Latest news with #TarrantCounty
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Dispute over former Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris's retirement cash heads to court
Millions of dollars allegedly promised to the founder and former pastor of Gateway Church will be discussed in court on Thursday. Robert Morris, or at least his attorneys, will be in a Tarrant County civil court Thursday morning, along with attorneys from the church to discuss the lawsuit over Morris' retirement package. Morris, 63, is demanding millions of dollars in payments and retirement benefits from the church following his resignation last year. Morris stepped down after allegations resurfaced that he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. Church lawyers wrote in the court filing that "amid the chaos of his conduct had unleashed upon Gateway and his community, Morris was laser-focused on securing his financial future." On Sept. 25, 2024, just over three months following Morris's resignation, his attorney sent a letter to church lawyers with various demands, including more than $1 million that had accrued in Morris's retirement account. The letter also claimed that church elders had verbally promised Morris a retirement benefit of $800,000 per year until he turns 70, and $600,000 per year for as long as he or his wife are living. However, according to a retirement compensation agreement included in the court filing, the church would pay Morris $170,000 per year for 20 years following his retirement. The agreement also included a provision that the retirement benefit is not payable if Morris is fired or resigns for failing to adhere to church policies and causing harm to the church. The church argued that if Morris is convicted of the criminal charges he faces in Oklahoma, it would have grounds to withhold the money. Morris claims that in the meeting at Gateway last June when he was forced to resign, he specifically asked and was "assured... he would receive his retirement benefits" but that the church "may need to 'get creative' with how he was going to be paid" and that Morris "would not have agreed to the termination" otherwise. In an earlier letter, Morris's attorney warned that if the church doesn't cooperate, "Pastor Robert will be forced to make clear that he was transparent with the board" about his sexual encounters with an underage girl."
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Lake Worth police cut crashes, crime with simple strategy
A small police department in Tarrant County says it's seeing big results from a simple shift in strategy: more patrolling. Lake Worth officers, like Christian Myers, are spending more time on the streets, targeting long-standing issues such as red-light running and speeding. "All our intersections are pretty, hot spots," Myers said. "When you hear a city that's 2.5mi², you wouldn't think that there's over 250,000 cars a day going through it. But that's exactly what Lake Worth is." Myers said he averages between 50 and 60 traffic stops a week. The department's renewed focus on traffic enforcement came in response to community complaints. Chief J.T. Manoushagian said the approach may seem obvious, but it's not common across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. "There are some communities in the metroplex that say -- Traffic enforcement is not our top priority. We want the police focusing on violent crime or gang…," Manoushagian said. "And I'm not saying that that approach is wrong. I'm just saying it's not needed here because we do have the community's support and trust." The department says the strategy is working. In just six months, officers issued 500% more citations compared to the previous year. That led to a 24% drop in crashes and a 50% decrease in traffic incidents compared to a decade ago. Manoushagian said the increased patrols have also helped officers respond more quickly to other crimes. In one case, officers apprehended two armed robbery suspects within minutes. "In the area. So, from the time the panic button was pressed, until we had two suspects in custody was seven minutes. And that doesn't happen if officers are not out in the community actively patrolling," he said. For Myers and others in the department, the goal isn't just writing tickets — it's keeping people safe. "And so just that aspect of it is what I take pride in, in trying to limit those accidents," Myers said.
