maxing the crop out at 80 units so, as long as they're getting enough moisture it's growing as fast as it can.' In fact, both Riggs and Below say the 2025 corn season is near-ideal. The only thing it is missing is a little rain. Pritzker signs bill to protect gray fox, gives IDNR control over hunting season 'When it's hot that crop goes through a lot of water,' Below said. 'We could use a good rain.' So, for now, the old adage is a myth. Dr. Below noted — however — that the future of corn growing is engineering wind resistant crops that are shorter in stature. This means that maybe, just maybe, the crops could return to knee-high on the Fourth of July. Just not yet. 'I think we're going to see crops that are developed to be shorter, and that's going to be so they're less susceptible to wind damage,' Below said. 'All things old will be new again.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
