Latest news with #Shaffer
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Santa Fe County commissioners adopt $305 million interim budget
Santa Fe County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a roughly $305 million interim budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget invests in county employees, said County Manager Greg Shaffer, and includes $665,644 to hire six new sheriff's deputies. After the state approves the interim budget, which is due June 1, it will come back to county commissioners, who can tweak it before voting to pass a final budget in July. The final budget will also include capital and maintenance budgets, which weren't addressed on Tuesday. Commissioners have been holding budget hearings with county departments this month, and the $305 million budget total is likely to grow. This month, Shaffer said potential rollovers from the current budget not included in the sum could total as much as $68.1 million. Commissioners are expected to take up a rollover budget adjustment resolution in September. Commissioners unanimously approved a $347 million interim budget in May 2024 for the current fiscal year. Ultimately, the budget for the 2025 fiscal year was adjusted to $355 million, county spokesperson Olivia Romo wrote in an email. In a recent interview, Shaffer said the rollover amounts make it difficult to evaluate whether the county's overall budget for the next fiscal year will be higher or lower than this year. "Due to the uncertainty of the rollover amount (described previously), we cannot provide you with a definitive percentage," Romo wrote in an email Tuesday. "After the rollover is budgeted in September, we anticipate the FY2026 operating budget (excluding transfers and capital and maintenance projects) to be 0% to 5% above the FY2025 operating budget (excluding transfers and capital and maintenance projects)." According to a county document, departments with significant budgets include the sheriff's office at $22.7 million, the County Manager's Office $34.9 million, and the Corrections Department at $28.7 million. The County Manager's Office — which includes the Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology divisions — is responsible for preparing the budget and providing the commission with the information needed to make decisions. Commissioners approved the interim budget after about five minutes of discussion, thanking county administration for the new deputy positions. "This is a concern for all of our constituents. I think we all hear it," said Commissioner Justin Greene. The budget is also expected to include previously allocated funds for the development of a youth behavioral health services facility that will bring scattered providers under one roof. Currently, the county is identifying locations for at least a 20,000-square-foot facility with $7.3 million in dedicated funding. The interim budget includes $120,000 for trauma-informed training and planning services for county employees. "[I want] to also thank the county manager and the Community Services Department for considering the suggestion for trauma-informed training and consultation, and I think it's really going to help us," said Commissioner Lisa Cacari Stone. The proposed budget also includes funds for pay raises for both union and nonunion employees, as well as funds for collective bargaining negotiations with the Santa Fe Regional Emergency Communications Center and AFSCME 1413-M bargaining units, which represents medical employees at the jail.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Support group addresses needs of caregivers after impacts of stroke
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — UPMC Altoona offers a support group for those who've suffered from a stroke and, according to patients, it makes a positive impact on their road to recovery. Now organizers feel it's time to extend that support for caregivers. Randy Parish survived his first stroke in October 2020. He then had a second stroke only a few months later in June 2021. He lives with the lingering effects, but UPMC Altoona's Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Support Group has made his recovery easier. 'We had this educational group on the five stages of grief because you've had a major loss in your life. And some people it's physical loss. And some people, I mean like me, it's a sensory loss,' Parish said. But for the over 795,000 Americans that have a stroke each year, that loss and the struggle of recovery can also take a toll on loved ones. 'Someone always mowed the lawn. Someone always wrote the checks. And after a stroke, a lot changes. Not only physically, but cognitively as well. So this is something that they never ever had to do,' said Bryanna Shaffer, a physical therapist at UPMC Altoona. Shaffer supervises the support group. She said they're now looking to expand by offering more support and education for caregivers. 'We've had caregivers go through different situations and the fact that they can meet each other and relate with each other, keep in touch with each other, just spend time with each other — that's the most important part for our stroke patients, their caregivers and the community in general,' Shaffer said. Joleen Earnest, a physical therapist assistant at UPMC Altoona, has been with the group for 28 years. She said there's long been a need for better caregiver support and demand is growing. 'People are more open now than they used to be, and caregivers are more open with what they're going through as well,' Earnest said. The group meets at Station Medical Center in Altoona the second Tuesday of every other month at 5 p.m. The next meeting will be July 8 and it's open to everyone — stroke survivors, caregivers or anyone interested in discussion topics. Outside of regular group meetings, members also enjoy community outings, including going to next Tuesday's Curve Game, where Parish will throw out the first pitch. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lawsuit claims lack of handrails at Woodcutter Stadium led to injury of Harrison County woman
