Latest news with #ArmyReservist
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Witness says he tried to help victims involved in I-40 crash
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A day after a deadly multi-car crash, a witness told WREG that he tried to help victims. Memphis Police said that five vehicles were involved in the wreck on I-40 and N. Hollywood around 3:30 on Saturday afternoon. Officials said that while vehicle #1 was traveling westbound on I-40 W and struck the rear of vehicle #2, which was also traveling westbound on I-40. That caused vehicle #2 to strike the rear of vehicle #3 and vehicle #3 struck the rear of vehicle #4. Vehicle #4 then struck the rear trailer of vehicle #5. The wreck led to all westbound lanes of the interstate being shut down for hours. A WREG reporter spoke with a man who said he's an Army reservist and has trained for casualty situations. MPD: Three killed in I-40 multi-car accident After seeing the crash, he pulled over to help a woman try to break a window of a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was involved. He described to WREG what happened next. 'I go to the driver's side and I'm able to pull the driver out and I unbuckle the passenger but by the time I get over there the car is already going up in flames and another bystander passes me a fire extinguisher and we try to use that to put the fire out but it's not enough,' he said. 'I just want to offer my condolences to the family, I feel really bad for the family and all the loss they're going through in such a short amount of time.' Police told us a fourth person was also hospitalized, but should be okay. WREG has reached out to investigators for more information about what happened. We will update this story when more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Butler ahead in Republican bid to replace retiring Schuylkill County sheriff
Shawn Butler, chief deputy to Sheriff Joseph G. Groody, leads in the Republican primary for Schuylkill County sheriff on Tuesday night, defeating Frank J. DiMarco, a veteran police officer. With all 125 precincts reporting, Butler earned 8,845 votes while DiMarco tallied 5,466. That count did not reflect all mail-in and absentee ballots as of 11:45 p.m. Groody, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election. He was first appointed sheriff in 2007 and elected in 2009. With more than a 2-to-1 edge in voter registration, it's likely that Butler will be elected sheriff in November. No Democrats are seeking their party's nomination in the primary, though it's possible a candidate could be selected on a write-in vote, including DiMarco. The sheriff's main duties are providing security for the courts, transporting prisoners, and issuing gun permits, but they do not have investigative powers. FURTHER READING: District Attorney Race Butler, 45, of Frackville, has 10 years of experience in the sheriff's office and formerly was an Army Reservist and a police officer for 20 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant in Butler Township. DiMarco, 53, of Walker Township, has 28 years of experience as a police officer in Saint Clair and Blythe Township, and he currently runs an auto repair shop near New Philadelphia. During the race, both candidates described themselves as true conservatives and second amendment supporters. On Tuesday night Butler said that he was excited by the early returns and thankful for all of the support he had received, including Groody's endorsement. 'It's overwhelming,' he said of the backing he's gotten from those who helped his campaign. He was happy that voter turnout seemed to have exceed expectations. DiMarco earlier in the evening spoke about his plans if elected. Among them was his intention to have the sheriff's department arrange for the county's able-bodied, non-violent prison inmates to help keep communities clean and maintained. He said that he would work with local officials to allow inmates to volunteer to collect trash along county roadways, streets, rivers, and in communities. Butler said that he is committed to collaborating with federal agencies to uphold law and order, ensuring that local enforcement aligns with national efforts to protect citizens. By strengthening partnerships and implementing effective policies, Butler said he aimed to do his part in ensuring communities are safe. Butler said that he embodied the values of Schuylkill County by being pro-Constitution, pro-family, and pro-freedom, and was committed to ensuring that law enforcement reflects the principles of integrity, accountability, and service. He said that he would modernize technology and enhance security measures in the sheriff's office to ensure that both courthouse staff and community members accessing services there would feel safe. Building strong relationships between law enforcement and the community was a priority of his, he said. Whether addressing the opioid crisis through drug prevention programs in schools, or educating residents about scams and elder abuse, he said he wanted every citizen to feel informed and protected. He also said that he would manage the budget responsibly while ensuring that law enforcement delivers the highest level of service to the community. DiMarco said his priority as sheriff would be to make the office more transparent and to be fiscally responsible by looking for additional revenue through grants to expand the department's capabilities without overburdening the taxpayers. Regarding illegal immigration, he said he would work collectively with local officials and have policies for assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security as requested by their agencies and as prescribed by the law. For improved courthouse and community safety, he wanted to acquire a canine specifically trained in the detection of firearms and explosives that would be available at the county building and also to assist local communities and law enforcement officers against threats to schools and other community events. DiMarco also wanted to create a system in which concealed gun permit holders would be notified 30 days before their permits expired that they were due for renewal. Check back later today for expanded coverage of the 2025 Schuylkill County Primary.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is Cody Allen Balmer? Suspect accused of arson attack on Gov. Shapiro's home
