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Video shows police officer threaten to use Taser on suspect's genitals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) -- A Vancouver, Washington, police officer is facing fourth-degree assault charges after an incident in a Walmart parking lot during which the officer was recorded threatening to use a Taser against a suspect's genitals, authorities announced Thursday.Vancouver police say Officer Andrea Mendoza, who has been with the department for seven years, was placed on administrative leave three days after the May incident.The incident was captured on the officers' body cameras as well as security footage from Wal-Mart’s camera. The video is graphic in nature and viewer discretion is advised.“The actions of the officer who deployed the Taser in the video are disturbing,” said Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori. “I want to emphasize to the community that my expectation is that at all times, our personnel serve the public with professionalism, compassion and respect. Our department process includes supervisor review of all use-of-force incidents. Upon review of this inciden...

Texas boy airlifted after gruesome pit bull attack, authorities say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

Warning: This story contains graphic information. BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas teenager was airlifted to a local hospital after he was attacked by up to six pit bulls, authorities said.At a press conference Thursday, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said that they received a 911 call of a dog bite at a vacant home in far north Bexar County. Deputies arrived and began knocking at other doors when the lady at one of the homes told deputies "he's not moving."Deputies went inside the home where they found a 13-year-old boy suffering from severe dog bites, Salazar said. One of the deputies on scene was a tactical medic, with specialized gear to administer aid to the boy."He actually told us that the bites that he had seen were some of the worst wounds he had seen on a person," Salazar said.According to Salazar, the boy had "chunks of flesh" missing from his back and his face, with over 50 puncture wounds across his body. It was determined that the boy was at the home ...

Texas child dies after drowning in backyard pool, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A missing 4-year-old girl in San Antonio died Wednesday after officers found her in an above-ground swimming pool in a backyard. According to San Antonio police, officers were dispatched at 8:05 p.m. to a residence at the 9100 block of Ocean Gate for a missing child. The caller told police that her 4-year-old family member had been missing for 30 minutes.Officers arrived on scene and within 30 minutes, found the girl in her backyard in the pool. Officers began lifesaving measures until EMS arrived. The girl was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.Police said that no charges have been made, as of Thursday morning, and the case remains under investigation.

Authorities reconstruct tattoo to help identify body found in suitcase on Texas ranch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Authorities released an image of a reconstructed tattoo, with the hope it could help identify a man whose remains were found in a suitcase on a Texas ranch.At a press conference held Friday, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar showed an artist's rendition of what the tattoo may have looked like. The rendition shows a large dragon with a winding tail.On July 20, authorities went to a call at the 18000 block of South Loop where workers found the piece of luggage, with what appeared to be human remains. Salazar added that the dismembered remains belonged to a man, and only included the torso.The sheriff's office was able to get an artist's rendition with the help of the Texas Rangers. Salazar reminded the public that the tattoo is not an exact replica, and the model shown in the photo is just a stock image of a male's back. The victim could have an entirely different skin complexion and body type."It's possible this man did not even come from this ...

Las Vegas man accused of murder lived with woman's body for months: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — An accused murderer in Las Vegas is also accused of living with the body for two months, believing the female victim could come back from the dead, police said Friday.Officers took George Bone, 31, into custody Wednesday after discovering Beverly Ma’s body during a welfare check in the 5300 block of Railroad River Avenue near Lindell Road and Eldorado Lane, they said.Bone told officers he knew Ma was dead and what caused her death and based on those statements, police took Bone into custody, Lt. Jason Johansson said Wednesday. Police suspect Bone strangled Ma in May, documents said.On Wednesday, police received a 911 call from a family member who said Bone had told her Ma “was in the closet and had been there for two months,” documents said. Police found Ma’s body in the closet shortly after. A family member told police Ma and Bone were friends and that she was not close with family, documents said. Police said Ma and Bone met in hig...

