Latest news with #Mathis
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus murders down by nearly 50% compared to this time last year
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — According to statistics from the Columbus Police Department (CPD), local murders are down by nearly 50% compared to this time last year. The Part 1 Crimes Report, last released on May 27, shows eight murders have happened in Columbus since Jan. 1. With the addition of another murder in the parking lot of the American Legion off Cusseta Road on Monday, June 2, that makes nine for the year so far. This is a marked decline, compared to 16 murders locally between Jan. 1 and May 27 of 2024, according to the Part 1 Crimes Report. 'The downward trend in murders compared to this time last year is progress, but one is still too many,' Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis said. He credited the decline to increased manpower in targeted areas, use of CPD's Real Time Crime Center and efforts to build trust between police and the community. 'These strategies are helping us get ahead of crime instead of just reacting to it,' Mathis said. Early intervention and prevention are essential according to Mathis, since many cases involve people who already know each other. 'We're making strides, but the work continues,' Mathis said. Robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, larceny and auto theft are also in decline. The only increase listed in the most recent Part 1 Crimes report is rape, with 21 incidents compared to 15 this time last year. To view the latest version of CPD's Part 1 Crimes Report, updated weekly, click here. The full statement provided to WRBL by Mathis is viewable below. Full statement by Chief Stoney Mathis: 'The downward trend in murders compared to last year is progress, but one is still too many. We've increased manpower where it's needed most, put modern technology like our Real Time Crime Center to work, and stayed focused on building trust through community policing. These strategies are helping us get ahead of crime instead of just reacting to it. While there's no single trend, many cases involve people who know each other. That's why early intervention and prevention remain a top priority. We're making strides, but the work continues.' Stoney Mathis, Columbus Police Chief Part 1 Crime Statistics as of May 27, 2025: Part 1 Crimes Jan. 1 – May 27, 2025 Jan. 1 – May 27, 2024 Murder 8 16 Rape 21 15 Robbery 63 81 Aggravated Assault 175 338 Burglary 205 297 Larceny 1,611 2,195 Theft by taking (MV) 239 269 Part 1 Crime Total 2,322 3,211 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cocke County Mayor aims to retain local graduates through economic investment
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis is working to help the county capitalize on its location and attract future investors. Mathis recently attended the annual summit of the Tennessee Valley Corridor, a nonprofit organization spans Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. It is focused on attracting investments related to fields like technology, science, and national security. Morristown hosts the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships 'The thought of was kind of the second Manhattan Project, but in a much broader scope that goes all the way from Birmingham through Huntsville, Alabama, the Space and Rocket Center, Oak Ridge, Chattanooga, Knoxville and then into Virginia and beyond,' Mathis explained. 'Cocke County sits right astride that corridor because it flows right beside I-40.' Despite its proximity to I-40, Mathis told 6 News that Cocke County has yet to take advantage of the opportunity. 'If we can offer them something on the low-end or something that pays on high-end but also rewards them for going out and getting an education,' Mathis said. 'Let's say a kid wants to get a degree in engineering, a degree in finance, a degree in you name it. Whatever those fields are, we have to create opportunities for those young people to stay as well. So that's what this does.' Deadline to apply approaching for Tennessee governor's recovery fund Mathis looking to change this as the county is finishing up construction on an industrial park. Mathis believes construction will wrap up next year. 'We're currently in the process of running sewer, so that's kind of the last big piece. But we have got about eight good sites, flat sites for new employers to come into that park.' Mathis said. This new venture is to not only help the county recover from Helene, but continues to propel forward. ▶ See more top stories on 'We're excited about this opportunity and to be able to move forward as a county and this is not just about recovery from a disaster, this is about regaining and enhancing the momentum we had before the disaster happened,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man escapes Austin psychiatric hospital, authorities continue search