The man accused of firebombing Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's house over the weekend had struggled in recent years with problems in his home life as well as issues stemming from covering his home mortgage, according to court records reviewed by ABC News. Cody Allen Balmer was arrested on Sunday for allegedly breaking into the governor's home while he and his family were inside and setting fires with two Molotov cocktails. He was denied bail at his arraignment on Monday. Before he was arrested and charged with attempted homicide, aggravated arson and terrorism in the attack on the governor's mansion, Balmer was already due in court this coming Wednesday on charges stemming from the domestic assault allegations. Balmer, 38, had grappled with a protracted back-and-forth over foreclosure proceedings, and allegations that he assaulted his then-wife and children amid what he told police was his failed attempt at suicide. He had worked as an auto mechanic in the Harrisburg area and served eight years as an Army Reservist from his late teen years onward. U.S. Army Spokeswoman Heather J. Hagan said in a statement that Balmer was a construction equipment repairer (62B) in the Army Reserve from April 2004 to June 2012. He had no deployments. He was a sergeant when he left the Army. The Service declined to say whether he had been discharged honorably, citing privacy laws. MORE: Arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence was 'domestic terrorism': Fire chief In 2022, Balmer was sued by a mortgage lender seeking to foreclose on his Harrisburg house. By June 2024, he owed nearly $117,000 plus interest. A sheriff's sale had been set, but Balmer's lawyer asked that the sale be postponed, saying Balmer had found it harder to make ends meet because of bad luck and marital strife. Balmer had "fallen behind in his mortgage due to several hardship factors, including injuries from an auto accident leading to his inability to work and maintain an income and a separation from his wife," his lawyer said in court documents. Still, he had just found a buyer despite "numerous issues in and with the property" and needed time to finish the sale. The case was dismissed in Jan. 2025 as the parties had "resolved" the matter. At the same time, he had an escalating and allegedly violent situation at home, court documents show. In late Jan. 2023, local police were called to a home in the Harrisburg area for what was characterized in court documents as an "active physical domestic" incident. "A child caller advised his stepfather was beating his mother," the responding officer's affidavit said. The officer responded and outside the home met Balmer's then-wife "in an elevated state, yelling and crying about her husband, Cody Balmer, having assaulted her." "Cody was still inside the residence," the officer said. Balmer told the officer "that he had taken a bottle full of pills in an attempt to kill himself," the affidavit said. "An argument ensued between Cody and [his wife] to a point that his 13-year-old son" had "stepped in between them. Cody then admitted to shoving his son and that a fight ensued between all parties. Cody showcased injuries to his face." Balmer had hit his 10-year-old son "in the chest and stepped on his broken leg in the midst of a scuffle with the victim and two others," and had hit his 13-year-old son and his wife "with closed fists, and bit his wife causing a puncture wound on her hand," according to the criminal complaint. A $5,000 unsecured bail was set for Balmer, according to a criminal docket. The document says this was "to make [it] easier to co-parent.' In Pennsylvania, defendants given an unsecured bail do not have to post any money upfront but must agree to pay the stated bail amount should they not show up for court or violate bail conditions, according to state law. The assault case is still pending in Dauphin County. A separate criminal docket states that a hearing in that case was scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Available court documents did not indicate whether he had entered a plea in the domestic assault case. His estranged wife and public defender did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Balmer was also previously accused of forgery. Court records show he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Balmer's estranged wife's aunt told ABC News over the phone that she had only met him "a couple of times" but that "he seemed nice." "He was a little quiet, just, a little laid back, but he seemed nice," Aunt Janel Jones said. She had heard of the arson attack of which Balmer is now accused -- a "shock" to her, she said. "It's a shock. To me, it's a shock. But you never know - I wasn't around him 24/7 either. The only person that could give you, like, a better understanding of him would be my niece, his wife," Jones said, adding her niece has two daughters with Balmer. "So that's -- this is crazy. This is really crazy," Jones said. MORE: Man charged for arson attacks at Tesla dealership, New Mexico GOP office A Facebook profile being reviewed by law enforcement in connection to Balmer reflects a mix of family photos with what appeared to be an expression of disdain for politicians on both sides of the aisle. His pictures include selfies with small kids wearing costumes, and other posts include critiques of both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, the latter of whom he criticized for his age and his economic policies. Balmer also made numerous posts complaining about the high cost of living in the United States. In Nov. 2022, he posted, "Can't pay rent? Sell your f**** organs! No more organs? F**** die then this is America be grateful for the opportunity you had." In a 2022 post, Balmer shared an image of an embroidered flaming Molotov cocktail, with the inscription: "Be the light you want to see in the world." Who is Cody Allen Balmer? Suspect accused of arson attack on Gov. Shapiro's home originally appeared on
