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Basil Seggos

Lifestyle
Hawk Caught In Chicken Coop Rescued In Hudson Valley Hawk Caught In Chicken Coop Rescued In Hudson Valley
Hawk Caught In Chicken Coop Rescued In Hudson Valley Karma came back to bite a hungry hawk who found itself in a precarious position after getting caught in a chicken coop in the Hudson Valley. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officers recently came to the aid of a hawk in distress after it got caught in a chicken coop at a home in the village of Brewster in Putnam County. The officer met with the homeowner, who reported that the hawk had gotten stuck in the chicken coop and was being attacked by some of the chickens. Environmental Conservation Officer Evan Crisafulli was able to safely rescue the red-shouldered hawk, …

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by Zak Failla
News
Official Indian Point Closure Set Official Indian Point Closure Set
Official Indian Point Closure Set Indian Point is set to power down for the final time in Westchester as New York shuts down the nuclear plant nestled on the shore of the Hudson River. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the Indian Point nuclear power plant will be closed, as planned, on Friday, April 30, with the final unit being shut down for good following years of debate and discussion over the controversial facility. Earlier story - NY State Announces Steps To 'Safely Close' Indian Point Nuclear Power Facility The power plant has been a point of consternation for Cuomo for years, citing its proximity to New…

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by Zak Failla
News
Police Issue Alert Following Multiple Coyote Sightings In Westchester Police Issue Alert Following Multiple Coyote Sightings In Westchester
Police Issue Alert Following Multiple Coyote Sightings In Westchester While most are fretting over the unabated spread of COVID-19, a village in Westchester is warning of a different potential threat: coyotes. The Scarsdale Police Department issued a warning to area residents after there were multiple coyote sightings throughout the village in recent weeks. Police said that the coyotes did not appear threatening, and there was no contact with area residents, most of whom have been in self-isolation due to the virus.  No incidents were reported, just sightings. "Coyotes are an integral part of our natural ecosystem and provide many benefits to New Yorke…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Police Issue Alert Following Multiple Coyote Sightings In Westchester Police Issue Alert Following Multiple Coyote Sightings In Westchester
Police Issue Alert Following Multiple Coyote Sightings In Westchester While most are fretting over the unabated spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a village in Westchester is warning of a different potential threat: coyotes. The Scarsdale Police Department issued a warning to area residents after there were multiple coyote sightings in the area of Mamaroneck and Saxon Woods Roads near Meadow Road. Police said that the coyotes did not appear threatening, and there was no contact with area residents, most of whom have been in self-isolation due to the virus. No incidents were reported, just sightings. "Coyotes are an integral part of our natural ecosystem…

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by Zak Failla
News
Coyote Wild: Rare Fall Coyote Sightings Reported In New Rochelle Coyote Wild: Rare Fall Coyote Sightings Reported In New Rochelle
Coyote Wild: Rare Fall Coyote Sightings Reported In New Rochelle Although temperatures are dropping, and reported sightings typically tend to take a dip, a pair of sizable coyotes were recently spotted making the rounds in Westchester. Two sightings of coyotes - estimated at approximately 40 pounds each - were reported in New Rochelle in recent days. The first sighting was reported on Thursday, Oct. 24 at approximately 7:15 a.m., the second on Sunday, Oct. 27, both in the Beechmont Woods neighborhood. The coyotes didn’t make contact with any humans, but were seen prowling about the area. According to the Parks Department, coyotes are canines, “which me…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Photos: New Coyote Sighting Reported In New Rochelle Backyard Photos: New Coyote Sighting Reported In New Rochelle Backyard
Photos: New Coyote Sighting Reported In New Rochelle Backyard There’s been a new coyote sighting in Westchester. A New Rochelle resident reported that he woke up on Sunday, Sept. 8, to “what sounded like lawn furniture moving in (his) backyard” near Quaker Ridge Road. When he went outside, the resident found two coyotes feet away from him and snapped some photos before the coyotes scampered away without incident. It is the latest in a string of sightings throughout Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley. "Coyotes are an integral part of our natural ecosystem and provide many benefits to New Yorkers, but can cause conflicts if they become accustomed…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's How Many More Deer NY Hunters Killed Last Year Compared To 2017 Here's How Many More Deer NY Hunters Killed Last Year Compared To 2017
Here's How Many More Deer NY Hunters Killed Last Year Compared To 2017 New York hunters enjoyed a fruitful and busy deer hunting season, taking down 12 percent more deer statewide compared to the previous year. During the 2018-2019 deer hunting season, an estimated 227,787 white-tailed deer were killed, according to new numbers released by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In the previous deer hunting season, hunters harvested 203,427 deer, which had been a 4.5 percent decrease from 2016, the NYSDEC noted. Regionally, hunters killed 28,642 deer in the Northern Zone and 199,145 deer in the Southern Zone. Approximately 60 percent of th…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Flying High Now: Bald Eagles Making Comeback In NY Flying High Now: Bald Eagles Making Comeback In NY
Flying High Now: Bald Eagles Making Comeback In NY Bald eagles are flying now, flyin' high now, they're gonna fly, fly, fly as they make a comeback in New York. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in 1976, there was only one pair of bald eagles nesting in New York. Conservation efforts have increased that number to more than 300 pairs that were reported this year. Those hopeful of spotting a bald eagle have been instructed by the NYSDEC to “scan the tree-tops for eagles perched there or watch the sky. Eagles like heavily wooded areas near water with tall trees for nesting and perching. They eat a lot of…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man Charged With Having Seven Live Sandbar Sharks In His Pool With Intent To Sell Them Man Charged With Having Seven Live Sandbar Sharks In His Pool With Intent To Sell Them
Man Charged With Having Seven Live Sandbar Sharks In His Pool With Intent To Sell Them A 38-year-old area man was nabbed by officials for allegedly having possession of seven Sandbar sharks in a pool at his Dutchess County home with the intent to sell them. State Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos said Wednesday, March 20, that Joshua Seguine, of Lagrangeville, was busted following an investigation after he was found with five live sharks in the back of a truck. “The trafficking of protected species is both unlawful and harmful to these vulnerable creatures," said James. “This individual is charged with …

