Latest news with #Seamster
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Bees to bison' wildlife agency overhaul ripples through State Wildlife Action Plan
An undated photo of a Peñasco least chipmunk which has been considered for listing as endangered, due to the small population. (Courtesy of Department of Game and Fish / Jim Stuart) The beloved fairy bee, the Sacramento Mountain Salamander and the jaguar share one common trait: a spot on New Mexico's 2025 blueprint for animal conservation. State wildlife officials released the New Mexico State Action Wildlife Plan earlier this month, identifying more than 500 species listed requiring need for conservation — more than double from the previous plan released in 2017. Next week marks the halfway point for the public comment period on the guidance documents, which ends June 9. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is required to review and revise these plans every decade and submit them to the federal government. The plan will be considered for approval by the State Game Commission later this fall. A warming climate, environmental fragmentation from development and threats like disease all pose threats for New Mexico species, even as it remains one of the most biodiverse states in the U.S., said Ginny Seamster, the assistant chief for technical guidance at the agency. 'Realistically, helping these species is an all-hands-on-deck effort,' she said. 'We need everyone who's interested to participate.' The 2025 plan doubled the number of birds and includes pollinating insects (which help plants reproduce), which had been left off the species plan in past years, 'There are some species that are only associated with a single plant, so if you remove the pollinator from the ecosystem, you're losing the plant, too,' Seamster said. 'You're multiplying the loss of biodiversity.' Public comment on the draft plan remains open until June 9, and can be submitted via email: dgf-SWAP@ 'Since this is a statewide plan, and we really want anyone who's interested in a species of greatest conservation needs to be able to see themselves in it,' Seamster said. The increase in species signals both the threats many animals in New Mexico face and the reforms underway at the wildlife agency. The State Wildlife plan dovetails with a series of changes the agency is enacting after the passage of Senate Bill 5 in the legislative session, which dramatically increased funding and expanded the scope of the department into the New Mexico Wildlife Department. As states rethink wildlife management, New Mexico offers a new model The Legislature approved a $10 million dollar three-year pilot project funding work related to species of greatest conservation need, and the department is now receiving several million dollars in interest from the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund in addition to revenue from hunting and fishing fees. The department is currently working to hire additional biologists to carry out the work, Seamster said, noting that previously, it only assigned one biologist to non-game birds. 'There are over 500 species of birds found in the state, and nearly 150 birds are species of greatest conservation need. That is clearly too many species for one person to be able to address,' she said. 'Having more staff means we can do a lot more research, a lot more habitat work.' Advocates, who fought and succeeded in reforming the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, say they're excited about the plan, which they hope will be the 'gold standard' for wildlife agencies. 'Across the country, agencies are going to look at what New Mexico's doing and see how we manage wildlife: from the top to the bottom, from the bumble bees to the bison,' said Jesse Deubel, executive director of the nonprofit New Mexico Wildlife Federation. 'It's all necessary for an intact ecosystem.' Deubel said federal efforts to freeze and roll back conservation work exacerbate climate change impacts such as increased wildfire and shrinking wetlands. But funding for New Mexico's wildfire agency comes from the state, he noted. That means: 'We're going to be able to continue doing unbelievable conservation and habitat work in New Mexico, despite the dysfunction that's happening at the federal level,' he said. An undated photo of a Peñasco least chipmunk which has been considered for listing as endangered, due to the small population. (Courtesy of Department of Game and Fish / Jim Stuart) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Woman accused of pouring chocolate syrup into gas tank
