Latest news with #PoplarGrove
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
An Illinois Family Lost Everything in a House Fire. A Day Later, Their Dad Died from Cancer
The Russo family's home in Poplar Grove, Ill., was destroyed in a house fire John Russo, 49, died from cancer a day later — leaving behind his two children and wife, Carli Russo 'It was so fast-growing, there was nothing they could do,' Carli said of the diseaseAn Illinois family has been left grief-stricken after two tragedies shook their household within just 24 hours. On Tuesday, July 8, the Russo family was forced to evacuate their Poplar Grove home after a fire was discovered at around midnight. Hours later on Wednesday morning, the patriarch of the family, John Russo, died from cancer at age 49, news outlets WIFR and WWNY reported. John — who shared two children, 14-year-old Payton and 10-year-old J.J., with his wife, Carli Russo — had escaped the family's burning home in his wheelchair the day before his death. Having lost everything, the Russo family took shelter at a Rockford hotel. John had been in home hospice care for the past three months before the incident, per the outlets. '[I] slammed the door shut, came running in the house screaming for the kids to get out and got my husband in the wheelchair and was able to get him out and across the street with some help from some neighbors,' Carli recalled of the fire to WIFR. The blaze began in the garage and then engulfed the entire front section of the house, the family told the outlet. Firefighters allegedly said it could be difficult to determine the cause of the fire due to the extensive damage. 'Right now they're telling us it's a complete loss,' Carli said, per WIFR. The house fire came after months of distress for the Russo family. On April 30, John had gone to the emergency room suffering from stomach pains. The visit became the start of multiple hospital appointments before he was eventually diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, according to the outlet. 'It was so fast-growing, there was nothing they could do,' Carli told WIFR. A GoFundMe page was set up by a co-worker amid his treatment for cancer to help the family, as John was the sole provider. 'Outside of work, John's world revolves around his wife and children,' they wrote in the description of the fundraiser. 'Whether he was at a softball game for his daughter, fixing his project car, or lending a hand to a neighbor, John has always been the one people could count on.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Following his death on July 9, Carli recalled that her husband 'would do anything for anybody,' per WWNY. Her sister-in-law set up a second GoFundMe to help support the family. As of Friday, July 11, the fundraiser has raised over $24,000. 'Carli got her kids (14 and 10) out, along with John and their family dog, safely, minutes before the entire house was engulfed in flames,' the fundraiser description said. 'They lost everything at a time they should be spending with their family. 'We're reaching out to our community, friends, and compassionate strangers for support,' the description continued. 'Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping the Russo family secure temporary housing, replace essential items, and begin the long process of recovery.' Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Family lost everything in house fire... before second unbelievable tragedy struck a day later
An Illinois family lost everything in a devastating house fire just hours before the head of the household succumbed to cancer. The Russo family narrowly escaped their Poplar Grove home as it was destroyed in a sudden inferno in the early hours on Tuesday morning. '[I] slammed the door shut, came running in the house screaming for the kids to get out and got my husband in the wheelchair and was able to get him out and across the street with some help from some neighbors,' mother Carli Russo told WIFR. Their home burned to an unrecognizable scene of rubble and charred remnants. '[I] was up for six hours just watching it burn,' Carli continued. 'Right now they're telling us it's a complete loss.' The fire had raged from the garage before it set the whole home alight causing extensive damage, which firefighters said will make finding the cause difficult, the outlet reported. But a far more devastating loss was to come. The next morning Carli's husband John - the father of the couple's two children - died of small cell lung cancer aged just 49. 'He would do anything for anybody,' his wife, Carli, said. John had only gone to the emergency room on April 30 with stomach pains when they received his devastating terminal cancer diagnosis. 'It was around four in the afternoon and by the end of the night, we were told he had cancer,' Carli recalled. 'It was so fast-growing, there was nothing they could do,' she added. Following the fire, John and his family, including his two children, 14-year-old Payton and 10-year-old JJ, moved into a hotel room. Before John's passing, Carli said: 'Slowly he's deteriorating, and it's very hard for us to watch.' 'We're definitely having a lot more quality time we did before.' John's cancer progressed quickly and had spread to his colon, according to a GoFundMe created by a coworker. 'Known for his steady work ethic, warm smile, and unwavering support for those around him, John now finds himself in the toughest battle of his life,' Ryan Guarino wrote. 'John's world revolves around his wife and children. Whether he was at a softball game for his daughter, fixing his project car, or lending a hand to a neighbor, John has always been the one people could count on.' Another GoFundMe was created by Carli's sister, Kelsey Mueller, to help support the Russo family rebuild their life without John, which has, as of Thursday afternoon, raised more than $22,500. 'It's overwhelming to see all the support we've gotten,' Carli told the outlet. 'I don't know what else I could do. I have to keep making things ok for them,' she added, gesturing to her two young children.
