Latest news with #Tolson
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Portman names new VP of development in Texas
This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter. Atlanta-based real estate firm Portman is expanding its Austin, Texas, team with Katie Tolson, recently hired as vice president of development, according to a news release shared with Multifamily Dive earlier this month. Tolson has more than 18 years of experience in multifamily and mixed-use real estate, including land development, entitlements, design and construction management. She has had a hand in delivering more than 1,400 units across over 130 acres of mixed-use projects in Texas and Colorado, according to the release. In her new role, Tolson will help lead multifamily development projects in Texas and collaborate with Portman's growing Austin team, according to the release. She will report to Byron Brown, senior vice president of development at Portman, and work with him to identify and carry out development opportunities in Texas markets. 'Katie brings a depth of industry expertise and leadership that will enhance our ability to execute best-in-class developments across the state's high-growth markets,' Brown said in the release. 'Her proven track record in leading complex, high-profile urban projects, paired with her extensive market knowledge and long-standing ties to Texas, positions her as a tremendous asset to our team.' Before joining Portman, Tolson served as vice president at Austin, Texas-based real estate investment firm Cypress Invest. She began her career as a civil engineer, and has managed infrastructure design and permitting for high-density urban projects. 'Having built my career in this region, I'm deeply committed to its continued evolution and look forward to helping Portman expand its presence across Texas,' Tolson said in the release. Portman currently has 28 multifamily and mixed-use projects in various stages of development across nine U.S. markets, according to the release. These include two in the construction phase in Texas, according to the company website — Dallas Gateway, a mixed-use property in Dallas with 365 apartment units; and 2545 Brockton, a 425-unit development in North Austin. In January, Portman brought in Sean Henry to lead its new multifamily acquisitions venture as senior vice president of multifamily acquisitions. A little over a month later, the company made two promotions to its C-suite — Travis Garland as chief development officer and Andy Kroll as chief operating officer. The company is currently targeting properties with more than 200 apartment units across cities in the Southeast, Texas and Florida with long-term population, job and income growth. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pizza delivery driver terrified after spotting massive creature hiding under customer's car: 'I'm a little scared'
As urban expansion continues to push into natural habitats, human-wildlife encounters are becoming more frequent and sometimes dangerous. A recent incident in Bradenton, Florida, where People reported a pizza delivery driver came face-to-face with an eight-foot alligator, highlights this growing issue and the challenges of coexistence with displaced wildlife. On March 9, Officer Tolson responded to a call about an alligator roaming a Bradenton neighborhood, disrupting a pizza delivery route. The reptile was seen walking across a lawn and driveway before taking shelter under a car in front of a house. Visibly shaken, the delivery driver hesitated to approach the home and turned to Officer Tolson, who had responded to a call about the loose gator. "I'm a little scared," the driver told Tolson, according to a video posted to the Bradenton Police Department's Facebook page, admitting she was hesitant to deliver the pizza herself. "Do you want to do it, officer?" The officer stepped in, carrying the pizza to the homeowner's back door while warning the resident about the lurking alligator. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission later arrived to measure and relocate the gator, moving it to a safer location away from residential areas. As Florida's population has risen over the decades, urban expansion has continued to push into natural areas, forcing animals like alligators to adapt to shrinking habitats. When wildlife loses space, interactions with humans become more frequent, sometimes resulting in dangerous consequences. The changing climate is also altering ecosystems and causing animals to migrate in search of food and shelter, increasing the likelihood of unexpected encounters. These incidents raise concerns about public safety and the environment. Large predators wandering into neighborhoods pose risks to people and pets, in addition to the wild animals themselves. