WALKER COUNTY

Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. For those in rural areas having access to all available resources could mean the difference of life or death. Walker County EMS has new technology that is helping emergency responders better serve their communities in time of need.

The crash reportedly happened just before 11 p.m. Monday.

An 18-wheeler carrying close to 40,000 pounds of pineapples crashed after one of the tires on the truck blew out in Montgomery County Tuesday, authorities said.

Crews continue to battle a wildfire in Walker County Tuesday.

A wildfire continues to grow in Walker County, 10 miles north of Huntsville near Lost Indian Camp and Deer Lease Road just east of FM 247. As of 6:30 PM, the fire has consumed approximately 1,000 acres. The Texas Forestry Services reports 0% containment on the fire. Multiple fire departments across Walker and neighboring counties along with ground and air support from the Texas A&M Forestry Service are battling the blaze. Winds are blowing the fire to the north and northeast towards the Trinity river.

A spokesperson for Abbott said he had previously committed to the event but all campaign-related activities are postponed until further notice.

A 1980 cold case murder victim has now been identified. On Halloween night, 41 years ago, a teen girl arrived in Huntsville, Texas. She was alone, and asking strangers for directions. We now know who she is.

Several Houston-area counties are listed as COVID-19 hotspots, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Data Tracker.

Parts of New Waverly in Walker County had to deal with flooding on Friday.

Several warming shelters have opened in and around the Houston area because of the arctic blast. AdLakewood ChurchLakewood Church is open as a warming center. League CityWe’ve opened a warming center at the Hometown Heroes Recreation Center. McGuire Dent Recreation CenterThe City of Galveston is reopening a warming center at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center beginning Wednesday, February 17 at 6 p.m. If you need a warming center, please use the Harris County and Houston centers along with this northside center.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – A Walker County man is now in custody after an investigation led authorities to find child pornography in his possession, according to a news release. Officials said a criminal complaint was filed against Huntsville man, Kody Nicholas Bohac, 22, that says he was stalking a woman in another state. When she did not respond, Bohac followed through on his threat and shared the images, authorities said. The criminal complaint said that officials had executed a search warrant in connection with a related matter, during which authorities found images and videos of child pornography on Bohac’s cell phone. Bohac was taken into custody and charged with cyberstalking and possessing child pornography and receiving child pornography.

NEW WAVERLY, Texas – A man who held a woman hostage for hours Monday at a home in New Waverly has surrendered, according to authorities. Lt. Scott Spencer, of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, said 38-year-old Mark Mathison shot a woman in the shoulder when he arrived at the home Monday morning. Authorities at the scene told KPRC 2 about 5:30 p.m. that the man surrendered and that the woman he was holding hostage was safe. Spencer said Mathison is either the current husband or ex-husband of the woman who he took hostage. He said he believes Mathison recently being charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child may have precipitated Monday’s hostage situation.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas Port Arthur's mayor on Monday issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Southeast Texas city before Tropical Storm Laura which forecasters say could strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane makes landfall. Laura was expected to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Port Arthur is about 30 miles (about 50 kilometers) from the Louisiana border. Forecasters have said Laura could change course and make landfall near Houston. We are ready to deal with this situation as well," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday.

HOUSTON – An 18-wheeler crashed into two vehicles on Interstate 45 in Walker County, leaving three people critically injured, officials said. The two vehicles were at a stop in the southbound lanes due to a previous crash on the highway, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety - Southeast Texas Region. Troopers said a 27-year-old woman and a 4-month-old baby were flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital Downtown and a 34-year-old man was taken via ambulance to Conroe Hospital. Troopers said all three are in serious condition. Drivers can expect delays as officials investigate the scene.

Officer Christopher Samya is one of many who opt for an alternative way to tackle opioid crisis. SUMITON, Ala. - Officer Christopher Samya was getting ready to go home at the end his night shift when a call came over his radio. Sumiton is in Walker County, Alabama, which has the highest rate of drug overdoses in the state. Instead of slapping handcuffs on the woman and taking her into custody, Samya sat down on the ground next to the woman and they talked. Officer Samya doesn't yet know what the future holds for the woman he helped, but he's glad to have an alternative to arresting citizens struggling with addiction.