Latest news with #TravisThomas
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Maryland man faces drug, gun charges after road rage incident on I-695
A Baltimore County man is facing gun and drug charges after an alleged road-rage incident in Baltimore County, the Maryland State Police (MSP) said Friday. Travis Thomas, 26, faces numerous charges after police said he was found with guns and suspected cocaine. Police said that around 11:00 a.m. on June 4, they received an emergency call from a motorist who said another driver pointed a silver firearm at them and their passenger during a road-rage interaction on the outer loop of I-695 before I-95. The victim and the passenger were uninjured during the incident. Troopers from the MSP investigated and identified Thomas as the suspect. On June 5, investigators located Thomas at his job in Harford County and executed search warrants. In the search, they found a loaded gun and suspected cocaine packaged for distribution. Law enforcement executed a second search warrant at Thomas' home in Dundalk and found two more guns, along with more suspected cocaine. Thomas faces two counts of felony assault, misdemeanor assault, and using a firearm during a felony. He is also charged with having a loaded handgun in his vehicle and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime in Harford County. Road rage incidents in Maryland Maryland is no stranger to road rage incidents. In February, two men were arrested in separate road rage incidents in Baltimore and Prince George's Counties. On February 18, troopers received a report about a suspected road rage incident near I-695 and Liberty Road, where the victim claimed a driver in a red Mustang displayed a firearm. No one was injured in the incident. A day later, police spotted the same vehicle in the area. They later interviewed 71-year-old William Shockey at his home, where a search uncovered a loaded handgun. Just hours later, police responded to a separate report of an armed road rage incident on Route 1 in Prince George's County. In that case, the victim stated that a man, later identified as 70-year-old Charles Provost, displayed a gun several times. No injuries were reported. Troopers identified Provost as the suspect and found his vehicle at a home in College Park. Law enforcement searched his home and vehicle and found a loaded handgun. In early January, Gerome Alexander Quigley, Jr., 41, was charged for a road rage shooting in Frederick County. Police said he started shooting into a vehicle at an intersection near an apartment building. He then followed the car while continuing to shoot at the victims. Quigley was charged with attempted murder. Man dies after road rage shooting in Frederick County In July 2024, a man was arrested for a Fourth of July road rage shooting that left one person dead and multiple other people injured. The shooting happened on Maryland Route 140. The driver, Davon Dabbs, 20, and his passenger allegedly pulled over to fight a man identified as Christopher Patrick Moore. During the fight, Moore's fiancée drove up, got out of her vehicle, and pulled out her legally owned handgun before opening fire. She told investigators she hoped it would de-escalate the situation. Dabbs physically assaulted her before getting hold of the gun and firing multiple rounds. One gunshot hit his passenger, and two hit Moore in the chest. Moore was pronounced dead at the scene.
American Press
24-04-2025
- General
- American Press
Being a 'Big' means becoming a pillar in a child's life
Travis Thomas accepts the 'Big Brother of the Year' award with his Little, Elijah. The pair are pictured with Big Brothers Big Sisters Southwest Louisiana Chief Executive Officer Jillian Cormier. (Special to the American Press) April is National Volunteer Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana is celebrating by highlighting the Bigs who keep their mission alive. BBBS SWLA facilitates matches between Bigs (volunteers) and Littles, and provides programming for at-risk youth in Allen, Beauregard , Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis and Vernon Parishes, serving over 400 youth across 20 schools. Over 2,500 BBBS-SWLA volunteer hours have been recorded this year. Throughout the month, BBBS is highlighting the stories of Bigs in the region. Julia Tassin, marketing and development manager, BBBS, said that at the heart of everything at BBBS is the belief that each child has 'incredible potential.' BBBS puts supporters in the corner of kids who are in need. The supportive one-on-one relationships between Bigs and Littles 'ignite' the potential in children and help them build confidence, she said. Travis Thomas, who was honored as 'Big of the Year' in 2023, is one of the 120 Bigs in Southwest Louisiana. He began volunteering two years ago. He was inspired to become a Big while he was volunteering at BBBS's Summer Academy – a youth summer mentoring program. 