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Additionally, habitat destruction leads to biodiversity loss and disrupts natural food chains. If these trends continue, more frequent — and potentially dangerous — wildlife interactions will likely occur. Efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts include conservation programs and habitat preservation. Community education is key. Wildlife organizations and local authorities in the Sunshine State always encourage residents to secure garbage bins, avoid feeding wildlife, and create landscapes that deter unwanted animal visits. Homeowners can help avoid these conflicts by securing outdoor spaces, minimizing food waste, and supporting conservation initiatives. Advocating for responsible urban planning can also reduce human-wildlife conflicts. And when it comes to reversing the damage being done to wild animals, conservation efforts have successfully helped species like the American crocodile to recover, proving that proactive measures can support both human and animal well-being. The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is working to protect land, ensuring native species have safe environments; Florida has also enacted wildlife corridor initiatives to help animals move freely without being forced into populated areas. Taking steps to protect natural spaces can help reduce these encounters, ensuring safety for both people and animals. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cop delivers pizza after delivery driver finds 8-foot alligator hiding under customer's car
A police officer ended up delivering a pizza to a customer in Florida after the delivery driver discovered an 8-foot alligator hiding under a car near the front door of the home, police said. The incident occurred on Sunday in Bradenton, Florida, when police were responding to a report of an 8-foot alligator wandering through the River Isles neighborhood, according to a statement from the Bradenton Police Department. MORE: Woman charged with holding 'severely emaciated' stepson in captivity for over 20 years: Police However, a terrified pizza delivery driver happened to get there before authorities could respond and found the reptile in front of the customer's home by accident. Officer Tolson of the Bradenton Police Department arrived moments later and the delivery driver, wanting nothing to do with the alligator, asked the officer to deliver the pizza instead. MORE: Man caught attempting to smuggle living turtle through airport security down the front of his pants MORE: 4-year-old boy calls 911 after 'bad mom' eats his ice cream 'Oh my heavens, there's a big alligator under my car,' the customer is heard saying on body camera footage being worn by the officer as he delivered the pizza. 'After ensuring the hungry customer wasn't attacked by an equally hungry gator, Officer Tolson agreed to take the customer's phone and snap a picture for her,' authorities said. MORE: Chappy, the baby gray seal found on the streets near Yale University, dies from severe digestive issues MORE: Scorpion stings woman at Boston baggage claim as she picked up luggage after flight from Mexico Officials from Florida Fish and Wildlife subsequently arrived on scene and were able to trap and remove the animal from under the car before anybody got hurt. 'FWC trappers relocated the gator away from the neighborhood (and Italian restaurants),' police said in their statement on social media. Cop delivers pizza after delivery driver finds 8-foot alligator hiding under customer's car originally appeared on
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Florida police officer delivers pizza after large gator caught on camera in customer's driveway
A Florida woman was in for a surprise when a police officer ended up delivering her pizza because of an eight-foot alligator hiding out under a vehicle in her driveway. The Bradenton Police Department shared a video of the encounter on X, showing Officer Tolson responding to the call. "Pizza…with a side of gator?" the post read. "Officer Tolson responded to calls about an 8-foot gator in a 55+ community, intercepted a terrified pizza delivery driver, and ensured a hungry customer was fed (and a hungry gator wasn't). All in a day's work!" In shared body camera footage, the police officer can be heard telling a woman who arrived to deliver the pizza to stop because of the large alligator. Florida Authorities In Video Wrangle, Remove Massive Alligator From Pathway Frequented By Schoolchildren The officer suggested the pizza delivery person go around to the back of the house, when she replied, "I'm a little scared." Read On The Fox News App Tolson attempted to reassure the woman that, as long as the alligator stayed underneath the car, she could go around to the back of the home. "Do you want to do it, officer," the woman asked. Florida Man Survives Shark Attack After 'Apex Predator' Pulls Him Underwater, Narrowly Misses Femoral Artery She then handed the pizza to Tolson, along with the receipt, as a neighbor called the woman inside the home who ordered the pizza. During the call, the neighbor told the woman to not come out her front door due to the alligator. Still, the woman opened the door to go outside. Immediately, Tolson told her to not come out because there was an alligator under her car. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed. "My heavens! There's an alligator under my car!" Invasive African Lizard Spotted Moving North In Florida Tolson told the woman to get back inside the house, when she asked about her pizza. "Where's my pizza?" she asked. Tolson told her he would meet her at the back door with the pizza. Then, she said, "Holy s--t!" Once the officer got to the back door, he was met by the woman who had cash in her hand and asked how much she owed. Tolson told the woman he did not know because he was not the delivery person. Florida Man Bitten In 'Extremely Rare' Alligator Attack Has Part Of Arm Amputated "You're a policeman?" she asked in a surprising way. "They called you?" After a brief exchange, the two swapped the pizza for cash, which Tolson said he would give to the delivery driver. Click To Get The Fox News App Before parting ways, the woman said she wanted to grab a picture of the photo. To be on the safe side, the officer took a photo of the giant reptile under the car with her phone before the alligator was taken article source: Florida police officer delivers pizza after large gator caught on camera in customer's driveway
