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Tag: APP Public Safety

  • 7 people dead after UPS plane crash, airport reopens in morning

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    LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball Tuesday while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub, killing at least seven people and injuring several others.


    The crash triggered an explosion and a major fire, causing a large plume of black smoke to fill the sky above. Louisville fire chief Brian O’Neill said the fire took up almost an entire city block. He announced just after 10 p.m. that the fire was mostly contained. O’Neill said they did a grid search and went around to the houses and businesses that they could after the crash trying to make sure everyone is accounted for. He added, they will continue looking and working in the area.

    Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., updated the death toll just after 10 p.m. 


     

    Jonathan Biven, Louisville airport public safety officer said all departing flights have been canceled for tonight, and anyone traveling out of the airport Wednesday should contact their airline for the latest flight status. Travelers should follow the airport’s X page for the latest updates. The airport will reopen Wednesday morning. 


    ARRIVALS TO SDF

    DEPARTURES FROM SDF

     

     

    The Federal Aviation Administration has also issued a Temporary Flight Restriction within a 5-mile radius through 7 a.m.

    UofL Health said it’s treating 10 patients related to the incident, two of whom are in critical condition in the Burn Center.

    The shelter-in-place has been reduced to one mile within the airport, said Jody Meiman of Louisville Metro Emergency Services; it was previously up to five miles. 

    During an earlier news conference, Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., said at approximately 5:14 p.m. ET, UPS Flight 2976 crashed and then caught fire. It was headed to Honolulu. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.

    Beshear mentioned that the number of injuries and possible deaths is likely to rise. He described it as an all-hands-on-deck response.

    “We have virtually every single fire, police and emergency response crew that is responding right now to what you are seeing,” Beshear said.

    He said he does not believe there was hazardous cargo on board that would create an environmental issue for those around the site. 

    The main area hit consisted of two businesses: Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts. Some Louisville Gas & Electric equipment was damaged; there may be some power outages for safety, Beshear said.

    The nearby Ford plant was not hit but lost power for a period of time. 

    The Louisville Metro Police Department is providing Victim Reunification at 2911 Taylor Blvd. United Way is also offering shelter. LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey urged the public to avoid the crash area and let first responders do their jobs, stressing the scene will be active and dangerous for several days.

    Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said the Okolona Fire Department was the first to respond, adding that units from Louisville and Jefferson County are supporting the response. Fire crews are working to contain the blaze from all sides, using a surround-and-control approach. He requested continued public patience, reiterating first responders are working hard and updates will come.


    The NTSB is leading the investigation, Beshear said. He and others urged patience and staying away from the area. 

    The NTSB is launching a go-team of to investigate Tuesday’s crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo aircraft, Flight 2976. NTSB Board Member Todd Inman will serve as the on-scene spokesperson. The investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky tomorrow and there will initially be 28 people on the team.

    According to the FAA, the plane was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplane owned by UPS was manufactured in 1991; MD-11’s hold more than 38,000 gallons of gas.

    In a statement, UPS said, “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities that we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPsers.”

    “We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.”

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the situation as “heartbreaking.”

    “Please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash,” he said.

    Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, also responded on social media.

    “Rachel and I are praying for victims of the UPS plane that crashed during takeoff at 5:15 p.m.,” he said. “We have every emergency agency responding to the scene. There are multiple injuries, and the fire is still burning. There are many road closures in the area—please avoid the scene.”

    The department added this is an active scene with fire and debris and urged others to stay away. 

    The University of Louisville was hosting the ACC Field Hockey Championship at Trager Stadium, which is in the middle of campus. Wake Forest and Syracuse would have played at 6 p.m. The stadium was evacuated shortly after the crash, and the game has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5.

    This is a developing story. We will add more details when they become available.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • 6-year-old killed in Tampa pedestrian-vehicle crash, sheriff’s office says

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said a 6-year-old died after being hit by a car Tuesday morning.

    It happened just after 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Mohr Road and Sheldon Road in Tampa. 

    In a news release, the sheriff’s office said: “Deputies responded to a call in reference to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash. When they arrived, they found a woman and her two children suffering from injuries. Deputies began rendering aid and called EMS. Shortly after, the 6-year-old child died from their injuries.”

    The mother and other child were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

    The driver of the vehicle was also taken to a hospital.

    No further information was released.

    This is a breaking news story. Stay with Spectrum Bay News 9 on-air, online and the Spectrum News app for updates.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Deputies shoot suspect in domestic violence call

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    BRANDON, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies responded to a domestic violence call Sunday, where they shot the suspect in the case.

