Latest news with #DPS
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘P4' shot to Guntur Municipal Corporation's Animal Birth Control programme
GUNTUR: Delhi Public School (DPS), in partnership with the Pioneer Group and the Chukkapalli Shankara Rao Charitable Trust, has pledged monthly financial support to the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) for its Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme aimed at reducing the stray dog population. At a meeting in the Municipal Commissioner's office on Friday, DPS representative Chukkapalli Rakesh submitted a letter of commitment to Mayor Kovelamudi Ravindra and GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu. The pledge supports the State's 'P4' public-private partnership initiative. The officials said complaints about stray dog attacks have increased, with approximately 30,000 stray dogs identified in the city. The GMC recently deputed a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from the Animal Husbandry Department to oversee the programme. The partnering organisations will contribute `3 lakh per month for 10 months to support sterilisations and anti-rabies vaccinations. Officials plan to implement a systematic daily sterilisation schedule to reduce dog bites and rabies spread. Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Dr Venkateswara Rao and representatives from DPS, the Pioneer Group and the trust attended the meeting.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Beer shortages, dirty parks: What happens without a Minnesota budget deal?
The Brief Minnesota is now one month away from its first government shutdown since 2011. For 20 days that July, the state laid off 19,000 workers. State parks and rest areas didn't get cleaned. Horse tracks couldn't operate because the Minnesota Racing Commission was closed. And liquor stores, restaurants, and bars started to run out of beer because the DPS employees who renewed alcohol licenses were laid off. Leaders are optimistic they'll avoid a shutdown in 2025. They're expecting a special session as soon as next week. But some high hurdles still need to be jumped for that to happen. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - There was no obvious movement on Friday towards a complete budget deal at the Minnesota Capitol, but legislative leaders say they're confident a special session should come next week. They have one month to avoid the first government shutdown since 2011. What's shaking? A few privately arranged agreements popped up on the legislature's website Friday, leaving just three omnibus budget bills to sew up. But there are still some big hurdles to jump and legislators who were at the Capitol for the last shutdown are hearing some echoes of 2011. Like a semi overturned in the Lowry Hill tunnel blocking traffic, cutting MN Care insurance for undocumented adults while keeping it for kids could block the road to a budget."If that is to pass, it's going to have to pass separately," said Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul). "That has not been a part of the discussion in the rooms," said her House counterpart, Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring). Maybe we have For now, the blockage doesn't seem as immovable as it was in 2011 when a GOP majority in the House and Senate couldn't convince DFL Gov. Mark Dayton to sign off on a budget. Then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch says this year sometimes feels the same, but she sees differences. "They have more like pots of trouble where we had like the one big thing," Koch said. Parks, horses, beer During a 20-day government shutdown in 2011, the state had to lay off 19,000 state workers, forcing closures at state parks and rest areas, and stressing out a lot of people. "I didn't know if it was going to last two hours, two days, two months, two weeks," state worker Brice Wickstrom told FOX 9 after the 2011 shutdown ended on July 21. Horse tracks couldn't operate because the state racing commission was shut down, so Canterbury Park lost nearly $3 million. That won't happen this year because a new law allows the commission to continue working with outside funding. But a beer shortage could once again ail liquor stores, bars and restaurants. "They're just disgusted," Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association rep Tony Chesak told FOX 9 about those businesses in 2011. "They're upset to the point where they're just trying to stay in business."State employees responsible for renewing alcohol licenses could be out during a shutdown. Koch believes that was a major motivating factor convincing Gov. Dayton to agree to Republican terms and end the shutdown. She hoped it would be a political winner. "We're going to run on this budget," she told FOX 9 in 2011. "We're going to talk about closing $5 billion forecast deficit without raising taxes. That's a big thing." The GOP lost both the House and the Senate in the next election, but budget forecasts have stayed sunnier. "Since then, we've never had a deficit," Koch said Friday. Until now, that is. The latest forecast predicted nearly a $6 billion deficit by 2029, which is one of many reasons this year's negotiations have been so difficult.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nonprofit founder who trained Maine's first comfort dogs mourns his loss
