Latest news with #Mass.gov
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Baby skunks rescued in Pittsfield: What should you do if you get 'skunked'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – An animal control officer rescued some little, but stinky, animals in Pittsfield. Safety tips for lithium-ion batteries after Pittsfield fire The Pittsfield Police Department Animal Control Unit rescued six baby skunks, or kits, and took them to a local wildlife rehabilitator. They will receive the care they need and will be released back into the wild when they are old enough. As the weather continues to climb, it is important to be on the lookout for skunks as they emerge during warmer temperatures. According to the striped skunk is a common mammal that is found in Massachusetts. Skunks can be found everywhere and are similar in size to domestic cats, weighing 6 to 14 pounds. They typically have a black coat with white stripes down their nape and split into two white stripes on the back. No skunk has the same white stripes as a human fingerprint. Breeding season is usually from February through March, and in late April to early June, the moms will excavate a den and give birth to 2–10 kits. Striped skunks are usually docile mammals that tolerate humans nearby without showing aggression. The most distinguishing characteristic is how they can direct a stream or spray of musk as far as 10 feet from paired anal glands. Skunks become active when the temperatures at night are above 30 degrees, as they search for food and stretch their legs. They can thrive in suburban and urban areas, so if you want to make your property less attractive to skunks and avoid having any problems, follow these basic practices: Remain Calm: Should you encounter a skunk, speak softly and move away to give it room to leave. Once you back away, the skunk will no longer feel threatened and will move off. If it doesn't, try clapping your hands and making some noise from a safe distance. Secure Your Garbage: Skunks will raid open trash materials and compost piles. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight-fitting lids and keep them in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash the morning pick-up is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost piles in containers designed to contain but vent the material. Keep Bird Feeder Areas Clean: Use feeders designed to keep seeds off the ground as the seeds can attract skunks. Remove bird feeders if skunks are seen regularly around your yard. Pet Owners: To help prevent your pet from being sprayed, turn on a flood light and check your yard for skunks before letting your dog out at night. Additionally, feed pets indoors. Outdoor feeding attracts skunks and other wild animals. If you get 'skunked,' taking a bath or shower should be your first step for removing the smell, states In scientific terms, this means that you'll be attempting to oxidize the thiols into sulfonic acids, which have little to no skunk smell. Wash your entire body with deodorant soap or a grease-cutting dish detergent. Also, wash your hair with a shampoo made for oily hair. You can also soak in a baking-soda bath for about 15 to 20 minutes: Pour 2 to 4 cups of baking soda into hot water. Rinse to remove the residue from your skin. Tomato juice is a common at-home remedy that most think works at getting the smell out; however, if you take a bath in tomato juice, it will just mask the smell, not get rid of it, according to This is called olfactory fatigue, which is just another way of saying that your nose gets accustomed to a scent after a while. When your nose stops detecting the skunk spray, the smell of the tomato juice tricks you into thinking it must have taken care of the problem. You can also try a peroxide bath. Mix one quart of three percent hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent, and 1/4 cup baking soda in a bucket. Lather, rinse, repeat. This can work on both dogs and humans. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fawn rescued from Springfield's Forest Park construction area
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A member of the City of Springfield Parks Department rescued a fawn at Forest Park. Dakin Humane Society in Springfield awarded large grant for facility upgrade Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield states that Glenn Altro of the Springfield Parks Department rescued a fawn that got stuck in the Walker Grandstand construction area in Forest Park. Altro was able to reunite the fawn with its mother. According to white-tailed deer are common in Massachusetts and get their iconic name from the white underside of their tail, which they raise when alarmed. This type of deer can reach a length of 6 ft. and a height of about 3 ft. In the summer, the upper coat of this deer appears to be reddish-brown with short, thin, straight wiry hairs. According to the following are ways to avoid hitting a deer while driving: If you see one deer, watch for more. Deer are herd animals and travel in groups. If one deer darts across the road, there's a good chance there are more to follow. Keep your lights on and your eyes open. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk when you have the most difficulty seeing. Plus, your headlights might reflect off a deer's eyes making it easier to spot. Stay in the center lane (when you can), allowing you more time to see the deer and the deer more time to see you. Apply brakes calmly and maintain your course. When you see a deer, brake accordingly and continue in your lane. Swerving to avoid the deer can create other accidents and the deer might dart into your new path anyway. Honk your horn. One long blast of your car's horn could scare a deer out of your way. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
List of Massachusetts agencies impacted by federal funding cuts by Trump Adminstration
