Latest news with #Pipkin
USA Today
29-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
Texas fisherman catches record bass, releases it 3½ months later
Texas fisherman catches record bass, releases it 3½ months later A Texas fisherman caught a lake-record 14.05-pound largemouth bass at Lady Bird Lake in Austin, making it one of 14 bass in the state that qualified for the 2025 Toyota ShareLunker Program. Willie Pipkin caught the lunker bass on February 5 and then, as part of the ShareLunker Program for bass 13 pounds and bigger, loaned the fish to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to use in its selective breeding and stocking program. Qualifying bass are known as Legacy Class ShareLunkers. Pipkin, joined by wildlife officials, released the bass back into Lady Bird Lake on May 22, as reported by MySan Antonio. Video of the release was posted last week by the TPWD on its Facebook page. 'He just released her back into the lake to let the legend live on,' TPWD wrote in its post. 'Anglers provided 14 Legacy Class ShareLunkers from nine different public lakes across the state of Texas,' the TPWD reported in a press release. 'Another new waterbody recorded its first Legacy Class fish, and O.H. Ivie, the reigning waterbody champion for the past five seasons, finished 2025 with six of the 14 total Legacy Class entries. 'O.H. Ivie retained its designation as the undisputed leader with 59 Legacy Class fish during the five-year span. The lake sprinted across the finish line in 2025 with three consecutive Legacy Lunkers to close out the collection season. The West Texas hotspot accumulated 12 Legacy Class Lunkers in 2021, 2022 and 2024 and amassed a record-shattering 15 ShareLunkers in 2023.' The program runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. 'With new lakes joining the Legacy Class ranks, and returning favorites like O.H. Ivie continuing to impress, it's clear that lunker bass fishing in Texas is thriving,' program coordinator Natalie Goldstrohm stated. 'Every ShareLunker catch helps Texas Parks and Wildlife Department advance bass genetics, fisheries management and angler recognition across the state.' Photos courtesy of the TPWD.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Washington could be losing money as some drivers have been swinging free rides on SR 167 for years
The state may be losing millions of dollars because some drivers are getting a free ride on SR 167. This is as we, too, learn for the first time — some HOT lane drivers are riding for free! The HOT lanes on SR 167 are free if you don't have a Good to Go! transponder. That was news to us until today's monthly meeting of the Washington State Transportation Commission. That's when we found out there are no license plate readers to force those drivers to pay the toll. In fact, none of the drivers we talked to knew about this. With no license plate reader, those who don't have a transponder — aren't paying at all. Some drivers in the HOT lanes on SR 167 are driving entirely for free. Katelynne Lee of Eatonville says she has never gotten a bill, 'not for 167.' She said she did not know why. In fact, KIRO 7 just uncovered it. Drivers don't need a passenger to avoid the toll in the HOT lanes if they don't have the Good to Go! transponder. It was news to Marcellis Pipkin, too. He says he never pays a toll on SR 167 because he never drives in the HOT lanes since he is usually 'by myself.' He was asked if he knew he could drive in the HOT lanes. 'By myself?' he asked. He confirmed he doesn't have a transponder so, there is no way to read his license plate. 'Oh,' replied Pipkin. This came to light as the Washington State Transportation Commission was holding its monthly meeting. Most of the meeting was devoted to the toll rates that are increasing across King County and parts of Pierce County, but there was also a portion of the meeting dedicated to the plan to install license plate reading technology on SR 167, something that it has apparently never had in the seven years the state has been collecting tolls. That means there is no pay by mail. Carl See, WTSC deputy director, was asked if they know how much money the state is losing. 'I'd have to refer you to WSDOT on that to talk about those kind of things,' See said. 'But it certainly is a problem with leakage, evasion... however you want to talk about that.' Maybe so, but it was music to the ears of the drivers we talked to. 'I'm not mad at not paying,' said Pipkin, laughing. 'I'm not complaining about free.' You could still get into trouble. The Washington State Patrol is supposed to enforce the law on this roadway, when they are here anyway. We called the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to follow up on this, but they told us they don't have that data right at hand. So, we'll keep pushing until we get the answers.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Plane crashes into retirement home car park
A plane carrying five people crashed into a retirement home car park before bursting into flames in Pennsylvania on Sunday. The accident happened around 3pm just south of Lancaster airport in Manheim Township, said Duane Fisher, police chief. Nobody on the ground was hurt and those on board were taken to hospital. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were five people aboard the Beechcraft Bonanza. Its planned flight and destination have not yet been released. The conditions of the five were not immediately known and authorities didn't elaborate on how they survived the crash. Brian Pipkin was driving nearby when he noticed the small plane climbing before it suddenly veered to the left. 'And then it went down nose first,' he told The Associated Press. 