    Shortly after 2:00 p.m. deputies responded to a domestic violence call on the 100 block of Alpine Drive in Brandon, Florida. The caller reported the suspect was armed with a knife, and was choking their 7-year-old brother.

    When they arrived on the scene, deputies found the suspect barricaded in a back bedroom. They heard the child scream for help, and kicked down the door. The suspect refused to let go of the child, and a deputy shot the suspect.

    The suspect was then transported to a local hospital, where they died. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Search continues for murder suspect accused of stabbing Craven County deputy

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    A helicopter and drones have joined the ongoing search for a murder suspect accused of stabbing a Craven County Sheriff’s deputy late Wednesday night.  

    What You Need To Know

    • The search continues for Dominic Connelly, 24, who is accused of multiple crimes, including arson, murder and stabbing a Craven County deputy

    • The deputy was stabbed inside a Bojangles in Vanceboro late Wednesday night

    • Connelly’s grandmother was found dead inside a burning home on Oct. 25

    • He is considered armed and dangerous, officials said, and should not be approached. Anyone who sees him should immediately call 911


    Dominic Connelly, 24, is wanted on charges of murder, first-degree arson, vehicle theft, first-degree attempted murder, felony assault on law enforcement, causing serious injury and resisting a public officer.

    “We will not stop,” Craven County Sheriff Corporal Kelly Cox said Thursday in a recorded statement addressed to Connelly. “We are asking you to end this peacefully now for your own safety and for the safety of the public and our officers.”


    He urged Connelly to turn himself in.

    “We are asking you to end this peacefully now for your own safety and for the safety of the public and our officers,” he said. “Do not make this situation worse.”

    Cox also called on Craven County residents to be on their guard.

    Connelly is considered as armed and dangerous and should not be approached if seen, he said.

    Connelly is described as a white male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 135 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. Deputies said he was last seen wearing dark clothing and running toward the Bailey Lane Apartments. 

    Craven County Schools closed Vanceboro Farm Life Elementary, West Craven Middle and West Craven High School for all students and staff on Thursday and announced that Friday would be a remote, asynchronous learning day.


    On Oct. 29, a deputy encountered Connelly in the bathroom of a Bojangles at the corner of Dawson Lane and Highway 43 in Vanceboro, North Carolina, according to a release. Connelly stabbed the deputy with a knife, officials said, before running off toward the Bailey Lane Apartments behind the Bojangles.

    The sheriff’s office said they were initially looking for Connelly in connection to the death of his grandmother, Patricia Lopedote, 72, on Oct. 25.

    Lopedote’s body was found inside a burning home on N.C. 101 Highway in Havelock, North Carolina, investigators said.

    Authorities said Connelly set the fire and took off in Lopedote’s vehicle, which was found unoccupied in a New Bern, N.C., parking lot on Pine Tree Drive on Oct. 28.

    Anyone with information on Connelly’s whereabouts is asked to call Craven County Sheriff’s Office at 252-636-6620, Craven County Communications at 252-633-2357, or submit an anonymous tip to the Craven County Crime Stoppers app at p3tips.com/986. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to Connelly’s arrest.

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    Justin Pryor, Caroline King

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  • Former Raleigh top cop will be Charlotte’s first female police chief

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    Estella Patterson, who formerly led Raleigh’s force, will be the next Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department chief, making her the first woman to hold the title in the Queen City’s history.  

    She will replace Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Chief Johnny Jennings, who announced his retirement at the end of the year in May.

    “The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has a long history of incredible leaders, who have collectively led CMPD to be one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country and Chief Patterson will continue that tradition,” City of Charlotte Manager Marcus D. Jones said in a news release Friday. “Chief Patterson’s deep experience with CMPD in addition to her recent experience leading the Raleigh Police Department made her an ideal candidate to continue CMPD’s successes but also bring new ideas to further the agency’s growth.”

    Patterson served with Raleigh’s police department from August 2021 to March 2025, and she led the department through big changes, the release states. During her time as Raleigh’s chief, she created a recruitment plan that upped the department’s manpower, taking their vacancy rate from 150 to 40 over three years.

    “I am deeply humbled and honored to return to Charlotte to serve the community and lead CMPD into its next chapter,” Patterson said in the release. “Reducing violent crime and disorder, enhancing community engagement, and increasing employee morale and wellness are among my top priorities. I look forward to working collaboratively with law enforcement partners and community stakeholders to make Charlotte one of the safest cities in the nation.” 

    Patterson also started the Raleigh Police Foundation, and that organization raised $4 million over two years for special projects.  

    Jones said the city included “significant input” from the public during the hiring process. 

