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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...

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Bobby Cole criticizes Abbott over Texas National Guard authorization

TEXAS – Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bobby Cole issued a statement criticizing Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to authorize the President to deploy 400 members of the Texas National Guard outside the state. File Photo (September 2025) “Trump and Abbott only care about power, not folks like you and me,” Cole said. “With so many problems working Texas families face, why is Abbott busy humoring Donald Trump by deploying 400 Texas National Guard, costing Texas taxpayers millions? Our schools and teachers are underfunded. Our rural communities are suffering. Our healthcare system is gutted and on life support. Let’s start investing in Texans, instead of paying for Trump’s political theatrics.”

Teen suspect identified in Barron shooting that killed one and injured pregnant teen

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Wisconsin

Teen suspect identified in Barron shooting that killed one and injured pregnant teen

BARRON, WI – Authorities have identified the suspect involved in the homicide at 650 Candy Lane in Barron as 17-year-old Marcus Hinojosa of Almena. According to investigators, Hinojosa died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the incident. Law enforcement determined that Hinojosa and the 17-year-old female victim were in a relationship and that the female was pregnant. Around 2 p.m., the victim’s family arrived at the apartment, and the juvenile female entered. Hinojosa then shot her inside the apartment. A male family member and a neighbor went to check on her, and the male victim was shot through the entry door. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies and officers from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department and Barron Police Department arrived within minutes...

Detectives investigating stabbing at party in Terra Bella

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Detectives investigating stabbing at party in Terra Bella

TERRA BELLA, CA – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that occurred late October 4, 2025, in the 22000 block of Avenue 96 in Terra Bella. Photo Credit: TCSO Deputies were called to the scene around 10:40 p.m. and learned that two men had gotten into an argument at a party when one stabbed the other in the stomach. Deputies rendered first aid to the victim until EMS and Tulare County Fire arrived. The victim was later airlifted to an area hospital. The suspect fled before deputies arrived. Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office have taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Two arrested in Lomira after K9 alert leads to meth seizure

6Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Wisconsin

Two arrested in Lomira after K9 alert leads to meth seizure

LOMIRA, WI (October 6, 2025) – According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Task Force members conducted a traffic interdiction on September 26 in northeastern Dodge County, where a deputy contacted occupants of a vehicle at Kountry Korners in the village of Lomira. K9 Bak alerted to the vehicle, and a search recovered a significant amount of suspected methamphetamine and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Michael Kreisle, 41, of Appleton, and passenger Stephanie Neuser, 38, of Appleton, were arrested and booked into the Dodge County Jail. Kreisle is held on a $10,000 cash bond for possess with intent to deliver amphetamine or methamphetamine greater than 50 grams, and possess drug paraphernalia. Neuser is held on a $10,000 cash bond for possess with intent to deliver amp...