The fates of humans and insects are intertwined, scientists have said, with the huge declines reported in some places only the tip of the iceberg.

The warning has been issued by 25 experts from around the world, who acknowledge that little is known about most of the estimated 5.5 million insect species. However, enough was understood to warrant immediate action, they said, because waiting for better data would risk irreversible damage.

The researchers said solutions were available and must be implemented immediately. These range from bigger nature reserves and a crackdown on harmful pesticides to individual action such as not mowing the lawn and leaving dead wood in gardens. They also said invertebrates must no longer be neglected by conservation efforts, which tend to focus on mammals and birds.

The alert has been published as two articles in the Biological Conservation journal.

The current [insect] extinction crisis is deeply worrisome. Yet, what we know is only the tip of the iceberg, the scientists write. We know enough to act immediately. Solutions are now available we must act upon them.

Insect declines lead to the loss of essential, irreplaceable services to humanity. Human activity is responsible for almost all current insect population declines and extinctions.

Insect population collapses have been reported in Germany, Puerto Rico and elsewhere. The first global scientific review, published in February 2019, said widespread declines threatened to cause a catastrophic collapse of natures ecosystems. Insects pollinate three-quarters of crops, and another recent study showed widespread losses of such insects across Britain.

The report notes that only about a fifth of the worlds insect species have even been named, mostly from only single specimens.

Many insect species are going extinct even before being described, the researchers said. It is likely that insect extinctions since the industrial era are around 5-10%, ie 250,000 to 500,000 species.

This estimate is based on the extinctions of land snails. Prof Pedro Cardoso, at the Finnish Museum of Natural History and the lead author of the latest report, said: It is the best estimate we have. There is no reason to think the trends are different between insects and land snails, but snails leave their shells behind as evidence.

The paper also notes that British butterfly and beetle populations were said to be fast disappearing in the 1870s by the entomologist Archibald Swinton.

Long-term data on insect populations is rare. We dont know everything in fact we know very little but if we wait until we have better information to act it might be too late to recover many species, Cardoso said.

Many species are declining, probably the majority, and overall it seems the trend is for a large decline. But there are of course some species that are benefitting, for example the swarms of locusts currently in east Africa.

Matt Shardlow, the chief executive of the conservation group Buglife, said a key report in 2016 told world governments that declines in wild pollinators presented risks to societies and ecosystems.

However, in a repeat of the failure of politicians to respond to scientific warnings about climate change, the cautious, scientific language used has not produced an appropriate response from governments, he said.

Scientists are now turning up the heat on insect declines in the hope that politicians will understand the urgency and the link to human survival, and will take action before it is too late.

The key causes of insect losses, according to the scientists, are the destruction of natural habitat for farming and buildings; the intensive use of pesticides; industrial pollution and light pollution; and invasive alien species; and the climate crisis.

As well as large-scale solutions, Cardoso said insect-friendly gardens could help halt the decline. When lots of people implement these small solutions, it can make a big difference to many insect populations. Even a couple of gardens could be a big thing for a species.

He said a change of mindset was also needed because many people had learned to dislike insects. Ive never seen any small children two, three or four years old who were afraid of insects or spiders. It is cultural.

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Fates of humans and insects intertwined, warn scientists - The Guardian

In my last column, I wrote about governments resolving to be better prepared to deal with disasters. Today, I propose some timely resolutions any of us can make to help create a better world.

I suggest we resolve to tread more lightly on the face of the earth, leaving as small and shallow a footprint as possible. Do not destroy natural habitat without good reason. Do not litter or pollute the air, water or soil. Conserve all natural resources such as water, soil and natural beauty. Avoid needless waste. Instead, when given the opportunity, we should undo all the damage that has been done.

Pull or otherwise remove invasive weeds that are not native to the area, pick up litter and see that its properly disposed of. Plant more trees and other suitable plants to improve the soil, add beauty and gain cleaner air. Lets not waste any resource reuse, recycle, reduce usage and repurpose. Be careful not to pollute streams or soil. Read labels and follow directions.

I suggest making a plan that at regular intervals we help someone less fortunate, whether directly or through agencies that provide that help. This could include giving unwanted clothing items to a thrift shop or charity, giving to a food bank or joining a group such as the Gleaners who pick fruit from abandoned trees or fruit from privately owned trees with the owners permission.

Be an advocate for those agencies, private or governmental, that work to help those in need. Volunteer your labor to take care of animals at the Humane Society. Speak out at regular meetings of the city council, county commissioners as an advocate for your cause. Write your legislators, congressmen and congresswomen.

Vow, at regular intervals, to do something nice for friends who are ill, disabled or lonely. Take them flowers from your garden, take them baked goodies if they can have them, take them out to lunch or for a ride in the countryside or just visit them. Offer services such as grocery shopping, babysitting, errand running, lawn mowing or snow shoveling, or whatever is needed such as general yard cleanup to friends or neighbors in need of these services.

Tackle your weaknesses. Mine will be to not be such a champion procrastinator. How happy Id be to finally catch up on routine chores and occasionally have a house that has been thoroughly clean all at once instead of the piecemeal approach. I remember one of our high school class reunions when one of the gals came sporting a big button that said just duit. Instead of procrastinating, just do it. I find I need lots of reminding. Its easy to forget how good it feels right after you just dun it.

Another resolution Ill be making is to tackle my piling system to make it really workable. When I dont get to the bottom of each pile soon enough Im often embarrassed by failure to act in a timely manner. I should also resolve to talk less and more softly.