Globe and Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Eight Canadian wines to drink now
Winemakers are riding a wave of optimism heading into the summer. The Buy Canadian movement continues to boost demand for homegrown wine, with increased sales of still and sparkling wines reported across the country. The added exposure is hoped to boost winery tourism by anti-tariff staycationers as well as international travellers in the coming months. Vineyards are budding, which is an especially welcome sign of recovery for grape growers in British Columbia after damaging winter conditions in 2023 and 2024. Reports from Poplar Grove in Penticton, B.C., anticipate a 60 per cent crop this fall after losing last year's harvest to frost, while Le Vieux Pin in Oliver posted photos of flowering viognier, sauvignon blanc and roussanne vines with an enthusiastic caption: 'The 2025 vintage has begun – strong, resilient and full of promise.' Adding to the excitement are compelling new releases like this week's recommendations. These authentic, homegrown wines are sure to stimulate your senses. The lineup includes four stellar chardonnays that show how suited that variety is to vineyards across the country. There are also a couple of rosés, a surprising pink-hued white and a charming and generous red blend from a popular British Columbia family estate to buy now. Burrowing Owl Athene 2021 (Canada), $41 Rating: 93 Always a stand-out in Burrowing Owl's extensive portfolio, Athene is a syrah and cabernet sauvignon blend produced from the Wyse family's estate vineyard on Black Sage Bench in Oliver, B.C. The grape varieties are co-fermented, which results in a complex and concentrated red wine that delivers satisfying cherry, plum, peppery spice, earthy and floral notes. This is harmonious and inviting right now but has the structure and intensity to mature gracefully in the cellar. It has 14 per cent ABV and 2.5 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2034. Available direct, Coteau Rougemont Versant Rosé 2023 (Canada), $17.85 Rating: 86 This rosé from Quebec's Coteau Rougemont is made from a cunning mix of frontenac gris (70 per cent), petite perle (20 per cent) and vidal (10 per cent), hybrid grape vines prized for their ability to endure cold temperatures. The lightly musky aroma points to use of hybrid varieties, while the silky texture combines with persistent (tart and sweet) mixed berry flavours that makes for an expressive pink wine to sip this summer. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 1.6 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Quebec or $16.65 direct, Featherstone Pinot Grigio 2024 (Canada), $17.95 Rating: 88 Featherstone's new owners Rayla and George Myhal and founding winemaker David Johnson continue to offer a range of crowd-pleasing and affordable wines from their Vineland estate vineyard. This white wine carries a pinkish hue from extended skin contact prior to pressing the grapes (ripe pinot grigio grapes are grayish-blue in colour). The winemaking approach also brings peach, pear and citrus flavours into the mix, which add to the appeal of this easy-going, off-dry wine. This wine has 12.5 per cent ABV and 8 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available in Ontario. Malivoire Vivant Rosé 2024 (Canada), $21.95 Rating: 91 One of the trio of rosés made, each vintage at Malvoire, Vivant is produced from 100 per cent pinot noir grown on the Beamsville, Ont., estate vineyard. The dry and zesty style lives up to its name and presents an enticing mix of cherry, berry and ruby grapefruit flavours. It's serious and refreshing, which makes it a good option to enjoy with a meal or on its own. This has 13 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct, Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Chardonnay 2023 (Canada), $32.26 Rating: 93 Chardonnay continues to be a strong suit for Meyer Family Vineyards as witnessed by the stylish and sophisticated wines produced in the 2023 vintage. Made from the vineyard planted in 1994 beside the winery in Okanagan Falls, the McLean Creek Road Chardonnay broadcasts juicy citrus flavours with bright acidity and rich oak-derived notes. Vibrant and exciting at this early stage of development, this promises to develop into a rich and rewarding white wine for patient collectors. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, Tantalus Reserve Chardonnay 2022 (Canada), $56.52 Rating: 94 Following the inaugural release from the 2018 vintage, this is the second release of a reserve chardonnay from Tantalus in Kelowna. Based on grapes from vines planted in 1985 and 2006, this presents a savoury, restrained character that is beautifully balanced and opens to reveal a mix of pear, citrus and green apple with flint and nutty accents. It's delicious now but built to last. This has 13.2 per cent ABV and 1 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2032. Available direct, Trius Showcase Wild Ferment Watching Tree Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (Canada), $38 Rating: 93 Originally planted by the Oliveira family in 1989, the Watching Tree Vineyard in Beamsville has been a consistent source of top-quality chardonnay for Trius's Showcase label. The current release is developing nicely, with focused citrus and peach flavours rounded out by complex nutty, toasty and spice notes. Made in a medium-bodied style, with a succulent texture and refreshing finish, this offers richness and refinement. This has 13.8 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2029. Available at the above price in Ontario or $34 direct, Wending Home Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 (Canada), $34.95 Rating: 92 Wending Home co-founder Ron Giesbrecht is one of Niagara's veteran winemakers, with a string of vintages dating back to the 1980s. Chardonnay has long been one of his specialties and this rich and refreshing example from the St. Catharines, Ont.-based winery is no exception. There's a ripe core of peach and pear that's enhanced by vanilla, nutty and buttery notes. The style is satisfying and round, with a a long lingering finish. This has 13.8 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario or direct,
