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Police use Taser on 95-year-old Australian woman with dementia who held steak knife

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Police shocked a 95-year-old woman with a stun gun as she approached them with a walking frame and a steak knife in an Australian nursing home, sending her to the hospital.The extraordinary police takedown of Clare Nowland, who has dementia, on Wednesday has prompted a high-level police internal investigation. Nowland was in critical condition Friday.It has also sparked debate about how New South Wales state police use stun guns, which are widely known as Tasers after a major manufacturer. They are a less lethal option than firearms, but have occasionally proved more dangerous than other policing options.Two police officers went to Yallambee Lodge, a nursing home in the town of Cooma that specializes in residents with higher care needs including dementia, after staff reported that Nowland had taken a serrated steak knife from the kitchen.Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter declined to say whether he thought a police officer with 12 years experience ...

Feinstein's complications from shingles more serious than previously disclosed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

(The Hill) -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) suffered from more serious complications from her shingles diagnosis than previously disclosed.A spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that Feinstein suffered from encephalitis, a rare complication of shingles that causes the brain to swell, as well as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, in which the shingles virus impacts the facial nerve causing facial paralysis and other symptoms.“The senator previously disclosed that she had several complications related to her shingles diagnosis,” the spokesperson said in a statement, adding, “While the encephalitis resolved itself shortly after she was released from the hospital in March, she continues to have complications from Ramsay Hunt syndrome.”Feinstein returned to the Senate last week, after a more than two-month absence to recover from the bout of shingles. However, the senator said in a statement that her doctor had advised that she work a “lighter schedule” as she continues to deal with complications.“E...

Internal memos find 'no fault' in suspended Texas Ranger's Uvalde response

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN/Nexstar) — Internal records obtained by KXAN show the two highest-ranking Texas Rangers said a suspended Ranger should not face repercussions for his actions after the Robb Elementary mass school shooting in Uvalde — and also provide new details of the widespread misinformation between officials during the response.The Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Texas Rangers, sent a letter to suspended Ranger Christopher Ryan Kindell on Jan. 5 stating its intent to terminate him for not “conforming to department standards” during the response to the massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead. DPS Director Steven McCraw signed the termination letter, which was obtained by KXAN. Additionally, the letter said Kindell “took no steps to influence the law enforcement response toward an active shooter posture,” and that “constitutes a failure to perform your duty competently.” KXAN reached out to Kindell's attorney who declined to comment on the matter as K...

This is what $2,000 in rent will get you in these Texas cities 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – In recent years, hunting for an apartment in Austin has probably had many wondering if a California zip code was accidentally input into the real estate search engine rather than an Austin one. While the Austin area has become well known for its soaring rent prices, some Texas metropolitan centers remain more affordable. KXAN looked at five cities in the Lone Star State to see what living accommodations would be available for $2,000 using Zillow and the average fair market rate – the 40th percentile of gross rents in each housing market– in each city. Austin Fall foliage in Austin near Riverside Drive and Interstate 35 (Courtesy: Julio Sattler)It is no secret that people have flooded into the "Live Music Capital" in the past decade. And the rent prices match that population growth – the city consistently ranks towards the top of cities with the fastest-rising rent prices in the country. Rent evaluation: The fair market rent prices for the Austin-Round Rock region are...

Indicted Austin police officer resigns from TCOLE board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – An Austin Police officer indicted in connection to the 2020 racial injustice protests resigned from a state commission on Wednesday. Justin Berry confirmed to KXAN on Thursday the Senate confirmed his resignation on the floor Wednesday. In August 2022, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Berry to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for a term set to expire August 30, 2027.Earlier in 2022, Berry was indicted, along with 18 other APD officers, on aggravated assault charges related to the May 2020 racial injustice protests in downtown Austin. He previously called the indictment “frivolous.” Berry bonded out on a $1 bond amount.Abbott provided a statement in August in response to questions about the indictment, which said “Here in Texas, we back the blue. Justin Berry is a proven public servant who has selflessly worked to protect his community and his fellow Texans.” Abbott added that officers who responded during protests in Austin “deserve to be ...