I spent a good bit of my life not practicing that, but eventually managed to rein myself in and modulate my voice until my husband lost a good bit of his hearing. Then all my efforts came to naught. Im sure there are some people who wish Id try again. These days, most of my conversations are at the pool where everyone needs to talk over the noise of screaming kids and the PA systems loud music. I think the main thing to remember if you forget or backslide, you can always start over. One slip doesnt negate the whole year. Also remember, when you remember and keep your resolutions, pat yourself on the back and reward yourself with a special treat.

Lenna Harding lived her first 20 and past 43 years in Pullman. A longtime League of Women Voters member, she served on the Gladish Community and Cultural Center board.

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Her View: More resolutions to make our world a better place - Moscow-Pullman Daily News

BRANSON, Mo. (Edited News Release) -- After 70 years of compassionate care in the community, the mission that drives Cox Branson remains as strong as the bricks that built it: To improve the health of those it serves.

While the original brick hospital is still the pillar of the medical centers campus, new expansions have nestled in beside it to accommodate seven decades of growth seeing Branson bloom from rural town to booming tourist destination.

That old building may seem smaller now but, in 1950, the grand structure was the talk of the town. Rumblings to build it began a few years earlier when local businessman M.B. Skaggs, the founder of Safeway stores, witnessed a child die before she could be transferred to Springfield for treatment. M.B. and his wife Estella knew in that moment that Branson needed a hospital and they began rounding up support to build one.

Mr. Skaggs challenged local residents to donate as much money as they could to pay for a community hospital and he promised to match the funds. Nineteen business leaders chipped in for the construction, making way for Skaggs Community Hospital to be built for approximately $250,000.

The completed building was given to the community as a gift with citizens asked to equip and furnish the facility. The Skaggs family contributed another $50,000 to get the hospital ready for patients. On January 8, 1950, the hospital opened its doors with 25 beds, five physicians and six nurses aides.

More than 1,500 locals toured the hospital on opening day. An article written for the White River Leader that weekend described the facility as the best modern construction engineers can provide stocked with the best medical equipment that can be used. The Skaggs family had seen their dream come true and were excited for people in the area to have access to quality health care in their hometown.

Branson mayor Edd Akers fondly remembers being only 8 years old watching the hospital go up. By the time he was 11, he was an unofficial employee working hard to keep the facilitys lawn in shape. My brother and I had two little push mowers and wed mow the entire grounds for 25 bucks. It took us about two days to finish and by the time we got done, it was almost time to mow again, he says with a chuckle. Dad would take us to the dime store and wed spend our money on wooden airplanes and passes to the city pool. I feel so blessed to remember that story.

Akers loyalty to the hospital continued long after his lawn mowing days were done. He went on to serve on the Board of Directors in the 1990s. Today, as mayor, he realizes the historical significance of Branson getting a hospital, saying a city with good schools and quality health care is vital to attract new residents. Getting this hospital was a game-changer for our community, he says. Reflecting on how folks came together to make it happen just shows the true spirit of Branson.

That same spirit helped shape the culture among staff through the years. Jan Harper, the nurse who pioneered the current cardiac rehab program, reflects on those early days. In the 1970s, there would be one RN on duty at night covering the medical floor, labor and delivery and the ER, she says. We even answered the police phone if the officer was out making rounds.

Harper says even though the staff was small, their commitment to patients never wavered, even when the weather got bad. Wed all stay the night at the hospital if it snowed or got icy, she says. And the doctor would ride a horse to town to check on patients. We just had ways of making it work.

Long-time employees like Harper have witnessed quite the evolution in medical advances through the years. The changes have been incredible. I started teaching CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and helped open the first Intensive Care Unit in 1972, Harper recalls. Before that unit opened, there were three of us working doubles to care for critical patients. We were blessed to witness the hospital grow from its early roots to its modern day medical center. In a way, its the house that built me.

While the hospital continued to advance in all areas of diagnostics and treatment, as decades went by, some growing pains became apparent. Skaggs Community Hospital was struggling to meet growing needs due to decreased revenue and lack of other funding sources. In January 2012, Skaggs President William Mahoney approached the board with an idea to keep the hospital relevant in changing times and keep quality health care in Branson by finding a strategic partner.

After an 8-month search, the board narrowed 12 potential partners down to two and, in a 96-0 decision, trustees voted to join CoxHealth. CoxHealth, which is headquartered in Springfield, planned to invest $100 million in the hospital, including building and equipment upgrades.

Just one year after the agreement was signed, the hospital broke ground on a 63,000-square-foot expansion of the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, presenting a $30 million investment in the community. In addition, CoxHealth made a $25 million investment in the Skaggs Foundation to improve the health and wellness of residents in Taney and Stone counties. The remaining funds were invested into capital equipment needs over the first five years of the agreement. Under the partnership agreement, Skaggs Regional Hospital officially became Cox Medical Center Branson on January 1, 2013.

Even though the future of rural health care in America stands on shaky ground, Cox Branson continues to thrive and expand in the community.

Community hospitals all over America are closing, says Lynne Yaggy, chief nursing officer and VP of Clinical Services. But here we are, growing and providing the most innovative care for those who need us without losing that hometown hospitality. Thats a legacy I know that Skaggs family would be proud of.