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Telegraph
Teenage sisters ask to live with abusive father to escape strict Islamic mother
Two teenage sisters should be able to live with their abusive father to escape their strict Islamic mother, a family court has ruled. The children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had asked to live with their father after falling out with their mother over her push for a 'forced' Islamic marriage for their older sibling, a court heard. They had previously been sent to live with their mother over concerns about their father's behaviour, which included stalking, coercive controlling behaviour and hitting an older sibling so hard that he dislodged one of her teeth, Judge Robin Tolson said. But the mother's actions – which included leaving the girls with a man they had only known for two weeks while she went on holiday – left them wanting to return to their father, the court heard. Their social media profiles also indicated the girls may 'have rejected their mother's approach' to dressing fully robed in Islamic style, and found their father's style of wearing Western clothes 'more conducive', it was heard. Girls refused to spend time with mother The judge said that the mother was originally from an Eastern European country, where the couple had met, and the father was from a North African country. Their relationship had been 'deteriorating from an early stage' and after they came to the UK the children began living with their mother. But last year both girls refused to spend time or have any relationship with their mother, requesting instead to live with their father, which led to them being taken into foster care and council social services to begin care proceedings. Judge Tolson said: 'My concern has always been whether the girls' actions in moving to their father had been prompted by his coercive or controlling behaviour.' He added this could have been directly or through an older sibling, who is now an adult and not part of the care proceedings. The judge explained this concern was partly because of past findings of domestic abuse made in two judgments by District Judge Rana. The father disputed all of Judge Rana's findings, telling Judge Tolson: 'I never did those things. I will keep my word until my grave'. He stated the allegations had been invented to obtain legal aid and to hurt him. Many fathers, he claimed, were in the same position. No evidence father influenced sisters The local authority and a court-appointed guardian concluded there was no evidence the father had influenced the girls' decision to leave their mother, with Judge Tolson stating the mother's actions last year 'gave rise to obvious reasons why the girls might have taken matters into their own hands'. The girls had been removed from the mother under police protection amid complaints of physical abuse, including in a short video – filmed by the older sister – in which the mother appeared to slap or smack the younger sister. But Judge Tolson said: 'It was not simply a question of physical chastisement. The mother had introduced a new partner into their lives in a peremptory manner and … suddenly left for [a North African country] leaving the girls in the care of the new partner, whom they had known for only two weeks and with whom the mother had been in a relationship for only a little longer than that. 'Furthermore, going deeper into the past, the mother had been instrumental in arranging an Islamic marriage between [the adult sibling] and a man [from a different North African country]. 'The descriptions given by the father, [the adult sibling] and the girls had included 'forced' marriage. 'I make no such finding, although the mother's actions certainly involved permitting her then 17-year-old daughter to enter into the arrangement in a very hasty manner and on what might be regarded as limited information and experience.' Domestic abuse risk 'diminished' The judge added: 'I should mention a further characteristic of the parents and the children. 'Although both Muslims, the father appears to adopt a less traditional approach than does the mother. For example, he appeared in court in Western dress with a modern hairstyle. 'Although of [Eastern European] origin and a convert to Islam, the mother was fully robed (although not veiled). 'If the girls' social media presence is anything to go by it may be that they find their father's style more conducive and have rejected their mother's approach.' Judge Tolson concluded there should be a care order and a plan for permanence with the father, from whom the risk of domestic abuse had now 'diminished'. He encouraged the local authority to provide the father with, or guide him to undertake, 'educational' work on domestic abuse and parenting, but warned that the care plan should not be dependent on his success in that education. 'The father is plainly never going to accept the findings made by Judge Rana and is therefore a very poor candidate for any domestic abuse work,' the judge said. 'Any care plan relying on demonstrated change in this area of the case is in effect a care plan for long-term foster care which in fact no one wishes for the girls.'
