Ducks Unlimited (DU) has partnered with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Meeker County was drained over a century ago through a concrete subsurface tile the lakebed was carved up and the land was distributed accordingly to each bordering landowner,” said USFWS Project Leader Scott Glup Meeker County partnered with DU and USFWS to design and build a new water control structure on the lake outlet to restore water levels.” Construction of the project was completed in late winter 2024 and subsequent spring rains completely refilled the basin Waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife began using the restored lake immediately DU also restored four prairie pothole wetlands on the private land surrounding the lake The work was made possible by a group of private landowners who voluntarily enrolled their land in USFWS conservation easements, totaling 175 acres. Funding was provided through Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund, as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, a North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant and DU Living Lakes Initiative Major Sponsors “Many folks outside of the state don’t realize this but western Minnesota is a part of the Prairie Pothole Region so the waterfowl habitat work we do here directly impacts breeding success,” said DU Manager of Conservation Programs John Lindstrom “Partnering with the USFWS is critical to our conservation goals for this high-priority region because they manage so many public Waterfowl Production Areas and private conservation easements across the state.” Butler Lake’s new control structure will keep water levels between 3 and 4 feet Smaller wetlands and adjacent native upland grasses provide refuge and nesting cover for breeding pairs of ducks Some of the restored grasslands will also provide sustenance for grazing cattle “DU is working with cattle ranchers throughout Minnesota to promote rotational grazing and other sustainable practices that benefit producers and waterfowl,” Lindstrom said “Butler Lake is a good example of how producers wetlands and native grasslands can fit well together.” jgenzel@ducks.org Check out our job listings and start working for Team DU Bill and Sabrina Mixon embarked on a new adventure  when they bought Greek’s Pizzeria in Upland on March 1 Bill was a manager at Discount Tire in Muncie Rewind approximately 50 years to when Chris Karamesine founded Greek’s Pizzeria Bill crossed paths with Karamesine and became his go-to car guy and a good friend Karamesine was frustrated seeing Bill working and not getting ahead He wanted to see Bill own his own business so when an opportunity to buy Greek’s Pizzeria in Upland opened up the Mixons have since taken over the restaurant and are seeking to make it the best it can be One of the first items on their agenda was simply cleaning the place up and replacing broken machinery The restaurant had a broken Coke and ice machine when Bill and Sabrina first acquired it Now it has a new drink machine with additional flavors The Mixons have also provided a new and refreshing work environment for the employees Aware that this is their first time owning a business the Mixons are intentional about leading in a way that takes their employees’ needs into consideration “We have experience being employees who were often underappreciated and not treated well,” Sabrina said “So to be able to come in here and ask the workers The employees have responded with their own suggestions and the Mixons have been happy to implement their feedback In addition to working with their employees Bill and Sabrina have enjoyed co-leading the restaurant So we kind of both have different strengths — we’re able to play off of here.” Bill and Sabrina said they have experienced so much kindness from the surrounding community They look forward to growing closer to the people in Upland There is a 10% discount for Taylor faculty and staff They ultimately hope to create a fun and comfortable environment where everyone can simply hangout and enjoy themselves One way the Mixons plan to cultivate this kind of environment is by revamping their patio space we’d love to have them out on either a Friday or Saturday night and have (the live music) out there with the lights and the patio furniture,” Sabrina said They also got new patio umbrellas and plan to put cornhole boards out front Bill and Sabrina said they would love more feedback from the community about what people want to see from the restaurant or what they want changed To provide feedback or simply connect with the new owners Bill and Sabrina encourage the public to follow them on Facebook A painting of white-winged doves has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2024-25 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest The painting was created by Kathy Holeman of The Dalles Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) the annual nationwide contest determined the official design for this year’s California Upland Game Bird Stamp Contest entries were judged by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge in the fields of ornithology anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print Judges were immediately struck by the color in the painting noting the contrast between the vibrant blue sky and the pink flowers of the beavertail prickly pear cactus The white-winged doves sitting atop the cactus also popped against the background the sky mirrored in the blue rings around their eyes creating a sense of cohesion throughout the scene Judges appreciated the use of multiple doves and the opportunity to showcase different body positions texture and shading of the foreground against the sky eye-pleasing composition that drew focus to the doves “This painting was made even more fun by including cacti and surrounding the composition with blue sky helped to make the scene pop more,” she said Holeman enjoyed focusing on the subtle color shifts in their plumage the bright blue eye rings and their brilliant orange eyes “It is always a challenge to paint birds and capture them in a way that interprets their natural beauty and spirit,” she added “This painting was no less a challenge and yet I felt like I knew the species better and had a greater appreciation for them after I finished.” An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California The validation replaces the stamp through CDFW’s Automated License Data System but the stamp is still produced and available to hunters upon request Monies generated from upland game bird validation sales are dedicated solely to upland game bird related conservation projects CDFW annually sells about 140,000 upland game bird validations and distributes approximately 24,000 stamps Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps page An order form is also available on the website for collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps A day of bluegrass music in Bloomington will showcase eight bands performing as part of the first Bloomington Bluegrass Fest, with Mama Said String Band as the headliner May 3 at Upland Brewing Co "Soon Mama Said will be huge, and we wont' be able to afford them," said Jeff Shew, the daddy of this festival, his third. Songwriter, bassist and backup singer and booking agent for King Bee & The Stingers Capacity for Bloomington Bluegrass Fest at Upland Brewing Co.'s brewpub will be 1,000 with people filling the entire outdoor area on Bloomington's north side Although well-intentioned dogs are welcome at the restaurant they are not invited to the this year's festival Shew's thing is festivals, something he does through his marketing agency and music production studio, The Whirlwind Agency "I'm good at talking to people," he said on the phone (performing) music — and its business side I get to chat with musicians all day long." that women are performing at the bluegrass festival in a music business that's not been easy for them to enter The hard part has been setting up a system the process that makes the festivals happen or agonizingly planned patterns of activity Acoustic guitar destroyed: Bloomington police seek suspect in fight that ended with a smashed guitar the featured artist-at-large for the Bluegrass Fest (on harmonica) Shew also received knowledge and support from Low Landers band's Jesse Beals Shew likes to set up his system far in advance He looked at roughly 30 bands for this fest after noticing a gap in Bloomington festivals because these happy events bring people to Bloomington And some of the Bluegrass Fest bands are visiting from outside Monroe County "I've been networking for 20 years," Shew said New coffee shop coming: Soma Coffee House coming to The Kiln building in Bloomington Trades District There have been others that Shew had to turn away for quality reasons Shew will need a "rest fest" after Bloomington's bluegrass since he is now the event coordinator — the company's only paid position — for the Madison "Ribberfest," BBQ and blues That festival was named Best Music Festival in Indiana’s Best of Indiana Arianna and the Bourbon Bitches: 8:30-9:30 p.m Corey Flick will be the featured artist at-large on harmonica TICKETS: $25 day of event. Presale until May 2: one ticket for $20, four tickets for $60, two tickets for $35. Go online to https://tinyurl.com/42bafd3m for tickets and more info We are driven by the same question that drove early settlers deeper into the wilderness But having room to roam is increasingly challenging these days as cities overfill and the hills that were once unspoiled succumb to blaze orange you can still find plenty of paths untouched Here is a short list of ten often overlooked upland destinations 10-ply tires and a good spare are recommended Wildlife & Parks Department provides detailed maps and regulations for the area including large tracts of public land like the Kootenai National Forest For those seeking a challenging mixed forest grouse hunt amid some of Montana’s most iconic Northwest Montana is a lesser-known but rewarding destination The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department provides resources and maps for hunters to explore these areas the White Mountains offer upland hunters a unique experience blending the thrill of pursuing wild birds with the beauty of some of New England’s most rugged terrain The Texas Panhandle is an excellent destination for bobwhite and scaled quail This region offers both public and private hunting opportunities Through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Annual Public Hunting Permit program hunters can gain access to wildlife management areas and leased private lands The Panhandle’s mild winters support more consistent quail populations while lower hunting pressure gives hunters more breathing room under a big Texas sky Hunting quail here often means working with dogs in big where both large covey explosions are found just about as often as rattlesnakes The Big Horn Basin in Wyoming is an underrated upland destination for Hungarian partridge and chukar the Basin’s habitat is ideal for these birds which are commonly found near steep hillsides and ridges managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provide ample hunting areas for those willing to work for it in remote stretches of open country Wyoming Game and Fish Department resources include maps and regulations to support a successful upland hunt and upland game populations make it a prime choice for hunters who appreciate a challenging chase in a classic Western setting stands out as an overlooked destination for woodcock hunting particularly during their peak late winter migration Characterized by dense bottomland hardwoods this vast region offers woodcock the moist forest floors and heavy cover they favor it’s estimated that over half of North America’s woodcock population winters in Louisiana making the state—and especially the Atchafalaya—a woodcock hunter’s paradise during December and January Ideal woodcock habitat here includes areas with thick vegetation and young forests For those navigating this rich but