The hospital prides itself on a culture it says cant be matched that feeling that every employee and patient is family. My hope for our future is to continue to fulfill our mission and keep that culture strong so all who come here feel the difference in our care, says President William Mahoney. Our hospital is not just an economic engine for our community. It is and has been for 70 years a safety net and house of healing for those in need. When everything is breaking down around you, you can still come to us and be comforted, protected and uplifted. That legacy is possible because the Skaggs familys dream created such a strong foundation for all of us now and into the future.

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'The House that Built Me': Branson hospital celebrates 70 years - KY3

Homeowners do a lot to keep their home looking clean and fresh. Mowing the lawn, shoveling the walkway, power washing the deck and siding, repainting, and more.

But something that many homeowners forget about is roof cleaning.

Your roof and gutters might be less of an aesthetic factor when it comes to keeping your home clean and sleek, but that doesn't mean it's any less important to keep clean. In fact, it's one of the most important areas of the home to maintain. Unlike lots of aesthetic upgrades homeowners can worry about sometimes, cleaning your roof can help you avoid costly damage.

We know that not everyone is a roofing expert, which is where we can help. We're going to go over 4 things to know about the importance of roof cleaning services so you can get started before you end up needing a roof repair.

Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof during the winter. These can form as a result of not cleaning the snow and/or debris off of your roof after snowfall or after a storm.

As the snow melts and runs off the roof, it can freeze at the edge of the roof forming a large wall of ice known as an ice dam. This prevents water from draining off the roof, which makes the problem progressively worse over time.

Ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof and to your home. They can lead to leaks, shingle and roof damage, dangerous icicle formation, gutter damage, and more.

There's a very simple fix to preventing ice dam formation: roof and gutter cleaning.

Cleaning your roof and clearing off any snow and debris on it can prevent the formation of ice dams. It's important to either do this very carefully or hire a roofing professional to clean the roof as inexperience can lead to further roof damage, gutter damage, or physical injury.

Read more about ice dam prevention here.

The roof over your head protects you and your family from the weather, the elements, and nature in general. That means that it's exposed to all of those things 24/7, which, in turn, means that dirt, water, leaves, plants, and more all find their way onto the roof at some point.

The problem is that rain and snow can often make your roof appear clean when there's actually dirt, moss, lichen, and algae existing all over the roof (especially on the side that gets less sun).

Just because these things can appear invisible doesn't mean that they aren't a problem for you and your home. They can also cause aesthetic problems: these things can make your roof appear blotchy and stained with dark blue and green splotches on various parts of the roof.

Algae, moss, and lichens on your roof can greatly decrease your roof's lifespan and increase the likelihood you'll need a roof replacement sooner. They can lead to gutter and shingle damage as well.

Not only that, but these things can also harbor mold spores, which can lead to mold growth. Mold can cause various negative health consequences throughout your home.

Roof cleaning services can get rid of, and prevent, algae, moss, and lichen growth on your roof. Cleaning after you notice any of this growth can reduce any potential damage it causes.

Failing to clean your roof can lead to shingle damage as a result of ice dams, falling debris, and the algae/moss/lichen growth. Damaged or missing roof shingles can lead to serious problems with your roof including:

Shingle damage in the winter is especially damaging. Debris, snow, and ice can easily damage or remove shingles if they are not cleaned properly. This can allow water to seep into your roof, walls, and more.

When that water freezes, it can lead to cracks in your roof, walls, and home's structure. Not only is this very expensive to fix, it's also extremely dangerous for your home's structural integrity.

Cleaning your roof consistently, or having it cleaned by a professional, can reduce the chance of shingle damage.

Moss and algae as well as ice dams and shingle damage can lead to excess water seeping into your roof.

This leads to increased chances that you'll get a leaky roof, freezing water damage, and wood rot. Water getting into the wood of your roof and home can lead to serious rotting damage that can be very expensive to have repaired. If the damage is extensive, you might need a roof replacement.

You're better off properly cleaning and maintaining your roof to prevent this from happening. Wood rot can often go undetected by homeowners, so you might not always know it's happening. That's another reason why consistent roof cleanings are essential for the health and longevity of your roof.

Roof cleaning is an important part of maintaining your roof. Clearing off snow, debris, dirt, and other natural elements can extend your roof's lifespan and reduce any potential damage caused to both your roof and your home.

However, it's easy to neglect cleaning, forget about it, or not understand the importance, which is where professional roof repair comes in. At Farina Roofing, we understand the importance of roof cleaning services and how it can affect repairs.

We take care of everything and can make sure that your roof is clean and repaired after storms, neglect, or damage. Contact us today to get an inspection and our professional opinion on what you need.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local sponsor. The views expressed in this post are the author's own.

For more about Community Partner, click here.

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4 Things to Know About the Importance of Roof Cleaning - Patch.com

Back in October, something happened that sent shock waves across America. Regardless of age, gender or political affiliation jaws universally dropped at the sight of Ellen DeGeneres sitting with George W. Bush as the Dallas Cowboys took on the Green Bay Packers. There was footage of them laughing with their wives, eating popcorn, and enjoying an NFL game like normal people. And do you remember what happened? People went absolutely nuts. Claws came out. Ellen was vilified.

When Ellen addressed the situation she remarked, "People were upset. They thought, why is a gay Hollywood liberal sitting next to a conservative Republican president? A lot of people were mad. And they did what people do when they're mad... they tweet."

In true Ellen fashion she offered this guidance: "But just because I don't agree with someone on everything doesn't mean that I'm not going to be friends with them," she said. "When I say, 'be kind to one another,' I don't only mean the people that think the same way that you do. I mean be kind to everyone."