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Police arrested a woman during a traffic stop on Monday night for a warrant accusing her of pouring chocolate syrup into a vehicle's gas tank, causing hundreds of dollars in damage. Rachell Diane Seamster, 34, of Wichita Falls, was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, on charges of criminal mischief over $750 and under $2,500 and possession of a controlled substance. LOCAL CRIME: Fentanyl-related murder defendant pleads guilty As of the publication of this story, she remains in custody on bonds totaling $10,000. According to the arrest affidavit, officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a grey Kia Soul on Monday, April 14, at 11:05 p.m. after the vehicle didn't use a signal when turning onto Martin Luther King Boulevard. Police said during the traffic stop, they identified the driver, who had active warrants out for his arrest. They then identified the passenger as Seamster, and a records check revealed she had an active warrant for her arrest. Officers searched Seamster upon her arrest and discovered a burnt glass pipe on her person. They also discovered small white rocks in and under the passenger's seat. A field test returned a positive test for crack cocaine. The warrant stems from an investigation into an incident in October 2023 at the Royal Gardens. According to the affidavit, the alleged victim told police that he was sitting on the balcony of his apartment when he saw a woman walk from behind a dumpster wearing a dress, a mask, and no shoes. LOCAL CRIME: Manslaughter defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity Police said the victim told them the woman walked toward the driver's side of his Dodge Journey, and he observed her appearing to pour a substance into the gas tank of his vehicle. He said he ran down the stairs to confront her, but she ran away. The affidavit said officers began searching the area for the suspect. They said they observed a woman matching the suspect's description and identified her as Seamster. They said they advised Seamster of her rights, and she admitted to pouring chocolate into the gas tank. According to the affidavit, officers said Seamster told them she'd been picked up to 'do a job' in return for $50 to buy drugs with. They said she wouldn't identify the person who picked her up and paid her. The affidavit said the victim later sent police an estimate of over $1,700 to repair his 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Seamster puts up 29 as UT Arlington defeats Cal Baptist 82-79 in OT
The AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Raysean Seamster scored 29 points and UT Arlington overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat Cal Baptist 82-79 in overtime on Thursday night. Seamster added eight rebounds for the Mavericks (12-13, 5-6 Western Athletic Conference). Lance Ware scored 14 points and added eight rebounds and five steals. Darius Burford had 12 points and shot 5 of 11 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line. Javonte Johnson led the way for the Lancers (12-12, 5-5) with 15 points. Dominique Daniels Jr. and AJ Braun each had 12 points. Johnson tied it at 67-all in the closing seconds of regulation and Kade Douglas missed a half-court shot at the buzzer. The two teams play Saturday. UT Arlington hosts Grand Canyon and Cal Baptist hosts Utah Tech. ___
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
American Lung Association releases 2025 'State of Tobacco Control' report
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – The American lung Association released its annual 'State of Tobacco Control' report Wednesday, and the grades weren't ideal in Pennsylvania. 'We received an F here in Pennsylvania by the American Lung Association for the amount of money that we put towards prevention and control programs,' Elizabeth Hensil, Pennsylvania's advocacy director for the American Lung Association, said. The state is spending around $21 million on those programs. The CDC says the Commonwealth should be spending around $140 million. However, tobacco has a rich history in Lancaster County. 'The history dates back 150-plus years,' Greg Seamster, the senior vice president for Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company, said. The company says the county generates around $50 million in revenue annually on tobacco. Some farmers rely on the crop to make a living. 'It's the most profitable product they can grow on their farm per acre,' Seamster said. Fertile soil makes Lancaster County a growing hot spot. 'The soil here is very unique and rich and produces good yields for the farmer,' Seamster said. The tobacco raised by farmers in the county is used all over the world according to Seamster. Lancaster Leaf supplies many of the major cigar manufacturers in the U.S. with filler, binder, and wrapper from the U.S. and other origins. In addition to domestic supply, Lancaster exports filler, binder, and wrapper to international cigar manufacturers. The Lung Association says tobacco products – some unregulated by the Federal Drug Administration – have become an addiction for kids. Most of the use being e-cigarettes and vapes. 'One thing that is really striking is that the high school tobacco use rate in Pennsylvania right now is 19.7%,' Hensil said. The Lung Association is hopeful to get legislation passed that would end smoking inside places like casinos. 'We really have concerns about the employees that are working at these places and the casino workers that really have nowhere to go,' Hensil said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
