What did Greg Abbottโs border inspections turn up? Oil leaks, flat tires and zero drugs
The governor ordered troopers to thoroughly inspect every commercial truck coming from Mexico in what he described as an effort to stop illegal drugs and migrants from being smuggled into Texas. His order for increased state inspections led to snarling delays in trade between the two countries.
Produce assocation: โEnhanced inspectionsโ costing millions
As of late Thursday, roughly 80 percent of commercial truck traffic inbound to Texas from Mexico was still subject to Gov. Greg Abbottโs order requiring the Department of Public Safety to conduct โenhanced inspectionsโ of every northbound truck attempting to cross the border. But Galeazzi noted that the additional level-one inspections being conducted by DPS focus on equipment โ lights, mirrors, windshield wipers, etc. โThose safety inspections do not permit DPS to open the trailers, at least as I understand it,โ he said. โThe difference is theyโre conducting inspections on somewhere between 20 to 40 percent of the traffic thatโs coming through,โ he said.
myrgv.comGov. Greg Abbott eases state inspections at one commercial bridge, as trade remains snarled across the border
The move provides little relief as trade between Texas and Mexico is hampered along the border because of Abbottโs order. The Colombia bridge is just one of 13 commercial crossings between the two countries and the only one connected to Nuevo Leรณn.
Six Kids Among Dozens Shot at Arkansas Gun Show
GettyA terrifying volley of bullets that left one person dead and 28 woundedโincluding kids as young as 19 months oldโwas sparked by two men who who โgot in a gunfightโ at a car show that was supposed to be a family-friendly event.โThere was no mass shooting intended on this,โ Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety said during a Sunday press conference about the violence that erupted at the gathering in small-town Dumas.Officials confirmed that Cameron Shaffer, 23, of Jacks
news.yahoo.comBorder Patrol pursuits lead to 32 arrests
On March 15, Border Patrol agents dealt with three failed smuggling attempts that led to 32 arrests. This resulted in a pursuit which ended once the driver plowed through a ranch fence. An hour later, a Department of Public Safety trooper was involved in a pursuit with a Chrysler 300 near Mission. The McAllen Border Patrol Station agents were requested to assist and, once engaged, were able to determine that five of the occupants were non-citizens from Mexico. Although DPS troopers attempted to assist and follow protocol, yet another driver embarked on a vehicle pursuit.
myrgv.comDPS releases identities of pilot, passenger killed in plane crash near Katy Freeway in west Houston
The Department of Public Safety has released the identities of the pilot and passenger killed in a plane crash near the Katy Freeway. The pilot has been identified as Katy resident Solomon Babalola, 23, and the female passenger was Apesin Oluwafunmilayo, 20. She resided in Houston.
State to build border wall in Starr County
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced a lease agreement Monday that will allow the state to build a border wall in Starr County. The commissioner held a news conference in Starr County in July to talk about a lawsuit filed by his office over the unfinished border wall in a property stretching 3,099 acres. Greg Abbott visited Del Rรญo, he announced his plans to create a border wall and barriers. That same day Bush said the construction would receive emergency authorization on state lands. During Bushโs visit to Starr County in July, he announced the General Land Office would be making its 20,000 state-owned border acres available to his plans.
myrgv.comTexas prosecutor drops charges after migrants claim they were marched to private property, then arrested for trespassing
The Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol insist the 11 men, arrested under Gov. Greg Abbottโs border initiative, werenโt set up for trespassing charges. But a county attorney decided the case was too muddled to prosecute.
Democrats see political peril in replacing Minneapolis PD
As activists mobilized this summer to ask Minneapolis voters to replace their police department, one of the first prominent Democrats to slam the plan was a moderate congresswoman who doesnโt even live in the city. Angie Craig declared it โshortsighted, misguided and likely to harm the very communities that it seeks to protect." Craig's district covers a suburban-to-rural and politically divided region south of the city, but her willingness to jump into the fight next door highlights the political threat that Democrats like Craig see in the proposal.
news.yahoo.comTexas court orders release of more than 200 migrants imprisoned in Gov. Greg Abbottโs border security clampdown
The men were arrested by state troopers and held for weeks without facing formal charges, a violation of state law. Itโs the latest misfire in Abbottโs hastily assembled effort to involve Texas in patrolling the border.
Migrants arrested by Texas in border crackdown are being imprisoned for weeks without legal help or formal charges
Defense attorneys have started asking courts to set migrants free because local justice systems, overwhelmed by arrests under Gov. Greg Abbott's border security push, are routinely violating state law and constitutional due process rights.
After a Texas prosecutor dismissed dozens of migrant trespassing cases, some men were dropped at a border bus station
Officials said immigration authorities werenโt interested in taking migrants who had no criminal conviction into federal custody. But without documentation, at least one newly released migrant soon found himself back in detention.