Thats a simple, but powerful notion: be kind to one another not just the people that think the same way you do. Its especially relevant in a quaint community at a crossroads.

In full transparency, Im no longer a resident of Walden; however, I still call it home, and am fortunate to have called the mountain that for all my life. Its a pleasure watching my young children erupt in laughter going down the slides at the Pumpkin Patch. I remember pitching in at the very first community workdays during its construction as a student at Thrasher Elementary. We surprised my father for his 65th birthday with a splendid evening at the recently transformed McCoy Farm and Gardens. He beamed as he showed me the walls he painted, where he and other dedicated citizens spent hours tearing into overgrown shrubs, and the meticulous detail that went into picking the counter tops for the gut-renovated bathrooms. On the way home, he remarked about the stately new Walden town signs and how delighted he was for Walden to have an identity that people are connected to and proud of.

My father, Bill Trohanis, has been serving the community of Walden now for nearly a decade originally as an alderman, vice mayor and currently, as mayor. As the community transitions with the rezoning of the Lines Orchids property, I felt like a perspective into my father and your mayor could be beneficial.

Hes creative, compassionate and mildly obsessive-compulsive about design (I wont confirm or deny rumors that I lost my first job mowing our yard because the stripes in our lawn werent cut at perfect 45-degree angles). Hes been known to clean the door jams of our cars with a toothbrush. He spent hours, over multiple visits, with the architect of the new Waldens Ridge fire hall, ensuring that the aesthetic reflects positively on Walden. Let me assure you my father loves details (and works tirelessly to ensure theyre perfect) and absolutely wants anything with his name stamped on it, to bring satisfaction to the citizens of Walden.

Ive wrestled with the dilemma of if or when I chime in on the ongoing debate in my hometown. As claims become more outlandish and personal attacks persist, I could no longer sit idly by.

The social contract we hold as individual contributors to the fabric of our community empowers us with the freedom to speak up. Thankfully, were all encouraged to voice our opinions, and its a crucial element of any community to be able to do so freely. However, a concerning pattern has emerged among some of the residents of Walden and Signal Mountain that is a stark contrast from merely expressing concern, a difference of opinion, or even an impassioned protest.

For those reading this that choose to continue to instigate and torment rather than constructively debate or (heaven forbid) collaborate, before you press send on the next scathing email or spread another piece of misinformation, I hope you pause and think, Is this the most productive way to make a difference or better yet, to contribute to the well-being of my community or am I just steamed and looking for a punching bag? Or further is it possible to fully appreciate the diverse, basic needs that come from a wide range of household income, or even the influx of young families moving to Walden? Its a complex, multifaceted issue with a striking resemblance to the polarizing, tribal political environment were trapped in nationally.

Further, for anyone convinced that their own interpretation of whats best for Walden is superior to those holding office, I encourage you to channel your energy into worthwhile acts of service that make this community a better place to live and enjoy, now and for generations to come.

And for my father when he reads this (who might not be pleased I inserted myself into the situation), I hope you know that Im so proud of what you and the Board of Aldermen have done and continue to do for the community of Walden. Im proud that youve patiently listened to, and considered, all sides of this critical decision. Youve acted with integrity throughout the entire process, and remained courageously steadfast in the face of threats, lame intimidation tactics and a mirage of poorly-constructed (and some borderline unethical) distractions.

As this issue runs its course, and hopefully soon draws to a close, I challenge each of you regardless of which side of the fence youre on to pour your effort into ensuring Walden continues to be an inclusive, thriving community for all of us residents (both former and current), visitors or merely passersby.

Remember that story about Ellen and George W. Bush? In the coverage of this story, there were hundreds of negative, blistering tweets from Ellen viewers, but one stood out as particularly poignant: "Ellen and George Bush together makes me have faith in America again."

I, too, hope that those on each side of this debate come together to give me faith in Walden once again.

William Trohanis II

* * *

The opinion piece by Mayor Trohaniss son speaks of the social contract When Mayor Trohanis and Alderperson McKenzie ran for office, made promises, and were elected, part of that social contract that they surely must have understood was that the sleepy little town of Walden is not at all well-suited for the type and scope of development that is being brought in.

These two yes voters are in violation of their implicit or express promises that they would represent their constituents faithfully and competently.

Tim Deere20 year resident of Walden

* * *

William Trohanis II- Thank you for bringing the proper perspective to this situation in your well written opinion.

Mr. Deere- Reasonable people can disagree in a fair and professional manner. Reasonable points can be made for the development and against the development. When an individual does not agree with your position does notmean that they are necessarily wrong. In this case, I believe the majority of Walden residents think the positives outweigh the negatives for this development.

To yes voters- Thank you for representing the Walden constituents faithfully and competently.

David Garvey30 year resident of Walden

Originally posted here:
A Plea For Civility In Walden - And Response (2) - The Chattanoogan

A landscape management company in the area just got an infusion of growth capital, thanks to an equity investor.

An undisclosed investor recently acquired a minority stake in Augusta-based Turf Works, according to Grand Rapids-based Calder Capital.

Turf Works co-owners Dave Konkle and Kevin Boucher approached Calder Capital earlier this year seeking advice on how to grow the companys customer base.

After consulting with Max Friar, managing partner of Calder Capital, Konkle and Boucher decided the best course of action was not to sell the company but instead to look for an investor willing to provide growth capital.

After a lengthy search, an individual investor was found who turned out to be a perfect fit, they said.