BOSTON (WWLP) – A public dashboard has been released by Governor Healey that displays federal funding cuts by the Trump Administration that impact Massachusetts. According to the dashboard, Massachusetts receives approximately $22.9 billion in federal funding every year. As of Friday, over $362 million has been cut for programs and services for residents, including healthcare to affordable housing. The amount does not reflect cuts from municipal, nonprofit, and community partner organizations across the state. Massachusetts millionaires tax is funding these public schools The cuts in funding impact disaster prevention aid, school mental health services, tutoring, school security and building upgrades, healthy food for babies and students, respiratory illness prevention and treatment, community health centers, public health workers, substance use disorder treatment, increased broadband access, and more. 'President Trump's cuts to federal funding are having a terrible impact on Massachusetts and states across the country,' said Governor Maura Healey. 'The federal cuts outlined in this dashboard are more than just numbers – they represent cuts to healthy food for babies, mental health care for students, and disaster prevention for our communities. President Trump's and DOGE's cuts to federal programs, veterans' services, and NIH funding all have a direct impact on our people and our economy. As Governor, I'm focused on continuing to deliver for our residents every day.' 'The reporting form in this dashboard will be a helpful tool for cities and towns, businesses and non-profits to let us know how they are being impacted by President Trump's funding cuts,' said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 'Our administration is here to be a partner for everyone in the state who is being hurt by the actions of the federal government, and having all of this information in a centralized place will help bolster our response.' To view the up-to-date dashboard, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Investigation continues after one killed, one injured in Wareham house fire
WAREHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – The cause of a deadly house fire in Wareham is still being investigated Monday morning. Crews put out house fire in Springfield's Forest Park states that on Friday at 8:40 p.m., crews were sent to 101 Kimberly Court for a report of a fire. When crews arrived, they saw a manufactured home fully on fire with heavy smoke. Additional crews were called in, and one adult was found seriously injured and taken to a local hospital for medical care. Fire crews learned that another adult did not escape the fire and died due to their injuries. The identity of the victim has not been released at this time. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Wareham Fire Department, Wareham Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office, and State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth DA's office. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Massachusetts spring turkey hunting season starts this month: Licenses, permits, safety tips
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Days are getting longer and the grass is getting greener, which means it is almost time for spring turkey hunting season. Spring turkey season begins every year on the last Monday of April and goes through the fourth Saturday, which means this year's season will end on May 24. Hunting is only allowed half an hour before sunrise through the end of noon in wildlife management zones 1-13. Tax filing deadline nears: Prepare now to avoid issues During the spring season, hunters can use shotguns, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment. Turkey hunting in Massachusetts requires residents to have a hunting license, turkey permit, and safety stickers for shotguns and muzzleloaders. According to most turkeys can be found in agricultural lands, in forests, but also in suburban and urban areas. The most productive places for turkeys are those with a mix of habitat types because they provide abundant food and cover throughout the year. states when looking for a place to hunt, focus your attention on areas with a combination of forested and open habitats like: agricultural fields of all sorts powerlines hayfields or meadows forestry operations that create openings in the woods When you find an area to hunt, make sure to: Secure permission from the landowner for private property Identify parking and access locations Check local town bylaws relative to hunting on private or municipal property To find turkeys much easier, it is recommended to look for different turkey signs, including scat, feathers, scratching in the leaf litter, dust bowls, or turkey tracks in the mud or sand. A reminder that it is illegal to hunt using an electronic call, dogs, bait, live decoys and herding turkeys. It is also illegal to knowingly leave a wounded or dead turkey in the field without making a reasonable effort to retrieve it. However, this does not apply to animals that are unfit for consumption, such as disease, decay or rot. The bag limit for the spring hunting season is two bearded birds. The game must be reported within 48 hours of harvesting. More rules regarding the turkey spring hunting season can be found on the website. To minimize or eliminate risks of unintended injury, death, or damage caused by improper handling, storage, or possession of a firearm, recommends the following: Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep the action open and unloaded. Keep the safety 'on' and your finger off the trigger. Be sure the barrel of the firearm is clear of obstructions. Check the chamber and magazine every time you pick it up. Only carry and use ammunition appropriate for your firearm. Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Agree to safe fields of fire for yourself and hunting companions and never swing beyond your area. Positively identify your target and what lies beyond. Make sure there is an adequate backstop when hunting or target practicing Unload your firearm when climbing a tree, crossing a fence, jumping a ditch, or traversing slippery or steep terrain. Never pull a firearm toward you by the muzzle. Be aware of the potential for ricochet. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or water. Unload firearms when not in use, leaving the action open. Transport and carry firearms unloaded and cased when traveling to and from the field or target practice Store firearms and ammunition separately in locked compartments and beyond the reach of children. Never use alcohol or drugs that can impair your judgment before or while shooting. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
