At least in Kansas, snakes seem to be out in early autumn more than during any other time of year. Monday, my friend David Finfrock, a Dallas TV meteorologist, was bitten by a rattler. Fortunately, it was a "dry" (no venom) or nearly dry bite. There is more on the story here .  Please be careful around brush and rocks until winter sets in. 

Eureka is a town in far western St. Louis County, Missouri. In this time of turmoil, we should keep in mind the police are the first people we call for all types of assistance. St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The story is here . It is extremely touching. I want to pass along this important bit of information: coral snakes, the most poisonous snakes in North America, are the only snake where the yellow and red directly touch. There are other snakes with colored rings but the yellow/red is a foolproof tell. If you see one, slowly back away.