Calder Capital provided us with several quality investors, and after careful consideration, we are very pleased with our new partner and believe we have succeeded in beginning to take our company to the next level, the co-owners said.

When people think about mergers and acquisitions, they generally do not think about partner buy-ins; however, there are a lot of qualified investors interested in taking majority and minority positions in established and profitable companies like Turf Works, Friar said.

Taking on a partner is a sensitive issue, and we are very pleased it worked out so well for Kevin and Dave at Turf Works.

Ghazey Aleck, an associate with Calder Capital, served as the lead M&A adviser for Turf Works for this transaction.

This represented Calder Capital/Small Business Deal Advisors 21st transaction of the year.

Turf Works

Founded in 1991, Turf Works is a professional landscape management company offering a variety of lawn care services, including mowing, fertilization and turf management; tree and shrub trimming; snow removal services; and a 24/7 emergency hotline.

Turf Works serves industrial, retail, residential, education and municipal clients.

The business employs 10 core staff members and part-time/contract laborers as needed.

See original here:
Investor buys stake in landscaping company | 2019-12-26 - grbj.com

MILL CREEK Years ago, a dentist found a starving man in his apple orchard.

He gave him something to eat and nursed him back to health. The homeless man told him hed once been a guard at a New York bank, but hed been hit over the head in a robbery. The dentist let him sleep in a one-room shed behind his house on the outskirts of Mill Creek. He worked on the mans teeth and sometimes even asked him to babysit. His family rented out the house, telling tenants the neighbor in the shed came as part of the deal.

At least thats the strange tale gathered by authorities since Jan. 11, 2015, when a passerby found a body in an overgrown shack along North Creek Park.

Apparently police had come in contact with the man before, and written his name as Jerry Diggs, born in May 1945; or Jerry Deggs, born in December 1949; or Jeremy Diggs, born on New Years Eve 1950. All were close to the truth, but not near enough to lead to his family, to tell them he had died.

His real name remained a mystery until volunteers at DNA Doe Project cracked the case over the past 1 years. Amateur genealogist Jenny Lecus, 35, grew obsessed with the nameless man.

He was my first and last thought every day for 19 months, Lecus said Friday.

If she listened to music, shed wonder what songs he listened to. She wondered about his likes and habits, and what kind of stories he would tell.

In large part thanks to hundreds of hours of sleuthing by Lecus, the Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office is officially releasing the mans name Monday.

She still has many things she would like to know about Nathaniel Terrence Deggs.

A large family

On the East Coast, he went by Terry, not Jerry.

Hed been born to a teenage mother in Baltimore, the second of more than a dozen brothers, sisters and half-siblings. In his youth, he was taken in by a foster mom whose last name was Deggs. They moved to the Bronx.

Little is clear about this part of his life. The siblings knew of each other, but werent always in touch. One of his sisters told authorities shed visited him in New York City. She recalled seeing him in the uniform of a bank security guard. His foster mother died in 1984. Family believed he was extremely upset by the loss. Not long after that, he vanished.

His family searched for him over the years. Yet he existed about as far off the grid as a person can these days, in spite of being perhaps a half-hour drive northeast of Seattle. Why he came here, of all places, is an enigma.

The Mill Creek man discovered the cold, emaciated African-American man in October 1985, staying in a falling-apart barn near his home in the 17500 block of Bothell-Everett Highway. He became a part of the family, cooking for them.

The man went by Jerry. He was reclusive, rarely leaving the shed about 200 feet behind the home. Renters knew a man lived back there, but they learned little about his past.

James K. Prater, 57, a contractor now based in Clearview, rented the place for a year around 1996. He also knew his backyard neighbor as Jerry, a quiet guy who was kind of slow. Hed make childlike sketches of his surroundings in color. On holidays Prater would bring him a plate of food, and if Prater was chopping firewood, hed share the extra.

One day a small fire broke out on the roof of the small cabin. Prater grabbed a ladder and put out the flames. Firefighters would not allow Deggs to keep his wood stove, though. Prater gave him an electric skillet and a small heater, and ran the power cords out of his home business, a paintball shop.

Prater recalled Jerry did odd-jobs for the homeowner mowing the lawn and other landscaping work on the other side of the valley. For the most part Jerry just kept to himself. He liked to eat potatoes and he lived off the land, picking fruit from the orchard, on a quiet 6 acres, Prater said.

He just wandered around in those woods, he said. Theres birds, theres coyotes. Theyre developing it, which is ruining the luster.

Prater had given him seeds to try to grow a garden. Deggs wasnt very good at it. He joked that if he had to grow his own food, hed die. He had no phone and no running water. Once in a while hed walk to the house to fill up from the spigot.

After the dentists father died, the property was transferred to a company co-owned by his sons in 2007.

Several times after that, Mill Creek police documented a man walking along Bothell-Everett Highway. Officers scribbled quick reports when they talked with him, but he was never arrested, fingerprinted or caught in any serious trouble.

Prater continued to drive past the house on his regular trips to Snohomish County. Once, he said, hed even taken back some of the flowers he planted in his former garden.

I had no idea that the old man was still living there, Prater said.

A nameless man

Brambles covered the shed by the time the body was found in 2015, under blankets on a mattress made of pieces of foam. Inside it was undisturbed, with $20 left untouched, police reported.

The nameless man wore dark heavy wool socks. Hed dressed in a plaid flannel shirt, a black T-shirt with a high collar and tan pants. He was missing a tip of one finger. Authorities later learned Deggs had an accident while chopping wood as a boy. Foul play was never suspected in the death. Over several trips, police searched fruitlessly for some piece of ID.

