Latest news with #Armendariz
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protest over Hwy 101 swastika flag ends in unexpected understanding
MORGAN HILL, Calif. - A protest against an antisemitic flag displayed on a South Bay highway overpass took an unexpected turn Friday, as demonstrators discovered that the group they believed responsible had nothing to do with it. The backstory The demonstration took place on the Burnett Avenue overpass above Highway 101 in Morgan Hill, where a group of President Trump supporters regularly gather to express their political views. On the other side of the bridge, protesters assembled around 4 p.m. in response to a flag bearing a swastika that appeared at the location the previous week. Reymundo Armendariz, who organized the protest, said the goal was to ensure that Morgan Hill's diverse community feels safe. What they're saying "We want to make sure that people don't have to worry about hate groups like Nazis or neo-Nazis,"said Armendariz. At first, both sides blamed each other for the antisemitic banner. However, during the demonstration, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer approached a counterprotester and relayed a message from the Trump-supporting group, requesting to talk. The Trump supporters expressed shock and disgust over the flag's presence. "It was utter shock, because that is not what we stand for," said Trump supporter, Whitney Jordan. "America has fought against such tyranny," said Trump supporter, Zachary Cochran. Speaking to the Trump supporters, Aremendariz then clarified his group's intent. "I didn't come here because you guys are MAGA Trump supporters. I could care less who you vote for. We came here because of the swastikas," said Armendariz. The breakthrough came when it was revealed that neither group had placed the flag on the overpass. Authorities later identified and interviewed a suspect who allegedly acted independently. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has turned the case over to the District Attorney's Office for review, though no charges have been filed. While both groups still disagreed on many political issues, they both fundamentally rejected hateful symbols. "As a Christian, I'm telling you, it was disgusting," Trump supporter JW Paine said of the antisemitic flag. "If there are no Nazi flags, we won't be back," said Armendariz. Despite their differences, both sides said they fully supported the right to free speech and peaceful protest.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
El Paso driver dies in 2-car collision on Delta Drive next to Chamizal National Memorial
A driver has died following a weekend two-car collision in South El Paso next to the Chamizal National Memorial, police officials said. Javier Camacho Armendariz, 58, of Central El Paso, died at at hospital following a traffic collision late Friday night, March 7, police said in a Monday news release. El Paso traffic deaths: Las Cruces woman killed in El Paso freeway motorcycle crash The wreck occurred at 11:52 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Delta Drive and South San Marcial Street, which runs between the Chamizal National Memorial and Bowie High School, police said. Alfredo De Santiago, 26, of the East Side, was driving a 2022 Volkswagen Arteon westbound on Delta as Armendariz was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Impala southbound on San Marcial Street, police said. The police Special Traffic Investigations Unit determined that Armendariz tried to make a left turn onto Delta Street, failed to yield the right of way and collided with the Volkswagen, police said. Armendariz was transported to a hospital, where he later died. More: El Paso 'road rage' suspect shot by police accused in East, West Side assaults spree The wreck was the tenth traffic-related death in El Paso this year compared with 12 at the same time last year, police reported. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso driver dies in 2-car collision next to Bowie High School
CBS News
08-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Dallas Police Academy graduates largest class since 2022
EDITOR'S NOTE: The day finally came for the Dallas Police Academy's Class 400 after pushing through the grueling 10-month academy. The recruits graduated and are officially Dallas police officers. CBS News Texas reporter Dawn White has been following three recruits in Class 400 since the beginning of the academy for her series "Becoming the Blue." The day finally came for Dallas Police academy's class 400 after pushing through the grueling 10-month academy. The recruits graduated and are officially Dallas Police officers. CBS News Texas reporter Dawn White has been following three recruits in class 400 since the beginning of the academy for her series "Becoming the Blue." Walking into Dallas College's theater in a police uniform is something Class 400 has been working hard for since May 2024. "I'm a mixed ball of emotions. I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm happy, I'm anxious," Ofc. Athena Close said. "I'm very proud of her. She did it from the military to the police department," said Robert Close, Athena's father. Law enforcement runs in the family for the 40-year-old mother of two. Athena's father is the deputy sheriff in Wayne