    “Charlotte City Council members, as well as leaders from civil rights organizations, community groups and faith-based organizations provided input as part of the search process,” the news release says. 

    Patterson has an extensive history in law enforcement, as well as a military background, serving combat tours in Kosovo and Iraq. She was also twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. She rose to the rank of captain in the armed forces and is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.  

    She is set to step into her new role when Jennings retires at the year’s end. Jennings served as the department’s chief since 2020 after becoming with the department since 1992, according to Jones. 

    “It has been an honor and sincere pleasure to serve as Chief of Police for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department,” Jennings said. “I’d like to congratulate Chief Patterson and proudly welcome her back to CMPD as the next Chief of Police. She accomplished great things during her previous tenure here and I’m thrilled that she is returning to lead the department. As an internal candidate with external experience, she brings familiarity with the agency and already-established, strong relationships in the community. I look forward to supporting her and seeing all that she will accomplish for the department and for the City of Charlotte.”  

    Jennings departure comes after he faced controversy last spring over a six-figure settlement from the city after a former city council member sent threatening messages to the chief.  

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    Elizabeth Townsend

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  • Police cite ‘false alarm activation’ at Largo High School; no injuries

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    LARGO, Fla. — Multiple police crews responded Thursday afternoon to Largo High School, but officials later cited a false alarm.

    In a statement to media outlets, a Largo Police spokeswoman said:

    “The Largo Police Department responded to a false alarm activation at Largo High School. There is no incident and no injuries reported. Dismissal of students may be impacted as we continue to follow protocols.”

    The department didn’t release any further details.


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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Father killed children one by one over four months, N.C. sheriff says

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    A Zebulon man murdered his three kids and one teen stepchild one at a time over the summer and into the fall, according to Johnston County Steve Bizzell.  

       What You Need To Know

    • Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, of Zebulon is charged with killing his three children and one teen stepchild 

    • The Johnston County sheriff gave an update at a press conference Wednesday morning 

    • The sheriff said Dicken’s wife died last year from a miscarriage 

    • The investigation continues, and the motive is unknown

    Bizzell stood with investigators and the Johnston County district attorney and went over the details of the case at a press conference Wednesday morning. 

    Monday night, Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, called 911 and allegedly confessed to killing his four children, according to the sheriff’s office. He’s now charged with four counts of murder, court records show. 

    His three children were ages 6, 9 and 10, and one victim was an 18-year-old stepchild, according to the Chief Deputy of Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Jeff Caldwell. But deputies said they found a 3-year-old child alive in the home on Springtooth Drive in Zebulon. Wednesday morning, Bizzell said that child underwent a medical evaluation and is safe. 

    Bizzell said 6-year-old Leah was Dickens’ first victim, killed in May. He said the second victim was Dicken’s 9-year-old daughter Zoe, killed in August. Dicken’s son, Wellington Delano Dickens IV, 10, was killed between August and September, and his stepson 18-year-old Sean Brasfield was killed in September, the sheriff said. 

    Dicken’s wife and the mother of the children died April 21, 2024 after suffering complications from a miscarriage, and her death was ruled natural, Bizzell said. 

    Few details have been released into what led up to the deaths, and Bizzell said investigators are still trying to determine Dicken’s motive. 

    “I can stand here as a sheriff, a father and a grandfather and tell you there is no reason for a father to kill his children,” Bizzell said. 

    He spoke of the toll it takes on deputies and investigators, particularly ones with families of their own. 

    “I was on the scene yesterday in the rain under a tent,” the sheriff said, describing being there with his investigators and the head of the SBI. “We were there for a purpose.”

    He described it as a “tough” crime scene. 

    “To do what I witnessed yesterday, yes, that’s what we do,” the sheriff said, noting how hard this investigation has been on his deputies and investigators. “We are human too.”

    The State Bureau of Investigation joined the case because of its serious nature. Dickens is being held without bond. His next court appearance is on November 13.

    Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller said he was called at about midnight on Monday with the news of the deaths and vowed to bring justice to the victims. 

    “My office will honor these children by pursuing justice,” Waller said. 

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    Charles Duncan, Elizabeth Townsend

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  • 5 get life sentences in Suni Bell death case

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    TAMPA — Five men convicted in the 2021 shooting death of 4-year-old Suni Bell received life sentences with no parole on Wednesday morning in Hillsborough County Court.

    Zvante Sampson, Jaylin Bedward, James Denson, Andrew Thompson and Quandarious Hammond were found guilty in September of first-degree pre-meditated murder.

    Bell was sleeping in the backseat of her family’s car in August 2021 when dozens of shots were fired from other vehicles, according to prosecutors.