DNA from the remains had been entered into the national database CODIS as early as 2015. There were no matches.

Death investigators took many approaches to find the mans name. They asked the state Department of Social and Health Services to look for records of food stamps that could be linked to him. But there was no evidence he used them.

Once investigators learned of the similar, inconsistent names in old police field reports, the medical examiners office gave those clues to Oregon genealogist Deb Stone. She uncovered a promising lead in an East Coast man, who shared one of the names and was born in the 1940s. But he was still alive.

A forensic dentist compared the mans teeth to those of missing people. But he struggled to narrow down a list of possibilities.

Cans and over 1,000 pieces of paper were recovered from the cabin in 2015, to be tested for fingerprints. Only two sheets came back with workable samples. And neither of the prints matched any person who was reported missing. Those prints may not have come from Deggs anyway, because his fingers were possibly too dry to leave behind a mark.

Articles in The Daily Herald showed a likeness of the mans face, a forensic drawing based on the mans skull. Every tip from the public led to a dead end.

The first step that led to an actual answer came in early 2018. A new DNA sample had been extracted from the mans femur, to be used by the nonprofit DNA Doe Project. The genetic profile was uploaded to the ancestry site GEDmatch, a database that has become a key resource in the fast-emerging field of forensic genealogy.

Researchers use near-matches on the site to track down relatives, and ultimately, they can pinpoint the person in question. Using crime scene evidence, police have worked with genealogists to crack high-profile cold cases over the past two years, including two long-unsolved killings in Snohomish County.

Genealogists have also helped the Snohomish County medical examiner to restore names to an unidentified man found dead in Yost Park in 2018; a piece of human skull caught up in the Skykomish River in 2017; a mostly complete skull recovered from the woods in the Tulalip area in 2016; and a skeleton uncovered near Lynnwood in 1978.

Some cases can be solved in a couple of hours by the DNA Doe Project. Often it takes months. This one took the most time, by far.

For about 1 years, the case became a puzzle for Lecus, a genealogy hobbyist from Franklin, Wisconsin. Shes been fascinated with ancestry since age 14, when she used her Christmas money to buy a family tree-building program.

Lecus has traced her own bloodlines back to the 1700s in Germany. She submitted her own DNA to Ancestry.com in 2016, and instantly she was hooked by a new approach to a lifelong passion. She has volunteered with the DNA Doe Project since it was founded in 2017.

For about a year, there were no close family matches for the person known as the Mill Creek Shed Man. Generally it takes a second cousin or closer to build a tree from scratch. All of this John Does matches were around the fifth-cousin level, back in 2018.

On GEDmatch, users can click a box to let researchers or police view their genetic profile, a recent policy change reacting to concerns over genetic privacy and informed consent. On the downside, it made things much harder for forensic genealogists, and Lecus encouraged anyone signed up for the site to opt in, to help solve cases like this one.

Each day Lecus logged in to check up on handful of profiles shed been monitoring on GEDmatch, to see if close relatives would pop up. Then one morning in February, a half-cousin shared her profile. She was a blood relative of Deggs mom.

A mystery in a mystery

In public records, the name Terry or Jerry or even Nathaniel Deggs is about as elusive as the man himself.

One relative had his Social Security number, but it proved to be little to no help.

The family had hired a private detective at one point, and tried their own internet searches.

His birth certificate still has not been found that particular year was missing in Baltimores public records when Lecus went looking for it, she said. Deggs was likely nearing 65 years old when he died.

One obituary of a brother called him Nathaniel Davy in 2017. Nathaniel was listed as a survivor. Another obituary gave the last name Davis. Since then, some family members have suggested it was a combination of the two. In spite of the confusion, if his siblings hadnt published those names, researchers would still be guessing, Lecus said. The DNA Doe Project volunteered over 1,900 hours in search of the name, affixing thousands of branches to hundreds of family trees. Once Lecus had the half-cousins name, she was able to discover pieces of his ancestry. It led her to the obituaries.

Everyone on that long list of siblings could be found without much trouble except for Nathaniel. Later, DNA from one of the sisters would confirm Deggs was the man in the shed.

I still check every day for new matches, Lecus said. I do hope to have some more of his tree filled in. Its a personal thing.

One night in August, one of Deggs half-siblings answered a phone call from a strange number out of the Seattle area.

There was a bit of an edge in the womans voice, the kind of tone you might give a rude telemarketer, recalled Jane Jorgensen, the investigator at the medical examiners office. It was only 7 p.m. on the West Coast, but it was hours later on the other side of the country.

Then Jorgensen told her why she was calling. The womans voice softened. Shed been waiting a long time for this.

Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.

This story has been modified to more precisely describe the nature of the change of ownership of the house in 2007.

Gallery

In January 2015, an unidentified mans body was found in this shed behind a home in Mill Creek. (Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office)

A man who went by the name Jerry lived in the shed about 200 feet behind this home in Mill Creek. (Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office)

Brambles covered the shed by the time the body of Nathaniel Terry Deggs was found in 2015. (Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office)

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The mystery of the man in the Mill Creek shed is solved - The Daily Herald

By Prakash Mallya

If there is one thing that continues to redefine the way we live -- with an impact greater than any other since the dawn of evolution -- it is technology. Relentlessly playing the role of an alchemist -- transforming science fiction and fantasy into reality, technology is the artist that holds our attention while working behind the scenes. It is an enabler that can fulfill our wants and needs, and enrich our lives with comfort, convenience, entertainment, good health and even prosperity. And going by the trends, it seems like we cant get enough.

