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Mayo Clinic study: Minnesota’s death rate rose 17% during first year of pandemic

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

ROCHESTER — A recent Mayo Clinic study finds that Minnesota’s death rate increased by 17% in 2020. Predictably, COVID-19 was a major contributor to mortality, but deaths of despair also grew during the first year of the pandemic.The study, published Monday in BMC Public Health, used death certificate data provided through the Rochester Epidemiology Project and compared the 89,910 deaths recorded in 2018 and 2019 to the 52,030 deaths in 2020.“One out of every 10 deaths in the state was due to COVID,” said Dr. Rozalina McCoy, an endocrinologist, associate professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic and the study’s lead author. “That’s a lot. It’s one of the major leading causes of death.”While COVID-19 played a big role in that 17% increase in mortality across the state, McCoy’s team found that “deaths of despair” also increased in 2020. For this category, the researchers looked at overdoses and accidental poisonings, assault ...

County will allow hamlet landowners to keep livestock on their property

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County Council has approved changes to the Animal Control Bylaw which allows hamlet landowners to keep a limited number of livestock on their property, depending on the size of the land parcel.The changes to the Animal Control Bylaw was born out of a bylaw enforcement measure in 2022 where cattle were found on a residential acreage in the hamlet of Iron Springs. The bylaw permits the keeping of animals within hamlets based on parcel size with a maximum limit of five animal units.A delegation in 2022 brought the matter before council where it was noted that livestock were not permitted on properties within hamlet boundaries, regardless of the size of the land parcel. Accompanying this was a request for council to review the Animal Control Bylaw and consider amendments which would allow for a small number of “animal units” on residential parcels within hamlets which met certain land requirements.Following the delegation, administration brough...

The true increase to crop insurance rates: Horner

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

By Ian CroftLocal Journalism Initiative [email protected] the rumoured increase of crop insurance the Alberta government, and Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Nate Horner, immediately took action to address this by hosting a roundtable meeting on March 9.“The point of this round table today is just to continue clearing the air on some claims that were made… around crop insurance,” said Horner. “This is a very important program for Alberta farmers and we want to ensure that the proper information gets out. The claim that was made… was that crop insurance premiums would be rising by 60 per cent. We’ll just start there, that’s completely inaccurate. Crop insurance premiums will see a rise and it will be due almost entirely to the rise in value of the specific crop, or commodity that they are growing. A year-over-year change from last year. We’ve seen crop insurance go through a lot over the last two years, the program has really changed dramatically. It’s paid out $...

Lethbridge College first Canadian College to host upcoming national biotech conference

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge College is gearing up to host the Canadian Society for Bioengineering conference on campus this July.The national conference is expecting more than 200 agriculture and bioengineering students, faculty, research scientists and industry representatives to attend from July 23 to 26. The Canadian Society for Bioengineering/La Société Canadienne de Génie Agroalimentaire et de Bioingénierie (CSBE/SCGAB) will also be hold their annual general meeting (AGM) at this time. It is also the first time the conference will be hosted by any Canadian college.The CSBE/SCGAB has nearly 600 international members and operates as a technical society for scholars and professionals interested, “in the application of scientific and engineering principals for the sustainable production of food, bio-products and bioenergy.”Dr. Chandra Singh, senior research chair, Agricultural Engineering and Technology at Lethbridge College, is also the CSBE/SCGAB Alberta regional d...

Alberta Conservation Association collaborates with farmers for sustainable solutions

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsProducers and conservationists are striking balance through collaboration.The Alberta Conservation Association’s (ACA) land management program works with agricultural producers to find sustainable solutions for land management which also takes into account the producer’s bottom line. In addition the ACA’s wildlife and fisheries programs sees ACA conservationists take on everything from fisheries access sites to native trout restoration in the eastern slopes as well as habitat development across the Province, with reach up north to the Peace River/St. Paul area.“When we are talking about habitat restoration or making things better for species at risk, we work hand-in-hand with the agriculture producer and we basically try to come up with solutions that are going to work for the producer, but also benefit the wildlife as well,” said Mike Uchikura, a riparian management biologist with the ACA.He explained there isn’t a universal template for this collabo...