    The child’s mother was in the passenger seat and her uncle was behind the wheel, but they survived.

    Investigators don’t know who actually fired the shot that killed the child.

    This is a developing story. Stay with Spectrum Bay News 9 on-air, online and the Spectrum News app for updates.

    Zvante Sampson, Jaylin Bedward, James Denson, Andrew Thompson and Quandarious Hammond were found guilty in September of first-degree pre-meditated murder.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • 911 call includes disturbing details of Zebulon killings

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    A Johnston County man told a 911 operator Monday night that he killed three of his children and a teenage stepson and stored their bodies in the trunk of his car, according to a recording of a 911 call released by the county.

    Monday night, Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, called 911 and allegedly confessed to killing his four children, according to the sheriff’s office. He’s now charged with four counts of murder, court records show.  The children killed were ages 6, 9, 10 and 18, according to authorities.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Johnston County man called 911 Monday night and confessed to killing four of his children 

    • The county released a recording of that call that includes a man, identified as the father, gives details about what happened

    • Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, has been charged with four counts of murder

    • The children killed were ages 6, 9, 10 and 18



    The 911 call lays out gruesome details of how Dickens said he killed the children. The kids were killed one by one over a period of about four months from May to September, authorities said at the press conference Wednesday.

    The call begins with a man, identified by officials as Dickens, saying he has a confession. He tells the operator that he murdered some of his children and says he killed one child by accident after hitting her “excessively,” according to recordings release by the county.

    He goes on to say that he was on drugs when these killings happened.

    “There’s three of them and my stepson. It was my fault,” the man said on the call. “They are in the trunk of my car. In the garage to be specific. I was just out of my mind. Nobody made me do nothing, it was just me. I lost my mind. I was on the drugs, smoking, drinking … everything. I was on mushrooms and stuff. I did coke.”

    “I killed my children. It’s a lot to explain, but in a nutshell it’s all my fault,” he said. “It’s bad. I didn’t like to use knives. It started out with me over-disciplining and leaving them out to eat, it’s a lot of stuff,” he said in the recording.

    “I’d beat them sometimes. They didn’t want to eat sometimes… I didn’t force them to eat. I did a bunch of little things, just a lot of things. I’m trying to do the right thing,” Dickens said on the call.

    When asked if he took any drugs he says he did smoke and have a “sip of champagne.”

    The dispatcher asks him why he did this and he states: “It wasn’t up to me,” he said. “God just informed me, it wasn’t me. I got nervous and I didn’t do it when I was supposed to. I was a coward. I was trying to let my children, it was supposed to be me to take those decisions, and it just spiraled.”

    It isn’t clear on the call whether he is referring to killing the children or confessing to it.

    The sheriff said Dickens’ wife, and the mother of the children, died last year after complications from a miscarriage.

    Dickens is being held without bond and has a court appearance scheduled for next month.

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    Elizabeth Townsend

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  • Pinellas County sheriff says 5 deputies fired for ‘reprehensible conduct’

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    LARGO, Fla. — The Pinellas County sheriff on Wednesday said he fired five deputies after two separate incidents at the county jail.

    Sheriff Bob Gualtieri used the words “horrible” and “reprehensible” when describing the conduct of the deputies.

    In one incident, according to the sheriff, a woman who was under arrest for disorderly intoxication was in a jail cell with no toilet. She tried to urinate into a drain and in the process exposed her buttocks on camera, the sheriff said.

    Gualtieri said a lieutenant, sergeant, corporal and deputy displayed the photo, laughed about it, texted it to others, sent it out on Facebook and even showed it to the woman herself.

    The four deputies fired in that incident were: Lt. Jason Franjesevic, Sgt. Keri-Lyn Colosimo, Cpl. Emmanuel Nomikos and Deputy Katherine Cantrell.

    He said a fifth deputy, Jovan Hardwick, lied about an incident with another inmate.

    The deputy claimed he poured water on the inmate during a skirmish. But video evidence showed the deputy sprayed the inmate with Lysol, then tried to cover it up.

    “It’s reprehensible conduct, across the board,” Gualtieiri said. “So, all five of these people, by what they did, what they chose to do, have forfeited their right to serve and be deputies for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.”

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • 4 sexual assaults reported on ECU campus in under a month, crime log shows

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    Crime reports at East Carolina University show four reported incidents of second degree forcible rape on campus in under a month. The ECU Police Department is investigating.

    What You Need To Know

    •  East Carolina University police are investigating four reported sexual assaults on campus in under a month

    • The crimes occurred on Oct. 3, 5, 8 and 14, according to the department log

    •  Police logs show each case remains an open investigation


    The crimes occurred on Oct. 3, 5, 8 and 14, according to the department’s crime log.