Thanks to local politics and a railroad, rural Kinney County accounts for most of Texasโ migrant arrests
Under Gov. Greg Abbottโs border security push, Texas state police have arrested hundreds of migrants in the conservative county, usually after spotting them on cargo trains or walking remote ranch lands. Sent to a state prison retooled as an immigration jail, many men were left without lawyers for weeks.
An 18-year-old Venezuelan was among the first set free from Texasโ new jail for migrants. No one knew what to do with him.
After more than three weeks in jail, a trespassing charge against the man was dropped because state troopers shouldnโt have arrested him under Gov. Greg Abbottโs border security push. He wound up in bureaucratic limbo for days as federal agencies passed the responsibility for resolving his immigration status.
The first migrants arrested in Gov. Greg Abbott's border crackdown have served their time. Federal officials will decide what happens next.
The Texas governor has derided federal immigration policy as "catch and release." But unless federal authorities now take them into custody, the migrants Abbott ordered state troopers to arrest could soon be freed.
Donald Trump visits Texas to tour โunfinished border wallโ on U.S.-Mexico border with Gov. Greg Abbott
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday joined Texasโ top state leaders at the U.S.-Mexico border to slam the Biden administrationโs immigration policies during a visit to the โunfinished border wa[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexans On The Hook Again For Expired Driver's Licenses and Vehicle Registrations
State residents with expired driverโs licenses and vehicle registrations need to get those renewed ASAP, as the pandemic inspired grace period that had Texas law enforcement looking the other way is officially over as of April 14.
houstonpress.comSouth Dakota governor blocked from releasing records in attorney general's deadly crash
A South Dakota judge on Thursday blocked Governor Kristi Noem from releasing documents and video in the investigation of the state's attorney general for striking and killing a man with his car. Price had said the Department of Public Safety was within the bounds of state law in releasing the documents. In the videos, investigators confront the attorney general with the gruesome details of the crash. South Dakota Department of Public SafetyIn the interviews, Ravnsborg appears unsure of how his Ford Taurus veered onto the highway shoulder, where it struck 55-year-old Joseph Boever. House Speaker Spencer Gosch has proposed forming a special committee to investigate Ravnsborg's conduct in the fatal crash.
cbsnews.com"Science has thrown us a lifeline": North Carolina prisons give COVID-19 vaccine to inmates and staff
Inmates and staff at North Carolina's prison system began receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, officials said. Airman First Class Emily Riddles of the North Carolina Air National Guard prepares a COVID-19 vaccine shot at Raleigh's Central Prison on January 21, 2021. In North Carolina alone, there have been 9,414 positive cases among inmates. Staff cases have not been reported. North Carolina Army National Guard/Sergeant Jamar Marcel PughSara J. Totonchi, executive director for the Southern Center for Human Rights, said North Carolina ranks among the top states with high COVID-19 cases among inmates.
cbsnews.comCalifornia monolith pops up after finds in Utah, Romania
FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, a metal structure sticks out from the ground on the Batca Doamnei hill, outside Piatra Neamt, northern Romania. Its straight sides and height appear similar to one discovered in the Utah desert and another that was found in Romania. The 3-sided, 10-foot-tall, 200-pound monolith was similar to two others discovered recently in the Utah desert and in Romania. Video posted online showed a group of young men wearing night-vision goggles toppling what appears to be the monolith before dawn while chanting โChrist is kingโ and โAmerica First." Federal and state officials in Utah had also expressed concern about the area around the monolith being overrun.
Mysterious silver monolith disappears from Utah desert
The Utah Department of Public Safety said biologists spotted the monolith on Nov. 18, a report that garnered international attention. While Utah officials did not say specifically where the monolith was located, people soon found it on satellite images dating back to 2016 and determined its GPS coordinates, prompting people to hike into the area. Reporters with The Salt Lake Tribune hiked to the spot on Saturday and confirmed that it was gone. โThis was just a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we couldn't miss out,โ Marino told KUTV. On the way, they passed a long-bed truck with a large object in the back and he said he joked โoh look, there's the Utah monolith right there,โ he said.
Galveston man charged after man found dead along I-10 in Wallisville, officials say
GALVESTON, Texas โ A Galveston man is now charged with murder after another man was found dead with a gunshot wound in Wallisville Monday, authorities said. Galveston police found Allen at a 69th Street apartment in Galveston County. He was eventually arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail. โI appreciate the tireless efforts and continued hard work and dedication of our detectives in solving crimes in Chambers County. Special thanks to the Galveston Police Department for their steadfast assistance during this investigation, as well as the Department of Public Safety for their assistance at the crime scene,โ said Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne.
