Latest news with #Shaffer
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'An opportunity': Crews near Flagstaff fight Basin Fire with fire
Some wildfires are disasters, while others are opportunities. Officials in northern Arizona used a small wildfire as a tool to burn off excess forest vegetation and prevent more catastrophic fires in the future. Crews finished the majority of their operations to manage the Basin Fire north of Flagstaff on June 10, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. Lightning caused the fire on June 5, though flames were limited, consuming only one acre in the next few days, according to federal tracker Inciweb. Since then, crews have actively shepherded and contained the fire so it would burn up excess fuels in surrounding forests. 'When we have lightning strikes that happen at the right time in the right place and when we have the resources available, we will use those lightning strikes as an opportunity to let fire fulfill its natural role in our ponderosa pine ecosystem,' said Randi Shaffer, public information officer for the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team which was handling the operations. Pillars of smoke drifted up from ponderosa forests as the operations got underway on June 8. Crews actively managed the fire to burn 9,145 acres of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and reach 42% containment, according to InciWeb. The flames had died down to a smolder by June 11, and crews went back to burn up any excess dead vegetation that the fire hadn't taken care of, officials said. 'We live in a fire-adapted ecosystem up here in northern Arizona, which means that our ponderosa pine trees really love fire. We need fire for myriad reasons," Shaffer said. "Fire is really great for the nitrogen in the soil. It's really great for cleaning up dead and down fuels, and it's a really crucial part of our environment.' The area around the fire operations along U.S. Route 180 was closed to the public for safety reasons. The closure was expected to remain in effect for several days after June 11, according to Shaffer. Crews burned buffer zones along perimeters around the fire using 'firing operations,' taking out any fuels the fire could use to spread once it arrived at those buffers. Shaffer explained that crews use official guidelines to decide when and how to use wildfire as a tool. Fire crews often use 'controlled burns,' or managed fires they start on purpose, to clear out fuels and harden landscapes against future wildfire. In this case, the crews used a naturally occurring fire to do the same thing. Fire managers ensured that the operations didn't draw resources away from emergencies or other fires where they might be needed. 'If you can burn that stuff out during times of ideal weather, you are lessening the risk of a catastrophic wildfire later in the year,' Shaffer said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fire crews near Flagstaff use fire to prevent other wildfires
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mendota man pleads guilty to witness tampering
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — A Mendota man pleaded guilty to assaulting a fellow inmate to prevent them from testifying during a federal investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Virginia, McKinley Lee Shaffer, a 'self-described gang member,' pleaded guilty to one count of using physical force against a witness regarding the testimony and potential cooperation in an official proceeding. Shaffer, 32, now faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison. 'The witness was involved in a federal investigation involving a March 2024 shots-fired incident in Abingdon and a related federal investigation,' the release stated. 'Investigation revealed that Lakin Garrett had fired a pistol at a victim as part of a drug-related dispute.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now On Nov. 24, 2024, Shaffer reportedly assaulted his fellow inmate at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority in Abingdon. Surveillance video shows Shaffer punching the victim without warning, and a physical altercation ensued. 'In a later recorded video 'visit' with another person, Shaffer stated he was a gang member, and that the victim had robbed an 'Aryan Princess' and 'told on her' for shooting at the victim,' the release said. 'Shaffer was referring to the March 2024 shots-fired incident in Abingdon. Shaffer said that he 'had to go beat him up.'' The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bristol, Virginia Police Department and the Abingdon Police Department are investigating the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
DuBois Man faces charges for unlawful communication with a minor
DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) — A DuBois man was arrested after allegedly communicating with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but was an undercover officer, according to police. Bruce Shaffer, 65, is facing charges of unlawful communication with a minor, corruption of minors, and indecent assault after he knowingly and willingly had sexually explicit conversations with the officer portraying a minor online. According to the complaint, Shaffer communicated with the undercover officer multiple times, first on a website called 'Chatib' before moving communication to a personal email. Shaffer allegedly began asking the minor for 'sexy' photographs and stated he wanted to 'kiss her and handcuff her to a bed.' The DuBois City Police Department, in conjunction with the Dauphin County District Attorney's office, apprehended Shaffer after an arrest warrant was issued on Wednesday, May 28. Shaffer was taken into custody without incident. He is currently in custody at Clearfield County Jail until he can be extradited to Dauphin County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Dairy Australia announces DataGene boss Matthew Shaffer will lead the organisation into a ‘new era' as CEO
Dairy Australia has announced the appointment of DataGene boss Matthew Shaffer as its new chief executive to help lead the organisation into a 'new era'. Mr Shaffer was selected after an 'extensive' recruitment process for his vision for the organisation, knowledge and passion for the dairy industry, and strong commercial experience in agriculture. His appointment comes at a time when the dairy industry is facing climate-induced disruptions, fluctuating farmgate prices, high operating costs and global headwinds. Dairy Australia chair Paul Roderick said Mr Shaffer brings a wealth of experience and a proven ability to deliver meaningful change. 'After consulting farmers around Dairy Australia's strategic direction, we are preparing to launch a new five-year strategy,' he said. 'Matt will contribute to shaping our future direction and play a critical role in implementing a strategy that supports farmers to unlock the potential of their farm business, innovate for future success, while ensuring a sustainable dairy industry.' Mr Shaffer has extensive experience in agricultural economics and corporate leadership within the dairy industry. He was most recently chief executive of DataGene, before which he was chief executive of Holstein Australia. Mr Shaffer also spent time in an international operations role at US-based Hancock Agriculture Investment Group. He will succeed managing director David Nation — who announced his decision to step down in late 2024 after seven years in the role — on July 16. Mr Roderick said Mr Nation challenged the status quo and championed initiatives that have had a lasting impact on the dairy industry. 'His leadership in research and innovation through partnerships with DairyBio and DairyFeedbase has been exceptional,' he said. 'He also played a key role in enhancing Dairy Australia's support for the industry's sustainability agenda, building community trust, and strengthening regional connections with farmers. 'Under his guidance, Dairy Australia has become a more people-focused organisation with a clear commitment to delivering value for the industry.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- 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.