'I created a bond with one of the kids there after asking if he wanted to play Uno. We built a relationship from there,' he recalled. When becoming a Big, his intention was to 'give, not gain' by committing to bring is time, energy and talents to the mentorship program. For Thomas, the act of sacrifice for the greater good is the meaning of volunteerism. The moments that have stood out to him range from helping his Little gain independence by having him order his own food, to seeing his little learn to manage his anger. In return, Thomas has learned better time management and to become more intentional with actions The Bigs are the 'heartbeat' of BBBS, and are trained not to be perfect, but to be present, Tassin said.. 'They show up consistently, build trust, and form meaningful connections with the Littles,' she explained. 'Whether it's grabbing a snow cone on a sunny day, helping with homework or just being a listening ear, the time they invest makes a lasting impact.' There are still 84 littles who need to be paired with a Big. Tassin said volunteers don't need any special skills or a structured schedule to be a Big, they just need two spare hours a month. 'You just need to be willing to show up and be consistent. The impact you can make by simply being there for a child is huge,' she said. 'And for anyone who's even slightly considering it – this could be the start of something life-changing, for you and for a Little.' Thomas said deciding to become a Big is more than just a decision to volunteer, its a choice to become a pillar in a child's life. 'You are actively mentoring the future generation. You are building, shaping, and pouring into the next generation of doctors, lawyers and governors.' Those interested in volunteering with BBBS-SWLA can apply online at
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$83.5M Texas Lotto jackpot sold at Austin retailer was won online
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The fifth-largest jackpot in the history of Lotto Texas, a game within the Texas Lottery Commission operations, was sold at an Austin location which primarily handles courier picks from the app Jackpocket, a subsidiary of DraftKings. On Monday night, the Texas Lottery Commission announced the Winner's Corner, an Austin lottery and board game store, sold an $83.5 million jackpot in the six-number Lotto Texas. However, that bet wasn't placed in-person, but rather through the Jackpocket app, which has raised some concerns if the winnings will stay in Texas. According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the Winners Corner sold $127.6 million worth of lottery tickets in 2023. The second highest selling retailer, Round Rock's Luck Zone, sold less than a quarter of that, totaling $28.2 million. Yet the store is out in a non-descript building, out of the way for anyone who hadn't specifically decided to go there. So why are they handling so many ticket sales? According to an employee who emerged from the back of the store, Monday's winner was mostly likely placed through the Jackpocket app and processed in the store. Her supervisor then came out and gave KXAN a contact number for Travis Thomas, who works for a PR company representing the Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers (CTLC), which consists of Jackpocket, and The back of the store was filled with workers, computers and boxes, but employees on-site refused to let KXAN set foot inside, directing them to the storefront. At a Texas Senate Finance Committee hearing, several Texas lawmakers told Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) leaders that they felt courier services were either violating or skirting the law. On Friday, TLC formally asked the Attorney General's Office what power, if any, they have to regulate them. They've been under enhanced scrutiny after a Houston Chronicle investigation determined courier service applications helped one organization place bets for nearly every number combination in an April 2023 drawing, all but ensuring the $95 million jackpot. Further Chronicle investigations tied the winning money to Europe. The CTLC denies any courier services helped with the operation. 'The Coalition of Texas Lottery Couriers (CTLC) – Jackpocket, and – does not engage in the facilitation or fulfillment of bulk purchasing activity and strongly supports the implementation of state regulatory standards, including the prohibition of bulk purchases and the international distribution of Texas Lottery games,' a representative with their PR firm wrote. The idea of Texas money heading overseas has others worried about who won this jackpot, and where they're located. Thomas says the apps have ways to prevent sales to out-of-state players. 'Verified adult players may only order lottery tickets in the state where they are physically located,' Thomas said. 'For instance, a geo-location process would prohibit a Texan from using the platform to order a Texas Lottery ticket while traveling outside of the state.' Thomas further added that Jackpocket blocks any form of location spoofing. For this story, KXAN asked TLC how they plan to make sure the winning ticket was bought within Texas. 'The agency is investigating this matter and cannot comment at this time,' TLC Media Relations Director Steve Helms replied. 'It is standard practice for the agency to conduct investigations of jackpot winners,' he later clarified. Upon request for a statement, Thomas sent a press release (below) confirming the ticket was sold on their app. Jackpocket Press ReleaseDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