challenging terrain the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries manages several areas within the basin including the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge and Sherburne Wildlife Management Area is renowned for its bobwhite quail hunting often called the “Quail Capital of the World.” The longleaf pine forests and plantation lands are managed specifically for quail offering habitats that support both wild and released birds Many quail plantations here offer guided hunts in the Southern tradition complete with experienced pointers and guides The Georgia Department of Natural Resources also provides public hunting areas in wildlife management lands that are meticulously maintained to support healthy bobwhite populations South Georgia’s quail hunting experience is as much about the culture and traditions of Southern upland hunting as it is about the birds making it a rich experience for any upland hunter offers excellent hunting for chukar and California quail and sagebrush flats provide challenging terrain and suitable habitat for these birds Chukar thrive in Owens Valley’s rocky landscapes while California quail are more abundant in lower Public lands managed by the BLM provide open access making Owens Valley a solid choice for hunters seeking wild The Ruby Mountains in northeastern Nevada offer upland hunters a unique experience Known for its rugged terrain and high elevations the Ruby Mountains attract hunters willing to go vertical Chukar and quail are commonly found at mid- to low-elevations while hunters seeking the Himalayan snowcock must ascend to alpine heights the Rubies’ remote public lands allow for a backcountry hunting experience rarely found elsewhere Preparation is key—bring plenty of water Southern Arizona’s upland hunting opportunities still offer an unparalleled mix of challenging game birds The region is home to three quail species—Gambel’s and the prized Mearns’ quail—each inhabiting distinct landscapes From the mesquite-dotted lowlands to oak-studded highlands in the Coronado National Forest hunters can test their skills in varied environments bolstered by Arizona Game and Fish Department initiatives that open private lands to hunters paired with the region’s mild winter climate provide comfortable and extended upland adventures Taylor University is a place where you can grow professionally and contribute to a vibrant community grounded in Christian values and a commitment to excellence Taylor is known for its strong sense of mission and supportive campus culture.   you'll find opportunities for career development and the chance to positively impact students' lives Taylor University offers a unique environment to advance your career and make a lasting impact.  Every year, Taylor faculty and staff participate in the Best Christian Workplaces employee survey to assess the health of our culture and identify areas for growth. The survey results are used to develop actionable plans that align with the principles of the FLOURISH Model to ensure a thriving Christ-centered environment where employees feel valued and equipped to contribute meaningfully to the University’s mission.  We are proud to be certified as a Best Christian Workplace with our highest employee engagement score ever in 2024 is committed to excellence in all areas of life Hear why our faculty and staff love working here at Taylor You'll enjoy a variety of benefits and perks as a Taylor University employee Learn More You and your family can cheer on the Taylor Trojans at no charge Purchase blocks of meals for the Dining Commons at a discounted rate You'll also have access to other dining locations on campus and use the indoor track at Kesler Student Activities Center and other events for free or at discounted rates We offer competitive medical and insurance plans including an HSA option with employer contributions to help cover healthcare expenses New employees are immediately eligibile for a 6% retirement contribution with a two-year vesting period Receive tuition assistance for you and your family with possible discounts for graduate programs and access to professional development resources Discover the many advantages of living in the town of Upland Explore Upland Taylor University has been a Christ-centered We are in a season of significant renewal and excitement having recently completed a yearlong strategic planning process that drew thousands of supporters deeper into their relationship with the University and leads in the work of faith-learning integration It stands as the oldest non-denominational school within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).  Each member of Taylor’s dedicated faculty and staff is devoted to the intellectual and spiritual formation of students—in classrooms and residence halls on the athletic turf and performance stage and we are grateful for the movement of God here we’ve been intentional with creating spaces and time for our community to grow closer to God but the outcomes are all because of Him.  and staff have professed belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior This builds a unique campus community where shared values and commitments strengthen faith and intellectual development Students hold each other accountable in their commitment to grow spiritually which offers the opportunity to form mentoring and discipling relationships with students.  All this creates a community like no other: a place where you are seen and valued, encouraged and challenged to grow, and engaged in life-giving work Lot 15 is designated as part of the “West Boat Yard.” GPIP board members want to take a hard look at how best to use that property which is due to come online by the end of May Board members of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park agreed at their most recent meeting (4-17-25) to give short-term tenants until September 30 to move out in order to bring in long-term leaseholders involved in the marine services industry The largest tract available to support the boat yard – lot 15 – is currently in use as storage The board anticipates more substantial investment as the community’s long-awaited boat haulout enters service next month director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association said thoughtful development of lot 15 and surrounding property would give locals a stake in the yard in the event things fell through with Kodiak-based Highmark Marine which last month won the bid to operate Sitka’s new haulout “If we get to the point when this contract is over with Highmark or it gets pulled back for some reason that we really have all the options on the table a full understanding of what revenue can be generated from the yard and what it might look like to have a different operating model out there,” said Behnken Park director Garry White agreed that it was time to focus on priorities as the budget for Phase 1 construction of the haulout is almost spent “I think there are higher and better uses,” said White shown in front of the boat in the haul out or  invest in being able to get over to lot 15 He encouraged the board to have a work session with the public to iron out some of the details that will make the new haulout functional in the near term Local boatwright Mike Nurco actively opposed Highmark’s proposal to run the haulout He did want to know a) where the bathrooms would be located and b) where companies like his could become established and offset the competitive advantage that he believed had been given to Highmark  “To level the playing field for the vendors – I think the deck is stacked towards Highmark already – I would like to see where the vendor space can be and I would really like to see that move forward,” said Nurco because that’s the lifeblood of the yard it’s very important to get the vendors out there with a wide array of services.” The park board supported the idea of long-term leases – comparable in length to bank loans – which could generate the type of investment they were looking for said that he anticipated spending $500,000 on a structure to house his business Park director Garry White said long-term leases would generate the revenue the park needed to support the upland development of Phase 2 of the boat yard The lengthy discussions that have led to this point inspired Chris Hanson to organize local interests into a Marine Trades Association “This whole process taught me that if you don’t have a seat at the table at the beginning you’re not going to get one mid midterm,” said Hanson “So I think what we need to do is just advocate for the trades as a group Or have a mouthpiece for the trades themselves The new travelift for the haulout – the $1.4 million-dollar vehicle that lifts boats out of the water and sets them down in the yard – is en route to Sitka Municipal engineer Michael Harmon said this expense had been missed Paying for a crane to erect the travelift will take the project’s contingency fund down to $97,000 The haulout is scheduled to be operational by May 30 KCAW Prize Drawings: click on the links for rules and winner info Come!” Choni yelled with excitement across the field to me as he held tightly to a makeshift check cord—a weathered rope that was tied around the neck of a lumbering English pointer the dog pulled at the Argentinian while Choni pointed with his freehand toward the opposite side of the field Te’o, his German shorthaired pointer was locked up on point in the middle of a stubble wheat field 40 yards from us Surely a bird wasn’t hanging in that short stubble But I was far from my home in Utah and hunting a bucket list bird behind seasoned Argentinian bird hunters and their gun dogs and I rushed to keep up with Choni and the pointer who too had seen Te’o on point and was anxious to get to him The wind was ripping on that sunny day in the countryside of northern Argentina It was the fastest moving upland bird I had ever laid eyes on—the roaring wind sped up its flush even more The bird flew to safety long before I could raise my gun Choni turned to me with a large grin spread across his face and pointed with pride to Te’o we understood the universal sign language shared between gun dog owners Pointing with gusto to the liver and white GSP The Toyota Hilux jolted as we shifted into low gear turning off the paved highway onto a dirt road windowless stone houses with dirt floors could be seen—a stark difference from the cement high rises of Buenes Aires Clothes lines were hung between the dwellings with the day’s laundry drying in the cool winter air Mopeds blanketed with dust sat parked out front while giggling children chased each other barefoot through the dirt We were driving through the remote countryside outside of Santiago Del Estero The first city founded by the Spanish settlers some 455 years ago Santiago Del Estero is a jump off point for sportsmen and women looking to hunt the remote agricultural landscape of Argentina for doves The beautiful and modern lodge of Cerro Indio Safaris sits just between Santiago Del Estero and Fernandez in the heart of a sportsman’s paradise the Toyota rolled past a young gaucho atop an unshod bay horse while a red bandana protected his neck from the midday sun.We had left the city behind for the land of agriculture and livestock The land was pocketed with fields of alfalfa and cotton cultivated by working class Argentinian farmers and stock yards filled with herds of cattle Famous for the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires The country itself boasts one of the greatest ecosystem varieties in the world and is well-known for its rich soil making the country an agricultural gold mine Argentina ranks high in the world for producing numerous different crops for exportation The cattle industry plays a major role in the culture of Argentina with the country being the fifth largest producer of beef in the world migratory horsemen adept at cattle work and livestock farming are a folk symbol of the country; while asados or social barbeques where meat is cooked over an open flame The country is also known for its vast hunting opportunities ranging from stag in the southern province of Patagonia to the prized perdiz which are native to the grasslands surrounding Buenos Aires “Perdiz” is simply Spanish for “partridge.” They are a native upland bird to Argentina and come in a variety of differing sizes The spotted tinamou is the most common of the perdiz found in the country and it is a prized species for Argentinian hunters the spotted tinamou is close in size to the Hungarian partridge spotted tinamou prefer to run rather than flush hoping you will walk past them—which is easy to do thanks to their feather coloring offering a natural camouflage The species is known to thrive in low lying grasslands They are unique in the fact that they only covey up at night spreading out during the day to feed individually hunters typically will have a shot at one very fast flying upland bird “There are two species of perdiz in this area,” explained Roberto Zovich Cerro Indio Safaris co-owner and avid upland hunter “We most likely will find just manchado (spotted) but possibly the larger montaraz as well.” stood shaking with anticipation on the tailgate of the Toyota as he outfitted her with a Dogtra Training and Beeper collar we had stopped in a village to pick up Churi and his two bird dogs Te’o and Sultan were roaming around the streets in front of their home before loading up into the tailgate on command Churi fixed the makeshift check cord around Sultan’s neck while Te’o would go collarless for the adventure To say I was excited to hunt behind gun dogs in a foreign country is an understatement We had been dove hunting the previous days standing stationary for long hours shooting at the zippy birds it is common to have a Labrador at heel for retrieves on doves come September 1st The sheer number of doves that live and are taken in the area is tenfold compared to the states—far too many birds to retrieve to run dogs human field assistants (commonly referred to as “bird boys”) are used leaving out the beloved pastime of having a good bird dog by your side The perro perdicero (bird dogs) are reserved for perdiz hunting a favored hobby for hunters in South America pointing breeds are preferred over flushers—with pointers and setters being the favored breeds in Argentina the bird dogs are to work close and methodical since perdiz are found in singles instead of large coveys that give off a ton of scent the dogs lead the way towards an alfalfa field surrounded by thick grasslands—a prime spot for upland birds while Lola headed down the center of the short alfalfa We hadn’t hiked more than five minutes when the old girl stopped on a dime Rather than standing tall with her tail pointed at the noon hour She was pointing in cover that was no more than eight inches high Before we could get close enough for a shot giving us our first sight of a spotted tinamou on the wing Seeing my surprise at where the bird had been feeding “They can conceal themselves easily in the short grass,” he explained Here!) the handlers would say to the dogs if they ventured too far Lola’s nose combed the ground before again stopping this time pointing into the thick cover at the edge of the field The report of my shotgun broke the silence pride bursting from his face as his old pointer brought to hand the bird his nose pointing to a standalone bush in the thick cover The stark white pointer with an orange mask was sure a perdiz was hunkered down in there The sun beat down on my neck as I made my way through the thick This cover was starkly different than what we had hunted the previous day for perdiz it was similar to the uplands I was used to while the warm-blooded Argentinian looked relaxed with a warn wool sweater draped over his shoulders Carlos had met us at the field that afternoon excitedly shaking my hand and introducing me to Moro Seasoned was right: Moro had expertly found and held steady perdiz after perdiz The lone bird he had pinned down flushed from the brush into the bright blue sky before folding with my shot Moro was on the retrieve before I could think twice The bird held gently in his mouth was larger than my first perdiz confirming we had stumbled into territory holding the larger montaraz This bird looked very similar to the spotted tinamou only more the size of a hen pheasant compared to a Hun Its beak was curved and elongated compared to its smaller brethren as opposed to the smooth feathers of the spotted tinamou My quest to hunt over sporting dogs in a foreign country was complete Carlos clapped me on the back in congratulations as I admired the birds back at the truck My instincts were to grab Moro and hug the tired bird dog “May I take a photo with Moro?” I asked Carlos clearly proud of the work the pointer had produced for us that day marveling in the past days spent hunting behind fine bird dogs for a bucket list bird Carlos pointed to my hat and pointed to Moro and I removed my cap and handed it to the upland hunter “A fine gun dog!” I said to the Argentinian as he replaced his old hunting cap with his new one Hunting doves in Argentina requires good ammo and a shotgun that can handle firing hundreds of rounds without failure and Fiocchi's Field Dynamics Upland Steel Loads Skeptical at first about shooting a 12-ga for hundreds of rounds and the impact on my shoulder and its weight and D.R.I.V gas system helped significantly cut down on felt recoil Not once did I need to add a shoulder shooting pad as is often recommended for South American dove hunts The semi-auto carried well in the upland fields and its lightning-fast cyclic rate was ideal for the fast-flying perdiz 1349; savagearms.com we turned to Fiocchi and their Field Dynamics Upland Steel loads Carefully designed wads help to keep tight patterns while top-grade powder ensures reliable cycling The loads shoot a blistering 1,330 to 1,400 fps—perfect for perdiz $20; fiocchiusa.com Subscribe Now Get everything Gun Dog has to offer. What's Included Subscribe Now Already a subscriber? Sign In or start your online account See All From Recipes See All From Gun Dog See All From Gear All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine Get Digital Access Gun Dog Premium is the go-to choice for sporting dog owners and upland hunting enthusiasts Go Premium to recieve the follwing benefits: Subscribe Now Already a subscriber? Sign In or Start your online account Subscribe Now Already a subscriber? Sign In or Start your online account This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting its annual art contest to select the design for the state’s 2024-2025 upland game bird stamp The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S excluding current and former CDFW employees The 2024-2025 stamp will feature the white-winged dove The white-winged dove is slightly larger and a bit more plump than the mourning dove These brown-gray doves have a white edge to their folded wing and a dark cheek line The iris of an adult is red and is set off by a brilliant blue “eyeshadow” this dove surprises with white-tipped outer tail feathers while the white coverts become a flashy mid-wing stripe standing boldly against its dark primary feathers White-winged doves now commonly breed in the arid southern desert region of the state between April and August Though they are regular visitors in agricultural communities their occurrence here is thought to be recent and in part supported by the filling of the Salton Sea White-winged doves mostly overwinter in Mexico and Central America and play an important ecological role in aiding the pollination of the giant saguaro cactus While the doves utilize the fruit and nectar of the cactus they also aid the cactus in distributing its seeds Entries must include at least one white-winged dove preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology The winning artist will be selected during a judging event in December For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation an order form is also available on the website For contest information and entry forms, visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp M&A Seminar on Preparing Your Company for Sale Presented by Maslon LLP and Northborne Partners The Upland Tech Center at 8145 and 8160 Upland Circle in Chanhassen sold for $4.5 million to local investors as a 1031 exchange investment (Submitted photo: AREA Commercial Real Estate) Just Sold: Upland Tech Center draws $4.5 million Lakeville Court Apartments sold for $6.83M as affordability rules near expiration After a modest $4.5 million debut acquisition in February Buhl Investors’ new income fund has picked up som[...] Two Maple Grove properties sell for $9M following an unsolicited offer including a business center and a manu[...] Peter have struggled for years with its cramped After more than a year of discussions with local business folks and city leaders in New Ulm A small group of private investors has paid $6.85 million for the 65-room Country Inn & Suites-Baxter Sign up for your daily digest of Minnesota News Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parkin[...] will break ground this summer on The Dorian a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo af[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a [...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from Pre[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Ur[...] construction job openings dropped by 38,000 in March signaling slowing labor demand amid tarif[...] Trump's trade demands stretch beyond tariffs Performance contracting helps governments and schools cut energy costs is now an official city after a local vote 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As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today. Delaware County lawmakers sent a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday asking him to “leave no stone unturned in holding” Crozer Health’s owner accountable we talk to the people involved in cases of detention and deportation and explain sanctuary status and changing immigration policies in our region Michelle Zajko’s denial was part of a 20-page handwritten “Open Letter to the World” her attorney provided to The Associated Press on Tuesday Kenny Cooper is WHYY’s suburban reporter covering Chester and Delaware counties Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. with one of the most rugged landscapes in the union offers a ton of upland game bird hunting opportunities Whether you find yourself in the high-mountain timber or the lowland-sagebrush steppe there’s a good chance you’re in upland bird country Upland game birds are sensitive to environmental factors—like temperature and precipitation—and often vary in number from year to year so hunters may not see the same impact in other parts of the state it’s difficult to provide a forecast across the board; however Idaho Fish and Game Upland Game and Migratory Game Bird Coordinator Jeff Knetter says temperature and precipitation during the nesting season were very similar to last year and could be beneficial for upland bird populations this fall "Weather during late spring and early summer were quite similar to the previous two years there was more precipitation coming into the nesting season and it was a bit warmer this year,” Knetter said “These conditions provided quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat but early reports suggest many species fared better than anticipated.” birds will likely be concentrated around water sources Many upland game bird populations rebounded in 2023 and there should be carryover into the fall 2024 season Habitat conditions should be in good shape and there should be an abundance of insects for brood-rearing There's ample opportunity for upland hunters to pursue a wide variety of birds across diverse landscapes in Idaho and upland birds in some areas will have fared better than others depending on localized conditions To provide an idea of what's available this hunting season Fish and Game's wildlife biologists in each region compiled an overview of upland game birds in their necks of the woods so hunters can get a look at their