CBS News
7 days ago
- CBS News
Former Fort Worth private school piano teacher sentenced to 10 years for indecency with students, prosecutors say
A former piano teacher at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of indecency with a child by exposure, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. Trent Muse, 29, received what prosecutors described as the maximum sentence for repeatedly exposing himself to at least five students during private piano lessons in the 2022-2023 school year. In March, a group of parents sued Trinity Valley School over multiple reports of alleged sexual abuse by Muse, a former teacher whom they claim the school covered up for years. Multiple families alleged the school's negligence allowed more than a dozen young girls to be abused. According to the lawsuit, filed March 25, the incidents of sexual abuse happened over eight months during the 2022–23 school year, involving 16 girls ranging in age from 6 to 11 at the time of the alleged abuse. The lawsuit, which notes Muse was fired in April 2023, claims the school told parents that Muse left for personal reasons and "encouraged families to continue lessons with Muse off campus," and that there was "no cause for concern" regarding Muse's departure. Court documents show Muse was arrested in June 2024 and faces at least five counts of indecency with a child. Earlier this year, Trinity Valley School wrote in a statement: "Since the arrest of former piano teacher Trent Muse last year, Trinity Valley School has remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting our students and families and seeking answers as best we can. After the school received a report of an incident involving Mr. Muse in April 2023, he was promptly terminated from his position and a report was made to Child Protective Services. Upon learning of his June 2024 arrest, we immediately initiated a third-party investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding Mr. Muse's termination and the school's actions related to his departure. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved and due to ongoing legal proceedings, we are limited in what we can share publicly. However, we will continue to navigate this process with the compassion, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness our community deserves." CBS News Texas will continue to provide updates on the lawsuit as it progresses.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tarrant County Republican won't seek reelection to TX House; mayor bids for seat
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Southlake Republican, is not seeking reelection to the Texas House. Capriglione was first elected to House District 98 in 2012. The district falls within Tarrant County and includes Colleyville, Grapevine, Westlake and parts of Euless, Flower Mound, Southlake and Trophy Club. 'This has not been an easy decision,' Capriglione said in the post. 'Serving you in the Texas Legislature has been one of the great honors of my life. When I first ran, I had a clear purpose: go down to Austin, work hard, and fight for the principles and values that make Texas strong. Over the years, I've done exactly that. And while I've given this work everything I have, I also feel in my heart that I've accomplished what I set out to do. It's time for a new chapter.' Capriglione said he'll finish out the remainder of his term, which ends in January. He serves as chair of the Delivery of Government Efficiency (DOGE) committee, on the Ways and Means Committee and on the House Subcommittee on Property Tax Appraisals. He chairs the House Innovation and Technology Caucus, and is the owner and president of Texas Adventure Capital LLC. 'This has been a journey of faith, service, and relentless effort,' Capriglione said in the post. 'I don't yet know what the future holds, but I trust that God is still writing my story. For now, I look forward to spending more time with my family, returning to life back home, and continuing to serve in whatever way I can, just not in this same role.' Soon after his announcement, Keller Mayor Armin Mizani announced he was running for House District 98. He had previously announced a bid for Senate District 9, but is no longer running for the seat in a coming special election, his campaign confirmed. His announcement came with a slew of endorsements from Tarrant County area elected officials. 'We've received a groundswell of support and encouragement to run for this seat,' Mizani said. 'And while we may be pursuing a different office to serve our communities, our purpose remains the same: to ensure our communities have an unapologetic conservative champion representing us in Austin — someone focused on keeping Texas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.' A Nov. 4 special election is being held for the Senate seat that was vacated by Sen. Kelly Hancock, who's now the acting Texas Comptroller. Republicans Leigh Wambsganss and John Huffman, the former mayor of Southlake, as well as Democrat Taylor Rehmet are seeking the Senate seat, which covers much of Northeast Tarrant County including North Richland Hills, Keller and White Settlement. In addition to Hancock and Capriglione's exits, Rep. Tony Tinderholt, an Arlington Republican, has said he won't seek reelection, instead running for Tarrant County Commissioner, precinct 2. Sen. Brian Birdwell, a Granbury Republican, isn't seeking reelection to Senate District 22, and Rep. David Cook, a Mansfield Republican, is seeking his Senate seat. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Crash shuts down portion of I-20 in Forest Hill ahead of morning rush hour
A portion of eastbound Interstate 20 in Forest Hill is shut down due to a crash. The crash happened around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday on I-20 at Forest Hill Road, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. I-20 is shut down between Forest Hill Drive and Anglin Drive. No information has been released on what caused the crash or if there were any injuries. CBS News Texas has reached out to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office for more information. This story is developing. Check back for updates.
