Cicadas, the loud and noisy insects that make periodic appearances once in more than a decade, will emerge from their underground abode in the coming months in northern Illinois. This year is going to be even more unique because the Great Southern brood and the Northern brood will be emerging together. This phenomenon is happening only after 1803. However, Cicadas are unique because they are one of the longest-lived insects on the planet.

Their emergence from their underground abode will, however, be very brief and will last only for a month. The insects emerge from their underground abode where they had spent 17 years, or 99% of their life, only to brood and bring to life their next generation before dying en masse.

Cicadas have a notorious reputation for being loud, and there is some truth in this phenomenon. All the male Cicadas emit loud buzzing sounds reaching 90 decibels to attract the females. This may not seem loud, but imagine 100,000 to 1 million insects in a single acre screaming at 90 decibels, and it can drive any person crazy.

Most female Cicadas cut a leaf on trees and lay about 10 to 20 eggs per cut on these leaves. Each female can lay 600 eggs. The eggs hatch in six to 10 weeks, and the cicada nymphs emerge.

The nymphs drop on the ground and burrow 8 to 12 inches into the ground, feed on tree roots, and spend the next 17 years of their life cycle underground. At the end of their life cycle, they emerge from their subterranean refuge as adults, and the next generation is born.

Cicadas never venture far from their birthplace, and this makes it easier for scientists to accurately predict where they emerge since the North American broods are geographically set and can be tracked by scientists.

It is estimated that there are 3,000 to 5,000 species of cicadas around the world, but the 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas are peculiar to the eastern U.S. There are only two other known species that have such a long life cycle, one in northeast India and one in Fiji, with the former having a four-year life cycle and the latter an eight-year life cycle.

Cicadas are relatively benign insects, and they do not bite or cause crop loss as compared to locusts. The usual insecticides also do not have any effect on them, though their deaths in large numbers after brooding can cause an unpleasant smell in the air.

The appearance of the Cicadas has been predicted in May because by then the temperature will reach 64 degrees Fahrenheit. However, global warming means the phenomenon can occur earlier also. Also, deforestation could also have a bearing on their appearance.

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Kennywood’s Steel Curtain roller coaster will not be available this 2024 season, and this has miffed a Kensington man to the extent that he has filed a lawsuit against Kennywood and its parent companies, alleging that the officials had known this fact long before but withheld it to boost season pass sales.

Lawsuit Against Kennywood

The lawsuit, filed in the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court by Joshua Miller and his attorney, John A. Biedrzycki III on Monday, alleges that it was a deliberate attempt to hide the fact to accrue financial benefits by boosting season pass sales.

The lawsuit alleges that Kennywood has created advertising campaigns targeting consumers like Mr. Miller and others to purchase the 2024 season pass under the belief that the benefits included myriad park attractions, including the Steel Curtain.

In the lawsuit, it was revealed that Mr. Miller bought his season pass under the assumption that all rides would be operational.

However, on April 17, three days before the park opened for the season, it was revealed that Steel Curtain would be closed for the season.

The announcement was made by Ricky Spicuzza, the park’s assistant general manager, and the reason for the closure was cited as the coaster undergoing an “extensive modification project.”

Ricky Spicuzza said,

“We understand the frustration many of you have felt not being able to experience the Steel Curtain. On behalf of our entire team, we absolutely share that frustration with you.”

However, the lawsuit contends that the fact was known long before last week that the 220-foot-tall coaster would be out of commission.

The lawsuit states,

“The company withheld this information from season pass purchasers so as not to lose season pass customers, or, alternatively, so as not to offer a discount on season passes due to the unavailability of the Steel Curtain.”

The lawsuit also details numerous violations of the state’s unfair trade practices and consumer protection law. This includes failure to disclose the Steel Curtain’s closure with the full knowledge that the consumer believed that it would be functional for the 2024 season.

The park offered varied passes, which ranged from season passes priced from $109.99 to $239.99.

The lowest endowed pass was the bronze pass, which provided unfettered admission except on certain blackout dates.

The premium range included the platinum pass, which offered year-round admission to Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild, and Palace Entertainment’s Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster.

Additionally, it also offered free parking, discounts on food and retail, and three free guest tickets.

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The annual Orange Crush Festival is characterized by a gathering where a cultural celebration is held. It has recently been celebrated along the coast of Georgia, on Tybee Island.

During the celebration of the Orange Crush Festival, instances of several feuds and altercations also escalated. Thus, law enforcement officials got involved.

Orange Crush Festival Viral Video 

Social media went viral with recordings where scenes of violent altercations surfaced.

Fox News reported that women could be seen engaged in physical altercations, accidentally revealing each other’s clothes, yanking their hair, and striking each other in the face.

People could be spotted taking pictures of the entire mess.

Local police on Tybee Island found a huge influx of visitors for the festival.

Over tens of thousands of people came to the place, with the total population amounting to more than 40,000 to 55,000 people.

Many people also enjoyed the festival without getting involved in any sort of unfortunate event occurring there.

Detailed paperwork, like information about the number of people getting apprehended, is currently pending.

The Orange Crush Festival initially began in the late 1980s in Jacksonville, Florida. It is an annual event which later moved to Tybee Island.

Police Assures Safety

Tiffanty Hayes, the Police Chief of Tybee Island, “expressed cautious optimism” after the activities that took place on the weekends.

According to Times Now, Chief Hayes mentioned providing a safer atmosphere for both guests and locals by reaffirming the community’s commitment and aiding law enforcement initiatives.

In the past, the Orange Crush Festival has also experienced conflicts and difficulties.

The venue of the festival changed to Tybee Island from Jacksonville. Savannah State University also distanced itself from the festival in 1991, exacerbating worries about public safety and security.