May 30—Maine's first comfort dog, Baxter, had been rescued as a puppy and bottle-fed by volunteers for a nonprofit in New Hampshire that pairs trained dogs with veterans and first responders. "We're heartbroken," the organization's founder, Laura Barker, said in an interview on Friday, a day after the Maine Department of Public Safety announced Baxter had been found dead in a state vehicle. "We know that Baxter was loved his whole time on Earth," Barker said. "He also helped a lot of people while he was here." Barker said she and her colleagues are still in shock at the loss, and are confident that the department will conduct a thorough investigation. It's still unclear exactly what led to Baxter's death. The 3-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever had been working as a comfort dog for dispatchers under the Maine Bureau of Emergency Communications since he was introduced to the state in the fall of 2022. A spokesperson for the department said he was found dead Wednesday afternoon after the vehicle "unexpectedly" shut off while he was inside. The vehicle was parked at the communications center in Bangor, where the National Weather Service recorded temperatures up to 82 degrees that afternoon. Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for DPS, said she could not answer questions about the type of vehicle and how long the dog was left inside. She confirmed that Brodie Hinckley, the director of the Bureau of Emergency Communications, had been Baxter's handler. Hinckley did not respond to requests for an interview on Friday. Moss did not answer follow up questions asking if Hinckley was placed on leave. Some newer vehicles have an auto shut-off feature, where the engine is disabled after a certain amount of time if it's left running while parked. In recent years, some police departments have purchased technology that will alert officers if the car shuts off or gets too hot. The Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society, notes that temperatures inside a car can rise rapidly in minutes. Even with the windows opened slightly, temperatures can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes on an 85 degree day, according to Humane World. Baxter was trained through Hero Pups and AT&T FirstNet paid for the dog's vet visits and supplies before he joined the bureau in 2022, according to Hero Pups and the Department of Public Safety. Barker, Hero Pups founder, said Baxter's DPS handler took care of him full-time after his first birthday, but he came back to the New Hampshire non-profit occasionally for training. She encouraged the public to wait to hear all of the details before assuming what happened. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas Troopers Take Down ‘Most Wanted' Fugitive With Violent Past
Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety captured one of the state's '10 Most Wanted' fugitives, wanted on assault charges, earlier this week. DPS Troopers arrested Eliud Perez Reyes – a 'violent offender' – in a traffic stop near the southern border on May 26, according to a press release. Reyes was wanted in Hidalgo County and Fayette County on charges ranging from assault with a deadly weapon to theft of property. The troopers pulled over the 45-year-old Reyes in Palmview, a small town along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the release. The suspect was driving a white 2014 Ford Escape, and he 'initially provided a false name to officers when asked for identification.' The Palmview Police Department 'assisted in Reyes' investigation.' He was considered 'armed and dangerous.' Reyes was booked into the Hidalgo County Jail May 27, according to jail records. His charge from Fayette County carries a $10,000 bond, and his charge for failing to identify as a fugitive carries a $5,000 bond. Reyes was wanted from Hidalgo County since December 2024 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault of a family or household member by impeding breathing or circulation, and sexual assault, the release said. According to Hidalgo County Jail records, he allegedly committed all three offenses on December 10, 2022. Fayette County in Central Texas also issued a warrant for his arrest in January for alleged 'theft of property,' according to the release. Since Reyes lied about his identity in the most recent traffic stop, he also faces a charge for 'failure to identify as a fugitive from justice.' The Mission Police Department had previously arrested Reyes in December 2022, according to jail records. He faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault of a family or household member by impeding breathing or circulation, and sexual assault. Each charge carried a $5,000 bond. Reyes was booked into the jail on December 12 and released on December 23. Earlier that year, in March 2022, the La Joya Police Department arrested Reyes for driving while intoxicated, according to jail records. He was given a personal recognizance bond of $5,000. Reyes was booked on March 6 and released the same day. Texas' Most Wanted Texas DPS is still seeking the public's help finding the nine other fugitives on the '10 Most Wanted' list, according to the release. The governor's Public Safety Office funds cash rewards for 'any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders or Criminal Illegal Immigrants.' One of these suspects – Stephen Joseph Vess, an alleged pedophile — has ties to Rockwall County, in the eastern portion of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. He is wanted for sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. Vess was arrested in Rockwall County for sexual assault of a child and bonded out in 2014, according to the listing. He allegedly committed sexual assault of a child on August 26, 2014, according to Rockwall County Jail records. His bond was set at $50,000, and he was released on September 18 that year. He reportedly failed to appear in court later that year, and warrants for his arrest were issued from Rockwall County on November 13, 2014. Officials are offering up to a $3,000 reward. The 'Most Wanted' suspect with the most recent arrest warrant is . The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office arrested him in May 2023 for 'alleged involvement in the shooting and killing of his neighbor' in Forney, just east of the DFW metroplex. While living near Grand Saline in East Texas, McEuen allegedly removed his ankle monitor on May 5, 2025, and failed to appear for trial in Kaufman County. Since then, county officials issued arrest warrants for capital murder by terror threat, murder, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Another warrant was 'issued out of Van Zandt County' for arson of a home. Police have been seeking another suspect, Arthur DeWayne Carson, for the longest time among those on the 'Most Wanted' list – nearly 12 years. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued an arrest warrant in October 2013 for a parole violation, and the Hays County Sheriff's Office issued an arrest warrant in September 2014 for aggravated robbery. Carson was last known to be in Austin 'and believed to be homeless.' Texas DPS maintains another, separate '10 Most Wanted' list for sex offenders, several of whom have ties to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In Dallas, Cecil Colby Smith is wanted for child abuse and failure to register; Billy Morris Kelly is wanted for failure to comply with registration. In Grand Prairie, Gregory Jon Pecina Jr. is wanted for kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, failing to register as an offender, and violating probation after being charged with sexually assaulting a child. In Irving, Michael Evan Scott is wanted for violating registration requirements, and violating probation after being charged with indecent exposure to a child. 'All tips are anonymous — regardless of how they are submitted — and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name,' the release reads. 'Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Video shows traffic stop near school that led to ICE sending family to Mexico
AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Public Safety on Wednesday released body camera video showing the moment troopers and federal agents pulled over an undocumented couple in April in front of an Austin middle school. Federal authorities transported Omar Gallardo Rodriguez, his partner Denisse Parra-Vargas, and their three children, two of whom were born in the United States, to Mexico within a week after the traffic stop. Video shows Rodriguez being taken into custody following the traffic stop on April 30. Body camera footage shows a masked federal agent telling Parra-Vargas they planned to place an ankle monitor on her, after which she would have 24 hours to pick up her children and report back to federal authorities. 'When she comes back tomorrow, we'll send them all together as a family, and we won't prosecute him since he has been deported before,' the federal agent is heard saying to a trooper who was translating to Parra-Vargas and Rodriguez in Spanish. KXAN also obtained a 56-minute dashcam video of the interaction through a public information request to the DPS. The dashcam video has no audio. The dashcam video begins as troopers follow Rodriguez's white truck from the intersection of Middle Fiskville Road and East Rundberg Lane to Dobie Middle School's campus. DHS says patriarch of Austin family ICE sent to Mexico was deported three times before DPS officials said the traffic stop was initiated over expired plates. It's unclear when troopers signaled for Rodriguez to pull over, but the video shows he parks near the back of the school. Video shows that the stop occurred in the middle of the school's morning drop-off as school buses were pulling in and out. The family's legal team said Rodriguez and Parra-Vargas had just dropped off their school-age children at a nearby school when they were stopped. The first interaction shown is between two troopers and the couple while they are still in the truck. It lasts less than four minutes before the troopers walk away. Less than 10 minutes after the troopers walked away, footage shows a federal agent walk toward the vehicle and arrest Rodriguez. According to ICE, Rodriguez had been deported three times before. The agency said he was jailed in Travis County for family violence in 2006 and again in 2014 after his third charge of driving under the influence. DPS officials said it was Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's regional tactical strike team that conducted the stop alongside Homeland Security investigators. The agency has not answered whether Rodriguez was the target of an operation or if his arrest was the result of an operation in the area. WATCH: Undocumented According to her legal team, Parra-Vargas was denied asylum after coming to the country in 2016. The DHS stated that a judge ordered the mother of three to leave the US in 2019. For over 30 minutes, the video shows the couple making phone calls before officers hand her a piece of paper and escort Rodriguez away. The video shows staff working inside the school, approaching law enforcement briefly, and taking pictures of the scene. DHS told KXAN Parra-Vargas was taken into ICE custody and 'chose to bring her children with her to Mexico.' The video DPS provided doesn't show Parra-Vargas being detained. At the end of the video, Parra-Vargas is waiting next to her family's white truck. The family's legal team said on the day of the traffic stop outside of Dobie Middle School, Gallardo and Parra-Vargas were both detained, but Parra-Vargas was released to pick up her children from school. At some point, her attorney said she was given an ankle monitor as part of ICE's Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, or ISAP. According to the family's legal team, ICE later instructed Parra-Vargas to report to the ICE facility in Pflugerville. Upon that appearance, ICE detained the mother and her three children and, on May 7, sent them to Mexico. Undocumented: Texas' immigration impact in a new Trump era 'She followed [ICE's] instructions and appeared at their facilities, where they started the removal process,' Austin's Mexican Consulate Carlos Enrique González Echevarría said. 'She was deported through McAllen-Reynosa and is now in Mexico.' Immigration Legal Resource Center Senior Staff Attorney Cori Hash, one of the attorneys providing legal support to Parra-Vargas, said she was informed that ICE used private contractors to transport the family from the Pflugerville facility. Hash also said the family was held in a hotel room in McAllen before being transported to Mexico. KXAN asked ICE and DHS about the use of private contractors and has not yet received a response. On a phone call with reporters on May 9, the legal team for Parra-Vargas and her family said they have been unable to contact the family since they were removed from the country. Hash said it was their understanding that the family had been taken to a city just across the Texas-Mexico border. The legal team has not provided an update to KXAN on the whereabouts or well-being of the family. DHS and ICE have not answered KXAN's questions about whether the U.S.-born children were appointed a guardian ad litem or any representation during the removal process of their parents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
