logo
Avoiding drunk driving urged as Spring Break begins at many schools

Avoiding drunk driving urged as Spring Break begins at many schools

Yahoo04-03-2025

A Texas father who lost his 17 year old daughter in a drunk driving crash is sharing her story as part of the Texas Department of Transportation's Drive Sober, No Regrets campaign in hopes of keeping young people from drinking and driving. That campaign is timed for the beginning of Spring Break which starts Monday for the University of Houston. In response, the school has on its website a comprehensive list of Spring Break safety tips.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

TxDOT Compromise Releases Information On Nearly 300,000 Texas Drivers
TxDOT Compromise Releases Information On Nearly 300,000 Texas Drivers

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

TxDOT Compromise Releases Information On Nearly 300,000 Texas Drivers

A Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) account compromise has exposed personal information from nearly 300,000 crash reports. A news release from the TxDOT states that on May 12, 2025, the department detected unusual activity in its Crash Records Information System (CRIS), prompting an investigation that revealed a compromised account had improperly accessed and downloaded sensitive data. The breach affected individuals involved in motor vehicle crashes, with compromised information including names, addresses, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy details. Those affected will be informed about the potential risks by the TxDOT. 'Notification, in this case, is not required by law, but TxDOT has taken proactive steps to inform the public by sending letters to notify the impacted individuals whose information was included in the crash reports,' wrote the department in the news release. The letter to those affected sent by the TxDOT states that those who receive the letter should 'be aware of any email or text messages related to crash information.' 'Do not provide anyone with your personal information, including social security number, bank account information, or anything else,' continues the letter. This incident is currently under investigation, and the TxDOT has already taken multiple precautions to avoid a similar incident in the future. TxDOT immediately disabled access to this account and has taken other steps to increase security, according to the department's news release. Those with information or questions about this incident are encouraged to call the TxDOT dedicated assistance line at 1-833-918-5951 (toll-free), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time (excluding U.S. holidays). As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the TxDOT has come under scrutiny in recent months following the department seemingly decided to violate the state's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The department allegedly used this program to help allocate contracts for road and bridge projects, leading to significant criticism from state lawmakers.

Illegal tire dumping in DeKalb County: 3 people arrested
Illegal tire dumping in DeKalb County: 3 people arrested

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

Illegal tire dumping in DeKalb County: 3 people arrested

The Brief DeKalb County Police arrested three individuals for illegally dumping old tires in DeKalb County. Tires, dumped mostly at night, have created safety concerns, blocking fire lanes and posing a fire hazard, at a local preschool. While police continue their investigation, DeKalb County Code Compliance crews are working to remove the tires, though preschool staffers feel the cleanup has been too slow. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County Police have arrested three individuals suspected of illegally dumping old tires in DeKalb County. The arrests come after weeks of mounting frustration at Little Linguists International Preschool, located just off Covington Highway. Hundreds of old tires have been dumped outside a local preschool and other locations nearby. PREVIOUS STORY: Illegal tire dumping plagues DeKalb County preschool, sparks safety concerns What we know Earlier this month, staffers returned from Spring Break to find dozens of tires dumped outside the school's front gate on East Clubhouse Circle — a problem they say has only worsened with time. "This street was empty about two weeks ago," said Cierra Scott, a staff member at the preschool. "Throughout the last couple weeks, they have been dumping in the middle of the night." Police believe the individuals arrested are responsible for multiple incidents of illegal dumping across the area. In addition to the preschool, tires have also been left near a nearby apartment complex and next to a building destroyed by fire. What they're saying Scott and her colleagues say the piles of tires have created not only an eyesore but also a serious safety concern. "It is a nuisance, we don't want it here," Scott said. "We really just came back from Spring Break all refreshed and rejuvenated, and we saw this headache." She also warned that the tire piles block critical access routes. "It's a fire hazard because if something were to happen, the people that live right there, this is their fire lane," Scott said. The DeKalb County Police Department said they have been actively investigating the illegal dumping since school officials first raised concerns. In a statement, the agency confirmed its investigators are working to identify all responsible parties, while Code Compliance crews continue efforts to remove the dumped tires. "DeKalb County Police have been actively investigating the reports of illegal tire dumping since school officials first reached out. DKPD has been responsive to the school every time they have made contact," the department said in an emailed statement. "While our investigators search for those responsible for the illegal dumping, DKPD says Code Compliance is working on removing the tires. DKPD is investigating similar reports at other locations in the area." Staffers at the preschool told FOX 5 Atlanta that they believe the cleanup process has been too slow. What we don't know At this time, DeKalb County police have not released the names or mug shots of the suspects. Check back for updates.