    The victims and suspects knew each other in the crimes that happened on Oct. 3 and 5, police said. No information has been released about the Oct. 8 and 14 crimes.

    “To be clear, sexual assault under any circumstance is unacceptable and is never the fault of the victim,” ECU police wrote in a statement posted to Facebook earlier this month when the first two cases were reported.

    “Reports of this nature commonly involve individuals known to each other. We want to emphasize the importance of clear, ongoing and enthusiastic consent in all intimate interactions. Consent can be revoked at any time, for any reason and that decision must be respected,” police said.

    The investigation into each case remains open, according to the department’s crime log.

    Police have issued the following reminders to help keep students safe:

    • Consent: permission or agreement to do something
    • Bystander intervention: stepping in to stop or prevent harm without putting yourself in harm’s way, and/or notifying the appropriate authorities
    • Healthy relationship: characterized by mutual respect, trust, open communication and shared power with voluntary consent for all intimate activity

    Anyone wishing to report a crime can do so by calling the ECU Police Department at 252-328-6787 or 911 in the event of an emergency.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Ohio metros ranked amongst rattiest cities

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    OHIO — Orkin has released its annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List for 2025, ranking major metros across the country for their rodent populations. 

    What You Need To Know

    • While no Ohio city was ranked in the top 10, several improved their rankings from last year

    • Cleveland ranked No. 11, dropping from its No. 10 spot

    • Columbus was able to drop four spots to No. 21
    • Cincinnati moved up eight spots from its ranking last year, moving to No. 27

    While no Ohio city was ranked in the top 10, several improved their rankings from last year. 

    Cleveland ranked No. 11, dropping from its No. 10 spot last year. Meanwhile, Columbus was able to drop four spots to No. 21. However, Cincinnati moved up eight spots from its ranking last year, moving to No. 27. 

    Orkin determines the Rattiest Cities by tracking new rodent services in owner-occupied residences from Aug. 20, 2024, to Aug. 21, 2025. 

    “Rats and mice are more than a nuisance—they’re opportunists,” said Ian Williams, Orkin entomologist. “If there’s food, warmth and a way in, they’ll find it. And once inside, their constant chewing and rapid reproduction can quickly turn a small issue into a large, expensive one.”

    For the first time in 10 years, Chicago dropped from its No. 1 spot with Los Angeles taking the top ranking. Bumped from its top rating, Chicago moving to No. 2; followed by New York City at No. 3; San Francisco at No. 4 and Hartford, Conn. at No. 5.

    Orkin said the top five cities continue to be major metros that offer ample access to food and shelter, as rats are highly adaptive and are drawn to similar resources as humans: shelter, food and water. The company said rats thrive in moderate weather, which helps increase their chances of survival and supports ongoing population growth. 

    With cooler weather moving in, experts say rodents will continue to seek warm shelter and food sources, which can cause problems for homeowners. 

    Orkin recommends residents follow “GNAW,” an acronym for several prevention tips including:

    • Guard entry points by sealing cracks, holes and gaps
    • Never leave food unattended outside for pets or wildlife
    • Avoid clutter that could create nesting spots
    • Watch for signs like droppings, gnaw marks or rub marks, burrows or scampering noises

    For more information about rodent prevention, click here.

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office increases e-bike enforcement in Fish Hawk

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    LITHIA, Fla. — Spectrum News first told you about the issues some Fish Hawk residents are having with teens riding electric powered bicycles and scooters dangerously through the neighborhood a few weeks ago when a mother started a petition for more e-bike education for students.

    What You Need To Know

    • After receiving numerous calls for service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced it is increasing e-bike enforcement in Fish Hawk

    • In a statement, the office said, “Deputies assigned to the area are actively working on the problem, emphasizing education for both children and parents through phone calls when stops are made. Additionally, we are coordinating with specialized units, including our motor and bike units, to assist as needed”

    • Jessica Goldstein’s next step is to contact county commissioners about possibly writing a new ordinance regarding e-bikes


    Now, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is stepping in, announcing it is increasing e-bike enforcement in the community, not only for teens but for parents, too.

    Despite their spooky dance routine, the Fish Hawk “Mombies” say what’s really scaring them lately is how they see kids riding their e-bikes and e-scooters around the neighborhood.

    “They are horrifically dangerous. The poor kids on these don’t know the rules of the road. They’re pulling out in front of traffic. They have no clue, just that middle school, early high school, ‘I’m invincible’ mentality, and they don’t look,” said Melanie Bosley.