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities are searching for a man they said escaped from a psychiatric hospital in northeast Austin on Wednesday. According to the Grimes County Sheriff's Office, McArthur Deashy Mathis escaped from the Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital, located at 8402 Cross Park Drive. GCSO said Mathis was a 6'2' Black man who weighed approximately 185 lbs. He was described as having multiple tattoos on his head and neck, being bald and having brown eyes. He was last wearing a navy blue shirt and teal pants, according to GCSO. Authorities said Mathis was arrested in January on multiple warrants out of Grimes County and out of Victoria, Texas— including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They also said he was a registered sex offender. After his arrest, Mathis was taken to the psychiatric hospital May 21. GCSO said Mathis escaped the facility by kicking the back door open and jumping over a 6-foot fence. The Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital provided the following statement related to the incident. 'We are aware of an incident involving a patient who left Cross Creek Hospital without authorization. While we are unable to comment on individual patient matters, local law enforcement was notified and is actively involved. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the law enforcement for their prompt response and continued partnership. Cross Creek Hospital remains committed to providing a supportive environment for all individuals in our care.' Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital Anyone with information on Mathis' whereabouts was asked to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers (936) 873-2000 or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
The Austin Police Department has issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for an inmate who escaped while on hold at a psychiatric hospital in Texas. McArthur Mathis was transported to The Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital on Wednesday after being in custody in Grimes County since he was arrested Jan. 2 on multiple warrants. Mathis is also a registered sex offender. Mathis is facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to a family member, obstruction or retaliation, deadly conduct and burglary of a habitation. 'Devil In The Ozarks' Who Escaped Prison Likely Still In Arkansas Area: Officials Police say they responded to an urgent welfare call at around 10:30 p.m. and learned that Mathis had allegedly kicked the back door open and jumped over a 6-foot fence. Mathis could be attempting to return to known contacts in Grimes, Lavaca, Brazos or Gonzales counties, the department said. Read On The Fox News App Louisiana Ag Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Recaptured After Officials Make 14Th Arrest Police also said Mathis should be considered armed and dangerous due to his criminal history. Anyone with information on Mathis is asked to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers at (936) 873-2000, or article source: Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A story of triumph': Cocke County community continues cleanup eight months after Helene
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — It has been eight months since Hurricane Helene left portions of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina in ruin as flood waters took out everything in its path. The motto Cocke County strong has been ringing through the are since the storm first hit as the area continues to get back to a sense of normalcy. 'It's been an honor to be a part of it, especially to watch it happen and see how everyone is pulling together,' Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis said. 'We are not just rebuilding, we are continuing the momentum of growth and advancement that we are experiencing, that momentum we built is continuing even through this rebuilding phase.' Some of the areas hardest hit include Hartford, the Edwina community and those along Denton Road. One homeowner who lives along highway 73 says there are no words to describe what the last eight months have been like. Knoxville family wants 'substandard' conditions at apartment fixed 'It's different. It's very, I don't know how to explain it,' Tera who lives across from the Pigeon River said. 'It's something that I never thought we'd have to go through but you just keep going.' Tera and her family are not originally from the Cocke County area but say after seeing how the community came together, they made the right choice in moving there. 'We actually moved or bought the house two years ago,' Tera said. 'We didn't really know anybody, still don't. We just feel a lot closer, it feels like we picked the right place to live.' Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis saying they've already done a lot of work and are making progress, unemployment in the area has seen a decrease and is now below 4.5% and there is a new industrial park that will be opening, but there's still a lot to be done. 'This is a story in three acts. The first two acts are the stories of the disaster and the response and the recovery,' Mathis said. 'The third act is the recovery, ultimately it's not a story of disaster but at the end it will be a story of triumph. Right now, we are at the foothills of that third act.' Deadline to apply approaching for Tennessee governor's recovery fund Mathis adding, as they have been saying from the beginning of the recovery and rebuilding process, they will come out stronger than they were before the storm. Mayor Mathis also telling 6 News, it's going to take time to get back to a full sense of normalcy and bad things happen quick, but good things take time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
