ADVERTISEMENT 2
ADVERTISEMENT 3
Error: No articles to display
ADVERTISEMENT 1
ADVERTISEMENT 4
MICHAEL GRACZYK, AP
HOUSTON (AP)
University of Houston officials are promising swift punishment, including expulsion and criminal charges, if allegations of hazing at a fraternity are supported by the outcome of a police investigation.
School President Renu Khator announced Tuesday that the Sigma Chi chapter and five student members have been suspended amid an investigation into pledge activity.
"I am shocked, dismayed and deeply disappointed that allegations of this nature have arisen on our campus," she said.
The nature of the hazing was not disclosed, although Khator described the allegations as "disturbing" and said the "health and safety of our students have come into question."
If true, such behavior would result in "immediate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion," she said.
University Police Chief Ceaser Moore issued a statement Wednesday saying the department's investigation could take two to three weeks. The university declined to elaborate "to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, and to comply with student privacy laws," the statement said.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)
The Texas Senate has voted to approve a plan fining governmental entities for posting signs that prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns in areas where licensed Texans should be allowed to carry them.
The bill by tea party-backed Republican Sen. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels sailed through the upper chamber Wednesday without debate and now heads to the House.
The proposal would impose fines of up to $1,500 for a first offense and $10,000 maximum for repeat violations.
Local governments and other official entities would be fined if they post signs that might intimidate license-holders who are within their rights to carry weapons.
The bill says the Texas attorney general's office would receive complaints and investigate. Offending governmental bodies would have 15 days to remove offending signs before being fined.
Staff
-Nuevo León
Just 10 days after Omar Treviño Morales, “Z-42”, was arrested in San Pedro, federal authorities arrested his partner in the grand scheme of the Zetas in the same municipality.
Menera Daniel Sierra, 33, alias “Danny Menera”, was arrested by the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR) on Saturday at a hotel in the Valle Oriente sector of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
Federal forces detained five alleged members of the Zetas in Nuevo Leon, including a regional operator of the criminal group.
Daniel Sierra Menera, identified as a regional head of the criminal group, was arrested in San Pedro Garza Garcia. On March 4, Omar Trevino, “Z-42” was captured in the same municipality.
“Menera Sierra was considered regional head for this criminal group and kept its headquarters in Piedras Negras, Coahuila,” explained Monte Alejandro Rubido, National Security Commissioner of Mexico.
“He was allegedly in charge of the transfer of drugs and trafficking of migrants to the United States.”
He is also credited with having ordered attacks against state security forces, mainly of the Group’s Special Weapons and Tactics (GATE) in March and August last year, where he had supposedly been killed in an operation by the Mexican Marines in Jimenez, Coahuila back in 2013.
Along with Daniel Menera Octavio Gómez Gómez, alleged drug trafficking head in charge of airway from Colombia to Mexico was also apprehended.
These arrests allowed by another in the municipality of Apodaca, where they captured Ernesto Balderas Medrano, head of the Zetas in Monterrey.
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
A school bus crashed on Monday causing parents to call both the EPISD Transportation Department as well as the offices of The news Gram attempting to get some answers to how the students were eventually taken to their homes as well as to determine the severity of the
accident. One parent said that they had to take their child to the emergency room to ascertain that they were not injured in the crash.
Both the spokesperson for the district as well as the superintendent of schools and transportation director were sought for comment, however an official statement from the district was not available at press time.
It is as of yet undetermined what caused the accident, however, Sgt. Orlando Escareño informed The News Gram that the accident occurred just after 3:30 PM when students were
being taken home.
Preliminary reports indicate that there were approximately 55 students aboard the bus at the time of the accident. EPPD was on the scene directing traffic and what seemed to be a large model pickup truck with four rear wheels was at the side of the road as traffic slowly passed by.
A.D. Ibarra
-Maverick County
Isamari Villarreal, Tax Assessor Collector for Maverick County, has informed The News Gram that as of last week, a total of $11,139,638.27 has been collected and is presently in the county’s coffers.
While this constitutes a large percentage of the total tax base, there are many citizens who have not yet paid their county taxes and Villarreal urges them to come in and do so as soon as possible.
“By all means come in as soon as you can because every month the interest rises. We already pay high taxes, so you want to avoid any extra charges,” said the head of the MC Tax Office.
In the month of February, there was a 7% penalty while March marks a 9% increase. In April the interest will go up to 11%, May will see it rise to 13% and then 15% in June.
“In July, our attorneys take over and they begin sending delinquent notices and taxpayers will accrue late fees and attorney fees.
VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press
SHAWN POGATCHNIK, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) —
Landmark buildings across Ireland and the world have been floodlit green for St. Patrick's Day as global celebrations of the Emerald Isle's patron saint are culminating in parades and celebrations in Dublin, New York and scores of other cities Tuesday.
Here are St. Patrick's Day events happening worldwide:
UNITED STATES
Home to more than 40 million citizens with Irish blood, St. Patrick's Day is arguably a bigger event in some American cities than even in Ireland. But because this year's holiday falls on a Tuesday, most U.S. towns and cities held their festivities early on the weekend.