Our growing demand for compute and connectivity on the go led to tremendous innovation in mobile devices; our need for safer, greener and intelligent travel led to the invention of smart, autonomous and electric cars; and our need for carrying out real-time monetary transactions led to the electronic banking facility. Technological innovation seems to almost emulate the change constant of life. Heres a look how this evolution continued in the past year:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)AI continued to top the innovation chart this year. Our demand for safer cities, a safer driving experience and improved healthcare has resulted in a spate of innovations and a paradigm shift in the way we use intelligent data. We have seen AI and machine learning (ML) gradually move out of the cloud and closer to edge devices where analytics happen in real-time. This is because data transmission delays (latency) associated with the cloud can adversely impact mission critical outcomes. In order to keep AI-powered devices, such as those in smart city surveillance systems, autonomous cars and healthcare systems responsive enough, the data needs to reside as close as possible to the source. This shift has also been possible due to System-on-Chip (SoC) processors that lend more computing power to edge devices.

Apart from urban denizens and patients, farmers too have started harnessing the power of AI and technology for improving food security and farming practices. Through AI-powered apps, they are monitoring soil and growing conditions, determining crop choices, predicting the weather and temperature, and improving water utilization, crop quality and output (precision agriculture). Developers in India are putting a plant disease detection solution in the hands of farmers to give them greater control over the health of their crops.

And finally, a discussion in AI would not be complete without talking about AI assistants (what we know as voice assistants), and this year, we saw several new ways we could interact with them. Mercedes for example, integrated both Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant into its cars, allowing users the comfort and convenience of using their favorite assistant while driving. Fitness buffs could chat with Nike Coach, a digital performance expert using Google Assistant, to find the sneaker that would augment their workout routine. And pizza lovers could order from Dominos not just via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, but also by using Dom -- Dominos own voice assistant. In India, weve seen regional language AI assistants enabling greater reach for digital services. For those who still miss the human touch in these interactions, theres good news coming their way going by Apples recent announcement, Siri will soon sound more like a person and less like an AI bot.

Gaming

The world of gaming is constantly evolving, providing mind-bending and exhilarating experiences to avid gamers with each generation of development release. Games from the 1980s to the 90s ran on 8-bits and the Color Graphics Card (CGC) had just 16 KB of video memory. From the 1990s till the first decade of the new millennium, the market was dominated by the fifth generation of games -- running on 32 and 64 bits.

By 2019, a gaming culture has already marked its presence, which manifests itself today in peoples passion for serious gaming and gaming competitions that make front page news. With the worlds largest youth population, India is one of the fastest growing gaming markets in the world. Recent reports have estimated significant growth in the number of gamers and game developers in the country resulting in increasing gaming revenues. The number of professional esports athletes and streamers in India are also on the rise. Technologies like cloud, ML AI, data-analytics are already disrupting the gaming ecosystem - not just at the development stage but also improving the user experience to a never before seen extent.

Internet of Things (IoT)Gartner forecasts that there will be 20 billion internet-connected things by 2020. While the list of IoT gadgets for consumers may seem unending, ranging from smart and connected gadgets and appliances such as smart refrigerators, air conditioners, watches, fire alarms, door locks, bicycles, medical sensors, fitness trackers, security systems, etc., there were some that particularly caught our attention this year. Like a specially designed watch with IoT integration for people suffering from dementia, Alzheimers disease or autism, allowing the patient and the caregiver to stay connected round the clock. And an automobile gadget with smart features, such as emergency and panic buttons, automatic crash detection, notification of crash to family, and GPS-based location tracking. Amongst other popular IoT products were intelligent thermostats and smart lighting systems used in homes.

Several automation products have IoT integration such as the home automation range of connected smart devices, including those catering to the users light and music preferences. This year saw several of these devices offering users a hands-free, voice-enabled experience rather than touch screen. In India, weve seen applications across retail, education, smart city initiatives, healthcare, among others. From self-service kiosks to smart classroom solutions to remote patient monitoring to surveillance applications, India has seen both product innovation and implementations with potential to scale.

Virtual (VR), Augmented (AR) and Mixed reality (MR) Taking things up a notch, Extended Reality (ER) is another trend that will make headlines in 2020. It can be explained as a term that covers several new and revolutionary technologies that create more immersive digital experiences. To break it down, this refers to virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. We have all seen or experienced the digitally immersive experience of a computer-generated world that we can experience using headsets that cut out the real world. This is popularly known as Virtual Reality (VR). Augmented Reality (AR) on the other hand, overlays digital objects and portrays them in the real world via smartphone screens or any other display. Mixed Reality (MR) is an elaborate version of AR, where users can interact with digital objects in the real world. For example, a user could play holographic drums via an AR headset. The concept of Extended Reality is that of experiences.

For gamers, theres Super Mario Odyssey and Legend of Zelda included in the list of VR-compatible games introduced by Nintendo this year. And with the much awaited launch of Chrome AR, we can expect our web browser to deliver newer experiences.

RoboticsPowered with advanced AI technology, consumer robots will soon play a defining role in our daily life, assisting us with vacuuming the house, mowing the lawn, and cleaning the pool. Unlike cleaning robots, the social ones will serve as companions and care for us -- they will remind patients of Alzheimers disease to take timely medication, call family members, and take walks. They will socially interact with us at an advanced level with their ability to recognize faces and common human emotions. They will respond to their names, and even love to be petted. Armed with robot SoC, collaborative mini robots will be able to enhance rescue operations by working in a team without a central server, navigating a map, detecting obstacles and finding paths.

