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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) —
Experts say the algae bloom known as red tide has spread along the Texas coast leaving behind fish kills and discolored water.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials are trying to determine whether a pygmy sperm whale that washed ashore at Mustang Island State Park was killed by red tide.
Agency staffers planned fish kill assessments Wednesday at Mustang Island State Park south to Bob Hall Pier. Water samples were being collected along South Padre Island, Freeport and in the Gulf of Mexico.
A TPWD statement Tuesday says reports of discolored water also include San Antonio Bay, Aransas (uh-RAN'-sus) Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and the upper Laguna Madre.
The bloom, named for its reddish color, involves a toxin in algae that can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans who consume it.
DALLAS (AP) —
The husband of an American businesswoman arrested in China on claims she spied and stole state secrets says she's being held in solitary confinement and is interrogated at least once a day.
Jeff Gillis said in a statement that his 55-year-old wife, Phan Phan-Gillis, met Wednesday with an American consulate official.
He says her health has stabilized after suffering from ailments since she was taken into custody in March while traveling with a trade delegation from her hometown of Houston.
Gillis says his wife is not allowed to speak with lawyers about the accusations against her. She has not been charged.
Phan-Gillis was detained for months before being formally arrested last weekend.
She said in comments relayed to her husband that her case is a political one, not criminal.
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS –
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged cocaine valued at approximately $187,000 during a routine examination. CBP officers discovered the alleged cocaine hidden within a 2015 Dodge Ram Adventure.
“I am proud of the outstanding work by our CBP officers in this seizure and arrest,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, CBP officers working primary at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a gray 2015 Dodge Ram Adventure being driven by a man. A CBP officer conducting primary examinations referred the vehicle, its male driver, identified as a 23-year-old Mexican citizen who resides in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to secondary inspection for further examination. While in secondary and with the assistance of a K9 unit, CBP officers discovered 11 packages within the Dodge Ram Adventure. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which held a total weight of approximately 24.25 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $187,000. CBP officers arrested the driver, seized the narcotics and turned the vehicle and its driver over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) —
Two men charged with murder in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent that revealed the bungled gun-smuggling investigation known as Fast and Furious go on trial Wednesday.
The men were charged in the killing of Brian Terry during the Fast and Furious operation in which federal agents allowed criminals to buy guns with the intention of tracking them.
Instead, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives lost track of 1,400 of the 2,000 guns involved in the sting operation, including two weapons found at the scene of Terry's killing.
Two suspects have already pleaded guilty, and two others remain fugitives.
Jesus Leonel Sanchez-Meza, also known as Lionel Portillo-Meza, and Ivan Soto-Barraza will be the first to face trial.
Terry's family are expected to be present at the trial.
While the case will provide the first trial for suspects in Terry's death, the judge has excluded any information about the failed operation during the case.
Sanchez-Meza and Soto-Barraza were members of a "rip-off" crew that planned on robbing marijuana smugglers in the Arizona desert when they encountered agents patrolling the area on Dec. 14, 2010.
A gunfight between the crew and the agents ensued. Authorities later discovered that two of the guns found at the scene of the murder had been part of Fast and Furious.
The operation allowed criminals to buy guns in Phoenix-area shops with the intention of tracking them once they made their way into Mexico.
The operation became a major distraction for the Obama administration as Republicans in Congress conducted a series of inquiries into how the Justice Department allowed such an operation to happen.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder was held in contempt after he refused to divulge documents for a congressional investigation into the matter.
Since then, the Justice Department has focused on arresting and trying all suspects involved.
Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, one of the men present but likely not the shooter, has been sentenced in the killing. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced in February 2014 to 30 years in prison.
Rosario Rafael Burboa-Alvarez, accused of assembling the armed crew that was supposed to steal marijuana from smugglers when they encountered Terry and other agents, struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors last month that will likely result in a 30-year prison sentence, with credit for time served. He will be sentenced in October. Two other suspects remain fugitives.
Sanchez-Meza and Soto-Barraza face charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, assault on a federal officer, conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) —
Federal investigators say seven people have been arrested in a heroin ring allegedly operating since 1998 and linked to San Antonio barber shops.
Prosecutors in San Antonio say the suspects remained in custody Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. Two suspects are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The indictment was unsealed Tuesday, when the suspects were arrested.
Prosecutors seek forfeiture of 17 properties in San Antonio, Seguin (sih-GEEN') and Floresville, plus $7 million. Agents earlier confiscated $420,000, 16 guns and nearly a dozen vehicles.
The indictment says the defendants conspired to use their homes and businesses to distribute heroin and launder the drug money.
Details weren't immediately available on scheduled court appearances or attorneys for the suspects.
BEEVILLE, Texas (AP) — Three people have been fatally shot at a South Texas home and authorities are using prison dogs and metal detectors in the search for a suspect. The Bee County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday did not immediately provide details on the person being sought in the killings in Beeville. The sheriff's office received a call Tuesday morning about a possible shooting at a house. Two men were dead at the scene. A woman died later a Beeville hospital. Officials identified the victims as Barry Garcia, Marc Fuentes and Rosalinda Posada. Authorities did not immediately provide further details on the victims or information on who called for help. Beeville is 50 miles northwest of Corpus Christi.
The Texas State University System has an idea for future students busy with families and jobs: Don't even show up on campus freshman year.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) —
State officials say the Alamo is to benefit from $31.5 million for preservation and development of the downtown San Antonio shrine.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush has scheduled a Wednesday news conference at the Alamo with legislative members and top Bexar (BEAR) County and San Antonio officials to describe the state appropriation and the legislative support that made it possible.
The Legislature mandated establishing a museum for artifacts, including 200 pieces that musician Phil Collins gave Texas last year. The General Land Office took over management of the Alamo from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, which had the responsibility for the former mission for more than a century.
The Alamo was the site of an 1836 battle that preceded the climactic battle for Texas independence.
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) —
A late-summer storm in Southeast Texas has flooded some streets in Galveston.
The National Weather Service says rainfall continued Wednesday in Galveston, where a chance of showers continues into the weekend.
Forecaster Kent Prochazka (pro-HAHS'-kuh) says Galveston since Tuesday received nearly 5 inches of rain. That includes more than 2 inches of rain Wednesday.
Emergency officials had no reports of injuries or major damage.
Tuesday's storm led to the accidental release of about 750,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater from a Galveston utility plant.
Galveston spokeswoman Kala McCain says no ground wells are within a-half mile of the spill site or potentially affected area. She says public drinking water is safe, but people who get their supplies from nearby wells should boil their drinking water, as a precaution.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) —
A sex offender who escaped from Texas earlier this month has been found dead in Myrtle Beach.
Authorities tell media outlets that 48-year-old Brent Allen Jozefkowicz was found dead on the beach in Myrtle Beach early Saturday morning. The coroner's office says he died of a gunshot wound and his death has been ruled a suicide.
He was listed on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list and was considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities say he cut off his ankle monitor device Aug. 4 and escaped from the Fort Worth Transitional Center Halfway House.