favorite areas and quarry To find places to hunt upland game, check out the Hunting Access webpage which includes Fish and Game's Wildlife Management Areas and Access Yes To learn about upland game bird hunting rules and seasons, and more information, see Fish and Game's Upland Bird Hunting webpage. Be sure to pick up a copy of the 2024-25 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules booklet from all Fish and Game offices and license vendors, as well as digitally on Fish and Game’s website Spring conditions were relatively cool across the region Adequate spring and summer moisture should have allowed for good brood conditions and quail are uncommon and largely restricted to the southern portions of the region Here’s more information about the Panhandle Region. An early and mild spring brought fair nesting and brood-rearing conditions for upland game birds snow was quickly receding from lower elevations Abnormally warm and dry conditions prompted early growth of forbs and grasses providing quality forages during early summer Despite drier than normal conditions this year upland game birds fared well across the Clearwater upland hunters should expect another year of good-to-excellent upland bird hunting across the Clearwater Region Here’s more information about the Clearwater Region. wet weather prior to peak hatch and increased early summer precipitation have created excellent brood conditions for nearly all upland bird species in the Southwest Region and chukar have been observed across the region with successful second broods Forest grouse should be good this year due to continued good recruitment in 2023 upland hunting should be good to excellent across the Southwest Region Here’s more information about the Southwest Region. Average winter precipitation and good spring weather created great habitat conditions for upland game birds throughout the region Fish and Game field staff are reporting high numbers of quail and partridge across the region compared to recent years Pheasants are well below the long-term average due to continued habitat loss; however localized areas in Jerome and Gooding counties still offer decent opportunity Surveys are not conducted for forest grouse but these species are somewhat buffered from drought and other unfavorable conditions because forbs and insects tend to persist longer in higher-elevation habitats.  birds will likely be concentrated around water and food sources While the mix of both good and bad conditions for upland game birds over the past several years has made it difficult to forecast numbers in the fall it is expected that several game bird populations have increased from 2023 and will be above the 10-year average Here’s more information about the Magic Valley Region. Winter conditions across the Southeast Region were essentially average—some areas with slightly over 100% snow water equivalent and some with slightly less Spring brought good rainfall across the region and intermittent rains have occurred throughout August Conditions for nesting and brood rearing should have been good in the early summer Field reports are mixed across the region: In general hunters should expect slightly increased numbers of upland birds this year when compared to last Here’s more information about the Southeast Region. Winter snow conditions in the Upper Snake Region were near the long-term average. Cool spring temperatures allowed snow to persist into the early portion of the breeding season at some of the higher elevations particularly in the eastern portion of the region which is experiencing moderate drought conditions as of late August Here’s more information about the Upper Snake Region. Spring conditions were dry and relatively warm and likely resulted in good nest success across the landscape With a couple years of milder weather conditions the trend for most upland game bird populations should be upward Here’s more information about the Salmon Region. Buy Licenses Hunt Planner Hunter Ed Fishing Planner IFWF Hunt Report Report Wildlife Crime Volunteer! Report Roadkill Upland Brewing Company has created something for not only beer lovers but also people who don't think they enjoy beer And beer aficionados who want a special brew have a new reason to stop into one of Upland's locations Upland is calling it their Taproom Exclusives Program There's a beer that can be brewed for anyone's taste "We want to offer a spectrum of styles at our restaurants and breweries," Wisley explained But offering that spectrum doesn't mean producing large quantities to sell at grocery and liquor stores Upland's restaurants have up to 20 taps for brews including the sours created at the Bloomington 11th Street location Wisley and other Upland officials noticed small batch offerings are popular and decided to expand the company's program "We want our tap rooms and our restaurants to have enough beers that people can find something they like," Wisley said Upland locations had two dedicated draft lines to pouring small-batch brews with one or two new batches introduced each month Now Upland's restaurants and brewpub will have four dedicated taps for small-batch brews The small batches will be exclusive to the Upland locales and will not be sold wholesale Wisley expects Upland to have produced more than 30 small-batch beers Some of the more popular small-batches will be sold in 16-ounce cans at Upland locations He anticipates five or six styles will be available for carryout "People like to go into a brewery and like to see new things on tap There's lots of different beer drinkers out there Since Upland has multiple locations in Bloomington Jeffersonville and the Indianapolis metro area it's able to rotate through different kegs Another first: Upland Brewing unveils new brand, adds its first product; changes at farm stop, food trucks "About 80% of our beers are not chosen by me," Wisley said adding most Upland beers have 15-20 people involved in the creative process This program allows employees in the breweries the packing crew and the lab to give their input "It gives them a chance to learn about different styles of beer," Wisley said adding participating can be part of employee professional development at the same time Besides getting input from employees, Upland is seeking customer feedback. That will help determine which beers will be scaled up for more production, Wisley said. Patrons can go online to uplandbeer.com/taproom-exclusive-beers/ to give feedback on specific beers or suggest new ones Food Truck Wednesdays is canceledFood trucks are popular in Bloomington and beyond Ellettsville's Food Truck Wednesdays aren't coming back in 2025 Food Truck Wednesdays began in 2018 on Sale Street in downtown Ellettsville COVID interrupted the weekly events in 2020 In 2024, Food Truck Wednesdays moved to Marci Jane Lewis Park, but even at the new location it wasn't busy enough to sustain, according to Jordan Davis, who oversees Food Truck Fridays in Bloomington Food Truck Fridays will start the 2025 season in April at Switchyard Park in Bloomington Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com Many states offer opportunities to hunt upland and waterfowl in a single day The four of us scratched out a handful of sharptails but between the drought-withered cover and strafing west winds that put distant birds on edge and then on the wing Nebraska’s Sandhills were a graduate degree in upland hunting last fall and on a remote Sandhills pothole surprisingly full of water we soothed the sting of twitchy sharptails and prairie chickens with limits of teal and wigeon that blitzed our handful of decoys at double-speed As we plucked teal back and sipped rye at our wall-tent camp a mini village of canvas under the twisting limbs of prairie cottonwoods my hunting buddies and I talked about the specific gift of double limits Each of us had our nominations for those places that can produce a fulsome morning of waterfowling followed by an afternoon of upland hunting each of us shot frequent commiserating glances at our dogs Maybe these two-timing spots are places for a young dog steering the conversation toward the idea of versatility Who among us hasn’t wondered what our dogs and good friends—all the ingredients of a legendary day Here are a half-dozen spots where you really can have it all I’ll start this roster with the familiar: The 2 million acres of tallgrass prairie and sand-bunker ponds that define a full quarter of the Cornhusker State. The bejeweled center of this empire of grass and sky is the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge a 71,000-acre wetlands complex in north-central Nebraska This is a wonderful spot to base your waterfowl journey and upland hunting possibility radiates out from this hub Forest Service are scattered to the south of the Valentine NWR and thousands of private acres are enrolled in Nebraska Game & Parks’ walk-in hunting program which includes 1.2 million acres of high-quality wildlife habitat across the state The agency administers an excellent interactive Public Access Atlas that can help plan a trip to this delightfully remote Both sharptails and greater prairie chickens are the upland headliners The two species apparently segregate themselves you’ll find sharptails west of a midline in Cherry County (by far just south of Valentine) through Grant and Arthur counties you’ll encounter both prairie grouse and sharptails And in riparian zones all the way south to Interstate 80 You may even encounter bonus wild turkeys near patches of prairie timber Waterfowl are largely where you find them but note that this is an early season game The Sandhills lakes and potholes are generally shallow and they’ll freeze up by early November Plan a trip here in late September or early October when the local ducks—a mix of greenwing and bluewing teal plus wigeon and shovelers—roost on predictable waters and you hunt here during a cold front of early November these ponds and shallow lakes can fill overnight with migrating northern birds you won’t care if the grouse cooperated If you miss the waterfowl migration through Nebraska, you can travel northwest to intercept birds that will short-stop on the Missouri and Yellowstone river systems in eastern Montana These big waters have enough ice-free habitat to convince birds from moving south even when the winter turns tough The caveat is that a heavy snow that covers riverside grain fields can push birds on but the usual combination of light snowfall and abundant grain makes the northeast corner of Montana a great double-dipping destination long after the early season grouse hordes have moved on The center of the action is on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation a 2-million-acre homeland of the Sioux and Assiniboine people Much of the reservation land is leased to non-tribal farmers and the wheat that grows on benches north of the Missouri River will provide enough remnant grain to sustain geese through November—a fact that is doubly or triply true in falls following July and August hailstorms that ruin the crops to the extent that farmers leave the shattered grain in the field Honkers are quick to find this waste grain and will often feed in the same fields for weeks the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam can provide great action from mid-morning through late afternoon Riverside alfalfa and grain fields are full of ringnecked pheasants Access is generally very good—one of the benefits of hunting the reservation is that because commercial outfitting is prohibited there’s very little leasing—and bird numbers are excellent in thermal cover like cattails and Russian olive stands You’ll need a separate tribal hunting license for upland and waterfowl hunting Montana residents pay about half that amount This mention could just as easily extend east to Wisconsin but “The Chip,” as locals call Minnesota’s largest national forest has both the consistency of opportunity and magnitude of land required to make it a first-order double-dipping destination Let’s look at ruffed grouse action first The national forest manages nearly 300 miles of non-motorized trails that bisect some of the Northwoods’ best grouse cover The most popular of these routes—around Leech but check out the Forest Service’s map and scout for remote or brambly looking portage routes Those will produce mixed bags of ruffies and woodcocks and hunting the remote hardwoods can be so productive that smart double dippers will pack a canoe floating the flowages in the afternoon and jumping woodies that will depart this cold country by early November Texas is an unassuming Panhandle crossroads The county-seat town of about 2,000 wind-bitten souls serves a great steak at the Old Bank Saloon and you can catch some excellent Texas 2A football on Friday nights at Indian Stadium on the Red River that defines the border with Oklahoma nearly every migrating sandhill crane on the continent gathers in squawking multitudes making Quanah the seat of an empire of bird hunting Islands in the river or in accessible fields in either state can produce limits of tasty cranes For river hunters who care to hunt the myriad islands in the braided river—watch for quicksand and gators—a mix of mallards Public hunting opportunities in Texas are notoriously slim, but the Oklahoma side of the river has some decent options for both bobwhite quail and a few scaled quail The large tracts of Sooner State public land are well-known and well-used these volcanic flats and arid scarps that rise away from the Columbia River in eastern Washington Riparian ribbons hold valley quail and the occasional rooster and the rocky uplands hold quantities of chukar that can rival those of Hells Canyon and the Asotin Hills to the south Upland hunting is largely managed through Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s walk-in hunting program and can produce good quail and chukar action in river-breaks habitat away from high-traffic areas There’s decent waterfowling on the wildlife areas purchased to offset wildlife habitat losses associated with the construction and operation of the Columbia River’s big hydroelectric dams The better duck and goose hunting is on the big river and winter wheat fields just off the Snake and Columbia rivers will descend on the Scablands ahead of cold fronts that move them south from interior British Columbia you can intercept Pacific Flyway birds—the number of mallards has been especially high in the last few years—that will settle on small impoundments and open stretches of the Yakima River and pass shooting can all produce steady shooting This last mention will stretch the definition of a single destination but the variety of duck hunting along Louisiana’s wild coastline will probably keep you in waders if you want to stretch your legs and your shooting there’s decent hunting for woodcock in the cane breaks off the coast affectionately called timberdoodles or scolopax (it means “little lover of swamps and bogs”) by locals can change up your action after the hot shooting and heavy straps of coastal wetlands The Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area is a good place to start both pursuits where internal combustion engines are prohibited the Atchafalaya is a swampy wilderness where pirogue-paddling hunters can scratch out canvasbacks Other WMAs to consider are Pass a Loutre at the mouth of the Mississippi River Each of these big public areas can produce woodcock as well as mixed bags of ducks walk closed roads that thread through a mix of honey locust and pay special attention to those areas with trumpet creeper the climbing vine that makes these low woods look slightly gothic but they require soft soils for rooting out worms so if you’re in rocky or shell-shoal areas Already a subscriber? Sign In or start your online account Maybe I’m the only one who’s noticed this There seems to be more young people out there following dogs and carrying guns than there used to be when I stumble across a hunter I don’t already know—either in the field or through a personal or on-line connection—it’s quite likely to be a young person or a young couple And I don’t mean just people younger than me—that would be too easy I mean actual young people—less than 50-years old or so And these aren’t just temporary enthusiasts spawned by Covid The standard or “traditional” way people get into bird hunting with dogs is by growing up in a family where hunting is part of the routine It’s most often males that do this I suppose but that was of no concern to Deanna Witwer and started to shoot and learn about hunting with dogs with her father before she was a teenager “I went out with Dad mostly to watch the dogs at first but I took a hunter training course and learned about gun safety I shot my first bird—a sharptail—over a point from our Brittany She passed the passion on to her husband shortly after they met they have a three-year-old Britt and a year-old GSP “I like that it connects me to land—places I get to know and become familiar with but that are still constantly changing and offer a different experience every time,” she says “The walking takes me out of my head and into my body and gives space for reflection and presence The dog-work connects me to another creature I love and who knows me The birds remind me of the heritage they hold on the land and the many generations of people who have watched them and hunted them Maybe that’s all a bit high-sounding but connection and place are probably the real roots of why I love it Doing it with people I love is the cherry on top as well as having goofy dogs as companions for the other things in life too.” Ben Fretz is a breeder of German wire-haired pointers and Hungarian wire-haired vizslas He’s also a pro trainer of all pointing dog breeds so I asked him about the demographics of his clients and if he thought there were more young people in the sport now than previously people choose a pup from a sporting breed and then find themselves curious about seeing the dog do what it was bred to do and that’s when they’re exposed to the bird-finding part and ultimately the shooting part of the equation Quite a few of these folks jump in with both feet and end up trialing or hunting or both Hunting used to start with the gun and progress to the dog but these days it often happens the other way around.” Darcy Toner and Timbre Pringle are in their 40s and might have been a more-or-less standard “new-age” outdoor couple that enjoyed hiking but with no connection to fishing or hunting other than Darcy’s brother Fly fishing led them into a photography business called Faceless Fly Fishing for whom they provide authentic photos of the fly-fishing experience One of the early pushes toward bird hunting came from Orvis’s Charlie Perkins at a company fly-fishing event “We were in the bar after a session and he just started telling us about it and said that we’d really enjoy it,” Darcy recalls “I liked the idea because it seemed to have a mystique similar to fly fishing that fit with my desire to become proficient in the outdoors.” I was hesitant about the killing part of hunting until Darcy showed me a video about the lives—and deaths—of chickens at a commercial poultry operation That made me feel better about obtaining some of our food by hunting “We took the plunge and hunted for a year without a dog we met a new friend who helped with gun fitting and gave us some instruction at the local gun club He clearly knew what he was doing and recognized our frustration and took us for a short hunt with his dog The connection between him and the dog drew us in completely.” Today they hunt every weekend of the season a stunning four-year old liver Brittany named North they’re finding that young people wishing to take up hunting are now contacting them “We hunt with people in their ‘70s and people in their ‘20s,” says Timbre “And we’ve had young people shoot their first birds with us.” Timbre’s and Darcy’s obsession with dogs and birds is complete: “Now when I drive by a piece of bird cover I do pretty much the same thing I do when I cross a trout stream,” Darcy says I bet there are some birds in there…” Already a subscriber? Sign In or start your online account View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250310945212/en/ Already have an account? Login the final Vans Pool Party at the legendary Combi Pool in Orange County marking the end of an incredible era.  However, what many may not realize, is that the Combi in OC was actually a tribute to the original monster bowl that once resided at Upland Skatepark back in the late ’70s and ’80s. And who better to give us a little history lesson on this iconic concrete beast than Tony Hawk himself?  Like a handful of OGs and legends alike, The Birdman skated both versions of the Combi over the years and I'm stoked he took a moment to reflect on the significance of the original pool and the impact it had on skateboarding as a whole Leave it to Tony to connect the dots between past and present (all while sharing insights only someone like him could offer) "As we bid farewell to the iconic Vans Combi bowl in Orange (1998-2025) I would like to pay my respects to the original Combi in Upland and hugely rewarding once you found the lines Here I am navigating both structures nearly 30 years apart My scarred knees will continue to remind me of the times we had And thanks to Vans for keeping the dream alive as long as possible." Not to mention all the rad stories and memories from some of skateboarding's heaviest hitters but those memories will last forever.  Oh, and in case you're wondering about the thumbnail image, that's a classic J. Grant Brittain photo of Tony skating the Upland Combi in 1983. Signed prints are still available, just FYI! Get yours here This is what Grant had to say about this timeless image: "I just dug out this unpublished Tony Hawk frontside air—shot in 1983 in the Combi Pool at the Upland Pipeline Skatepark I shot it with my Minolta SRT-201 and a Minolta Rokkor 20mm lens." Shoutout Tony for the trip down memory lane By Brian Blakely is a Writer for TransWorld SKATEboarding Plans to enhance Grant County’s economic development while addressing its significant housing shortage received another boost through a $1.75 million grant from the recent expansion of the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0) The grant has been pre-committed to Taylor University and 1846 Enterprises as part of the $100 million Main Street Mile Initiative that is revitalizing the Town of Upland Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg visited Upland to celebrate the grant announcement and take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking The grant will fund the extension of Ivanhoe's Drive and related utilities in the Kershner Commons neighborhood adding 22 single-family homesites and making way for future development on adjacent land but that new employees and others struggle to find housing nearby “We often hear from people who are looking for housing in Upland Adding these homes opens up new opportunities to invite people to participate in our community and it brings in the population we need to support local businesses.” work is already underway to secure necessary approvals and prepare construction documents for the neighborhood expansion with homesites available for reservation after the first of the year Governor Eric J. Holcomb established the now $1.25 billion READI program in 2021 and it has since been nationally recognized for its success which was part of the governor’s 2023 Next Level Agenda and approved by the Indiana General Assembly allocates another $500 million to regions across the state to accelerate shovel-ready projects and programs that are expected to transform Indiana communities attract talent and improve quality of life for Hoosiers in the short and long term Upland is part of the READI East Central Indiana region – led by the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership – that was awarded $50 million in READI 1.0 and READI 2.0 quality of place and quality of opportunity projects across Blackford are designed to accelerate economic growth regional prosperity and population growth through investments in quality of life and education and opportunity.   