Suspects in 2016 Manor death detained in Mexico: U.S. Marshals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The U.S. Marshals said Wednesday two suspects in the 2016 death of a man in Manor will be extradited back to Travis County after they were detained in Mexico. According to the Marshals office, Manor Police were looking for Thomas Bernal, 25, and his mother Dernal Bernal, 51, of Elgin.Thomas Bernal is charged with manslaughter and failure to render aid. Authorities allege Bernal drove away from the scene of a crash on Maria Lane in Manor on July 27, 2016. According to the Marshals Office, the victim, Devon Sanders, who was 19, was hanging from Bernal's vehicle as he drove away. Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene. As KXAN reported, Devon Sanders graduated from Manor New Tech High School that year and had plans to attend University of Houston-Victoria in the fall of 2016. PREVIOUS: Mother of teen killed in hit and run asking for help finding driver The Marshals office said Manor Police got a warrant for Debra Bernal for tampering with physical evidence. Debra Be...

Texas woman gets three years in prison for exporting guns to Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

McALLEN, Texas (KXAN) – A Texas woman will spend three years in federal prison for exporting firearms and ammunition, according to an announcement Thursday from the office of the United States Attorney's Southern District of Texas. The office said Brenda Belinda Barba, 33, of Spring, Texas, pleaded guilty on April 7, 2022.At the time of her plea, Barba admitted to attempting to unlawfully exporting a Glock 9mm pistol, Glock .22 caliber pistol, four Glock pistol magazines, and 550 rounds of various caliber ammunition.U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Barba to serve three years in federal prison Thursday to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release, according to the announcement. The U.S. Attorney's office said on Nov. 29, 2021, Barba attempted to exit the United States at the Anzalduas Port of Entry in Mission. At that time, she told law enforcement she had nothing to declare, to include firearms and ammunition. However, upon inspection of the vehicle, au...

Saratoga Springs man accused of sexually abusing child

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A Saratoga Springs man is doing time in Saratoga County Jail after troopers say he inappropriately touched a child under the age of 11. Matthew Breen, 55, was arrested on Tuesday after a week-long investigation. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Troopers were tipped off to the alleged abuse on May 8, around 10:30 a.m. According to police, Breen fondled the child the day before. After his arrest Tuesday, Breen was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and forcible touching. He was arraigned at the Saratoga Springs City Court, where bail was set at $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond. His next court date has not yet been set.

5 things to know this Friday, May 19

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Meteorologists Rob Lindenmuth and Jill Szwed called for warm and breezy weather this afternoon, ahead of a rainy Saturday. It could get a bit breezy later in the day too, so keep that in mind if you've got any outdoor activities planned. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The man accused of shooting and killing Kaylin Gillis last month has now been indicted by a grand jury. And as the New York State canal system opens for the summer, leaders are once again emphasizing water safety. Read more, in today's five things to know. 1. Alleged Kaylin Gillis shooter indicted for second-degree murderOn Thursday morning, a Washington County grand jury returned a three-count indictment accusing Kevin Monahan of the murder of Kaylin Gillis. Gillis was fatally shot on April 15 when she and her friends mistakenly drove to the wrong address in upstate New York. Alleged Kaylin Gillis shooter indicted for second-degree...

Farmington couple faces court for disturbing child abuse case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:42:04 GMT

FARMINGTON, Mo -- Farmington couple is due in court today on a disturbing case of child abuse in 2018. Elizabeth Cheatham And her live-in partner, Daryl Head, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of kidnapping. Investigators say Cheatham ordered child-size prison uniforms for her four adopted children to wear. Police say the kids were also forced to live inside plywood boxes. The children were rescued after a tip to an abuse hotline. Cheatham I worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections.