Latest news with #Tex
Global News
4 days ago
- General
- Global News
Texada Islanders want wayward grizzly bear relocated, province says it's a danger
Some Texada Island residents are hoping that a lone grizzly bear that recently swam to the island can be safely transported back to where it came from. Officials issued a warning late last month after the bear swam to the island from the nearby Powell River area. Locals told Global News the bear, affectionately known as Tex, hasn't caused any issues, and are calling for the province to step in and help relocate it. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the bear, which has been previously tagged, has become a hazard. 'The bear poses a serious threat to public safety — and due to recent conflict history — human-wildlife conflict response guidelines will be followed,' the agency said in a statement. Residents say efforts to privately fund the bear's move have also been met with resistance from the province. Story continues below advertisement 'The cost is not the issue,' bear advocate Ellie Lamb told Global News. 'We're able to do this. It's just getting the signage and the sanction by the government to be able to do the translocation. There's areas where this bear would be better suited at this time.' The province says the bear has already been relocated twice last year.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A Group of Rogue Canadians Are Trying to Relocate a Problem Grizzly Against the Government's Wishes
A large male grizzly bear swam to British Columbia's Texada Island last month. The bear's ear tag identifies it as a problem bear, and locals are worried that officials will come and euthanize it. Now concerned residents are attempting to interrupt the bear's impromptu coastal getaway by crowd-sourcing the bear's one-way ticket off the island. The grizzly, which the islanders have nicknamed 'Tex,' showed up near Shehtekwahn Bay on May 25, likely swimming over from the Powell River area, according to a qathet Regional District social media post. Since then, Tex, who sports a yellow ear tag, has been roaming around and randomly making appearances. The bear was even spotted in a backyard on Saturday. While the bear showed no aggression, just having a grizzly on the 116-square-mile island is enough to keep folks on high alert. 'When I first heard about Tex, I didn't panic. I took simple precautions — securing garbage, making sure no pet food was left outside, and adjusting my routines,' Texada resident Katrin Glenn-Bittner wrote on Facebook. 'Living with wildlife is nothing new here in Canada, yet to Texada, who has been mostly predator-free, we need to be proactive now, and in the future.' Rather than wait for wildlife officials to take management action, a few islanders are taking matters into their own hands with a plan full of small-town grit. Glenn-Bittner, along with her partner Kelly Hughes and her brother David Bittner, a biologist and bear researcher from Switzerland, are spearheading a grassroots solution to raise enough funds to get Tex the Bear tranquilized, GPS-collared, and airlifted to a suitable wilderness area. The ambitious plan could cost up to $30,000, according to the organizers, who say the bear has already been relocated twice in the past by officials. 'He hasn't harmed anyone or caused serious trouble,' Glenn-Bittner wrote in her post. 'And he deserves a second chance.' But the province isn't on board. 'This plan is not sanctioned by the COS (Conservation Officer Service) or the province,' the Ministry of Environment and Parks said in a statement. Read Next: Mushroom Hunters Shoot and Kill a Grizzly That Charged Them in Montana According to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Tex's 'conflict history' means the bear is considered a threat, which puts it on the wrong side of BC's Human Wildlife Conflict Response Guidelines. Those guidelines call for lethal removal for bears that have damaged property, attacked pets or livestock, or show aggressive behavior toward people. For now, Tex remains at large. Locals are being asked to secure their garbage, keep pets close, and report any sightings of the bear.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are environmental costs overlooked? The bill always comes due
There have been several news stories recently about modular nuclear reactors powering data and AI centers. These are being treated like a new buzzword to solve all our power problems. Advantages touted include low carbon emissions and the fact that they could be built at a pace similar to auto and plane manufacturing with limited regulatory oversight. We are stunned that there is NO discussion of the full life cycle of these types of power plants and their uranium fuel. On the front end, uranium is mined, processed and concentrated to produce the fuel for the nuclear reactors. On the back end, the nuclear power plants have to be decommissioned, and the radioactive plant components and uranium fuel shipped and stored. Even after 80 years of this country generating high level nuclear waste, there is no permanent long-term storage facility for the waste that is dangerously radioactive for thousands of years. Nuclear fuel rods from power plants are commonly stored on site in cooling pools. What could go wrong with that? David and Pamela Johns, Austin Re: April 13 article, "Central Texas town divided over gas plant" Sandow Lakes Energy, the developer of a proposed gas plant east of Austin, touted the benefits the plant would bring. They included 400 construction jobs, dozens of permanent jobs and an increased tax base. Notably absent from the list is the thousands of tons of carbon dioxide the plant would produce. This gas will increase already dangerously high temperatures. Why choose an energy source adding to global warming when clean energy sources — wind and solar — are quicker to build and non-polluting? Philip Russell, Austin In kindergarten I learned about my responsibility after making a mess: 'Clean up, everybody do your share.' I learned that if I made a mess, I must clean it. Otherwise, our beloved teachers would be stuck cleaning after me. Now as a 10th grader at Austin Achieve High School, I learned about orphaned wells. I could not believe that in Texas, the home that I love, there are people who did not learn as children about cleaning up their mess. Why are they not ensuring that the wells they built and benefited from are properly decommissioned and plugged so they don't affect others? I live far from places where orphaned wells are a problem. But that does not mean I do not care. I want our legislators — who I assumed went to kindergarten — to do everything possible to ensure that well owners and operators clean up after themselves. Elisa Rodriguez, Austin Re: April 13 article, "Abbott launches blitz to stop proposed Islamic community development" There is no issue of more importance in the founding of this country than the freedom of religion. Many of the colonies were settled in the 1600s by people who faced persecution in Europe. While some settlers came for economic reasons, the great majority left Europe to worship God in the way they believed to be correct. Now, Gov. Greg Abbott is attempting to suppress the rights of some Texans because he opposes their religion, namely, Islam. Not only do his actions as governor violate the U.S. Constitution, they violate the Texas Constitution, which provides for equality under the law no matter one's "sex, race, color, creed, or national origin." Our laws prohibit the governor through his office to "substantially burden a person's free exercise of religion." Gov. Abbott is seeking to interfere with the rights of Muslims to practice their religion. His actions should be condemned by every freedom-loving person. Lamar W. Hankins, San Marcos I simply can't understand or accept the ridiculous premise of a $1 billion dollar taxpayer-funded private-school voucher program. What a classic rich-stealing-from-the-poor paradigm. You want to send your child to private school? Fine. Pay the tuition. But, don't ask for public money to cover the cost. Marty Lange, Austin Re: April 13 column, "Animal Services helps homeless help their pets" If dogs could talk, they would tell Brendan Gemmell: "Thank you for the food, and thank you for feeding my keeper's soul." Mr. Gemmell, an outreach worker for Austin Animal Center, is on a unique mission to keep those experiencing homelessness together with their beloved pets. It may seem like a simple act of feeding a dog, but in reality it is a grand gesture of understanding, love and pure goodness. He recognizes that a precious pet brings security, companionship and a reason to get up in the morning for people living in a difficult situation. You are the leader of the pack, Mr. Gemmell. Thank you for your "one-man operation." Hope others join in: With 3,500 encounters per year, you could use a buddy or two. Valerie Goranson, Round Rock On April 15, the Texas House heard several bills that would weaken Texas' already meager gun laws. Rep. Cole Hefner asked one resident giving testimony: 'What is your solution? … How do we protect our kids?' I am more than happy to share some data-proven viable solutions. Pass mandatory safe storage for all gun owners. One study found 42% of adolescent school shooters obtained the firearm from relatives, mostly through theft. Hold persons accountable whose weapon was used in a crime because they failed to secure their firearm. Require background checks for all gun sales and transfers, including at gun shows and online. Pass Extreme Risk Laws. Raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21 Fund research on gun violence and its prevention Firearm violence is a preventable public health tragedy that is largely dependent on the strength of gun violence prevention policies. Together we can make Texas a safer place for everyone. Amanda Ammerman, Austin It's truly disheartening to hear that the Trump Administration has decided to halt all investments in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The decision has significant implications for vulnerable children around the world. Since its establishment in 2000, Gavi has helped vaccinate more than 1 billion children and has helped prevent more than 18 million deaths. If U.S. funding ceases, an alarming 75 million children could lose access to vaccines in the next five years, with 1.2 million of them potentially losing their lives. It's difficult to imagine a more compassionate act of U.S. international assistance than ensuring children have access to lifesaving vaccines. I strongly encourage our members of Congress to urge the Trump Administration to reverse this decision regarding Gavi funding. Additionally, the U.S. should restore humanitarian and development aid that addresses pressing issues like tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, nutrition, education and more. Susan Lamb, Austin The Trump administration contends it is powerless to effectuate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom it illegally deported to El Salvador. If President Trump truly had the will to bring Mr. Abrego Garcia back to the United States, he could be back within 24 hours. President Trump need only announce a 145% tariff on all imports into the U.S. from El Salvador unless El Salvador's president returns Mr. Abrego Garcia by such deadline. Where there's a will, there's a way. Roger Ferris, Austin It is long past time for our senators and representatives to stand up against President Trump's contempt for the Constitution and defiance of the Supreme Court. His statement that he has no power to retrieve Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and the laughing chorus of his slavish toadies as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele agreed that he would not return Abrego Garcia as "smuggling a terrorist into your country," are transparently malicious steps in an ominous strategy. It also flies in the face of the literally hundreds of people over hundreds of years who have been returned to the United States from foreign prisons. If members of Congress still think that due process is important, and obeying orders from a federal court is important, and an actively involved legislature is important, now is the time for them to speak up and take action. Win Bent, Austin Back in January, Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, along with Democrat U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner, introduced the bipartisan 'TRUST in Congress Act,' which would require members of Congress to put certain investments into a blind trust to avoid the possibility of insider trading. A worthy goal indeed. Hence, in the true bipartisan spirit of his proposed legislation, and in light of the drastic swings in stock prices due to President Trump's on-and-off tariffs, surely Roy will join Democrats in calling for investigations into possible insider trading by Trump and his billionaire friends. Then again, don't count on it, as sometimes principles only go so far. Stephen Shackelford, Austin Re: April 12 article, "Senate panel undecided on daylight saving time" It would be laughable that we should all suffer the disruption to our natural Circadian rhythms caused by daylight saving time so that golfers have more evening hours to play if it wasn't so clear that Congress is more interested in what big business wants than what is best for the health of all Americans. Daylight saving time used to end a month earlier until the candy industry lobbied to extend it past Halloween. Now we face the real possibility of kids walking to school in the dark, commuters driving in the dark early hours, and the proven physiological disruption that daylight saving causes as permanent to make businesses happy. So wrong. Standard time is standard for a reason. Rona Distenfeld, Austin This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin American-Statesman Letters to the Editor for April 20, 2025
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
K-9 bit down on his throat and refused all commands to let go. San José will pay him $1.6 million
For roughly one minute, a San José Police Department dog tore through the neck of an assailant without hesitation. An officer unleashed the K-9 on the man wanted in connection with the theft of alcohol from a local grocery store, according to court documents. Mere seconds into the arrest, however, his handler failed to contain and subdue his K-9 partner. Other officers begged him to quell the dog, named Tex, which continued its assault despite verbal commands to stop, a physical release maneuver and an unsuccessful use of a shock collar, according to court documents. After 60 seconds, Tex finally unlocked its grip on Santa Clara County resident Anthony Paredes, who cried out as blood gushed from his head and neck during the attack, court documents and body cam footage shows. Paredes, who struggles to speak five years after the attack, sued the city of San José; its Police Department; two canine officers, Michael Jeffrey and Kyle Alleman; and Officer Bret Hatzenbuhler for excessive force and violation of his civil rights. Late last month, the City Council chose not to fight the lawsuit. Instead, its 11 members unanimously voted for a $1.6-million settlement at a March 25 board meeting. 'You can't undo what's been done to my client, but it is a substantial settlement,' Paredes' attorney Izaak Schwaiger said. 'There's something sweet about the police having to pay Anthony after he had to take his licks from them.' The San José Police Department said it would not comment on matters 'associated to litigation.' Representatives from the mayor's and the city district attorney's offices did not respond to inquiries. The incident that led to the $1.6-million settlement occurred Feb. 7, 2020. Paredes' girlfriend, who was not named, entered a Safeway grocery store in San José while he was across the street cashing a check. Inside the store, she attempted to steal alcohol and was grabbed by a store security guard, according to court documents. Paredes saw the incident and rushed toward the store entrance, then fled when a store clerk called police, the documents say. As described in the court documents, a police dispatcher classified the event as a strong arm robbery, meaning no weapon was used — yet the five police officers who responded to the call believed that Paredes was armed with some sort of "bladed weapon." Schwaiger believes that a Safeway employee made a 'false statement' that Paredes had threatened to cut him. He said no security footage presented in court backed such a claim. While officers were arriving at Safeway, Paredes attempted to hide in a nearby neighborhood. A voice from a surveilling helicopter implored Paredes to surrender, but court documents show he hid for roughly 45 minutes. A helicopter spotter eventually saw Paredes jumping into a plastic trashcan. Read more: Shoplifter injured by police dog gets nearly $1-million settlement from Northern California city Officer Jeffrey initially released Tex to locate Paredes, according to the documents. When the dog found the correct garbage can, officers eventually knocked it over. That's when Paredes yelled, 'Alright!' three times and Jeffrey removed the can from Paredes and commanded Tex to bite, according to court documents. The animal clamped down at Paredes' head and neck, documents and body cam footage show. Schwaiger said that although dogs may be trained to grab an extremity, in this instance the K-9 latched onto the first part of Paredes body to emerge, which was his head and neck. 'We must remember that this is an animal that is designed to kill,' Schwaiger said. 'It's a weapon.' Within seconds, officers yelled, 'Mike [Jeffrey], get him off,' while Jeffrey kept screaming 'Out!' to get the animal to release its jaws, according to court documents. When verbal commands failed, Jeffrey tried to pull the dog by its collar. During this process, Paredes' body was flung into the air. Officers continued to beg Jeffrey to stop Tex, including imploring him to activate a shock collar. That effort failed because the collar had become dislodged, documents say. Video footage showed that Paredes was detained during a good portion of the attack, with officers binding his hands and legs. Read more: Woman mauled by 'find and bite' police dog sues L.A. County Sheriff's Department The civil suit claims Paredes suffered several bruises and broken bones, including a broken hyoid bone, which is in the front of the neck, and a partially crushed vertebra. He also suffered damage to his neck cartilage and nerves, preventing the choir member from singing. Ultimately, Paredes pleaded guilty to being an accomplice with his girlfriend. Schwaiger blamed the county's district attorney for accepting a plea instead of fighting for his client. He is, though, pleased with the 'substantial settlement' and believes San José should reexamine its use of police dogs in attack scenarios. 'My hope is," he said, "that it will hurt bad enough in the pocketbook and will force change." An analysis by Fox 2 San Francisco in July 2022 found that San José police dogs accounted for 187 bites over a five-year period, the most of any Bay Area law enforcement agency. In 2024, the Northern California city of Brentwood paid $967,000 to a shoplifter who suffered severe dog bites and gashes to her scalp. A Los Angeles County resident also filed a lawsuit last year against the Sheriff's Department when one of its dogs clamped down on her hand. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
04-04-2025
- Los Angeles Times
K-9 bit down on his throat and refused all commands to let go. San José will pay him $1.6 million
