Inside:
- Scam prevention event coming up later this month
- Disaster assistance available in Henry County
- Fall trout season opens this weekend
- How first responders are adapting their strategies for electric vehicles
Scam prevention event coming up later this month
I will be joining with Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg to host a scam prevention seminar in Galesburg on October 21.
Financial scams have targeted many of us in recent years. It seems as if everyone knows somebody who has been contacted by a scammer trying to fraudulently take their money or gain access to their personal information. These scams range from the simple – like taking money to trim trees and then never doing the work – to much more complex scams with overseas actors stealing thousands from bank accounts. We all need to be on the lookout and know how to spot these scams before it is too late.
Join us on Monday October 21 at 1 p.m. at the Galesburg Library Community Room, 264 W. Main Street, for information on how to recognize scams and what to do about them. This will be an important informational event. I hope you can stop by.
Disaster assistance available in Henry County
Federal disaster assistance is now available for Henry County residents who sustained losses due to the severe weather back in July. Henry was one of seven Illinois counties which were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the storm. At least three tornadoes touched down in Henry County during the July severe weather.
Henry County residents who are in need of assistance for such costs as temporary housing or home repairs due to storm damage may be eligible for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To find out if you are eligible and to apply for assistance, call the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362, or visit disasterassistance.gov.
Fall trout season opens this weekend
The first Illinois trout season of the year opens tomorrow, Saturday October 5, and runs through Friday October 18, for catch-and-release at selected sites only. The standard trout season opens at 5 a.m. on Saturday October 19 and allows for a five-trout limit. A fishing license from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, including a $6.50 trout stamp, is required for both seasons. You can apply for a fishing license by clicking here.
The early, catch-and-release season is open at 60 lakes throughout the state, including a handful in our area. Prospect Park in Moline, Citizens Lake in Monmouth and Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County are among the sites for catch-and-release season this weekend. Find the full statewide list here.
How first responders are adapting their strategies for electric vehicles
As electric vehicles (EVs) increase in popularity in Illinois, first responders are facing new challenges in adapting their emergency strategies. Powered by high-voltage batteries, these vehicles present unique risks during accidents, such as battery fires, electric shocks, and structural issues. First responders must quickly adapt to these changes in order to safely manage EV-related incidents.
The main challenge with EVs lies in their lithium-ion batteries. Unlike traditional vehicles, which run on gasoline, EVs are powered by high-capacity batteries that can be difficult to manage in the event of a fire or crash. One of the most concerning issues is thermal runaway, a process where damaged batteries generate immense heat, leading to fires that can reignite even after being extinguished. Traditional firefighting techniques, such as using foam or limited amounts of water, are not effective against these battery fires. Instead, large volumes of water are needed to cool the battery and prevent the fire from spreading. However, this method requires specialized training, and many departments are investing in equipment upgrades to handle the substantial water supply needed for such fires.
Read the full story from the Caucus Blog here.
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