Not so for the flagship parade up Fifth Avenue in New York, nor diplomatic events in Washington, where President Barack Obama and the Republican-led Congress take turns toasting their Irish guests at separate events.
New York's parade stepped off with a jovial Cardinal Timothy Dolan as grand marshal.
"I'm as radiant as the sun, so thanks be to God for the honor and the joy," said the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
The parade included the first-ever gay contingent marching under its own banner, a group representing gay employees of the broadcaster NBC, a major parade sponsor.
In protest of parade organizers' policy on LGBT groups, Mayor Bill de Blasio did not march.
And in Washington, for the first time, the leaders of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government aren't coming. Obama encouraged them to stay in Belfast, where rival British Protestant and Irish Catholic leaders are negotiating to keep their 8-year-old coalition from unraveling over a bitter budget dispute.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
Two convicted felons on the Texas Department of Public Safety 10 Most Wanted convicted sex offender list have been caught.
DPS on Tuesday announced 58-year-old Daniel Carroll Wright was captured in Beaumont. Investigators say 53-year-old Mack Houston Jr. was arrested in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
Both men were nabbed last Thursday.
DPS says a tip led to the arrest of Wright. A $3,000 reward will be paid.
Wright was wanted for failure to comply with sex offender registration and parole violation. Records show he has convictions for aggravated sexual assault of a child, aggravated assault, burglary, escape and drug cases.
Houston was arrested based on information compiled by law officers. He was wanted for failure to register as a sex offender. He has convictions for rape, burglary, drug counts and evading arrest.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
The Texas Senate has given its final approval to licensed open carry of handguns in the state, sending the measure to the House.
Open carry has been resisted by law enforcement groups, but sailed through the Senate on a 20-10 vote. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to sign an open carry bill if one reaches his desk.
Texas already allows concealed carry of handguns but is one of just six states that ban open carry.
The bill allows open carry of handguns in shoulder or belt holsters. Licensing would the same as concealed handguns, including background checks, classroom and firing range instruction.
The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on a bill allowing concealed handguns in college classrooms and buildings.
Adrián Ibarra
-Moncada Park
Dignatarios locales y todo el personal de la Ciudad de Eagle Pass Departamento de Obras Públicas estuvieron presentes para la inauguración de cuatro nuevos vehículos recolectores de basura que llevan el logotipo de la Municipal Solid Waste División de Obras Públicas y logotipo de la ciudad enseguida en color verde y negro en los flamantes camiones blancos con un valor estimado de $250,000.00 cada uno.
José Mora, Director del MSWC, fue el maestro de ceremonias del evento y presentó a los dignatarios antes de entregar el micrófono a ambos la Gerenta de la Ciudad Gloria Barrientos y al alcalde Ramsey Cantú.
"Estoy muy feliz de compartir esta nueva adquisición para la ciudad de Eagle Pass que maximizará el trabajo que hacen a diario (a los trabajadores). Realmente aprecio todo lo que hacen todos los días ", dijo el administrador de la ciudad,"Admiro las horas tardes y las horas tempranas de la mañana que hace nuestra ciudad una ciudad hermosa. "
"Como muchos de ustedes ya saben, hoy es un día muy importante para nuestro Departamento de Colecciones de Residuos", reiteró el alcalde, "Ha sido una fabricación de muchos, muchos años por este departamento para convertirse en un éxito", concluyó que este logro se remonta a 2007, cuando estaba sirviendo en el Concejo Municipal.
Los camiones realizan una breve demostración de la eficiencia tecnológica y la forma impresionante que estos camiones se verá en la prestación de los servicios integrales que prestan a los ciudadanos de Eagle Pass.
A Ismael Mata, José Gracia, Ricardo Flores e Ismael Mireles se les dieron las llaves y el honor de ser los primeros en poner las magníficas máquinas nuevas a trabajar en sus rutas mientras los dignatarios reunidos ondeaban banderas de carreras con el fin de enviarlos a su jornada de trabajo a las rutas de la ciudad.
Adrián Ibarra
-Quemado, Tx
La llamada llegó aproximadamente a las 4:30 PM, de Técnicos Médicos de Emergencia en nuestra comunidad vecina del Quemado, donde un hombre de edad avanzada despues que se reportó que había sido golpeado por un coche y se encontraba herido en medio de la carretera sangrando de la cabeza .
De acuerdo con un comunicado de prensa del Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Maverick, oficiales respondieron a un accidente con un peatón en Quemado, Texas el viernes por la tarde.
Aproximadamente a las 4:39 PM, unidades fueron enviados a la carretera 277 Norte, donde fueron capaces de hacer contacto con Gilerenia Zendejas, el conductor involucrado en el accidente.
Sra. Zendejas dijo a los diputados que estaba invirtiendo su camioneta Dodge Ram 2004 cuando golpeó un anciano caminando al lado de la carretera.
El impacto llevó al hombre, posteriormente identificado como, Joe López, alrededor de setenta y nueve años de edad, quien cayó y golpeó su cabeza, causando una laceración sobre su ceja izquierda.
El Sr. López fue trasladado a la Duncan Regional Medical Center de Fort para su posterior tratamiento.
La Sra. Zendejas, dijo a los diputados que ella nunca vio a la persona, ella fue citada por operar un vehículo sin una licencia.