    Bosley is a member of the “Mombies.” They’ll be performing a dance routine as part of a fundraiser for metastatic breast cancer research. She is also a nurse and says she is seeing more young people as patients recently who’ve been seriously injured on e-bikes.

    She is glad the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up patrols.

    “I think that’s great,” said Bosley. “I think it’s accountability, I think it’s a good way to teach the kids that one, there are rules to the road, and two, you’re not invincible, and as a nurse, a helmet’s a must.”

    That’s part of the message the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is trying to get across. In a statement, the office said, “Deputies assigned to the area are actively working on the problem, emphasizing education for both children and parents through phone calls when stops are made. Additionally, we are coordinating with specialized units, including our motor and bike units, to assist as needed.”

    Deputies even met with residents outside a community meeting to explain the increased enforcement. “It’s a community problem, and the community needs to also step up. We’re here and we’re doing more enforcement,” said Master Sgt. H. Bashner.

    Jessica Goldstein launched a petition for more education in schools on e-bike safety. She says that deputies increasing enforcement is a step in the right direction. “I’m glad that they are. Something needs to be done besides what’s going on right now.”

    Goldstein’s next step is to contact county commissioners about possibly writing a new ordinance regarding e-bikes.  

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Organization bids to prevent accidents through ‘Polk Vision Zero Action Plan’

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County leaders are launching an initiative aimed at cracking down on deadly crashes.

    According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been over 9,000 crashes in the county so far this year, and 75 of those were deadly.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Polk Vision Zero Action Plan is aimed at looking for ways to prevent traffic fatalities



    • The Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) has been collecting data in partnership with local agencies to pinpoint hot spots of traffic accidents



    • TPO is looking for community feedback on the findings to take action




    With a booming population in Polk County, there are more people on the road, walking and biking, so to keep the community safe, county leaders are taking proactive measures through an action plan.

    Just by looking at a map, Ryan Kordek can tell you which areas are hot spots for traffic accidents.

    “Spirit Lake Road, 42nd Street Northwest, portions of U.S. 27,” he said.

    Kordek is the executive director of the county’s Transportation Planning Organization, or TPO.

    He said the area has seen significant growth since 2020 and in correlation, the number of traffic accidents has increased.

    “There’s a lot of delay, there’s a lot of inconvenience, and an effect on people’s lives,” Kordek said.

    According to the DMV, there have been 75 deadly traffic accidents in the county since January. 

    It’s a number Kordek wants to bring to zero through the Polk Vision Zero Action Plan.

    “This is a way for us to address and kind of evaluate and figure out where are those locations, where are the worst intersections, where are the worst roads, and from there, we’ll develop a course of action,” he said.

    It’s a safety initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities by identifying ways to prevent them. The plan began with an initial online feedback portion. 

    Now they’re looking to involve the public, presenting them with the accident findings.

    Kordek believes it is information that will help keep people safe.

    “It’s one thing if you’re five or 10 minutes late, and it’s something else if you don’t even make it there, and that’s what we really want to improve,” he said.

    Building a safer community for old and new residents.

    A Vision Zero community meeting took place on Tuesday, and findings about traffic accidents were presented.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Salibury chief says bystander likely saved officer’s life during assault

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    A bystander likely saved an officer’s life during a knife-wielding assault at a Cookout Sunday evening, the Salisbury Police Department said.

    What You Need To Know

    • Salisbury Police Chief Patrick Smith is praising a bystander’s courageous actions that he says likely saved an officer’s life during an assault Sunday evening

    • The officer and bystander were injured by a knife-wielding suspect at a Cookout on East Innes Street, police said

    • The suspect faces multiple charges


    Officers responded to the restaurant on East Innes Street around 8:15 p.m. for a disturbance call.

    When officers arrived, police said they found the suspect, identified as Jamie Hunt, 44, armed with a knife.

    “A struggle ensued,” according to a release. That’s when Hunt began swinging the knife, injuring one officer.

    “During the altercation, a bystander intervened to assist the officers and sustained several lacerations to his left hand while preventing the officer from suffering further stab wounds,” the department said. “His actions likely saved the officer’s life.”

    An officer used a Taser to subdue Hunt, who was then taken into custody.

    Everyone involved was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The officer and bystander were treated and released.

    The suspect is in custody but is expected to remain at the hospital for several days, police said.

    Once released, Hunt faces several charges that include two felony counts of assault on a government official with a dangerous weapon, one felony count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of resisting, obstructing and delaying a public officer.

    “I am thankful for the citizen who stepped in to help. His act of bravery likely saved an officer’s life,” Salisbury Police Chief Patrick Smith said in a release. “We are relieved that both our officer and this Good Samaritan are recovering.”

