Latest news with #Butner
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tarrant Area Food Bank fights hunger amid historic SNAP cut proposals
The Brief The Tarrant Area Food Bank is partnering with local farmers for a summer market, providing fresh produce to the community. These efforts come as proposed federal cuts could reduce SNAP benefits by an estimated $300 billion through 2034, which would be the largest cut to the program in history. If adopted, the cuts would significantly increase demand on local food banks, which are already seeing high need. FORT WORTH, Texas - The Tarrant Area Food Bank started a summer partnership to provide access to fresh produce. Now more than ever, the food bank is concerned about proposed cuts to federal benefits and the possible impact on North Texans. Local perspective Several local growers are at the farmers' market with freshly grown produce. It's the Tarrant Area Food Bank's way of supporting these small farmers and providing healthy food to the community. It comes at a time when there could be major changes at the federal level as it applies to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. The food bank earlier today hosted a virtual discussion about the congressional developments playing out. They pointed out that in the house-passed version of the current bill, it would reflect a $300 billion cut to the SNAP program through 2034. What they're saying The CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Julie Butner, believes the federal cuts to SNAP, if adopted, would make efforts like this farmers market and other food bank programs extremely crucial in meeting the needs of consumers and snap program recipients. "The federal reductions in SNAP benefits that have been proposed, and today are with the Senate, are quite concerning, because when these neighbors lose the SNAP benefit. If it is cut, then naturally they will be turning to the local food bank, the Tarrant Area Food Bank and our 500 partner agencies to fill the gap," said Butner. Feeding Texas is a statewide network of food banks leading a unified effort to end hunger in Texas. Feeding Texas' Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Jami Olson, states this would be the largest cut to SNAP in history. "It represents a 30 percent cut to our nation's most important and effective anti-hunger program. If this bill is enacted it would represent the largest cut to SNAP in our nation's history," said Olson. What's next As of early June 2025, the federal cuts are still proposed cuts moving through the legislative process. The Source Information in this article was provided by the Tarrant Area Food Bank and Feeding Texas representatives.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-Mass. state trooper found guilty in commercial driver's license scheme
A former Massachusetts State Police sergeant has been convicted on multiple charges in connection with a years-long bribery and extortion scheme involving falsified results on road skills tests. Gary Cederquist, 59, of Stoughton, was found guilty Friday by a federal jury of giving false passing scores to multiple Commercial Driver's License (CDL) applicants, including individuals who had failed or never took a CDL skills test, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley's office announced. Read More: 'Golden handshake': How feds say troopers took bribes to pass unqualified drivers Cederquist was convicted of the following charges: Two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion One count of extortion Six counts of honest services mail fraud Three counts of conspiracy to falsify records Nineteen counts of falsification of records 17 counts of false statements Cederquist could face up to 20 years in prison on each charge of conspiracy to falsify records, conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion, honest services mail fraud and falsification of records. The charges of false statements each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison. Read More: 2 Mass. State Troopers indicted for alleged bribery scheme suspended without pay Cederquist could also be slapped with millions of dollars in legal fines. His sentencing is scheduled for July 24. The former sergeant was originally charged in a 74-count indictment along with three other Mass. State Police troopers and two other men. They are: Calvin Butner, 63, of Halifax, a retired state trooper Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham, a retired state trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, a state trooper Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston All men have since admitted to being involved in the conspiracy. Butner, Mendes, Camara and Mathison have all pleaded guilty to their charges and are awaiting sentencing, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Cederquist was in charge of the state police's CDL Unit. Butner, Mendes and Rogers were members, as well. Unit members are responsible for administering CDL skills tests for Class A (i.e. tractor-trailers) and Class B (i.e. box trucks, oil tankers, school buses) licenses. Read More: State Police identified in sweeping indictment of bribery scheme for driver's licenses From about February 2019 and January 2023, Cederquist and his co-conspirators gave passing scores to at least 30 CDL applicants — including six Mass. state police troopers — regardless if they actually passed the test. Oftentimes, the instructors would take the test themselves in exchange for bribes, including inventory from Mathison's water company valued in the thousands of dollars. Read More: State troopers, alleged accomplices plead not guilty to license bribery scheme Other bribes that Cederquist took were a $750 granite post and mailbox, a new driveway valued at over $10,000 and a snowblower valued at nearly $2,000, according to prosecutors. Cederquist once called an applicant 'horrible,' and 'brain dead,' but gave him a passing score in exchange for the snowblower. Cederquist and his co-conspirators used the code word 'golden handshake' or 'golden' for these applicants. Anyone who received a false passing score on their CDL skills test from this scheme have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Mass. weather: Hail possible Saturday as thunderstorms swoop through state Bard College at Simon's Rock closure costs 116 their jobs Grant boosts Pa'lante's fight against gun violence Suspects nabbed after crashing stolen car into fire hydrant in Boston As week 2 of the Karen Read retrial wraps up, here are the biggest takeaways Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Empty Bowls' event supports Tarrant Area Food Bank
The Brief TAFB's "Empty Bowls" event brought together local chefs and artists to help raise money for the food bank. It happened on Friday at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. This year's event was sold out. FORT WORTH, Texas - The Tarrant Area Food Bank hosted its signature fundraising event on Friday. What we know The 23rd annual "Empty Bowls" event brought local artists and the restaurant community together to support families facing hunger. Participants had the chance to sample great food from Tarrant County's top chefs and restaurants. Beautiful pottery and unique bowls donated by local artists also helped to raise money for the food bank. "The bowls are made by local artisans and donated. Everything community members buy, including their ticket, those are proceeds that go back into feeding hungry families that live in our community," said TAFB President and CEO Julie Butner. Why you should care In recent years, TAFB has been on the front lines of distributing healthy food where the need is great. Drive-thru events serve tens of thousands of families and individuals with limited resources or who perhaps live paycheck to paycheck. "This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we've been doing this for at least 15 years," Butner said. What you can do This year's event on Friday at the Will Rogers Memorial Center was sold out. Donations can still be made by visiting "We're so super excited about the public support and how folks are coming out to help Tarrant Area Food Bank help the rest of the community," Butner said. The Source The information in this story comes from the Tarrant Area Food Bank and an interview with CEO Julie Butner.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former MSP trooper pleads guilty in false licensing case