Advanced computer vision is also transforming the way drones operate. For example, drones equipped with Vision Processing Units can be controlled to get close-up images from the correct angles and, combined with AI technology, can help detect structural damage in buildings. One such solution is being used for a restoration project for a section of the Great Wall of China. Drones with neural compute chips are allowing deep-learning calculations and image-detection to be performed locally, without internet connection. These are alerting lifeguards about possible shark attacks or trouble faced by swimmers out at sea. AI-powered thermal cameras within drones are also helping scientists study the effect of climate change on polar bears and snow leopards without subjecting researchers and animals to any risk or stress. In India, weve seen etailers like Filpkart use robotics to automate their supply chain for more efficient customer deliveries.

The world of technology is limitless and the list of technological innovations seemingly unending. Theres never a dull moment for technology enthusiasts, and the best is always yet to come.

The author is VP and MD - Sales and Marketing Group, Intel India

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETCIO.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETCIO.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.

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Technology innovations that shaped 2019 - ETCIO.com

If youve ever had a plant then you know its pretty much like having a child or a pet in terms of how much you care for them. You want to ensure that theyre well fed and that theyre put in a safe place, and that you keep them alive for as long as you can. Many people talk to and play music for their plants, and apparently it really does make a difference.

Some people have just a couple of indoor plants, while others have gardens full of plants and even trees because they love nature so much. Generally, its easier to care for a garden by having professionals coming in to do the mowing at least. Professional lawn careers at MyLawnCare suggest you pick known local companies that can offer an array of services from simple lawn mowing, hedge trimming, even up to regular gardening. This is great for busy people who do not have the time to get their hands dirty, but want to maintain a lawns aesthetics.

If you dont know how to care for your plants in the winter, then its most likely that they will die. This is why were going to give you a couple of tips to help you take care of your plants in the winter time.

In the winter the plants do consume as much water, and this is because they are mostly dormant, so you need to lessen the amount of water provided, and how often you do it. The best way to tell is to check if the soil is dry- if its more than an inch dry, then you need to water it. Its very important that you dont over-water your plants because by doing do you are literally drowning them. You get the roots to grow fungi and by doing so, youre pretty much killing them, not the cold!

Because being able to get warmth and heat through the suns rays are so hard during the winter time, its important that you keep the plant clean from the layers of dirt and dust that tend to collect on the surface. By doing so, its much easier for the plant to absorb what it needs from the sunlight.

Plants require up to 50% humidity, and we know that in the winter, theres barely any humidity at all. You should get a humidifier for your plants because this will go a long way in getting through the cold weather and winter months. Plants need the moisture from the humidity to survive, so this is an extremely important factor. If all else fails and you dont have a humidifier, consider keeping your plants in the warmest room in the house, which will most likely be the kitchen or perhaps in the living room where theres a fireplace on.

Winter is known for its miserly amounts of sunlight, and this is something that is essential for plants to grow. This is why its important that you find an alternative method to provide your plants with the light that they need. Invest in some full-spectrum bulbs and have them directed at your plants for a couple of hours every day. Ideally, for your plants to get the amount of light that they need, you should have the lights on them for between 12 to 14 hours a day.

Plants get affected by the cold weather- the cold breeze affects them in a negative way because weve already established that they need warmth. All the efforts that youre making to create a warm atmosphere with lighting and humidity will go to waste if theres a breeze coming in from anywhere. This is why you need to ensure that the doors and windows are sealed tight to not even let the smallest hint of wind get in.

Ensuring that your plants stay alive through the whole year requires some work. And especially when it comes to the winter time and cold and gloomy weather in general, its important that you take the necessary precautions so that youre well prepared. You need to make sure that you keep the tips mentioned above in mind, and also learn more about the kind of plants that you have. Different plants require different amounts of water and certain care that you need to be aware of, such as what kind of soil they use and whether they require lots of light or if they can survive with less.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Claritas only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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How To Make Sure Your Plants Survive The Winter - KHTS Radio

FiveAustin companies collectively raised close to $70 million in venture capital this month. Read below to learn about the top November funding rounds.

Cloudsnap helps businesses integrate their important applications through technology and automation engineers. In addition to gaining new funds, they appointed Matt Bradley as CEO. The company hopes his experience leading high-growth business willfuel Cloudsnap's continued growth.

Founded in 2005, the Austin-based app, server and network monitoring system has raised a total of $45.6 million thus far, according to Crunchbase. Their primary offerings are open-source Zenoss Core, commercial software Zenoss Service Dynamics and Zenoss as a Service.

Pensa Systems creates retail drones that monitorshelves and alert employees in real time when something needs to be restocked. The November seed funding brings its total investments to $17.2 million. They'll use the additional funds to roll out the drones to more retailers.

On the LawnStarter app or website, users can search and book a variety of lawn care services, from mowing to irrigation to landscaping. Currently, they operate in over 120 markets in the United States. They'll use the growth investment from Edison Partners to add more services.

The online real estate brokerage platform uses artificial intelligence and big data to connect home buyers and sellers. With a total funding of $115 million, they plan to go public. They're currently on track to hit a 300 percentyear-over-year growth from 2018 to 2019.

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These 5 Austin Companies Raised Nearly $70 Million Total in November - Built In Austin