    The investigation is ongoing.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Second victim dies after Thursday’s Charlotte home invasion, kidnapping

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    A second person has died, police say, after a home invasion and kidnapping Thursday afternoon in north Charlotte.

    Both victims’ identities were made public over the weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Two people were found shot at the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue around 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23

    • One victim, Justin Carlton, died shortly after being taken to the hospital. Police said the second victim, Shabazz Grant, died Sunday

    • The suspect in the shooting and a connected kidnapping, according to CMPD, died in a shootout with police

    Justin Carlton, 38, and Shabazz Grant, 34, were found shot around 4 p.m. at the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue on Oct. 23, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

    Both victims were taken to the hospital, but Carlton died from injuries a short time later.

    Grant died from his injuries on Sunday, police said in a release.

    The shooting, according to police, was connected to a kidnapping reported in the same area.

    Officials said Joseph Andrade, 28, the suspect in the shooting, forced his way into a home, kidnapped a woman and drove away with her.

    Police began chasing Andrade’s vehicle after seeing him driving with the woman in the passenger seat. During the chase, police said Andrade started shooting at police before crashing at the intersection of Freedom and Morehead.

    Andrade then jumped out of the car, police said, and started a foot chase with officers.

    “He approached additional officers on Morehead Street where he pointed a firearm at at least one of the officers and the officers then returned fire,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said in a video statement posted to X Thursday evening.

    Andrade died at the scene, and police said a gun was recovered.

    None of the officers were injured, Jennings said. The woman was also found uninjured near the area of the crash.

    The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting, which is standard practice in a police shooting.

    CMPD will handle the investigation of the assault with a deadly weapon, the homicide and the kidnapping, Jennings said.

    “We’re still piecing a lot of different things together, so I can’t really say what the motive was for the home invasion, what the motive was for the shooting in the homicide and the assault with a deadly weapon at this point,” Jennings said Thursday evening. “So we’re going to try to work through that and piece it together,”

    “Lives were lost, but we have a lot of lives that were saved because of officers’ response time,” he said. 

     

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    Jordan Kudisch, Charles Duncan, Justin Pryor

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  • Mecklenburg helped ICE make an arrest at the courthouse, sheriff said

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    Mecklenburg County deputies helped federal immigration officials arrest a person at the courthouse Wednesday morning, according to Sheriff Garry McFadden.

    What You Need To Know

    • ICE arrested a person at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse Wednesday with the help of county staff, according to  Sheriff Garry McFadden 

    • This came after a meeting between McFadden and ICE officials last week that he said he set up with the aim of improving communication with the agency  

    • McFadden criticized ICE earlier this year for their lack of timeliness picking up undocumented detainees 

    • McFadden was first elected in 2018 after running on a promise to end the county’s formal agreement with ICE, which he did within hours of being sworn in 


    McFadden met with Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week.

    He requested the meeting and sat down with the agency’s regional representatives on Oct. 17 with a goal of “establishing a better working relationship and improve communication,” he said in a statement Friday.

    “I made it clear that I do not want to stop ICE from doing their job, but I do want them to do it safely, responsibly, and with proper coordination by notifying our agency ahead of time,” he said. “I’m proud to say that the meeting was productive.”  

    On Tuesday night, he said ICE officials reached out to the courthouse major and said they planned to arrest two people the following morning.

    “Our staff provided directions and access to ensure the arrests could take place safely and efficiently,” McFadden said. “The operation went smoothly and was well-coordinated, incident-free, and demonstrated exactly the kind of partnership we’ve been requesting for years.”

    ICE ended up only making one arrest because the other person did not show up for court, McFadden’s statement said.  

    Since North Carolina’s lawmakers passed House Bill 318, local law enforcement agencies are officially required to reestablish relationships with ICE. It requires them to tell immigration authorities when they are holding someone sought on an ICE detainer or administrative warrant.   

    But in May, McFadden said he had been doing that, and the bill would fail to fix the issue of transferring undocumented people with pending state charges to ICE custody for civil immigration proceedings.

    McFadden criticized ICE in February for not picking up people Mecklenburg police identified as undocumented within the legal timeframe, which led him to release many from detention.

    He also raised concern about the ICE operations happening within the county without his knowledge.

    In April, an attorney said he saw a person arrested at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse by people in plain clothes who identified themselves as ICE.

    Mecklenburg County had a partnership with ICE for many years when it signed a 287(g) agreement in 2006 when the program started, which gives local agencies funding to assist federal immigration enforcement. In the 12 years that agreement was in place,15,000 Mecklenburg residents were deported, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

    McFadden signed a letter ending the partnership with ICE hours after he was sworn into office in December of 2018.

