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TDCJ correctional officers burning out in Texas heat

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- For years, Michael Webber would sweat in the searing metal attics above Texas' state prisons as he powered through electrical maintenance trips minutes at a time. That was all the time the oppressive heat would allow."We'd see temperatures as high as 130, 140. You'd work in that for a couple of hours, and you can only be up there for so long," Webber said. "Then you'd have to come back down into that 105, 110 degree weather that everyone lives in so you could cool off. The conditions there could be really grueling. It becomes just like a pressure cooker filled with heat."Webber remembers witnessing other staff members succumb to the pressures to stay conscious and hydrated through long summer days. Staff would pass out from the heat at least once a week, he said, overheating from the physical demands of pacing through stifling cellblocks, climbing stairs, patrolling the yard and staying vigilant under a stab-proof vest."To put them in that environment is a recipe...

City of Bee Cave City allows HOAs to pay for extra police patrols

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — You could soon see police officers patrolling private neighborhoods in Bee Cave.In a recent meeting, the Bee Cave City Council approved a resolution to allow homeowners associations to pay for overtime so officers can patrol neighborhoods.Bee Cave City Manager Clint Garza says speeding and drivers not stopping at stop signs are causing issues in the Falconhead neighborhood."We can put them in the neighborhoods, but outside the normal patrol hours, so I think it is a good idea because the neighborhood wanted the additional patrol, but they offered to step up and fund it themselves," said Garza. City of Austin overtime pay soars over $112 million in 2022 Travis Lowe says people are cutting through his neighborhood to get to FM 620 or SH 71, and they aren't driving the speed limit, which is 25 or 30 mph, depending on the area."I am seeing cars go 50 to 60," Lowe said. "We love it over here. We love the neighborhood. The traffic, not so much."The patrol would operate f...

Severe storm damage still plagues Metro East

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – Days after Saturday’s severe storms ripped through the Metro East, and debris from neighborhoods and homes still litters streets, and hospitals and city halls remain without power.For one resident in Madison, Illinois, it’s been days since the storm uprooted a tree from their front yard on Harris Street before toppling over their front porch."I grew up here," said Savannah Faith. She says it's been 65 years since her grandfather, Billy Butler, has lived in his home in Madison. To see it in this state, nearly dilapidated at the doorstep, has her feeling the childhood memories are on the brink of collapsing. Her biggest concern being: what could come next. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW "If it pulls the front of the h...

Cardinals sign right-hander Chen-Wei Lin, their first player ever out of Taiwan

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals on Monday signed right-handed pitcher Chen-Wei Lin, the franchise’s first player signed out of Taiwan.The 21-year-old Lin is a native of Tainan City, Taiwan, and played college baseball at Chinese Culture University in Taipei. He pitched in nine games for the Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kingfish last summer in the collegiate league in his United States debut.Lin was also an invited college player for the Taiwanese World Baseball Classic team earlier this year in their preparation camp.He will soon report to the Cardinals' facility in Jupiter, Florida.Lin, who is 6-foot-7, made four starts and had a 3.24 ERA this summer for the Frederick Keys, a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League.Lin's uncle, Hong-Chih Kuo, pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers for seven seasons from 2005-2011. He had a 3.73 ERA in 218 career appearances after signing as an international free agent with the Dodgers in 1999.

Rockies’ Peter Lambert looking for chance to help struggling rotation

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

Despite injuries, surgery, demotions and failures, Peter Lambert never lost touch with his quest.Now, more than four years after his glittering major league debut, the Rockies’ 26-year-old right-hander is looking for another chance. The organization is bereft of starting pitching, not just this season, but in 2024 as well. Could Lambert help fill the void?“Definitely,” Lambert said. “I would love for that to happen.”Why is he so optimistic?“I have a little experience starting in the big league and I think that’s important,” he said. “Although I’ve struggled, sometimes that’s what a pitcher needs.”Saturday night, with Colorado utilizing a bullpen game, Lambert, the usual long reliever, opened the game. It was his first big-league start since Sept 29, 2021, vs. Washington — a span of 641 days. Before that, he went 736 days between starts, from Sept. 20, 2019, to Sept. 24, 2021, as he battled through persiste...