WATCH: Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany files for bankruptcy

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On March 15, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. "A chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time," according to the Federal Judiciary. Watch the news conference above at 2 p.m. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Parishes and Catholic Schools of the Diocese aren't a part of the filing, as they are separately incorporated under New York State’s Religious Corporations Law, according to the diocese. Even so, it is not clear how this filing could affect ongoing deliberations with the pensioners of St. Clare's.The announcement said that under the Chapter 11 filing, legal actions against the diocese would stop. That would let the diocese determine available assets, work with its insurers, and develop a plan to negotiate settlements with victims and survivors of sexu...

Stolen vehicle suspect from Altamont deported from Canada

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Altamont man who fled to Canada after stealing a vehicle from a Champlain resident on February 9 has been taken into custody in New York. John A. Vangarderen, 22, was deported by Canadian Authorities and arraigned in the Town of Champlain Court. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police investigations determined that Vangarderen attempted to forcibly steal a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse from a 37-year-old woman from Champlain. During this altercation, a 75-year-old woman from Champlain stopped and asked if either needed assistance. At this time, Vangarderen got into her vehicle, a 2007 blue Honda Pilot, and drove away. The 75-year-old sustained a foot injury during the incident.Vangarderen was charged with two counts of Robbery, two counts of Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Petit Larceny. He was remanded to the Clinton County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash, a $...

NipperFest returns to Music Haven highlighting local musicians

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The NipperFest Music and Arts Festival is returning for its second year in July. Billboard AAA Top 40 artists Jocelyn & Chris will be headlining the one-day event that highlights over a dozen Capital Region musicians. Vermont singer Noah Kahan coming to SPAC Nippertown, an online magazine focusing on music, film, theater and art, explains last year's fest attracted more than 2500 local fans. Nippertown’s Jim Gilbert comments, “We’re so excited to bring NipperFest back to Music Haven, or as I prefer to call it, Music Heaven!” “This year’s line-up highlights the seemingly infinite amount of talent we have right here in our backyard – and now we can’t wait to announce this incredible lineup for our second festival.”The 2023 lineup will include many up-and-coming local bands Precious Metals, Brule County Bad Boys, The Sugar Hold, Hold On Honeys, E-Block, Carolyn Shapiro, Jimi W, Margo Macero, ShortWave RadioBand, Lucas Garrett, and Camtron5000. Music ...

Pittsfield eatery reopens with new owner, new name

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The Pittsfield restaurant formerly called Joanne's Elm Street Luncheonette has reopened under new ownership and has a new name. Shelley’s Kitchen officially opened in mid-February. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Owner of the Luncheonette, Joanne Longton, closed the restaurant on January 30. "After 48 years in business, it’s time for me to lay down my spatulas and enjoy life," said Longton in a Facebook post. "It’s been an amazing journey. I’ve made great friends during my time here and will never forget you all."Longton soon after announced that Shelly Strizzi would be taking over the restaurant. Strizzi has over 30 years in the restaurant business and previously worked at the Luncheonette. Best restaurants in Valatie/Kinderhook, according to Yelp The Shelley’s Kitchen menu features breakfast food, sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. You can view the full menu on the restaurant's...

Major Case Squad searching for vehicle of interest in Belleville homicide investigation

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:35 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - Investigators have identified a vehicle of interest in connection with a recent homicide case in Belleville, Illinois.According to Master Sgt. Shane Brown, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Belleville police were called to a home in the 400 block of South 29th Street just after 1:20 a.m. Sunday.Officers found a man inside the residence dead of a gunshot wound. The victim was later identified as Paul Kirby. He was 38.More than two dozen Major Case Squad investigators are working on the case, Brown said, and are following multiple leads.(Courtesy: Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis)As a result, authorities have identified a vehicle of interest in the homicide. Investigators are looking for a silver 2014-2018 Jeep Cherokee.Anyone with information on the investigation or the whereabouts of the vehicle of interest is asked to contact the Major Case Squad at 618-355-9793 or call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.