Latest news with #KWTX
USA Today
13-05-2025
- USA Today
Beloved fire captain dies in Mother's Day car crash after his child's birth
Beloved fire captain dies in Mother's Day car crash after his child's birth A beloved Killeen, Texas, fire captain died in an off-duty car accident shortly after the birth of his fifth child over the weekend, according to officials. The tragedy involving Captain Marvin Taylor III occurred on Mother's Day, May 11, after he left the hospital in Austin. According to a statement, Taylor was driving to pick up his other children when "his vehicle was struck from behind." Austin police in the area assisted Taylor while waiting for first responders. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was taken into custody. According to the statement from the city, the other vehicle was traveling "at a high rate of speed." News: Massive 7-alarm fire continues to burn at vacant Baltimore mattress warehouse Taylor described as an 'inspiration,' 'selfless' Taylor was a "highly respected and decorated member" of the department, where he had worked since 2014, according to the city of Killeen. "We are very fortunate to have known him for the 10 years he was with the Killeen Fire Department and part of our family," Chief James Kubinski said in a video to the community. A fundraiser created for his family raised more than $60,000 as of Tuesday morning. Its goal is set at $75,000. "Marvin has been an inspiration to us all, and we are grateful for his selfless service to our community," the caption stated. "He has always been there for others, putting their needs before his own. Now, we want to be there for him and his family." Taylor's body was returned home KWTX reported on May 12 that Taylor's body was escorted from Austin, where the incident happened, back to Killeen. Killeen is about 70 miles from Austin. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Feared dead, dog was tied in a trash bag and thrown out. Then a miracle happened
A little dog in Waco, Texas, has a second chance at life thanks to some good Samaritans and a shelter that refused to give up. Benji, a sweet blond terrier, had been thrown into a dumpster tied in a bag, The Mama Nutmeg Foundation said in an April 15 Facebook post. 'Store employees witnessed a man throw a large bag into the store's dumpster and drive off. Something made their Spidey senses tingle and they went to go look in the bag. THANK GOODNESS they did! Because they discovered a bloody terrier mix who was TIED UP IN THE TRASH BAG,' the shelter said. 'Thankfully, they called animal control and some local scanners for help. Initial reports were that he was shot in the belly, but after being sedated and shaved, it is clear he was attacked by a large dog and violently shaken (as indicated by the pockets of air under the skin). He is not neutered or have a microchip, and thankfully the shelter determined that he would survive if he got immediate medical care.' The shelter worked to track down both the man who was witnessed throwing away Benji and his owner. The man said the pup wandered into his yard and was attacked by his own dog, and his original owner was tracked down, the shelter said. 'Third, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to locate an owner, since the man claimed Benji ran into his yard and got attacked,' the shelter reported to KWTX and in an April 17 Facebook post. 'We can tell you that we have spoken with the owner several times, and at this time, he believes the best thing for Benji is to stay in our rescue and find a new home. LET ME SAY THIS CLEARLY--The owner is NOT the man who dumped him. The owner has been very worried for Benji and was incredibly appreciative ... He is putting Benji's well being above all else, and believes surrendering is the best for all involved. We fully support him in this decision.' The shelter was able to heal Benji to the point where he was able to not only stand on his own, but his personality started to shine through, the foundation said in the same Facebook post. In a May 3 update, it was announced that Benji was released from the hospital. The shelter said it discovered a puncture wound in his lung, which was caught and fixed by a veterinarian. According to KWTX, not only was Benji cleared for adoption, but the shelter received an overwhelming number of adoption applications. Since then, Benji has found his new family and a new home with Cristie Johnson, the media outlet said. Johnson said that she was surprised and thrilled that the shelter and chosen her. 'I had been going in on the Facebook pages and on their website daily just kind of looking to see how things were moving along, if I could get any indication, and his profile disappeared on Monday and so we really thought that he had found a good home, which we were very appreciative for but sad at the same time,' Johnson told KWTX, 'and then got contacted on Thursday.' Benji is now sitting pretty with his new family, which includes three other dogs.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Fire captain killed in Mother's Day crash after child's birth, TX officials say