expressed his gratitude to Secretary Rosenberg for the READI program “Taylor is thriving with new growth and record enrollment We’re very grateful for Indiana’s partnership with us through this critical funding.” Dr Lindsay reaffirmed Taylor’s commitment as a supporter of READI 2.0’s three-pronged mandate for Upland and beyond: improve the quality of life The Ivanhoe’s Drive extension is the most recent development in the largest series of revitalization projects in the history of Upland Governor Eric Holcomb joined community and academic leaders for a groundbreaking for a pedestrian connection that will link downtown Upland and the business district with Taylor University’s campus This complements an ongoing $18 million INDOT project to rebuild more than a mile of Main Street beginning in downtown Upland and extending to Taylor’s campus The revamped corridor is only the beginning Over the next five years this town of just 750 households will be a beehive of new development Upcoming projects include a boutique collegiate hotel 231-557-9101Andrea@UplandMainStreet.org Upland Police have released detailed information regarding a January 12 officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of 36-year-old Steven Espinoza The incident began at an apartment complex on the 1300 block of W and ended half a mile away in a residential area on the 800 block of N Authorities have addressed misinformation circulating online and clarified key details using body-worn camera footage Officers responded to the apartment complex at 9:58 a.m after Espinoza’s sister reported he was under the influence of fentanyl “This is an ongoing thing and I’ve had enough He said he was going to hold us and himself hostage.” Espinoza exited the apartment and got into his vehicle Police say Espinoza led them on a brief pursuit along Foothill Blvd. cutting through a Chevron gas station before his car rolled over He then fled on foot in a nearby residential area Officers repeatedly instructed Espinoza to remove his hands from his pockets as they pursued him Body-worn camera footage shows officers giving these commands at least seven times before the situation escalated further Espinoza continued reaching into his waistband citing the immediate threat posed to public safety and responding officers Espinoza succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident The video below was released by Upland Police Department featuring officer body worn camera footage have led to public speculation and false claims he could not control his body and was jerking around with electricity while the police were also telling him not to move so they shot him for not obeying commands.” Another commenter “I think that was so messed up when they had already tasered him but Upland PD has been doing a lot of dirty stuff on the streets and getting away with it.” Upland Police have directly addressed these claims emphasizing that body-worn camera footage confirms a taser was never deployed “The sound heard in the video that some believe is from a taser is from the suspect’s overturned vehicle,” the department stated the footage shows Espinoza running through the residential area with knives in his pockets He was given at least seven verbal commands to remove his hands from his pockets Espinoza repeatedly reached into his waistband prompting officers to escalate to lethal force after less-lethal methods proved ineffective Blanco reinforced the department’s commitment to transparency “Our goal is to be transparent with our community and share as much information as possible when critical incidents occur without compromising the active investigation.” a known affiliate of the Black Angels gang—a prevalent gang in Ontario for over 60 years—had a lengthy criminal history his sister warned that Espinoza was likely to be combative which aligned with his actions during the incident The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting independent investigations into the incident Upland Police are also conducting an administrative review to ensure compliance with department policies Police emphasized that their use of force was a last resort after Espinoza posed an immediate threat to public safety and repeatedly ignored commands Authorities have pledged to provide additional updates as investigations progress KGET 17 News Upland family arrested for retail theft at the Colonies Bakersfield hit-and-run suspect turned himself in after crash Lakeside Union School District Grand Jury Report flags concerns Looking at the behind-the-scenes technology behind 911 calls States with the most strict DUI laws - info from Nolo 1 dead at construction site in west Bakersfield Digital Addiction: The time spent in front of cellphone screens has 'rewired' modern childhood Upland will be welcoming new housing options on Second Street called the Haven on 2nd Street.  The new housing is 28 apartments half a mile from campus New hires at Taylor University are unable to find houses in Upland and end up living in surrounding communities who want to live in Upland but can't find a house just because there aren't enough available,” he said “So they end up in surrounding communities.” The new housing is being built to account for this who is also the listing agent for these homes.  Juniors Luke Beukelman and Kate Pfaff saw the need for more homes in the community and wanted to help.  Pfaff said she and Beukelman heard there were problems for professors trying to find housing in Upland near Taylor They serve as the managers for Haven on 2nd Street Pfaff said this means they help connect interested parties to the real estate agent They also help with any issues tenants have.  The two then sat down with their families to discuss whether or not a project like this would be realistic.  Pfaff said their parents are supporting them in this process serving as investors and the owners of the land “[The parents] really only wanted to do it if we were wanting to do it just as a learning experience for me and Luke,” Pfaff said.  The apartments are built on land that used to belong to Taylor University It used to be home to the university’s only off-campus housing: Fairlane apartments.  There will be seven buildings with four apartments in each building One apartment building is already finished The buildings are set to finish in increments This means a new building will be finished every four to six weeks after the previous one.  you'll see one building has cars in front of it and then others look in various stages of the building process,” Moser said.  Of the one buildings are already finished; three of the four available units are rented.  “We have three out of four available units already full and they were just available as of last week,” Moser said The construction of the homes is being handled by Barkley Builders Incorporated a company that serves northeast Indiana in building residential and commercial projects.    Helping people move in with the continued construction has been a complex process “There's dealing with the builder’s timeline and then the utilities getting installed and connected those sorts of things and just making sure all that syncs up,” Moser said “So now it's a combination of trying to fill the units that are available while also still finishing the project The apartments have a Facebook page people can visit for updates Those interested in the houses can contact him at 765-6718-7408.                                              Even if you can’t migrate like a duck when winter’s icy grip takes hold you can change locales and hedge your bets when hunting your favorite upland species Or is it sometimes more a “mental migration?” a savvy hunter can find a starting point in almost any habitat your own priorities are often similar to a game bird’s Start by looking at the spot where most of your brag-worthy pictures are taken you know where cozy roosting cover beckons and food sources are abundant If you’re wearing granddad’s plaid wool coat Is there still vegetative or topographic structure to shelter them from wind start at your favorite place and think in concentric circles Then drill again—this time literally—kicking up snow to see what the ground offers in the way of seeds Look to bare branches for remnant berries and buds as birds don’t want to get too far from comfort and safety gnarled branches reaching for the sky and holding fruit long into January Remember that some game birds have evolved over the millennia to adjust to food sources by the season (Gut bacteria change in some grouse so they can digest fir needles in winter.)  We talk a good game about opening crops of shot birds it can make the difference between a birdless day and a personal limit (however you define that) Changing or temporary conditions—from wind sneaking up your pant legs to hard freezes that turn snow into an impenetrable barrier—affect bird behavior or hunker close to sheltering rocks to conserve a few precious degrees of warmth For a critter that can’t just layer-up thick pine needles or a snow burrow are matters of life or death We hunkered under a cliff in a downpour that would float Noah’s Ark; eventually the chukar deeper in the cleft lost his nerve and flushed nearer to favorable cover in riparian zones warm earliest and the morning sun’s rays are your best friend after a frigid night shivering next to your covey mates Boulders and rocky cliffs retain heat longer into a wintry night sun-soaked rocks held an entire covey of Huns on a recent hunt now that you’re thinking like a bird a slight dip in terrain ameliorates the wind a bit Along with brushy thickets and shelterbelts (hence the name) the ground is often snow-free while the vegetation forms a roof overhead we bumped a fat whitetail buck and pair of ringnecks loafing under a canopy of snow-covered brush I like plum thickets and evergreen stands with bare ground so birds can run But their valley counterparts battle blizzards like most other game birds They likely won’t go far from their cozy tree roost unless pressed by scarcity of their favorite foods: weed seeds Search out oaks (they’ll eat broken-up acorns) will be in big flocks with a lot of paranoid eyeballs looking out for predators Seek sheltering draws with thickets or isolated bunches of chokecherry creating their own microclimate insulated by the white stuff They’ll hide under snow-covered shrubs especially if there’s fallen fruit underneath Thick conifer stands hold warmth and thwart goshawk attacks; buds of aspen and birch nourish ruffies A massive pear tree dominates a gully on one of my hunts and always has a bird or two underneath picking at fallen fruit Chukars are hardy birds from the slopes of the Himalayas but they only survived there (and here) by adapting to the harsh conditions One cliché is they’ll move below the snow line they’ll waddle up into the white stuff—light cover they can scratch through for green grass I tracked a bird uphill to a snow-covered sagebrush When I remarked to my friend how counterintuitive that was A freeze-thaw cycle that makes snow crunch when you step on it forces birds down below the snowline they can be found almost anywhere. Their cousins Hungarian (gray) partridge join up in large coveys and search any waste grain in nearby fields you’ll likely find them in the same spots both seasons Often those spots are a mix of short grasses and small boulders … nearby crop fields are a bonus Even wheat stubble is a windbreak for these diminutive birds I found my dog on point only because his tail and head rose from a slight depression in a stubble field—a habitat two-fer That covey flew before we could reach them if you can see your breath when you shrug into your hunting vest But also get in touch with your own feelings (about physical comfort—leave the rest for your therapist) Finding good winter hunting is easier if you think like your quarry know their habitat and how it changes with the calendar Just don’t forget your long underwear Already a subscriber? Sign In or start