Sex offender camp growing in Florida woods; public apparently not warned

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida camp powered by solar panels and a generator is home to about a dozen sex offenders who claim they were sent there by probation officers, but there is no indication the public was alerted.Land records indicate the tents that sit under a structure made from branches are on land owned by the Florida Department of Transportation. An FDOT spokesperson said they were "not aware of this." Several sources, including a defense attorney, told Nexstar's WFLA that anyone on probation is still "under sentence," and they said that telling them to live outdoors violates state administrative code. A DOC spokesperson denied offenders are told where to live by probation officers. Several of the camp residents agreed to discuss their living conditions but asked to hide their identities to avoid possible retribution from the state employees they claim sent them there. "Yes," one of them said when asked if his probation officer told him to live there. "They actual...

Corrections officer in New Mexico allegedly shoots naked inmate with shotgun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A former inmate who was incarcerated at the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC) back in May of 2022 has recently filed a lawsuit with the help of his attorney, against a corrections officer, claiming excessive use of force and battery, according to court documents provided by the New Mexico Prison and Jail Project. Court documents state the plaintiff, Vicente Sanchez was a pretrial detainee at DACDC. The defendant, Brady Kehres was employed as a corrections officer at DACDC in Las Cruces. On May 4, 2022, at 8:45 p.m., Vicente was taking a shower in his housing unit. At the same time, DACDC Sergeant Christian Ramirez entered Vicente's unit to pass shaving razors out to the inmates. Sgt. Ramirez instructed all inmates in the unit to return to their cells; however, several inmates continued to "play card games and watch television," according to an incident report written by Sgt. Ramirez. The incident report adds that inmate Rafael Rodriguez ignored Sgt. Ra...

Ouch! Texas ranks Top 10 mosquito-infested states

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of mosquitoes in the state. It's buzzing with mosquitoes, especially during the Summer ready for a fleshy dinner!More than 200 types of mosquitoes live in the continental U.S. and its territories, according to pest control company, Orkin. Which has ranked Texas at number five for having one of the largest amounts of mosquitoes."The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most mosquito control services from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The list includes both residential and commercial mosquito treatments," Orkin mentioned in the study. The top five:Los AngelesChicagoNew YorkAtlanta (+1)Dallas/Ft. Worth (+1)For the complete list, visit Orkin.

These are 15 things every Texan kid should do before school starts!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) - Let's end the summer with a bang!These 15 activities will provide Texan kids with unforgettable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the rich history, natural beauty, and diverse attractions that Texas has to offer. Make the most of your summer and create lasting memories before the school bells ring:1. Visit the Alamo in San AntonioExplore the historic battleground where Texas fought for independence. Learn about the brave men who defended the Alamo and discover its significance in Texas history.2. Experience the Space Center HoustonTake a trip to the Johnson Space Center and learn about NASA's space exploration efforts. Get up close to real spaceships, step into a simulated space shuttle, and even meet astronauts.3. Dive into the Natural Bridge CavernsDescend deep into the underground world of these remarkable caves near San Antonio. Marvel at the stunning formations and learn about the geological wonders hidden beneath the surface.4. Explore Big Bend National...

How to Fringe: The Minnesota Fringe Festival turns 30, hosts 101 different shows Aug. 3-Aug. 13

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:39:28 GMT

It’s back! The Minnesota Fringe Festival opens Thursday, Aug. 3, launching 11 days and nights of hour-length stage performances in 16 venues throughout Minneapolis. That’s 101 different shows — or 102 if you include the self-guided tour of the West Bank, more on that later — hosted 515 times, much but not all of it happening in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. It’s a 30th anniversary special that promises oddball delights, delicious dramas and some inevitable hits and misses. A crackerjack team of Pioneer Press reporters will post select show reviews at twincities.com/tag/fringe-festival.Sound overwhelming? Let our Fun Fringe FAQ guide you.WAIT, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?: Let’s slow things down. After 30 years, the non-juried, lottery-driven Fringe Festival has become a staple of the Twin Cities theater scene, offering audiences a wide range of mostly-homespun productions, from stand-up and improv comedy to musicals, dramas, horror, burlesque and ev...