Latest news with #KWTX
NDTV
10-07-2025
- NDTV
US Man Refuses To Hand Sons To Locals During Flood. They Are Swept Away
A Texas father holding his two sons while clinging to a tree was eventually swept away by flash floods last week. On July 4, John Burgess, the father, refused to hand over the children to locals. The fast-moving floodwaters swept them away, a devastated local said on Monday. According to witness Lorena Guillen, the owner of the RV park, Mr Burgess was seen clutching his two young sons, aged 1 and 5. "My husband was in the water trying to ask them, 'Please throw me your baby!'" she said. "The man was holding tight to his babies, and he just got swept away," Ms Guillen told The New York Post, adding he refused to let go of his children. "Everything was gone, every single RV and vehicle, it was gone, they got washed away," Ms Guillen said following the swift rise in the water levels. Flash floods in Kerr County, Texas, close to the Guadalupe River, raised the water levels about 25 to 27 feet, submerging Blue Oak RV Park and neighbouring campgrounds on July 4. Mr Burgess, a resident of Liberty, Texas, is one of the confirmed fatalities. His two sons and wife, Julia Anderson Burgess, are still missing. While the couple's daughter, who was attending a neighbouring summer camp, is safe, KWTX reported. Mr Burgess was camping in an RV camp with his wife and two boys. The Burgess family travelled to the Hill Country to pick up their eldest daughter from another camp spared by floods. The death count in the devastating Texas floods has risen to at least 104, Associated Press reported. In a Facebook post, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office said they had so far recovered 84 remains, including 56 adults and 28 children, from Kerr County. As of Tuesday, July 8, Ms Guillen, who created a GoFundMe account to help rebuild the Blue Oak RV Park, had received $3534, approximately Rs 3,02,645.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Pastor's Son Identified as Teen, 18, Who Fell Over 50-Foot Waterfall During High School Graduation Trip
An 18-year-old man who died after falling over a 50-foot waterfall in Washington state has been identified by his family Grant Herridge, from Waco, Texas, had just graduated from high school and was on a long-awaited trip with a friend "Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, and had a tragic accident," wrote his dad, Pastor Brad HerridgeA Texas pastor is sharing his heartbreak after his 18-year-old son fell over a 50-foot waterfall in Washington state during a long-awaited trip to celebrate his high school graduation. On Friday, June 13, Pastor Brad Herridge revealed that his son, Grant, was the young man who died while hiking in Olympic National Park earlier this month. 'Thank you for all of your prayers and support,' wrote the pastor of Ocker Brethren Church in Temple, Texas in a statement on Facebook. 'Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, and had a tragic accident.' He continued, 'He was always so full of life and we are going to honor him by living life to the fullest in the future. Please continue to pray for us as we struggle to live life without him.' Five days earlier, on Sunday, June 8, witnesses saw the 18 year old slip while walking across the rocks at the top of Sol Duc Falls in the park, the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement in which Grant is not named. Grant was said to have resurfaced at the bottom of the falls before becoming submerged again, according to park officials. The next day, a park ranger 'located a completely submerged body pinned between the first and second falls.' In an update, NPS said that initial recovery efforts were 'unsuccessful' because of 'high river flows' and that emergency responders would resume their search when it was safe to do so. It is not clear when Grant's body was recovered from the park. The NPS, Clallam County Sheriff's Office and Herridge family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. In an interview with CBS affiliate KWTX, the family said that Grant had just graduated from high school and was in the midst of a trip with a friend. Their plan was to visit seven national parks across the country. It was an expedition that Grant had planned for years, his dad told the outlet. 'He loved doing exciting, fun things,' said Brad, according to the outlet. 'He has a ring that he's been wearing for several years and the reason he got the ring was because of the saying that was inscribed in the ring that says 'while we wait for life, life passes.'' After Grant's tragic fall, the family is left reeling. 'We've just been so beside ourselves with grief,' his dad told KWTX. Grant's former classmates and teachers at Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco are also grappling with the news. 'We love you, Grant,' the school shared in a statement on Facebook. 'You were a bright light and a true lighthouse in the Viking community, guiding others with kindness, joy, fun, and unwavering faith and inclusivity.' The school continued, 'Whether in the classroom, on the golf course, or in the halls, your light drew people in and made them feel seen, valued, and welcome. The students, faculty, staff, and coaches are all better because of you.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The young man was set to attend Baylor University in the fall — just like his mom and dad. 'He had wanted to go to Baylor his whole life,' Brad told KWTX. 'His mom and I graduated from Baylor, his mom works for Baylor … so Baylor's like in his heart.' The university has now created a scholarship in his honor, according to a donation page shared on social media. (The college did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.) Now, the community in Waco is taking strength and finding inspiration from the recent graduate's own words. "Approach life with a smile and it will smile back,' Grant wrote in his senior essay, according to his school. 'A hug goes a long way. Love not because you should, but because you can." Read the original article on People