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by Kathy Reakes
Neighbors
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes
Here's How You Can Help To Avoid Conflicts With Coyotes With winter slowly transforming to spring and temperatures warming up, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released its annual guide on how to avoid conflicts with coyotes. DEC officials released the guide on Monday as warmer weather will soon bring coyotes out from the wild to set up dens for pups that will arrive during the spring. "This time of year, DEC sees an uptick in questions from New Yorkers regarding coyotes and their behavior," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the statement. "While coyotes are an integral and beneficial part of our natural ecosys…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's How Many Deer NY Hunters Killed This Fall, Marking Increase For Third Straight Year Here's How Many Deer NY Hunters Killed This Fall, Marking Increase For Third Straight Year
Here's How Many Deer NY Hunters Killed This Fall, Marking Increase For Third Straight Year New York continues to be a hotspot for deer hunters, with 2018 marking the third consecutive year that the kill count has increased. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced that hunters killed approximately 109,000 deer during hunting season, up from 98,000 last year and 86,000 in 2016. The number represents a 14 percent increase in the Northern Zone and 11 percent increase in the Southern Zone. A final tally of the seasons' deer and bear harvests will be released early next year. According to the NYSDEC, through the final weekend of the Southern Zone late bow and m…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Brand-New Coyote Sighting In Westchester: Find Out When, Where Brand-New Coyote Sighting In Westchester: Find Out When, Where
Brand-New Coyote Sighting In Westchester: Find Out When, Where A large coyote was spotted making the rounds in Northern Westchester.  The latest coyote sighting in Westchester came from a South Salem resident, who saw the "good-sized" animal making the rounds on the Lewisboro Elementary School property on Bouton Road in South Salem at approximately 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5. The sightings come following several others throughout Westchester in recent weeks, including Greenburgh, New Rochelle Eastchester, Mount Pleasant, Chappaqua and Pleasantville as well as Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland counties. According to the DEC, “coyotes are well adapt…

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by Zak Failla
News
State Warns Hudson Valley Residents 'Free Dirt' Might Actually Be Contaminated State Warns Hudson Valley Residents 'Free Dirt' Might Actually Be Contaminated
State Warns Hudson Valley Residents 'Free Dirt' Might Actually Be Contaminated The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is warning Hudson Valley residents to be cautious when offered free fill material for use to level or grade their properties.  The Buffalo News reported that radioactive waste had been discovered in fill near the entrance to Niagara Falls State Park, in this article.  State officials confirmed to the Buffalo News that tests by the DEC found low levels of radioactivity, along with petroleum waste and traces of benzopyrene, a cancer-causing chemical found in coal tar, cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust. There are only two tiny signs m…

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by Jon Craig
Lifestyle
Safety Forum On Coyotes Set Following Several Westchester Spring Sightings Safety Forum On Coyotes Set Following Several Westchester Spring Sightings
Safety Forum On Coyotes Set Following Several Westchester Spring Sightings Following a rash of incidents involving coyotes in Westchester County in the last two months, officials in Greenburgh will host a biologist from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a special forum about living with the animals this week. The forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25, at Town Hall on Hillside Avenue in White Plains. It will also be streamed live and archived online. Last month, there were several reports of coyotes attacking local residents, including the death of a small dog that was victimized by the animal. Law enforcement officials track…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Cuomo Announces Plan To Ban Plastic Bags Cuomo Announces Plan To Ban Plastic Bags
Cuomo Announces Plan To Ban Plastic Bags A day after the world celebrated Earth Day, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed a bill that would ban plastic bags throughout the state. Cuomo announced on Monday that he has introduced legislation that would ban single-use, plastic carryout bags based on the recommendation of the New York State Plastic Bags Task Force, which “outlined the environmental impact” of reducing the use of the bags at retail locations. Led by State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos along with co-chairs Sen. Thomas O'Mara and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, the Task Force was ta…

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by Zak Failla