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ASP investigates death of Star City woman

4Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

ASP investigates death of Star City woman

STAR CITY, Ark. — At the request of the Star City Police Department, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the death of Ann Ward, 79, of Star City. On June 25, 2025, Ward sought treatment for injuries at a health clinic in Star City. She was transferred to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, where doctors determined her injuries were life-threatening. Ward was transported by med-flight to UAMS in Little Rock, where she died from her injuries on July 10, 2025.

Atascocita Fire Department hosts multi-agency swift water rescue training on Lake Houston

4Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Harris County

Atascocita Fire Department hosts multi-agency swift water rescue training on Lake Houston

ATASCOCITA, TX – The Atascocita Fire Department hosted a joint swift water rescue training exercise today on Lake Houston, bringing together multiple agencies to prepare for flood-related emergencies. https://youtu.be/Thq_3KKgQuo The training focused on scenarios involving victims stranded in floodwaters, including rescues of individuals trapped on top of vehicles and rooftops. Crews practiced low head dam operations, re-flipping rescue boats in the event of capsizing, and retrieving victims safely from boats. Motorized boats, including banana boats and rigid inflatable boats, were used in the exercises. Division Chief of Training Chad Donnally stated that swift water rescues are high-risk but low-frequency events and that the exercises are part of an annual training cycle that ...

Officer’s radio deflects bullet during Stafford barricade after fatal shooting

4Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Officer’s radio deflects bullet during Stafford barricade after fatal shooting

STAFFORD, TX – A man identified as Adrian Mercado, 35, is accused of fatally shooting 32-year-old Thomas Goodson before barricading himself inside a residence in Stafford and exchanging gunfire with officers. The incident began around 9:55 p.m. on September 3, 2025, when Mercado’s father arrived at the Stafford Police Department and reported that his son had just killed someone at a home in the 13000 block of Lawrence Lane. He also warned that Mercado was armed and dangerous. Responding officers located Goodson deceased in the backyard of the residence. Mercado fled the scene and later opened fire on officers during a search assisted by the Missouri City Police Department’s K-9 Unit. One round struck an officer in the abdomen but was deflected by his police radio, preventing inju...

3Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Smoke reported on plane at IAH

HOUSTON, TX – A smoke investigation was conducted at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) after a report of smoke on board a plane Wednesday afternoon. The Houston Fire Department responded to the scene but the cause of the smoke is unknown at this time, and no injuries have been reported. More information will follow if it becomes available.

Massive seizure of cartel drug chemicals announced in Houston

3Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston, National

Massive seizure of cartel drug chemicals announced in Houston

HOUSTON, TX – Federal officials announced the seizure of two shipments of precursor chemicals intended for the Sinaloa Cartel, calling it the largest such interdiction in U.S. history. https://youtu.be/TnUZk-br5d4 According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the shipments originated in Shanghai, China, and were intercepted on the high seas before reaching Mexico. The chemicals – 363,000 pounds of benzyl alcohol and 334,000 pounds of N-methylformamide – could have produced an estimated 420,000 pounds of methamphetamine. Authorities said the street value would have reached $569 million in Houston and even higher in northeastern markets such as New York City. Officials stated the seizure involved 1,300 barrels of chemicals, requiring 24 tracto...

Armenian national extradited to Austin on export control conspiracy charges

2Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Armenian national extradited to Austin on export control conspiracy charges

AUSTIN, Texas – An Armenian national made his initial appearance in federal court in Austin after being indicted and extradited on charges connected to an alleged export control conspiracy. According to court documents, from February 2022 until at least August 2024, Kamo Kirakosyan and others allegedly participated in a conspiracy to export goods, including items used in semiconductor manufacturing, from the United States to the Russian Federation through Armenia without the required license or authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security. Kirakosyan and his co-conspirators are also alleged to have violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by conducting transactions with entities on the Specially Designated Nationals list without...

Trinity County Media accused of spreading fake news and distressing content

2Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Trinity County Media accused of spreading fake news and distressing content

TRINITY COUNTY, TX – Multiple Facebook groups across East Texas have blocked Giovanni Livoti, who operates under the name Trinity County Media, after repeated allegations of posting false or unverified information. According to administrators of the San Jacinto County, Texas Facebook group, Livoti most recently shared a misleading memorial photo that incorrectly identified a young girl as deceased when the actual victim was a young boy. The girl’s family reported significant distress following the post. The error was only corrected after Grizzy’s Hood News, based in Houston, TX, publicly called out the misinformation. This was not the only case. Administrators of the Anderson County, TX Breaking News group said they had also removed Livoti after learning he had posted memorial ph...

Viewer photo shows aftermath of semi truck fire on Gessner

2Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Viewer photo shows aftermath of semi truck fire on Gessner

HOUSTON, TX – An anonymous viewer shared a photo showing the aftermath of a semi truck fire in front of the H-E-B on Gessner near Kempwood late Monday night. The fire was reported around 11:23 p.m. Both the Houston Fire Department and Houston Police Department responded to the scene. Injuries are not known at this time, but the driver is believed to have made it out safely. The cause of the fire is not yet known. More information will follow if it becomes available.

Woman arrested on felony warrant for drug possession in northwest Harris County

2Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Woman arrested on felony warrant for drug possession in northwest Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Deputies with Constable Mark Herman’s Office arrested a woman wanted on a felony warrant after responding to a suspicious person call in the 6800 block of W FM 1960 Road. The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. on August 25, 2025. Deputies identified the suspect as Nicole Alford. A records check revealed she had an active state jail felony warrant for possession of a controlled substance. Alford was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail on the warrant through Court 248. According to Constable Mark Herman, her bond has not been set at this time.

Suspect known as ‘Adult Toy Bandit’ wanted for retaliation and theft

2Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Suspect known as ‘Adult Toy Bandit’ wanted for retaliation and theft

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Constable Mark Herman announced that charges have been filed against Hunter Valverde, known as the "Adult Toy Bandit," after he threatened employees at a business that previously assisted in his arrest. On August 14, 2025, deputies with Constable Herman's Office arrested Valverde on an open warrant for theft. The following day, on August 15, 2025, he returned to Planet Ford, located in the 20400 block of the North Freeway, and threatened employees for turning him in. A warrant was then filed for retaliation, a third-degree felony. In addition, Valverde failed to appear in court on his original theft charge. He is now wanted for retaliation out of the 487th District Court and for theft out of County Court 13. “If you have any information on his whereabouts, ...