your online account single-family homes are awaiting demolition This is part of a series of stories updating the status of various development projects in and around Alexandria Upland Park the plan to turn acres of single-family homes in Alexandria's West End into a townhome community First proposed before the COVID-19 pandemic the project at 5165 Seminary Road (and the surrounding area) calls for several dozen new townhomes single-family homes on spacious lots will be demolished to make way for the new homes and possibly multi-family residential buildings According to the development website the neighborhood will have "401 multifamily residential units After a long delay to accommodate residents all the homes in the neighborhood northwest of the intersection of Beauregard Street and Seminary Road are vacant and boarded up Several have been used for firefighter or police training Upland Park's first phase is listed as being in the "final site plan" phase and the next step is to get building permits before construction starts Upland Park Phase II is in the conceptual stage Alexandria Living Magazine is your go-to source for exploring the past — Repairs to a water gate valve have resulted in a boil water advisory for parts of Kalamazoo Township The city of Kalamazoo has issued a boil water advisory for Upland Drive and East Main Street after work on an Upland Drive water gate valve caused a temporary loss of pressure which leaves the water susceptible to bacteria The advisory is precautionary only and the notice is expected to be lifted by Saturday Anyone in the affected area may use bottled water for consumptive purposes or boil their tap water for 2 minutes prior to use for drinking or other ingestion No special precautionary measures are necessary for water used for personal hygiene Metrics details Here we examine in situ woody surface methane exchange of upland tropical We find that methane uptake on woody surfaces in particular at and above about 2 m above the forest floor can dominate the net ecosystem contribution of trees Stable carbon isotope measurement of methane in woody surface chamber air and process-level investigations on extracted wood cores are consistent with methanotrophy suggesting a microbially mediated drawdown of methane on and in tree woody surfaces and tissues By applying terrestrial laser scanning-derived allometry to quantify global forest tree woody surface area a preliminary first estimate suggests that trees may contribute 24.6–49.9 Tg of atmospheric methane uptake globally Our findings indicate that the climate benefits of tropical and temperate forest protection and reforestation may be greater than previously assumed possibly suggesting that a substantial terrestrial CH4 sink term is either poorly quantified or missing from the global CH4 budget these lines of evidence raise the possibility that trees have the capacity not only to serve as an internal sink for otherwise emitted CH4 but also where soil CH4 production is limited by low soil moisture may result in large cumulative exchanges of CH4 associated with upland trees at the global scale Source Data Regression plots of CH4 fluxes against tree stem sampling position Measured from above the forest floor in three floodplain locations during low water in the central Amazonian floodplain (36 trees from each plot) Fluxes measured at 5 m above the forest floor with increasing horizontal distance from the Negro River (n = 36 trees) Source Data Mean CH4 uptake recorded in the uppermost tree sampling position above the forest floor in each of the upland forest locations The regression equation is CH4 uptake = −2.179 MAT + 6.837 The grey shading represents the 95% confidence interval Source Data approximately equal to total global land surface area (149 million km2) this area of CH4 exchange will vary with changing forest cover woody surface extent and architecture adds a poorly appreciated structural third dimension for exchange between the land biosphere and atmosphere thus pointing to a significant extra climate benefit of intact tropical forest biomes and probable benefit to large-scale forest regrowth and restoration the tree CH4 sink may have a particularly important climate mitigation role in the context of reforestation though this prediction needs to be tested through field studies in regrowing forests Our findings demonstrate high spatial and taxonomic variability in the CH4 uptake capacity of trees Identifying tree species with the largest capacity for CH4 uptake offers opportunities to further address the growth in atmospheric CH4 Measurements along the full vertical profile of trees may find a yet stronger CH4 sink in tree branches The minimum flux that could be detected using the LGR UGGA and the LGR MGGA in real-time measurements based on instrument sensitivities of 4 ppb with 1 s precision and 2 ppb with 1 s precision Gas samples were taken by syringe from a septum in the middle of the chamber at 0 10 and 15 min and injected into pre-evacuated 12 ml borosilicate vials All samples were analysed in the United Kingdom using off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (FMA-200 fast methane analyser) three individuals each of ash and sycamore were randomly selected Tree stem CH4 fluxes were sampled using the same chamber design sampling heights and procedure as described for Gigante above except that gas samples were collected at 0 Stem CH4 emissions were measured from mature tree stems (equal to or more than 10 cm n = 9 per species) from three stem heights (20 The water table was more than 5 m below the surface in the plot and soil was characterized as a histosol The mean air temperatures during the three sampling occasions were 13.1 with all measurements carried out during daytime (09:00–18:00) Following stem flux measurements at the Skogaryd and Cuniã study sites we assessed the CH4 oxidation potentials (both high affinity and low affinity) in the tree stems by extracting wood cores at 30 and 130 cm stem height from a subset of the trees (Cuniã we established three temporary plots (60 × 60 m2) in the floodplains of three principal rivers of the Amazon Solimões (white water) and Tapajós (clear water) The CH4 fluxes were measured from a total of 108 trees (36 across each plot) at vertical intervals above the forest floor during low water in January 2018 We returned in the exceptional dry season of 2021 (October) to make measurements from a subset of trees at 5 m above the forest floor and also to sample for methane isotopes 30 ml gas samples were collected from tree woody surfaces and soil surfaces at the Negro and Solimões floodplain forests during the dry season of 2021 Samples were taken from air and from flux chambers on the soils surface and tree stem surface at 5 m above the forest floor using gas-tight syringes and then transferred to pre-evacuated 12 ml borosilicate vials fitted with double wadded caps (Exetainer) Vials were over-pressurized to prevent ingress of air from pressure or temperature changes during transport to the laboratory The δ13C values of CH4 were analysed using a cavity ring-down spectrometer (model G2201-i Picarro) coupled with a custom-built auto-sampler and are reported relative to the Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite standard The instrument was calibrated for δ13C-CH4 using isotopic reference gases with isotope ratios of −23.9‰ The overall analytical precision based on replicate measurements of reference gases was ±0.4‰ We applied our allometry to each tree in these plots thereby estimating the total woody surface area for each plot across all plots to determine mean surface area for tropical forests The integration of TLS data with forest plot census data not only validated our allometric model but also allowed the extrapolation of surface area estimates across different biomes and forest structures we used a combination of satellite remote sensing datasets This approach allowed us to estimate woody surface areas across the world’s ecosystems integrating our allometric model with global forest cover data as well as the 1 km consensus land cover map This dataset provided a global view of vegetation cover quantified on a continuous scale for each pixel we were able to scale our allometric model from individual trees to a global scale we determine the per-hectare woody surface area based on the undisturbed forest plots in that ecoregion and applying our allometry-derived WAI We then scaled (multiplied) that potential value by the proportion of that pixel covered by forest according to the 1 km consensus map and MODIS VCF Finally, we aggregate the CH4 uptake across biomes to determine per-biome figures (Extended Data Table 3). The entire approach is summarized in Extended Data Fig. 2 This represents uncertainty in our biome and global-scaled estimates which may be reduced in future with more measurements in these smaller branch size fractions and better estimation of their surface area A second source of uncertainty is the relatively low uptake flux estimates derived from tropical trees at 2 m above the forest floor for our upscaling estimates, as opposed to fluxes that were twice as large when measured at 5 m (Fig. 2b) which is likely to counterbalance any such reductions from excluding small branch area size fractions Because of the limited size of our dataset at 5 m height we chose to use only the smaller 2 m flux values for our scaling If the 5 m values are more typical of the whole tree which seems plausible as most of the tree surface area is above 5 m and further away from any soil-generated methane carried through and lost from lower portions of the tree trunk then our biome-scaled fluxes would increase by up to 100% Hence the possible biases in small branch fluxes and flux sampling height probably work in opposite directions and cancel each other out to some extent These uncertainties can only be reduced by a greatly expanded series of measurements of woody surface methane measurements in tropical trees at a range of heights and branch sizes coupled with fine-scale assessment of small branch surface area of 221 m2 with the 95% confidence interval (1.96 × s.e.) of 433 m2 on either side of the mean when propagated across our upscaling approach falls well within the broader uncertainties already detailed A further uncertainty concerns local hydrological or humidity control of woody surface methanotrophy functioning. We have therefore eliminated water-limited biomes from our low estimates (Extended Data Table 3) and so provide a representative estimate spread that takes into account this uncertainty there is some variability in the CH4 exchange behaviour of floodplain trees with respect to hydrology They act as large point sources of CH4 when inundated contributing to the comparatively well-known global wetland CH4 source but our data show they also take up CH4 during the dry season albeit with orders of magnitude smaller fluxes Given the small area of tropical floodplain forests versus all tropical and subtropical moist broad-leaved forest (less than 1.5%) their contribution to global CH4 uptake is negligible For direct comparisons with ecosystem C stocks and fluxes This results in 0.59 Mg of CO2-we-C ha−1 yr−1 sink reduction (2.15 Mg of CO2-we ha−1 yr−1) or a total of 6.04 Tg of CO2-we-C from the act of deforestation dwarfed by the release of biomass C stocks (1 Pg of C yr−1) It remains unknown how quickly a methanotrophic community equivalent to that of a mature forest takes to develop the CH4 sink in young secondary forests is likely to be similar to that in mature forests the CH4 sink benefits of new forest could manifest much more quickly than the C storage benefits Assuming a similar woody surface area and CH4 sink per hectare as for mature forests and a CO2-we of 128 for the first 20 year timeframe of interest the tree CH4 sink would add an extra greenhouse gas mitigation value of 0.131 and 0.586 Mg of CO2-we-C ha−1 yr−1 in temperate and tropical forests corresponding to a 7% and 12% extra climate benefit of new trees in these respective biomes Methane flux data from all sites included in our analysis are included both in the data files associated with each figure as well as on the UBIRA e-Data repository at https://doi.org/10.25500/edata.bham.00001060. Source data are provided with this paper methane and nitrous oxide: a significant revision of the methane radiative forcing Large emissions from floodplain trees close the Amazon methane budget Tree stem bases are sources of CH4 and N2O in a tropical forest on upland soil during the dry to wet season transition Sundqvist, E., Crill, P., Mölder, M., Vestin, P. & Lindroth, A. Atmospheric methane removal by boreal plants. Geophys. Res. Lett. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053592 (2012) Trees as net sinks for methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the lowland tropical rain forest on volcanic Réunion Island emission and consumption of methane by soils: a review Large contribution of boreal upland forest soils to a catchment-scale CH4 balance in a wet year Global uptake of atmospheric methane by soil from 1900 to 2100 Woody stem methane emission in mature wetland alder trees Trees are major conduits for methane egress from tropical forested wetlands The contribution of trees to ecosystem methane emissions in a temperate forested wetland Tree stem methane emissions from subtropical lowland forest (Melaleuca quinquenervia) regulated by local and seasonal hydrology Methane emissions from tree stems in neotropical peatlands Seasonal and weather-related controls on methane emissions from the stems of mature trees in a cool-temperate forested wetland New insight to the role of microbes in the methane exchange in trees: evidence from metagenomic sequencing Methane emissions may be driven by hydrogenotrophic methanogens inhabiting the stem tissues of poplar methane-utilizing bacterium isolated from poplar trees (Populus deltoides x nigra DN34) Bark-dwelling methanotrophic bacteria decrease methane emissions from trees Non-flooded riparian Amazon trees are a regionally significant methane source in Plant Respiration: Metabolic Fluxes and Carbon Balance (eds Tcherkez Technical note: semi-rigid chambers for methane gas flux measurements on tree stems Methane formation driven by reactive oxygen species across all living organisms Radiation and temperature drive diurnal variation of aerobic methane emissions from Scots pine canopy Tree foliage is a methane sink in upland temperate forests Asynchronous carbon sink saturation in African and Amazonian tropical forests Further improvement of warming-equivalent emissions calculation Comparison of models for estimating stem surface area of coniferous trees grown in old-growth natural forests Structure of old-growth and managed stands and growth of old trees in a Mediterranean Pinus nigra forest in southern Spain Mapping carbon accumulation potential from global natural forest regrowth CH4 flux from peatlands: a new measurement method The effects of deforestation in the Amazonia in The Ecohydrology of South American Rivers and Wetlands (ed Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil Effects of litter manipulation on early-stage decomposition and meso-arthropod abundance in a tropical moist forest Experimental investigation of the importance of litterfall in lowland semi-evergreen tropical forest nutrient cycling Tropical Forest Ecology: A View from Barro Colorado Island (Oxford Univ The automated root exudate system (ARES): a method to apply solutes at regular intervals to soils in the field Distinct responses of soil respiration to experimental litter manipulation in temperate woodland and tropical forest Soil CO2 efflux in a temperate deciduous forest: environmental drivers and component contributions in Forest Hydrology and Biogeochemistry (eds Levia Shenkin, A. et al. Tree surface area allometry. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.23.590783 (2024) Fast automatic precision tree models from terrestrial laser scanner data Shenkin, A. treestruct: R package for analysis and manipulation of tree structure models. GitHub www.github.com/ashenkin/treestruct (2020) Hierarchical generalized additive models in ecology: an introduction with mgcv CTFS‐Forest GEO: a worldwide network monitoring forests in an era of global change A global 1-km consensus land-cover product for biodiversity and ecosystem modelling DiMiceli, C. et al. MOD44B MODIS/Terra Vegetation Continuous Fields Yearly L3 Global 250 m SIN Grid V006. NASA EOSDIS Land Processes DAAC (USGS), (2015); https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MOD44B.006 Demonstrating GWP*: a means of reporting warming-equivalent emissions that captures the contrasting impacts of short- and long-lived climate pollutants Comment on ‘Unintentional unfairness when applying new greenhouse gas emissions metrics at country level’ Global humid tropics forest structural condition and forest structural integrity maps Download references acknowledges support from the UK NERC (grant nos NE/J010928/1 and NE/N015606/1 as part of The Global Methane Budget MOYA consortium) the AXA Research Fund and the Royal Society acknowledges support from the Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research fellowship (DH160111) acknowledges support from the Brazilian funding agencies CNPq CAPES and FAPERJ grants that supported part of the work and the Swedish Research agency Formas (grant number 2021-02429) is supported by the Frank Jackson Foundation and the Leverhulme Trust acknowledges the European Research Council (ERC; H2020 grant no Work at the Skogaryd Research station was supported by L Klemedsson and the Swedish Infrastructure for Ecosystem Science (SITES) funded by the Swedish Research Council (2017-00635) J.B was supported by the Severo Ochoa Program (CEX-2018–000828-S) by the Spanish Ministry of Sciences was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013)/ ERC grant agreement no was supported by the FORCeS and NEGEM projects (H2020 grant nos Department of Thematic Studies—Environmental Change Viviane Figueiredo & Alex Enrich-Prast Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP) The Brazil expeditions were planned and organized by S.R.P. performed the Panamanian and Wytham measurements with input from E.S and supplementary measurements on oak at Wytham made by C.G performed the flux measurements in Sweden and the process investigations of methanotrophy with local field planning assistance by D.B analysed and interpreted the methane isotopes performed statistical analyses and synthesis of past studies made the tree surface area and CH4 uptake estimates globally and per biome made the CO2-we estimates and guided their interpretation wrote the manuscript with contributions from S.R.P. and further contributions from the remaining authors All authors commented on earlier versions of this manuscript that intends to commercialize products that benefit from insights and is a named inventor in a pending US patent application on inventions derived from this research The remaining authors declare no competing interests Pasi Raumonen and Patrik Vestin for their contribution to the peer review of this work Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations per-biome woody surface methane uptake estimates Allometric relationship between tree woody surface area and diameter at breast height Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07592-w Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science It began in 1994 with a post-retirement professorship at a small Midwest college. Moving from his career at aerospace giant Lockheed Martin in Palo Alto, CA, Dr. Hank Voss came to Taylor University as Professor of Engineering and Physics.    Few could have envisioned this would lead to the founding of a company that today makes satellites for NASA Even fewer could have imagined the firm becoming the architect of the “Dream Big” program in which every US state launches one or more satellites through its universities And virtually no one would have predicted this would happen in the rural heartland town of Upland All this has occurred in the decade since Voss, Chief Scientist for NearSpace Launch (NSL) they launched the enterprise downtown.  These groups have provided a steady pipeline of qualified interns and employees for NSL But that is only the beginning of the firm’s ambition explained NSL president and Taylor alumnus Matt Voss ‘06.  In 2021, NSL’s leaders launched a nonprofit arm, NearSpace Education (NSE) Its goal is to “increase student engagement and interest in Science and Mathematics (STEM).” NearSpace Education approaches this with a space-oriented twist through summer space camps high-altitude balloon launches at local schools The organization has worked with more than 100 high schools They envision “every student with access to space.”   In November 2024, NSE announced its most ambitious initiative: Dream Big Assembling a coast-to-coast constellation of colleges and universities the project’s ultimate goal is to launch satellites from at least one academic institution in every state in the nation This effort is underway at six universities in Indiana In addition to Taylor University as NSE’s home base Dream Big includes The University of Notre Dame and Western Michigan University.   The schools’ NSE-guided projects include Taylor University’s SkyForge a space-walking robot designed to assemble large truss structures in orbit and The University of Toledo’s development of ThinSat single layer satellites with a printed circuit board to monitor land cover and its effects on surface temperature with potential applications such as tracking algae growth on Lake Erie and other bodies of water.  In 2024, Taylor University kicked off its Main Street Mile Initiative an effort to revitalize Upland’s downtown with more than $100 million in grants and private investment the initiative is both practical and biblical The University’s leaders recognize the benefit of a vibrant surrounding community for both students and faculty and they desire to in turn be a blessing to the local community.     NearSpace Launch and NearSpace Education were strategic private sector partners in the early days of the Main Street Mile Initiative. In 2024, NSE purchased and began renovating a century-old building which will become NSE’s expanded headquarters open area for “maker space,” where students can craft their own technology and practice using high-level equipment used to build state of the art satellites.   “Partnerships like these are so valuable to a small town’s economic viability,” said Andrea Masvero which is overseeing the Main Street Mile Initiative and related developments When speaking about the impact of NearSpace Launch and its non-profit affiliate on its hometown “I can’t imagine a better advocate for Upland,” she said “They are just an incredible source for good.”  NearSpace Launch and NearSpace Education have also gained traction in the public eye. Both were finalists for the 2025 TechPoint Mira Awards, an annual gala that recognizes the most innovative companies in Indiana’s tech ecosystem A nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis TechPoint is a tech sector growth initiative that seeks to transform Indiana into a global leader in digital innovation NearSpace Launch was nominated for Tech Company of the Year and NearSpace Education for Startup of the Year.   Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLUBBOCK Texas (KCBD) - Lubbock Fire Rescue was called to a median fire just after 2:30 p.m LFR says the fire reportedly was started by a vehicle incident but when the first engine arrived firefighters found multiple acres of a field burning with two structures in the path of the fire LFR requested more trucks and assistance from Wolfforth Fire and EMS and the Texas A&M Forest Service & Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System strike team The immediate response by the fire crews led to a quick and safe containment of the fire with no damage to the structures LFR says the fire damaged around 18 acres of the field Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.