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)– A former Massachusetts State Police trooper will plead guilty after being charged for his involvement in falsely approving Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) for persons who failed the test. According to prosecutors, Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, MA, and five others were charged in a 74-count indictment in January 2024. Investigators say that between or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests regardless of whether or not they actually passed. Worcester medical company indicted for alleged MassHealth fraud, patient abuse A CDL is required to drive a commercial vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, a box truck, or a school bus. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation but states administer CDL tests and issue the licenses. An applicant must prove they have detailed knowledge of commercial vehicles, perform certain maneuvers, and safely drive on public roadways, including a highway. Only drivers who have passed the test and thereby proved they are qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a CDL, because public safety is at issue. Test scores reported by members of MSP's CDL Unit are material to whether applicants meet federal requirements for, and therefore whether the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles may issue, CDLs. All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the investigation were reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Butner has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting, and five counts of making false statements. On March 21 a civilian co-defendant, Eric Mathison, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. The plea hearing is scheduled for April 7. Butner is facing possible prison sentences of 20 years for the conspiracy to falsify records charge and for each falsification charge, and $750,000 in fines. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-Mass. state trooper agrees to plead guilty to falsifying records to pass CDL applicants, feds say
A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has agreed to plead guilty to falsifying records in a bribery scandal for allegedly giving commercial driver's licenses to unqualified applicants, the U.S. Attorney said Tuesday. Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting and five counts of making false statements, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled Butner's plea hearing for April 7. In January 2024, Butner and five others, including two active Massachusetts State Police troopers at the time, were charged in a 74-count indictment in the alleged conspiracy, Foley said. They include Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, and Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, who were taken off the job following duty status hearings in 2024. Retired trooper Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham, was also charged. Cederquist and Rogers were later arraigned in federal court in Boston, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Cederquist retired from the department in 2024 after being suspended without pay. On March 21, Eric Mathison of Boston, a civilian, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. The men were charged in a federal indictment for allegedly giving commercial driver's licenses to unqualified applicants in exchange for personal kickbacks, including a $10,000 driveway makeover, free snowblowers, high-end bottled water, and cases of coffee and tea. 26 drivers stripped of CDLs amid investigation into state police bribery scandal, RMV says A Commercial Driver's License is required to drive a commercial vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, a box truck, or a school bus, according to the charging document. Test requirements for Commercial Driver's Licenses are established by the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 'Golden handshakes': MSP troopers passed failed CDL applicants in exchange for kickbacks, feds say However, states administer Commercial Driver's License tests and issue the licenses. The CDL test is a demanding, in-person test, officials said. An applicant must prove they have detailed knowledge of commercial vehicles. They must also perform certain maneuvers and safely drive on public roadways, including a highway. Only drivers who have passed the test and have proved they are qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a Commercial Driver's License, because public safety is at issue, officials said. Test scores reported by members of the Massachusetts State Police CDL Unit are material to whether applicants meet federal requirements for, and therefore whether the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles may issue, CDLs. 25 Investigates attempted to confirm state trooper bribery probe 11 months ago According to the charging document, between in on or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests, regardless of whether or not they actually passed. The indictment showed that the troopers jokingly talked about 'golden handshakes' and 'golden treatments' in text messages, referring to giving guaranteed passes to CDL applicants, regardless of how they scored on the test. Foley released these texts that Butner allegedly sent to others: 'This guys a mess. . . . Lol. He owes u a prime rib 6inch.' 'Golden mess. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣' 'He's a mess Class A truck 2psi loss with truck running truck cut our again while timing 🤣🤣🤣🤣' 'Total mess this guy[.] i think some time[s] we should just do what we can but not golden. I'll tell you about it later.' In addition to the false records conspiracy, Butner has agreed to plead guilty to three counts of falsifying records, aiding and abetting, by giving passing scores to three applicants who failed the CDL test, and five counts of making false statements by giving passing scores to five applicants who did not take the test at all. Prosecutors said all CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the federal investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. In response to the investigation, state police earlier said they've taken steps to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability on a department-wide scale. These include: Required use of body-worn cameras for all CDL exams. Increased frequency of unannounced visits by unit supervisors to examiners at training sites. Modernized unit record-keeping with required electronic documentation and the use of the Department's online case management system, allowing for enhanced accountability, accuracy, and supervision. For the charge of conspiracy to falsify records, Butner faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For each charge of falsification of records, Butner faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For each charge of false statements, Butner faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. 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