South Dakota agency: AG reported hitting deer, but hit man
โ South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg reported hitting a deer with his car on Saturday night but actually killed a pedestrian whose body was not found until the next day, state investigators said Monday. The Department of Public Safety issued a statement Monday that said only that Ravnsborg told the Hyde County Sheriffโs Office that he had hit a deer. Tony Mangan, a spokesman for the department, would not confirm whether Ravnsborg called 911, saying it is part of the ongoing investigation. The pedestrian, who was identified as 55-year-old Joseph Boever, was not found until Sunday morning, according to the department. Boever told his cousin that he had been reaching for some tobacco.
DPS to increase law enforcement during Labor Day weekend
AUSTIN, Texas Whether youre just driving around town or traveling this Labor Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety encourages all drivers to practice safe driving habits and exercise caution throughout the holiday weekend. Beginning Friday through Monday, the Texas Highway Patrol will increase its enforcement on Texas roads. DPS reminds all travelers to be responsible and practice safe driving habits this Labor Day, said DPS Director Steven McCraw. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 489 DWI arrests, 358 fugitive arrests and 354 felony arrests. Drivers are encouraged to follow these safety tips during the Labor Day weekend:
Texans face delays of weeks, months to renew drivers licenses
HOUSTON โ Driver license offices in Texas are back open for business. However, if you are trying to book an appointment, the earliest available may be weeks or even months away. Margo Sheaโs Wednesday afternoon appointment at the South Gessner Road office in Houston was booked about two months ago. When we checked for appointments for a new driverโs license, the earliest we found in the Houston area was Sept. 8 at the southeast office on Galveston Road. Madeleine Gibson, 17, said she made an appointment for a state ID about two months ago.
Device called The Grappler being used to help end car chases
PHOENIX Department of Public Safety troopers in Arizona said they used a new device called The Grappler to help successfully end a high-speed chase in June. Troopers said they used it on June 28 to stop an erratic driver on State Route 202, according to FOX 10 News. End of East Valley chase caught on camera CAUGHT ON CAMERA: DPS officials say back in June, their officers used a device called "The Grappler" to end a chase involving a person who was driving erratically. Officials released details on the chase today, and say this is the first time they managed to use The Grappler successfully to end a chase. This device positively impacts the safety of troopers, the public and suspects, helping to end pursuits as safely as possible.Do you think this device should be used in Texas next?
Tomball man killed in plane crash in east Texas
HOUSTON An investigation is underway after a Tomball man was killed in a plane crash, according to officials. The crash happened Saturday near a private landing strip in Zavalla, which in east Texas. The Department of Public Safety said the 40-year-old man has been identified as James Duke Vanlue. Officials said Vanlue was flying from Tomball to Zavalla and crashed after clipping some trees near the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Inside Texas cold cases: A young Japanese student strangled, her body burned just hours after partying with friends
SEGUIN, Texas โ Texas has its share of homicide cases that have gone cold. KPRC 2 is taking a look back at both the solved and unsolved cases featured by the Texas Department of Public Safety to acknowledge the ability to solve cold cases and perhaps seek justice in cases that remain cold. READ MORE Inside Texas Cold Cases: Solved -- Eglena Diaz DeLeonWHAT HAPPENEDOn Dec. 13, 2002, the Texas Lutheran University student celebrated the end of her school term with a small group of friends at her Seguin apartment into the wee hours of the following morning. โThis is far from a cold case, and I wonโt let it become a cold case. Itโs almost like theyโre a family member to you.โIf you have any information on this case, submit a tip through the Texas Rangersโ Cold Case website or call 1-800-346-3243.
BCSO: 2-year-old girl abducted by grandmother in San Antonio found in Central Texas
Published: May 1, 2020, 7:04 am Updated: May 1, 2020, 10:23 amSAN ANTONIO โ A toddler who was taken by her grandmother in San Antonio has been found safe, according to the Bexar County Sheriffโs Office. Aurora Lee Lopez, 2, disappeared early Friday after her grandmother Sherry Lee McGill, 49, abducted her, according to BCSO. โ๏ธUPDATE- CHILD FOUND SAFEโ๏ธAround 8:25 a.m. Texas DPS Troopers spotted the vehicle listed in the Amber Alert traveling on IH-35 in McClennon County, TX. Troopers stopped the vehicle and were able to safely take custody of 2 year old Aurora Lee Lopez. โ Bexar County Sheriff (@BexarCoSheriff) May 1, 2020Troopers stopped the vehicle and took Lopez into custody.
