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Motorcyclist found deceased near Mile 97 of Seward Highway

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Alaska

Motorcyclist found deceased near Mile 97 of Seward Highway

ANCHORAGE, AK – Anchorage Police responded to a welfare check near Mile 97 of the Seward Highway at 5:40 p.m. on October 4, 2025, and discovered a deceased adult male at the scene. Officers located a crashed motorcycle nearby. A preliminary investigation indicates the incident was a single-vehicle crash. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Paulo Faamuli Jr. Next-of-kin notification has been completed. Anchorage Police are continuing to investigate under case number 25-30666.

Small plane makes emergency landing in Kitsap County driveway

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington

Small plane makes emergency landing in Kitsap County driveway

KITSAP COUNTY, WA – A small, home-built aircraft made an emergency landing Monday afternoon in the 10100 block of Olalla Valley Road SE. The pilot was not injured, and no injuries were reported on the ground. The plane sustained damage during the landing. The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and will investigate the incident.

Phillips County jury sentences Helena-West Helena man to life for prom night murder

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

Phillips County jury sentences Helena-West Helena man to life for prom night murder

WEST HELENA, AR – A Phillips County jury has sentenced Donterious Stephens, 21, of Helena-West Helena, to life in prison for the 2024 prom night shooting death of 18-year-old Lorenzo Harrison III. On Friday, October 3, 2025, Stephens was convicted of First-Degree Murder and received an additional 15-year sentence for a firearm enhancement. The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Phillips County Sheriff's Office led the investigation, which identified Stephens as the suspect in the April 20, 2024, shooting. The incident occurred across the street from the Ater Warehouse in West Helena, where a post-prom party was taking place following Central High School’s prom. Harrison, a CHS senior, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Chino Hills man arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter after fatal head-on crash

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Chino Hills man arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter after fatal head-on crash

CHINO HILLS, CA – A 20-year-old resident of Chino Hills has been arrested in connection with a fatal traffic collision that occurred in the early morning hours of September 28. Deputies from the Chino Hills Sheriff’s Station responded to a crash at 5:48 a.m. at the intersection of Carbon Canyon Road and Chino Hills Parkway. When they arrived, they found a head-on collision involving two vehicles. One of the drivers, a 29-year-old man from Whittier, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other driver, identified as Ethan Ryan Godde, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. Following an investigation by the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.), authorities arrested Godde on October 6 for gross vehicular manslaughter under PC 191.5(a). He was ...

Polk County deputies investigating fatal hit-and-run in Winter Haven

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Florida

Polk County deputies investigating fatal hit-and-run in Winter Haven

WINTER HAVEN, FL – The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in the early morning hours of September 28 in Winter Haven. Between 1:39 and 1:41 a.m., an adult female pedestrian was struck by a northbound vehicle in the inside lane of 1st Street North at the intersection with Avenue R NE. The vehicle fled the scene, continuing northbound after the collision. Deputies are working to identify the driver and are urging anyone with information to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 and reference case number 25-38975. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-400-TIPS (8477), dialing **TIPS on a mobile phone, visiting www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com, or us...

Man arrested after burn pile sparks 2-alarm fire in south Houston

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Man arrested after burn pile sparks 2-alarm fire in south Houston

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Fire Department's Arson Division has arrested Jose Santos Ascencio in connection with a two-alarm fire that broke out Saturday on Schurmier Road in south Houston. Ascencio is accused of starting a burn pile on his property, which spread out of control and ignited a neighboring business. The arrest coincides with Fire Prevention Week and serves as a reminder that open burning within Houston city limits is illegal without a permit. Officials emphasize that such regulations are in place to prevent fires from escalating and endangering lives and property.

Woman found fatally shot in field off Research Boulevard

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Woman found fatally shot in field off Research Boulevard

AUSTIN, TX – A homicide investigation is underway after a woman was found fatally shot in a field in north Austin early Monday morning. Austin Police Department officers responded to a call around 7:42 a.m. regarding a deceased person in the 8100 block of Research Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers met with the caller and discovered an unresponsive female with apparent trauma. She was pronounced deceased at the scene at 7:53 a.m. Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists processed the area and interviewed witnesses. Preliminary findings indicate the victim was shot by an unknown suspect or suspects who fled the scene before police arrived. The victim has not yet been identified. Investigators are asking anyone who saw or heard anything in the area to come forward. Tips...

Two killed in six-vehicle crash caused by field fire smoke in Mississippi County

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

Two killed in six-vehicle crash caused by field fire smoke in Mississippi County

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, AR – The Arkansas State Police is investigating a six-vehicle collision that resulted in two fatalities and two injuries on State Highway 181, north of State Highway 140, between Manila and Osceola. The crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. on October 3, 2025, when smoke from a field burning east of the highway created zero-visibility conditions. Traffic on Highway 181 had slowed because of the smoke when a 2018 GMC Terrain, driven by 21-year-old Mackenzie Marie Risner of Manila, struck the rear of a 2012 Kenworth semi-truck. The collision caused the GMC to roll into a roadside ditch. A second vehicle driven by 32-year-old Jan Sebastian Rabie of Brookland then collided with the same semi-truck, triggering a chain reaction involving several vehicles. Rabie was pronou...

Two killed in three-vehicle crash at Redden Road intersection in Georgetown

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Delaware

Two killed in three-vehicle crash at Redden Road intersection in Georgetown

GEORGETOWN, DE – The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Redden Road and West Robbins Road. According to the preliminary investigation, a Hyundai Sonata traveling northbound on West Robbins Road failed to remain stopped at the stop sign and entered the intersection around 3 p.m., striking a westbound Volkswagen Tiguan on Redden Road. The impact caused the Volkswagen to overturn multiple times and roll over onto an eastbound Toyota Corolla. The driver of the Toyota, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 31-year-old male passenger from Georgetown, Delaware, also died at the scene. His name is being withheld pending family notification. The 70-year-old male driver of the Volks...

Judge Lina Hidalgo calls for ethics reform after audit finds Flood Control District failed to implement procurement safeguards

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Judge Lina Hidalgo calls for ethics reform after audit finds Flood Control District failed to implement procurement safeguards

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Judge Lina Hidalgo is calling for renewed ethics reforms following an audit showing that the Harris County Flood Control District failed to implement procurement safeguards unanimously adopted by Commissioners Court over a year ago. File Photo (August 2025) According to a new report from the independent Harris County Auditor’s Office, the Flood Control District has not followed through on key reforms passed in April 2024, which required written procedures for vendor selection, documentation of the procurement process, and conflict of interest forms for employees involved in awarding contracts. These measures were originally adopted after a previous audit in November 2023 flagged deficiencies in procurement practices. The latest audit found the district still la...