Frank Clark brings a veteran presence to pass rush, but Randy Gregory’s health, young players’ growth will be essential to improvement from last season

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

The Broncos’ disastrous loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day, which ended Nathaniel Hackett’s time as the head coach, amplified their pass rush struggles last season. Against a Rams team that allowed the third-most sacks in the league in 2022, Denver was able to generate only one quarterback pressure, while Baker Mayfield, who has gone from being a franchise signal caller to fighting to stay in the league, threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-14 win.Injuries and trading away edge rusher Bradley Chubb played a major part in Denver’s inability to attack the quarterback, especially down the stretch when it totaled a combined one sack in the final three games.Although the addition of outside linebacker Frank Clark has provided optimism for 2023, the Broncos will need some for the young guys to take strides if they want to see real improvement.“I think there are a number of players on our team that have those traits, but if you lack those traits in your lineup, t...

Video shows thieves crash through jewelry store, assault clerk in La Verne

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

Surveillance video released on Monday shows the violent smash-and-grab robbery of a jewelry store in La Verne that took place during business hours in broad daylight.The robbery occurred around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday at Rodeo Jewelers on Foothill Boulevard.The video shows four thieves crash through the front of the store in a white sedan, jump out of the car and start breaking display cases to grab items.The thieves crashed through the front of the jewelry store with a car and began smashing display cases. July 1, 2023. (La Verne Police)When an employee emerges from the back of the store, one of the thieves attacks him with a chair. The scuffle and robbery continue until two other store employees show up at which point the thieves eventually run away, leaving the car behind. La Verne Police say they had a getaway vehicle, a black sedan, waiting outside.“It’s not the first time they’ve been hit like this,” local resident George Bush, who knows the store’s owner, told KTLA. “It’s just...

Man, woman sought in distraction theft at Manhattan Beach jewelry store

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

A man and woman apparently pretending to be customers at a Manhattan Beach jewelry store stole several expensive pieces in a distraction theft that was caught on camera late last month.The incident occurred around 3 p.m. June 28 at By Musti Fine Jewelry, the store manager told KTLA.Video shows the two suspects walk around the store as the manager, Seta, showed them several pieces.At one point, Seta left one of the display cases slightly ajar and turned to look at another one when the woman made her move, grabbing a pouch that contained five diamond bracelets, while the man distracted the manager.A distraction theft at a Manhattan Beach jewelry store was caught on video on June 28, 2023. “She sneaked in and grabbed it, so quick,” Seta said, explaining that she later watched it happen on the store’s video surveillance. The woman also somehow walked away with a ring that was in another display case.“It was gone,” Seta later realized. The woman, who was wearing a face mask, had asked fo...

Police seek public's help locating at-risk 57-year-old woman missing out of Long Beach

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating an at-risk 57-year-old woman missing out of the Long Beach area.  La Tran was last seen at 6 a.m. Monday in her room at a living facility in the 3500 block of Cedar Avenue. When staff at the facility checked her room later, the 57-year-old was gone, according to a Long Beach Police Department missing person bulletin. Tran is described as an Asian female, 5 feet tall, weighing 124 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  La Tran, 57, was last seen in her room at a living facility in the 3500 block of Cedar Avenue. (LBPD)“Her destination is unknown,” the release noted. “She does not have a car, does not have a cell phone, and has no tracking device on her person. Tran suffers from mental and cognitive conditions.”  Anyone with information about this missing person is urged to call LBPD’s Missing Persons Detail at 562-570-7246 or police dispatch at 562-435-6711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime S...

James Harris Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Coffee Road [Oakdale, CA]

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:00:41 GMT

31-Year-Old Father of Five Killed in Motorcycle crash near Scenic DriveOAKDALE, CA (July 3, 2023) – Tuesday afternoon, a motorcycle accident on Coffee Road claimed the life of James Harris.The collision happened around 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of Coffee Road and Morris Avenue, north of Scenic Drive.According to reports, a motorcycle traveling southbound on Coffee Road crashed into a northbound Chevrolet Tahoe. Investigators said the Chevy driven by a woman was attempting to turn west onto Morris Avenue when the crash occurred.Emergency crews to the site of the collision transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment. At the hospital, officials pronounced him dead due to the extent of his injuries.At this time, it is unclear if the driver of the SUV sustained injuries from the crash.Later, the Stanislaus County Coroner’s office identified the deceased motorcyclist as 31-year-old James Harris.Those with further information regarding the Coffee Road motorcycle crash...