    “And so now we have to show Charlotte that this is a step in the right direction and I need everybody’s help [to show] Charlotte and the nation that we are doing the right thing,” said McFadden said at the time.

     

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    Caroline King

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  • Suspected kidnapper killed in shootout with Charlotte police, officials say

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    A suspect in a home invasion and kidnapping is dead after a chase and shootout with police, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. 

    Shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, officials said police officers went to a shots fired call in north Charlotte at the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue and found two people shot. Both were taken to the hospital and one died, police said. 

    Officials said the shooting suspect forced his way into a home, kidnapped a resident and made them drive him from the scene. Police found the car and started chasing the suspect, officials said. The suspect started shooting at police during the chase, police said. 

    “After a short pursuit, the suspect exited the vehicle and continued to shoot in the direction of CMPD officers,” according to police. Officers shot back and hit the suspect, who died at the scene.

    “Multiple CMPD vehicles were shot into during this incident,” police said in a news release. “Neither the kidnapped victim nor any officers were injured during this incident.”

    Police said they found a gun at the scene. The State Bureau of Investigations is investigating the shooting, which is standard practice in a police shooting.

    “We’re still piecing a lot of different things together, so I can’t really say what the motive was for the home invasion? What the motive was for the shooting in the homicide and the assault with a deadly weapon at this point. So we’re going to try to work through that and piece it together,” CMPD Chief Johnning Jennings said in a news conference Thursday evening. 

    “Lives were lost, but we have a lot of lives that were saved because of officers’ response time,” he said. 

     

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    Jordan Kudisch, Charles Duncan

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  • Police say man stole Tampa fire engine, crashed it into SUV

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    TAMPA — Tampa police say a 59-year-old man stole a fire engine Tuesday morning and crashed it into another vehicle before being caught and taken into custody.

    It happened shortly before 9:30 a.m. while firefighters were inside St. Joseph’s Hospital on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, according to officials.

    Police say Warren Scudder got into the fire truck, drove away and hit a Lexus SUV near MacDill Avenue.

    The driver of the SUV reported hip pain after the crash and was checked out by hospital staff, investigators said.

    Shortly before 9:40 p.m., police located the fire engine and blocked its path on Poplar Avenue.

    Scudder was charged with grand theft auto and hit and run. Additional charges may be filed, police said.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Pinellas County Schools considers piloting weapon detections system

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    LARGO, Fla. — Weapon detection systems are being used in all sorts of venues now, and Pinellas County Schools could be next.

    On Tuesday, school board members discussed launching a pilot program to see how a weapon detection system may help improve security within the district.

    What You Need To Know

    • School board members discussed launching a pilot program to see how a weapon detection system may help improve security

    • If it moves forward, the district would select two schools to put the weapon detection devices at, then see how it goes

    • Superintendent Kevin Hendrick says funding would come from capital funds and would be covered by grants


    Within the next month or so, the district will decide on whether to proceed with the pilot program. If it moves forward, the district would select two schools to put the weapon detection devices at, then see how it goes.

    Pinellas County School Board members heard from the district’s chief operations officer and the director of safety and security, Sean Jowell, presenting their plans for a weapons detection pilot program.

    “Technology that allows to alert our staff that someone may potentially have a weapon on their person before entering into one of our campuses across the district,” said Jowell.

    Jowell said he visited Sarasota and Manatee County schools where similar weapons detection systems are already being used. While he didn’t say if this is exactly how they would look in Pinellas, Jowell did say the program runs very smoothly in those districts.

    “To see that it was not intrusive, it allowed students to get to their classes for first bell, and still alert to certain objects that may or may not be a dangerous weapon coming onto campus gave us a greater sense that this technology may be a beneficial layer to our current security protocols, or it may not,” he said.

    Board member Lisa Cane did question why now. “In past years, it was actually recommended not to do this, so you can let everyone know what has changed? What is the primary reason for the change that it is now a recommendation, and what do we think we’ll gain as a district because of this?” she asked.

    Jowell said advances in technology have calmed previous concerns — such as using artificial intelligence to determine exactly which area on a person something is detected. Ultimately, he said this is all about adding an extra layer of protection.

    “The schools are not ever going to look or feel like a prison, but we want to do as much as we can to ensure that they are going to school and coming home every afternoon,” said Jowell.

    If the district moves forward with the pilot program, two schools would be selected to test them out, and the systems would be placed in March. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said funding would come from capital funds and would be covered by grants.

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    Fallon Silcox

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