Latest news with #stateparks
The Guardian
4 days ago
- The Guardian
Woman likely bitten by shark at New York's popular Jones Beach
A 20-year-old woman was likely bitten by a juvenile shark while waist-deep in the surf at a suburban New York beach, according to state officials. The unidentified woman suffered minor lacerations to her left leg and foot after being bitten Wednesday at Jones Beach state park on Long Island. She was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to a release from state parks officials. The woman did not see what bit her, and a subsequent drone search for dangerous marine life was not successful. But experts analyzing photos of the injuries and other factors believe the bites 'most likely' came from a juvenile sand tiger shark, state officials said. Swimming was immediately suspended after the incident and resumed on Thursday morning after a check of the water by drones and lifeguards. Patrols aimed at protecting swimmers will reportedly remain in place through the summer. Though they get a disproportionate amount of public attention, cases of sharks biting humans are rare. There had been 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites worldwide last year after an average of 64 annually between 2019 and 2023, said the International Shark Attack File, a renowned resource. Seven of those attacks last year were fatal. Twenty-eight of 2024's unprovoked shark attacks were in the US – and half were registered in Florida. None were in New York – though in 2022, a cluster of five attacks over two weeks in the same Long Island area captured international headlines.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Washington Post
Officials believe a young shark bit a woman at a New York beach
WANTAGH, N.Y. — A 20-year-old woman was likely bitten by a juvenile shark while waist-deep in the surf at a suburban New York beach, according to state officials. The unidentified woman suffered minor cuts to her left leg and foot after being bitten Wednesday at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island. She was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to a release from state parks officials.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
Officials believe a young shark bit a woman at a New York beach
WANTAGH, N.Y. (AP) — A 20-year-old woman was likely bitten by a juvenile shark while waist-deep in the surf at a suburban New York beach, according to state officials. The unidentified woman suffered minor cuts to her left leg and foot after being bitten Wednesday at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island. She was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to a release from state parks officials. The woman did not see what bit her, and a subsequent drone search for dangerous marine life was not successful. But experts analyzing photos of the injuries and other factors believe the bites 'most likely' came from a juvenile sand tiger shark, state officials said. Swimming was immediately suspended after the incident and resumed Thursday morning after a check of the water by drones and lifeguards.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Annual free entry to Vermont parks and historic sites this weekend
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Even with some potential showers on Saturday, it's going to be a good weekend to 'explore everything that state parks have to offer', according to state parks director Nate McKeen. Vermont Days are happening on June 14 and 15, and with them free entry to all Vermont State Parks and State Historic Sites along with a multitude of events for the whole family. Vermont State Historic Sites will return starting May 16 Included in the weekend's specials is the statewide Summer Free Fishing Day, as previously covered by MyChamplainValley. Grand Isle will hold its own fishing festival event on Saturday, with activities from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including basic fishing lessons and fishing-related activities for young anglers and their families. History buffs can look forward to the opening of the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, a Flag Day celebration at the Bennington Battle Monument, kite flying at other historic sites, and a lecture on John Hancock, the first man to sign the Declaration of Indepedence, by a historian at Mount Independence. More information on Vermont Days can be found at and on Vermont state parks at their official government website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's the future of state park funding? Ohio Senate uses fracking bonuses for bottom line
When Ohio Republicans pitched fracking in state parks in 2011, one of their selling points was a cash infusion for state parks. But a Senate change would put that money toward regular operations instead. That has some Ohioans who rely on those parks concerned about future funding. "We're very rural and we depend on the income that tourism generates for our local economy," said Shannon Wells, director of economic development for Morgan County, which has three state parks and two wildlife areas. "The reduction in funding could impact law enforcement, other staffing that the state parks find critical to operate." A spokesman for Senate Republicans said those fears are unfounded. Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, told Ohio Public Radio that fracking royalties 'don't belong to ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources). They belong to the people of the state of Ohio.' In December 2024, Ohio approved oil and gas drilling under hundreds of acres of Salt Fork State Park. It was the first − and so far only − state park approved for fracking after state lawmakers kick-started the application process in December 2022. More:Get The Scoop!: Sign up for our weekly Ohio politics newsletter As part of that deal, West Virginia-based Infinity Natural Resources paid $59.7 million in lease bonuses. State law requires 30% of that money to go toward improvements to Salt Fork State Park. In March, Ohio doled out $9.6 million to replace a beach shelter house, build a new concession stand, resurface parking areas and make other repairs. The remaining money is put into a special fund for state parks. Rather than dole that money out, Senate Republicans' two-year budget would cut $35.3 million from Ohio Department of Natural Resources' budget and backfill that money with the signing bonuses, effectively flat-funding the department. Tracy Simons, Morgan County's executive director of tourism, wonders why lawmakers are relying on a pot of money from fracking bonuses that isn't guaranteed going forward. "People could lose their jobs. It's just a snowball effect." Simons said state parks are the lifeblood of tourism for smaller counties like hers. "It would be detrimental to our county as a whole," she said. "Many of our small businesses here rely on tourism and the dollars that it brings in." ODNR is reviewing a proposal, a spokesman said. The Ohio Senate is expected to pass the state budget soon. Then, lawmakers in the House and Senate will hash out differences before sending it to Gov. Mike DeWine. The deadline for a balanced budget is June 30. State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@ or @jbalmert on X. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Locals who rely on state parks tourism worry about Senate budget plan
