Latest news with #MarkSwitzer
CBS News
29-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Point Reyes' affordable housing project seeing slow progress
In Point Reyes, the opportunities for affordable housing are few and far between, so there's a lot of excitement about the prospect of some old Coast Guard housing being made available soon. But just because the need is urgent, doesn't mean the system is working quickly to make it happen. There are no high-rise affordable housing complexes in Pt. Reyes, and no one is stepping forward to build one. "The fact is, the people who live there, the people who keep the community going, were not able to live there," said Marin Community Development Director Sarah Jones. "So, we're talking about a much smaller number of units but we really need to get units in these locations." In March, Jones appeared before the Board of Supervisors, as they declared a housing emergency for the area. "We have known that there is a need for affordable housing in this area for a long time," said Jones. "But the urgency, the focus on it, has increased significantly in the past year." That's because next year a lawsuit settlement will kick in, closing the cattle ranches and turning about 100 workers out onto the streets. At the March meeting, the workers and their advocates appealed to the board for help and among them was Pt. Reyes Station resident Mark Switzer, for whom it was a matter of conscience. "I am a landowner, and I have been an entitled, complacent resident of Pt. Reyes Station," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm ashamed and appalled by the situation we're in." On Monday, Switzer reflected on that meeting four months ago. "No one from the landed gentry was there to say, I've been so goddamned, excuse me, so complacent about this," he said. "And that's the truth. We live here, the sun shines. All's good. But it's not!" There is good news for Pt. Reyes. The former Coast Guard housing has just cleared a regulatory hurdle to be turned into affordable housing. There is a lot of work to do to rehabilitate the old buildings, but there hasn't been a lot of urgency in the process. The county purchased the property from the federal government clear back in 2018, but so far, nothing has been built or renovated. The problem is that the complex has no septic system for wastewater. That and other problems have made progress on the project slow going. "Well, I think the sense of the community is frustration and confusion of why it's so difficult," said Switzer. That was the feeling of Scott and Nancy Stine as they strolled past the empty houses. "Yeah, certainly moving slowly, wouldn't you say," said Scott. "Or not at all, I mean, we see no change down here." The fact is nobody is doing anything wrong there. The county and its partners are following the rules, all of them well intended, and all of them acting as a roadblock to getting anything done. "Whether it's asbestos or lead paint or whatever it was." said Switzer. But did he think those things would matter to someone living on the street in a tent. "They don't. You're right, they don't," he said. "The layers of complications, regulations, you can rationalize any one of them. But we're not prepared to say, 'this has got to change. We've got to make this work. We have to start over in our thinking.'" "This piece of affordable housing has been neglected for far too long there by all of us together," said Jones. "And there's a very shared understanding how important this is to address." Now that the project has been cleared of environmental impacts, it can begin the funding process, which Jones said is the most difficult hurdle to overcome. There's no telling how long that will take. Everyone agrees that it's taken too long already, just as they agree about the severity of the problem. But so far, the process has been done by the book, rather than as a matter of conscience.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Yahoo
Secret Service operation cracks down on criminals who've been 'stealing food from the mouths of children'
A special multi-agency operation took place in parts of Tennessee and Mississippi to fight a growing and costly form of fraud — one that can directly impact families in need who rely on electronic benefit transfers (EBT) to get by. From July 8-9, the Secret Service, along with local law enforcement officers, launched a coordinated effort. They visited hundreds of businesses to search for illegal card skimmers that could potentially lead to the siphoning of government benefits before recipients use them. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it 'This is an operation that is primarily based around education and outreach,' Memphis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Mark Switzer shared during a morning brief, as captured by WREG News Channel 3 cameras in a story published July 8. In total, more than 2,200 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, 857 gas pumps and 234 ATMs were inspected across more than 486 businesses, according to the Secret Service. Four skimming devices were recovered, which the agency estimates prevented potential losses of $4.2 million. The broadcaster accompanied agents and was present when one skimming device laid on top of a card reader's keypad at a Memphis grocery store was retrieved and bagged as evidence. How card skimming works Card skimming is a type of fraud that involves installing hidden devices on ATMs, gas pumps or POS devices to steal information from card users. These devices can include keypad overlays that record a PIN and card readers that copy card data. In some cases, a small camera is used to record the transaction. 'There's a number of [criminals] that are out there that are getting ahold of this information and then using it for their own purposes,' Switzer told WREG News Channel 3. With this data in hand, fraudsters can clone your card and quickly drain your account. The Secret Service estimates skimming costs consumers and financial institutions over $1 billion each year. But the stakes are often higher for EBT cardholders, who are vulnerable and rely on benefits to survive, and states may not have programs in place to replace stolen funds. 'They are literally stealing food from the mouths of children,' the Secret Service described in a news release. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. EBT cards in Tennessee are especially vulnerable because they don't have a chip like many bank-issued cards. Magnetic stripe cards are easier to copy, making them prime targets for skimmers. Agents of the task force are working to uncover who installed the device found in the Memphis grocery store, per the broadcaster, and they educated employees on how to better detect these devices. Avoid falling victim to card skimming Card skimming has become a major issue for both EBT and credit card users. The hidden devices can be hard to spot, and after the information is gathered money can be removed from an account quickly. Here are a few tips to reduce your risk: Check the scanner before you swipe: Before swiping or inserting your card, gently tug on the card reader and the keypad. If they feel loose or look off, don't use that terminal. Use visible POS machines: If you're using a debit card, opt for bank ATMs. If you're paying with a credit or EBT card, use the card inside or at well-lit terminals in visible locations. Block your PIN: Use your hand to shield your PIN when you punch it in. While some scammers use keypad covers, others use pinhole cameras to record transactions. Check your account regularly: Make sure to check your bank or EBT card account often and verify even small purchases. Keeping a record of where and when you use EBT funds can help identify suspicious transactions. Change your PIN before benefits hit: If you have an EBT card, consider changing your PIN regularly or the day before benefits are scheduled to hit. This way, if someone has your PIN from last month, they may not have access to your new funds. If you suspect your card has been compromised, call the customer service line immediately and have your card frozen. Report any fraud to your bank or EBT service provider. Above all, be alert. Staying vigilant is your best defense against card skimming. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
12-05-2025
- CBS News
Wyoming man sent to Colorado prison for killing friend who wanted to avoid prison
A 73-year-old Wyoming man was sentenced Friday for aiding in the suicide of a co-worker in Colorado. Mark Switzer received a four-year prison term in the Colorado Department of Corrections from Weld County District Court Judge Audrey Galloway. Switzer pleaded guilty in February to a manslaughter charge. Prosecutors, in turn, dropped the first degree murder charge which Switzer was originally arrested on. Switzer was accused of shooting 49-year-old Nathan "Tom" Combs in May of 2017. Combs's body was found near a tractor trailer parked west of Hereford, Colorado. Combs was shot twice in the head. The two men were friends and co-workers at a Laramie trucking company. Mark Switzer following his arrest in 2023. Weld County District Attorney's Office Combs was facing a possible prison sentence. He had been arrested a year earlier, according to a Wyoming news outlet's report, on child sexual exploitation charges. Combs, who was married and 48 years old at the time, allegedly exchanged explicit photos with a 16-year-old Laramie County girl over a three-month period before his arrest. The two also had consensual sex at the girl's home and in Combs's semi truck while parked at an Interstate 80 truck stop, the victim told authorities, per the news report. In the weeks leading up to his death, Combs purchased a life insurance policy, later doubled its payout to his wife, and signed a will leaving all his possessions to his wife, according to the affidavit. Combs also had a telling conversation with another friend before his death. Investigators learned Combs had told the friend he "wasn't goin' back to jail" and "I know what they do to people like that," an apparent reference to the treatment of sex crime offenders by other inmates, per the affidavit. Combs also told his friend, "Don't tell anybody but I've got it arranged," as stated in the affidavit. "Look after (my wife), stop in say hi to her and see how she's doing," Combs allegedly continued. The friend told Combs, "You're scaring me," according to the affidavit. Combs responded, "Don't be. I'm not." Investigators keyed in on Switzer after Combs's wife conveyed the details of a conversation between the two days after the murder. In it, according to the affidavit, Switzer told Combs's wife that Combs had asked Switzer to kill him. Switzer admitted to her that he shot Combs in the head while Combs was kneeling and praying. Combs was killed in Colorado eight miles south of Switzer's residence near Carpenter, Wyoming. Investigators recovered a .22 caliber rifle from Switzer's truck with a search warrant. The forensic analysis to compare the shell casings found at the scene to the gun took extraordinarily long. A regional laboratory initially found its test results to be inconclusive. An FBI lab then determined the casings to be a match to those extruded by the Ruger rifle -- four years after forensic testing began. Weld County investigators also uncovered text messages between Switzer and Combs leading up to the event. Switzer eventually confessed to investigators to telling Combs's wife that he shot Combs because that was what Combs wanted. Switzer was arrested in March 2023. "This was not a momentary lapse in judgement or a mistake," 19th Judicial Deputy District Attorney Katherine Fitzgerald said during Friday's sentencing hearing (according to the DA's Office). "This was a calculated plan and a deliberate action. Regardless of whether the victim asked him to assist in his death, this defendant still killed Nathan Combs and this type of behavior won't be tolerated in our community."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Colorado man sentenced to 4 years in prison for assisting friend in suicide
DENVER () — A Weld County District Court Judge sentenced 73-year-old Mark Switzer to four years in the Colorado Department of Corrections on Friday for assisting his friend in suicide in 2017. The sentence comes after Switzer pleaded guilty in February to manslaughter – aiding in suicide in the May 2017 death of 49-year-old Nathan Combs. Dates set for Menendez brothers' resentencing hearing Investigators initially believed Combs death was the result of an accident involving a truck, after he was found dead on May 18, 2017, near a semi-truck west of Hereford, however investigators later determined he had been shot. The Weld County DA said the investigation also revealed Combs had increased his life insurance policy in the months leading up to his death and had arranged for Switzer, a then-friend, to carry out the killing. 'This was not a momentary lapse in judgement or a mistake,' Deputy District Attorney KatherineFitzgerald said, during Friday's sentencing hearing. 'This was a calculated plan and a deliberate action. Regardless of whether the victim asked him to assist in his death, this defendant still killed Nathan Combs and this type of behavior won't be tolerated in our community.' Free on Your TV • New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Switzer was arrested in March 2023. He was originally charged with first-degree murder but had that charge dismissed as part of his plea agreement. —Find .If you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself:Call or text 988 or chat at .Please get help immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
