Home

Deputies who reported a Texas sheriff to public corruption investigators say nothing was done

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — A Texas sheriff who’s been the subject of years of complaints about dysfunction and corruption was repeatedly reported to state and federal law enforcement by his own deputies — yet an outside investigation never gained momentum, according to interviews and records reviewed by The Associated Press.Two of San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers’ former deputies said they tried to get the Texas Rangers to look into wrongdoing in the sheriff’s office when they worked there, but the state’s elite investigative agency did little to pursue a case. One of them later gave a detailed interview to an officer with the FBI’s regional public corruption taskforce but said it was met with the same result. Despite the reports from members of law enforcement, the state and federal agencies appear not to have pursued what an AP investigation found were longstanding accusations that Capers’ office has ignored misconduct and neglected basic police work while p...

Vermont slowly turns to recovery after being hit by flood from slow-moving storm

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

ANDOVER, Vt. (AP) — Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, allowing officials to focus on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.“It looks like it won’t breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner,” Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode. Public works employees were expected out Wednesday to start removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.The slow-moving storm reached New England after hitting parts of New York ...

China sends large group of warplanes, navy ships towards Taiwan in forceful display

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China sent navy ships and a large group of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan over two days, the island’s defense ministry said on Wednesday, before its annual military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion.The Chinese People’s Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes and 9 navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. From Wednesday morning until noon time, the military flew another 30 planes, among which included J-10 and J-16 fighters.Of these, 32 crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been considered a buffer between the island and mainland. Later on Wednesday, another 23 planes crossed the midline. Taiwan is scheduled to hold the annual Han Guang exercise later this month, in which its military will hold combat readiness drills against preventing an invasion. It will also conduct the annual Wan’an exercises aimed at preparing civilians for ...

NL snaps All-Star Game losing streak, tops AL 3-2 behind Elias Díaz homer

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Shining brightly in the Emerald City, the National League snapped a losing streak that lasted more than a decade.An unheralded catcher from Colorado delivered the big blow.Elias Díaz hit a two-run homer off Félix Bautista in the eighth inning, and the NL snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 win over the American League on Tuesday night.The NL won for the first time since an 8-0 victory in 2012 in Kansas City, and Díaz became the first Rockies player to win the All-Star MVP award.“It feels incredible. When we all got here, we all talked about how we were going to bring home the win," said Díaz, who was non-tendered by the Pirates at the end of 2019. “I just didn’t realize it was going to be me to bring home the win.”Díaz drove a 2-2 pitch from Baltimore's hard-throwing closer deep to left to put the NL in front. Díaz was the lone representative for Colorado in his first All-Star Game appearance.“It does matter. We wanted...

Crews battle brush fire burning near Castaic Lake

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

Crews battled a brush fire that ignited in Castaic on Tuesday night, shutting down roads near the area.Firefighters first responded to the blaze, named the “Dry Fire,” around 9 p.m. as the flames continued spreading toward Castaic Lake.At the time, the flames were at a moderate rate of speed and grew from three acres in size to around 14 acres by 9 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.Firefighters work to extinguish the “Dry Fire,” as the flames continued spreading toward Castaic Lake on July 11, 2023. (OnScene.TV)Firefighters work to extinguish the “Dry Fire,” as the flames continued spreading toward Castaic Lake on July 11, 2023. (OnScene.TV)Firefighters work to extinguish the “Dry Fire,” as the flames continued spreading toward Castaic Lake on July 11, 2023. (OnScene.TV)Firefighters work to extinguish the “Dry Fire,” as the flames continued spreading toward Castaic Lake on July 11, 2023. (OnScene.TV)Firefighters work to extinguish the “Dry Fire,” as the flame...

Hollywood actors on verge of strike despite last minute mediation agreement

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

Hollywood is bracing for yet another strike as actors prepare to join writers on the picket lines, a move that could have serious economic consequences in production-heavy Los Angeles, as well as other cities in the United States and abroad.  The 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents performers, say they are ready to walk off the job to demand better pay and job protections from major studios.  “All signs point to a strike,” said Jeremy Fuster, the labor and box officer reporter for the entertainment news outlet, The Wrap. Fuster added that having both the writer and actors striking at the same time could have a devastating impact on the film and television business.  “There is a huge economy in Los Angeles and other major production hubs, such as Atlanta, New York, London, Toronto and so many others that would lose billions of dollars, not to mention the livelihoods of thousands and thousands of below-the-line workers,” he explained.  Earlier Tuesda...

Arrest made in series of Santa Clara County arson fires

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

SANTA CLARA COUNTY – A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with more than a dozen arson fires during the past week in Morgan Hill and Gilroy, police said.The bout of blazes began on July 3 in Morgan Hill and continued through Monday night, the Morgan Hill and Gilroy police departments said in separate news releases. During that period, 10 fires were reported in Morgan Hill and eight in Gilroy.Morgan Hill police said the spree was preceded by 10 other suspicious fires along the Monterey Highway corridor – from West Edmundson-Tennant Avenue to Main Avenue – between May and June. The most significant of those blazes occurred at the Depot-Latala mixed-use project on Depot Street. The others involved vegetation, construction sites, Dumpsters and a Morgan Hill water pump shed.The search for the suspect intensified Monday, when a fire was reported around 8:15 a.m. at the ampm convenience store at 18605 Monterey Highway. Three and a half hours later, an employee at the Anritsu C...

Serial South Bay arson suspect arrested; confessed to 15+ fires: police

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

(KRON) -- A man accused of intentionally setting multiple fires in Morgan Hill and Gilroy was arrested on Tuesday, police departments from both agencies said. Daniel Catano, 32, admitted to setting at least 15 fires, police said.Morgan Hill police said they first started noticing "suspicious fires in April." They recorded two in April, two in May and six in June. The most significant of these happened at Depot Street and 5th Street, where the Depot-Latala development housing project burned down, according to police. Many of the fires happened along the Monterey Road corridor between West Edmundson/Tennant Avenue and Main Avenue. They involved vegetation, construction sites, dumpsters and a pump shed. Woman shoved to death on San Francisco sidewalk identified Another 10 fires were documented between July 3 and July 10. They happened at places including a pump house, an apartment complex and a convenience store.On Monday morning, an employee of the Anritsu Company called the Morgan...

Lanes close on Hwy 101 due to police activity

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Several lanes were shut down on Highway 101 Tuesday night due to police activity, California Highway Patrol's live camera showed. By 8:38 p.m., the lanes reopened.CHP told KRON4 they were assisting the San Francisco Police Department near the Highway 101/I-80 split. SFPD was in pursuit of a vehicle.SFPD said the incident began when officers spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to a robbery. Officers initiated a pursuit, and it eventually ended at Eddy Street and Taylor Street. Two people have been arrested. There were no shots fired, but fireworks were ignited, SFPD said. This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

Thai Election Commission says top candidate for prime minister may have violated election law, seeks high court ruling

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:07:11 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai Election Commission says top candidate for prime minister may have violated election law, seeks high court ruling.Source