FAIRMONT — A lawsuit filed April 1 in Marion County Circuit Court claims a lack of handrails at Woodcutter Stadium led to the injury of a Harrison County woman. Plaintiff Brittany Shaffer alleges Marion County Schools' failure to install handrails in the visitors stand of the football field at North Marion High led to her injury. Shaffer's attorney is T. Keith Gould, of Clarksburg. The injury took place near the end of a middle school football game in 2023. As Shaffer descended the steps to join her son near or behind the team's locker room, she slipped, lost her balance and wrenched her left knee, according to the civil complaint. 'The Plaintiff's severe and permanent injury included a rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament and a torn meniscus, all of which required surgical repair,' the document states. The filing states the steps in question were once fitted with handrails for the purpose of aiding spectators as they used the aisle steps. However, it alleges Marion County Schools removed the handrails and did not replace them. The document also points out the aisle steps were designed with predrilled holes to allow for handrails. School Superintendent Donna Heston declined to comment for this story, saying Marion County Schools does not comment on ongoing litigation. Gould did not return a phone call by press time. As of May 1, no handrails are present at the visitors stand, despite the accident having occurred almost a year and half ago, which the complaint also points out. The complaint alleges Marion County Schools violated state law. According to the International Code Commission, the West Virginia Fire Commission adopted IBC standards statewide, including in Rachel where the field sits. IBC standards require handrails on bleacher aisles. 'There is no publicly available sign that the Defendant intends to make them compliant with the law or common sense safety practice,' the complaint says. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Marion County Schools as well as state law violations resulted in Shaffer suffering a severe and permanent knee injury. Shaffer seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of household services and other damages. Shaffer also seeks general damages for pain, suffering, permanent injury, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and other damages. Marion County Schools has not filed a response in court yet.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged after Pennsylvania State Police Gettysburg bomb threat
ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A man was accused Tuesday of making a bomb threat towards Pennsylvania State Police out of Gettysburg because he wanted to see what would happen, court documents show. Dylan Shaffer, 25, of Allegheny County, allegedly posted on April 21 on Facebook, 'I put a bomb outside the Gettysburg station (tagging) PA State Police,' the charges filed by State Police show. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now He also created a follow-up post saying '(tagged) PA State Police hope u find the (bomb) before it blows up,' State Police said. Shaffer told investigators he made the threat because 'he thought it would be funny and wanted to see what kind of reaction he would receive,' State Police said. According to the charges filed, Troopers learned that Shaffer has a history of making threats. He was involved in multiple investigations in the Centre County area regarding threats, and he also had a past history of making bomb threats. Shaffer was also reportedly charged with making an alleged mass shooting threat while in a game chat in February. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Shaffer faces two felony charges of bomb threats and criminal use of a communication facility, and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. He has yet to be arraigned on his charges, court records show. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Garage destroyed in severe Saturday morning winds
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A garage has been destroyed in heavy winds off of Champaign Logan Shelby Road early Saturday morning. At approximately 10 a.m. Wyatt Shaffer, the homeowner, explained his family was in the house and prepping lunch for Easter. They heard the rain and everything outside their windows turned white for 30 to 45 seconds. Then everything was scattered everywhere. Shayffer said there wasn't any hail, but extremely loud wind. Multiple power poles damaged by heavy winds in Miami Valley 'I'm really surprised that one was on the ground but none of the others were on the ground,' said Shaffer. The house had minimal damage, but the garage was destroyed. Debris was found over 300 yards away. Cinderblocks crushed the nearby car. Shaffer said the family is waiting for the insurance company to take a look at the damage. 2 NEWS will have more on this wind damage as we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
