Spotting watersnake changes plan, but cannot ruin joy of day spent outdoors

Watersnakes are common throughout Illinois and are non-venomous. | Photo courtesy Illinois Department of Natural Resources

TIMEWELL, Ill. — Elise Bethel jumped out of her dad’s truck and rushed toward the lake, bouncing past some wildflowers and chasing after a butterfly she’d never catch. Jack Bethel smiled. “It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment,” he said. While his daughter dashed after the yellow butterfly, Bethel and his 12-year-old son, Ethan,…

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Schuckman: Rolling down county roads proves yet again to be good source of inspiration

A whitetail edges its way out of the woods in eastern Adams County on Thursday. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Throughout the majority of my sports writing career, when my creativity requires recharging or it’s time to unwind my mind, I jump in my truck and spend some time exploring the countryside on county roads. Thursday, a walk through the woods was needed, so to speak. And as the sun headed for the…

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