Well-known Fort Lauderdale detective fired after investigation
Well-known Fort Lauderdale detective fired after investigation

Yahoo

time03-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Well-known Fort Lauderdale detective fired after investigation

A well-known Fort Lauderdale Police detective was fired after an investigation revealed that he used police databases to search his ex-girlfriend and her family and made conflicting statements about a tracker found on the woman's car. As a recruiting officer for the department, Henry Lockwood III often served as the face of Fort Lauderdale Police. He helped lead efforts to advertise the department to Spring Breakers, as the South Florida Sun Sentinel previously reported, mentored youths and spoke about the force on national television. 'We want to make sure we increase in community engagement. The more we engage with them, the less problems we know we have,' Lockwood told the Sun Sentinel during the Spring Break initiative. According to a Fort Lauderdale Police internal affairs report obtained by the Sun Sentinel, Lockwood has been terminated from his job after his ex-girlfriend raised concerns with the Coconut Creek Police Department about a tracker on her car. During an August 2024 interview with an officer in Coconut Creek, the ex-girlfriend said she and Lockwood had parted ways in April that year. She went to the police, she said, 'as she was 'scared' and wanted to 'have it documented in case anything was to escalate from this situation,'' according to the report. Two days after the interview, a Coconut Creek Police investigator followed up at a local Hyundai dealership where the woman had asked for help in finding a tracker. She did so, she told police, because 'on two occasions she noticed that her ex-boyfriend showed up to different locations without her telling him where she was. She found that suspicious,' the Fort Lauderdale Police internal affairs report says. When the woman returned to the dealership to retrieve her car, the GPS tracking device was missing, prompting an employee to review the dealership's video. It was then, according to the internal affairs report, that the employee and the ex-girlfriend 'observed an unknown male walk into the service bay' toward the area where the car was located. The man was then observed leaving the service bay 'carrying the GPS tracking device in his hands.' The woman told employees she knew the man on the video. The dealership's video cameras showed it was Lockwood who walked in wearing plain clothes to retrieve the device. He was on duty at the time, the report says. Interviewed later by Fort Lauderdale Police investigators, Lockwood initially denied placing the tracker on the car but later admitted to it when speaking to a supervisor. Then he denied it again, saying someone else had placed it there. Asked by Fort Lauderdale investigators why he had removed his uniform shirt while at the dealership, he replied: 'Because at that time I was not in any official capacity.' Lockwood also used police databases at least 26 times between April and August of 2024 to conduct searches on his ex-girlfriend and people in her life, including her brother, friends and a former boyfriend, according to the report. The investigation found Lockwood violated multiple department policies, including conduct unbecoming an officer and misuse of law enforcement authority or position. Misuse of police databases for personal reasons can lead to criminal penalties, depending on how the information is used. On Aug. 29, the report says, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's office of internal affairs referred the case to the public corruption unit of the State Attorney's Office, which 'declined to review it.' Neither the former girlfriend nor the car dealership wanted Lockwood to be prosecuted, according to the report. 'Honestly, I just want this to go away,' the woman is quoted as telling a Coconut Creek officer. 'I don't want Henry to be in any type of trouble. I don't want him — his job to be on the line — his career. I just want us to go our separate ways. So, he continues his life. I continue my life and we just be done with it. No criminal charges, no consequences. I just wanted this to be documented. And that's pretty much it.' The dealership told police that it did not want to press any charges. On March 5, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Walter Schultz signed a 'disciplinary recommendation' of termination. The records show Lockwood has been represented by attorney Eugene Gibbons of Fort Lauderdale through the Fraternal Order of Police. A phone message left with Gibbons' office Monday evening was not returned. The police union did not respond to an emailed message seeking comment. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store