'There was an immediate fireball.' After calling the emergency services, Mr Pipkin drove to the crash site where he recorded video of black smoke billowing from the wreckage and multiple cars in flames in a car park at Brethren Village. He said the plane narrowly missed hitting a three-story building at the sprawling retirement community about 75 miles west of Philadelphia. 'It was so smoky and it was so hot,' Mr Pipkin said. 'They were really struggling to get the fire out.' A dozen parked cars were damaged and Brethren Village residents were asked to shelter inside as a precaution, Mr Fisher said. 'I don't know if I'd consider it a miracle, but the fact that we have a plane crash where everybody survives and nobody on the ground is hurt is a wonderful thing,' the police chief added. Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting that the aircraft 'has an open door, we need to return for a landing'. An air traffic controller is then heard clearing the plane to land, before saying, 'Pull up!' Moments later, someone can be heard saying the aircraft was 'down just behind the terminal in the parking lot street area'. The FAA said it will investigate. Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor, said state police were assisting local authorities. 'All commonwealth resources are available as the response continues and more information will be provided as it becomes available,' Mr Shapiro said on social media. The crash comes about a month after seven people were killed when an air ambulance burst into flames after crashing onto a busy Philadelphia street. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
10-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Plane crashes into retirement home car park
A plane carrying five people crashed into a retirement home car park before bursting into flames in Pennsylvania on Sunday. The accident happened around 3pm just south of Lancaster airport in Manheim Township, said Duane Fisher, police chief. Nobody on the ground was hurt and those on board were taken to hospital. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were five people aboard the Beechcraft Bonanza. Its planned flight and destination have not yet been released. The conditions of the five were not immediately known and authorities didn't elaborate on how they survived the crash. Brian Pipkin was driving nearby when he noticed the small plane climbing before it suddenly veered to the left. 'And then it went down nose first,' he told The Associated Press. 'There was an immediate fireball.' After calling the emergency services, Mr Pipkin drove to the crash site where he recorded video of black smoke billowing from the wreckage and multiple cars in flames in a car park at Brethren Village. He said the plane narrowly missed hitting a three-story building at the sprawling retirement community about 75 miles west of Philadelphia. 'It was so smoky and it was so hot,' Mr Pipkin said. 'They were really struggling to get the fire out.' A dozen parked cars were damaged and Brethren Village residents were asked to shelter inside as a precaution, Mr Fisher said. 'I don't know if I'd consider it a miracle, but the fact that we have a plane crash where everybody survives and nobody on the ground is hurt is a wonderful thing,' the police chief added. Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting that the aircraft 'has an open door, we need to return for a landing'. An air traffic controller is then heard clearing the plane to land, before saying, 'Pull up!' Moments later, someone can be heard saying the aircraft was 'down just behind the terminal in the parking lot street area'. The FAA said it will investigate. Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor, said state police were assisting local authorities. 'All commonwealth resources are available as the response continues and more information will be provided as it becomes available,' Mr Shapiro said on social media. The crash comes about a month after seven people were killed when an air ambulance burst into flames after crashing onto a busy Philadelphia street.
Arab Times
10-03-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Single-engine plane crashes near a Pennsylvania airport and all 5 aboard taken to hospitals
WASHINGTON, March 10, (AP): A single-engine airplane carrying five people crashed and burst into flames Sunday in the parking lot of a retirement community near a small airport in suburban Pennsylvania, and everyone on board survived, officials and witnesses said. The fiery crash happened around 3 p.m. just south of Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township, police chief Duane Fisher told reporters at an evening briefing. All five victims were taken to hospitals in unknown condition. Nobody on the ground was hurt, the chief said. Brian Pipkin was driving nearby when he noticed the small plane climbing before it suddenly veered to the left. "And then it went down nose first,' he told The Associated Press. "There was an immediate fireball.' Pipkin called 911 and then drove to the crash site, where he recorded video of black smoke billowing from the plane's mangled wreckage and multiple cars engulfed in flames in a parking lot at Brethren Village. He said the plane narrowly missed hitting a three-story building at the sprawling retirement community about 75 miles (120 kilometers) west of Philadelphia. A fire truck from the airport arrived within minutes, and more first responders followed quickly. "It was so smoky and it was so hot,' Pipkin said. "They were really struggling to get the fire out.' A dozen parked cars were damaged and Brethren Village residents were briefly asked to shelter in place as a precaution, Fisher said. "I don't know if I'd consider it a miracle, but the fact that we have a plane crash where everybody survives and nobody on the ground is hurt is a wonderful thing," the police chief added. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were five people aboard the Beechcraft Bonanza. Its planned flight and destination were not released soon after the crash.