USA Today
13-05-2025
- USA Today
Beloved fire captain dies in Mother's Day car crash after his child's birth
Beloved fire captain dies in Mother's Day car crash after his child's birth A beloved Killeen, Texas, fire captain died in an off-duty car accident shortly after the birth of his fifth child over the weekend, according to officials. The tragedy involving Captain Marvin Taylor III occurred on Mother's Day, May 11, after he left the hospital in Austin. According to a statement, Taylor was driving to pick up his other children when "his vehicle was struck from behind." Austin police in the area assisted Taylor while waiting for first responders. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was taken into custody. According to the statement from the city, the other vehicle was traveling "at a high rate of speed." News: Massive 7-alarm fire continues to burn at vacant Baltimore mattress warehouse Taylor described as an 'inspiration,' 'selfless' Taylor was a "highly respected and decorated member" of the department, where he had worked since 2014, according to the city of Killeen. "We are very fortunate to have known him for the 10 years he was with the Killeen Fire Department and part of our family," Chief James Kubinski said in a video to the community. A fundraiser created for his family raised more than $60,000 as of Tuesday morning. Its goal is set at $75,000. "Marvin has been an inspiration to us all, and we are grateful for his selfless service to our community," the caption stated. "He has always been there for others, putting their needs before his own. Now, we want to be there for him and his family." Taylor's body was returned home KWTX reported on May 12 that Taylor's body was escorted from Austin, where the incident happened, back to Killeen. Killeen is about 70 miles from Austin. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Feared dead, dog was tied in a trash bag and thrown out. Then a miracle happened
A little dog in Waco, Texas, has a second chance at life thanks to some good Samaritans and a shelter that refused to give up. Benji, a sweet blond terrier, had been thrown into a dumpster tied in a bag, The Mama Nutmeg Foundation said in an April 15 Facebook post. 'Store employees witnessed a man throw a large bag into the store's dumpster and drive off. Something made their Spidey senses tingle and they went to go look in the bag. THANK GOODNESS they did! Because they discovered a bloody terrier mix who was TIED UP IN THE TRASH BAG,' the shelter said. 'Thankfully, they called animal control and some local scanners for help. Initial reports were that he was shot in the belly, but after being sedated and shaved, it is clear he was attacked by a large dog and violently shaken (as indicated by the pockets of air under the skin). He is not neutered or have a microchip, and thankfully the shelter determined that he would survive if he got immediate medical care.' The shelter worked to track down both the man who was witnessed throwing away Benji and his owner. The man said the pup wandered into his yard and was attacked by his own dog, and his original owner was tracked down, the shelter said. 'Third, we have been working diligently behind the scenes to locate an owner, since the man claimed Benji ran into his yard and got attacked,' the shelter reported to KWTX and in an April 17 Facebook post. 'We can tell you that we have spoken with the owner several times, and at this time, he believes the best thing for Benji is to stay in our rescue and find a new home. LET ME SAY THIS CLEARLY--The owner is NOT the man who dumped him. The owner has been very worried for Benji and was incredibly appreciative ... He is putting Benji's well being above all else, and believes surrendering is the best for all involved. We fully support him in this decision.' The shelter was able to heal Benji to the point where he was able to not only stand on his own, but his personality started to shine through, the foundation said in the same Facebook post. In a May 3 update, it was announced that Benji was released from the hospital. The shelter said it discovered a puncture wound in his lung, which was caught and fixed by a veterinarian. According to KWTX, not only was Benji cleared for adoption, but the shelter received an overwhelming number of adoption applications. Since then, Benji has found his new family and a new home with Cristie Johnson, the media outlet said. Johnson said that she was surprised and thrilled that the shelter and chosen her. 'I had been going in on the Facebook pages and on their website daily just kind of looking to see how things were moving along, if I could get any indication, and his profile disappeared on Monday and so we really thought that he had found a good home, which we were very appreciative for but sad at the same time,' Johnson told KWTX, 'and then got contacted on Thursday.' Benji is now sitting pretty with his new family, which includes three other dogs.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Fire captain killed in Mother's Day crash after child's birth, TX officials say
It was a joyous occasion for a Texas fire captain who was celebrating the birth of his fifth child on Mother's Day, and preparing for his four other children to meet their new sibling, according to officials. But the happy day turned tragic when Killeen Fire Captain Marvin Taylor III's car was struck from behind while leaving an Austin hospital to pick up his children, the city of Killeen said in a May 11 statement. An Austin police officer, who was next to Taylor's vehicle during the accident, rendered aid until first responders arrived, according to KWTX. Taylor died as a result of the accident on Mother's Day, officials said. The driver accused of striking the captain's vehicle was taken into custody, police told KWTX. Taylor had been part of the fire department since 2014 and is remembered for his dedication and leadership, the city said. Killeen is about a 155-mile drive southwest from Dallas.