For roughly one minute, a San José Police Department dog tore through the neck of an assailant without hesitation. An officer unleashed the K-9 on the man wanted in connection with the theft of alcohol from a local grocery store, according to court documents. Mere seconds into the arrest, however, his handler failed to contain and subdue his K-9 partner. Other officers begged him to quell the dog, named Tex, which continued its assault despite verbal commands to stop, a physical release maneuver and an unsuccessful use of a shock collar, according to court documents. After 60 seconds, Tex finally unlocked its grip on Santa Clara County resident Anthony Paredes, who cried out as blood gushed from his head and neck during the attack, court documents and body cam footage shows. Paredes, who struggles to speak five years after the attack, sued the city of San José; its Police Department; two canine officers, Michael Jeffrey and Kyle Alleman; and Officer Bret Hatzenbuhler for excessive force and violation of his civil rights. Late last month, the City Council chose not to fight the lawsuit. Instead, its 11 members unanimously voted for a $1.6-million settlement at a March 25 board meeting. 'You can't undo what's been done to my client, but it is a substantial settlement,' Paredes' attorney Izaak Schwaiger said. 'There's something sweet about the police having to pay Anthony after he had to take his licks from them.' The San José Police Department said it would not comment on matters 'associated to litigation.' Representatives from the mayor's and the city district attorney's offices did not respond to inquiries. The incident that led to the $1.6-million settlement occurred Feb. 7, 2020. Paredes' girlfriend, who was not named, entered a Safeway grocery store in San José while he was across the street cashing a check. Inside the store, she attempted to steal alcohol and was grabbed by a store security guard, according to court documents. Paredes saw the incident and rushed toward the store entrance, then fled when a store clerk called police, the documents say. As described in the court documents, a police dispatcher classified the event as a strong arm robbery, meaning no weapon was used — yet the five police officers who responded to the call believed that Paredes was armed with some sort of 'bladed weapon.' Schwaiger believes that a Safeway employee made a 'false statement' that Paredes had threatened to cut him. He said no security footage presented in court backed such a claim. While officers were arriving at Safeway, Paredes attempted to hide in a nearby neighborhood. A voice from a surveilling helicopter implored Paredes to surrender, but court documents show he hid for roughly 45 minutes. A helicopter spotter eventually saw Paredes jumping into a plastic trashcan. Officer Jeffrey initially released Tex to locate Paredes, according to the documents. When the dog found the correct garbage can, officers eventually knocked it over. That's when Paredes yelled, 'Alright!' three times and Jeffrey removed the can from Paredes and commanded Tex to bite, according to court documents. The animal clamped down at Paredes' head and neck, documents and body cam footage show. Schwaiger said that although dogs may be trained to grab an extremity, in this instance the K-9 latched onto the first part of Paredes body to emerge, which was his head and neck. 'We must remember that this is an animal that is designed to kill,' Schwaiger said. 'It's a weapon.' Within seconds, officers yelled, 'Mike [Jeffrey], get him off,' while Jeffrey kept screaming 'Out!' to get the animal to release its jaws, according to court documents. When verbal commands failed, Jeffrey tried to pull the dog by its collar. During this process, Paredes' body was flung into the air. Officers continued to beg Jeffrey to stop Tex, including imploring him to activate a shock collar. That effort failed because the collar had become dislodged, documents say. Video footage showed that Paredes was detained during a good portion of the attack, with officers binding his hands and legs. The civil suit claims Paredes suffered several bruises and broken bones, including a broken hyoid bone, which is in the front of the neck, and a partially crushed vertebra. He also suffered damage to his neck cartilage and nerves, preventing the choir member from singing. Ultimately, Paredes pleaded guilty to being an accomplice with his girlfriend. Schwaiger blamed the county's district attorney for accepting a plea instead of fighting for his client. He is, though, pleased with the 'substantial settlement' and believes San José should reexamine its use of police dogs in attack scenarios. 'My hope is,' he said, 'that it will hurt bad enough in the pocketbook and will force change.' An analysis by Fox 2 San Francisco in July 2022 found that San José police dogs accounted for 187 bites over a five-year period, the most of any Bay Area law enforcement agency. In 2024, the Northern California city of Brentwood paid $967,000 to a shoplifter who suffered severe dog bites and gashes to her scalp. A Los Angeles County resident also filed a lawsuit last year against the Sheriff's Department when one of its dogs clamped down on her hand.