It was a joyous occasion for a Texas fire captain who was celebrating the birth of his fifth child on Mother's Day, and preparing for his four other children to meet their new sibling, according to officials. But the happy day turned tragic when Killeen Fire Captain Marvin Taylor III's car was struck from behind while leaving an Austin hospital to pick up his children, the city of Killeen said in a May 11 statement. An Austin police officer, who was next to Taylor's vehicle during the accident, rendered aid until first responders arrived, according to KWTX. Taylor died as a result of the accident on Mother's Day, officials said. The driver accused of striking the captain's vehicle was taken into custody, police told KWTX. Taylor had been part of the fire department since 2014 and is remembered for his dedication and leadership, the city said. Killeen is about a 155-mile drive southwest from Dallas.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Neighbor's Doorbell Camera Captures Lightning Striking House 6 Times: 'Sounds Like a Bomb'
A Texas home was struck by lightning six times over the weekend — and it was caught on a neighbor's doorbell camera. The Bell County Fire Marshal's Office said in a Facebook post that authorities responded to the home that burst into flames on the 5300 block of Cicero Drive in Belton, Texas, at 5:15 a.m. local time on Saturday, March 15. "The homeowners were able to get out safely after hearing a possible Lighting Strike hit the roof of the home and then saw flames in the attic space," the fire marshal's office added. Eventually, the fire was brought under control and the home was saved but did have fire and water damage, though no other structures were damaged. Related: Scientists Find Body While Testing Water from 'Murky' North Carolina River, Authorities Say "The home was hit by a negative energy lightning strike, not once, but six times in the same event," the department said. "That lightning event was determined to be the cause of the fire." (PEOPLE has reached out to the fire marshal's office for more information on Thursday, March 20.) Loranette and Terry Baker were asleep when they were jolted awake by the deafening noise, CBS affiliate KWTX reported. Just seconds afterward, Laurenette ran to her front lawn. "To me, it sounded like a bomb," Loranette said. Speaking with ABC affiliate KXXV, She went on to say she "thought something exploded over my house." Related: Woman Gets a Full-Body MRI Scan Out of Curiosity. Turns Out She Was a Ticking Time Bomb (Exclusive) After the couple checked their doorbell camera, Laurenette said the footage answered a lot of questions. Meanwhile, it's not the first time lightning struck a home in the neighborhood. KWTX reported that a house on Fenton Lane was damaged after being hit by a bolt in 2022. Laurenette told KXXV that she was ultimately "thankful" for the outcome of this terrifying situation. 'We are grateful on this street for sure,' she said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Five injured after flight from Springfield hit turbulence, makes emergency landing in Waco
At least five people were injured after a plane that left the Springfield-Branson National Airport late Sunday afternoon on its way to Houston, Texas hit severe turbulence and made an emergency landing 180 miles short of its destination. The flight landed in Waco, Texas instead. Ryan Dirker, emergency management coordinator for the McLennan County Office of Emergency Management, said there were 32 people aboard the plan including 29 passengers. "They had turbulence," he said. Dirker said five were transported from the airport to local hospitals with injuries that were considered "non-life-threatening." Asked if the injured passengers were from Springfield, Dirker said he did not know. "The rest of the folks, a great majority of them, are still at the airport trying to figure out next steps," he said. Multiple news stations in Texas including KWTX reported that at least three flights were diverted to Waco due to either weather or turbulence. First-responders from the Waco area responded to the airport to help passengers. According to FlightAware, a real-time flight tracking website, United flight 5690 left Springfield at 4:48 p.m. Sunday and landed at the Waco Regional Airport shortly before 6:30 p.m. It was reportedly in the air for 1 hour and 40 minutes. The flight was expanded to land at Houston Bush International Airport. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Five injured after flight from Springfield hits turbulence in Texas