DPS Trooper fires gun at armed robbers in northwest Houston; search underway after suspects flee
HOUSTON โ A Department of Public Safety trooper fired his gun at three men who officials say were trying to rob an AT&T store in northwest Houston Wednesday afternoon. The gunshot did not strike any of the suspects and they fled the scene on foot, officials say. At about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the trooper was working security at the store located at the 10650 Northwest Freeway, DPS officials said in a press conference. The trooper was in uniform when the accused approached the store and he โmade his presence knownโ and then โopened fireโ on the suspects, officials said. At least one of them was wearing a mask, officials say.
Parking woes at Gessner DPS Mega Office to soon lessen as renovations begin
HOUSTON โ Parking issues at the Department of Public Safety office on Gessner Road will soon come to an end, as officials announced that the parking lot will soon be renovated. Starting Friday, DPS will begin upgrading the parking lot of the Houston Gessner DPS Mega Center on Gessner Road, officials announced in a news release. โThe goal of this upgrade is to better serve our customers by expanding the total number of parking spaces while improving vehicle and pedestrian traffic flow,โ Texas DPS said in a statement. Customers are advised to visit alternate driverโs license offices as the number of parking spaces at the Gessner location will be significantly reduced during the renovation. For more information and to find an alternate office near you, visit dps.texas.gov.
Trooper fires at would-be burglar near explosion site
Trooper fires at would-be burglar near explosion siteA Department of Public Safety trooper fired at suspected burglar near the homes impacted by the early Friday plant explosion in west Houston. A Department of Public Safety trooper fired at suspected burglar near the homes impacted by the early Friday plant explosion in west Houston. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Trooper fires at would-be burglar near explosion site 1 / 1 Back to GalleryA Department of Public Safety trooper opened fire on a suspected burglar after seeing him cruise by the site of the Watson Grinding police barricade with a trailer packed with stolen property, authorities said. Two people flagged down the trooper around 8:30 a.m. and said they believed the driver burgled a business on Tanner Road, near the barricade on Gessner Street. On HoustonChronicle.com: 'Hard work reduced to rubble': Homeowners pick up pieces of lives after the explosion
chron.com3 dead, 4 hospitalized in suspected drug overdose
"To be clear, this was not a case of a tainted drug being passed around or distributed in large volume at a large venue which could have affected even more people. It appears to have been isolated to a single location," the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said in a statement. "However, police are concerned about a tainted, potentially deadly batch of drugs in the community."
chicagotribune.com5 Brownsville residents killed in multi-vehicle crash | 2 Spring residents injured
EMBED >More News Videos One woman, two men, and two children killed in multi-vehicle crash near Victoria: policeVICTORIA, Texas (KTRK) -- Five Brownsville residents were killed in a multi-vehicle accident that took place on US-59 southbound near Victoria on Saturday morning.The victims were identified by the Department of Public Safety as Nora Gabriela Chavez, 42; Oscar Chavez, 45; Adrian Leal Rodriguez, 47; along with a 13-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.A van, an 18-wheeler and a Ford F-250 were involved in the accident, DPS says.Nora Chavez was identified as the driver of the van.The surviving passengers have been identified as Edna Hernandez, 38; Andres Chavez, 19; Oscar Alejandro Chavez, 21; Andrea Chavez, 17; and another 13-year-old girl.The driver of the Ford F-250, Oscar Garza, and his wife Anna Bettancourt are both Spring residents who suffered minor injuries, but have since been released from the hospital.The Department of Public Safety says a van collided with the back of an 18-wheeler, causing the van to lose control and cross the median into oncoming traffic.DPS is still investigating the crash.
abc13.com5 Brownsville residents killed in multi-vehicle accident identified: DPS says
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Five Brownsville residents were killed in a multi-vehicle accident that took place on US-59 Southbound near Victoria on Saturday morning.According to the Department of Public Safety, the victims who were pronounced dead on the scene included Nora G. Chavez, 42; Oscar Chavez, 45; Adrian Leal Rodriguez 47; along with a 13-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.A van, 18-wheeler and a Ford F-250 were involved in the accident.Nora Chavez was the driver of the van.The surviving passengers on the van were Edna Hernadez, 38, who was flown to the hospital where she is in stable condition; Andres Chavez, 19; Oscar Chavez, 45; Andrea Chavez, 17, who was flown to the University Medical Center in San Antonio where she is in stable condition; and another 13-year-old girl.The driver of the Ford, Oscar Garza, and a passenger Anna Bettancourt are both Spring residents that suffered minor injures but have since been released from the hospital.DPS says that the driver of the van was looking to get onto the ramp when it was clipped by the 18-wheeler.It was then sent over the median into oncoming traffic.That ultimately led to the van being struck by the Ford-F250.The Department of Public Safety is investigating.
abc13.com