County, Michigan. "I support her, but most of all, I try tell her to always keep her head on a swivel, and always rely on your partner," Robert Close said. 29-year-old Officer Hernan Armendariz worked as a Houston firefighter before joining the academy. "It was a long ten months, but we all helped each other," Armendariz said. This is also a second career for 24-year-old Officer Peyton Segars, who previously worked as an elementary school teacher. "It's mainly just excitement to train and learn and to put everything that I've learned together out on the street," Segars said. "First off, I'll try not to cry because we're very proud of her accomplishment and her becoming a Dallas Police officer. It's a continuation of her growth with being born in Fort Worth and now serving in Dallas," said Anita Rigues, Segars' mother. The newly-minted officers all have a different favorite part of the academy. "My favorite part of the academy was the reality-based scenarios, so all the calls that we got, it was just my favorite thing to practice," Segars said. Officer Close harnessed mental and physical strength. She joined the 600-pound club. "I lifted 625 pounds. I think that was like the greatest accomplishment for me. That was something I didn't think I could do, and I did," Athena Close said. Officer Armendariz also enjoyed physical fitness and something else. "My favorite part was the firearms training," Armendariz said. "We got to the gun range and learned to get better at that." The three new Dallas Police officers already have goals for how they'll serve the community when they hit the streets in just one week. "What I really want to do is be that voice to the people that are scared to speak out for help," Athena Close said. "My number one goal is just to be a great officer out there in patrol, to serve those calls out there, and when I get on scene for the for the public to trust me," Armendariz said. "I hope to bring three things integrity, responsibility, and respect. It was the way I was raised, and I hope to bring that to the community," Segars said. Class 400 includes 41 new officers, which is the largest graduating class since 2022. They took the oath of office Friday and went from recruit to officer, ending their journey to become the blue.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Are Wichita-area schools running out of snow days? See what Kansas law says
Wichita school districts students have so far had this week off amid snow and bitter cold. School officials canceled classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There was no school Monday because it was President's Day. So far this year, including Thursday, Wichita students have been off school eight days because of severe weather. Half of those were in January, with the rest in February. So will they — and students from surrounding districts in similar situations — have to make up days? It may be too soon to tell. Districts have a number of options if they need to make up time, and adding days is only one of them. Kansas Department of Education guidelines require school districts to provide 1,116 hours of instruction, roughly 177 days, with a maximum of 40 virtual learning hours. School days are 6 1/2 hours long. 'Snows days' are not built into the academic calendar, since weather conditions are different every year, but the district has allotted 50 hours to use for weather cancellations, said USD 259 operations division director Fabian Armendariz. If a district uses all of its allotted time, it can add minutes to the day or days to the school year. It also can add staff learning time. For example, although classes are canceled Thursday, all Wichita school staff will report to work for a professional learning day. Such days count as half of the regular instructional time. These days 'offer teachers and staff opportunities to learn new skills, collaborate and develop expertise,' according to the Kansas State Department of Education. 'A regular school day with students attending counts hour for hour. Professional development activities count for 0.5 per hour,' KSDE deputy commissioner Frank Harwood said. The last day of school for Wichita students is May 22. The USD 259 academic calendar lists May 27, 28 and 29 as possible make-up days for inclement weather. Armendariz said these days are a last resort. 'I don't want to say that we are heading in that direction, because I don't think we're there yet, but that is also an option as a last resort this year,' Armendariz said. 'Just want to remind our community that we're doing the best that we can, and we'll try to come up with the best solutions with minimal impact to our community.' Derby, Maize and Valley Center school districts told The Eagle they follow the same procedure as Wichita to make up for instructional hours lost to weather. Asked how the Wichita district has dealt with weather issues in the past, Armendariz said, 'We've never found ourselves in this situation before.' 'I've been dealing with weather and as part of our weather team for the last 15 years, and I haven't encountered a year like this,' Armendariz said. By Tuesday night, Sedgwick County, including Wichita, had seen between 4 and 7 inches of snow. Wind chills between -15 to -25 are forecast in Wichita until Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
