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Grand jury indicts Raul Meza Jr. in 2 Austin area murders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A grand jury indicted Raul Meza, Jr., 62, in the 2019 death of his neighbor, Gloria Lofton, and in the 2023 death of Jesse Fraga, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office. Online court records show he's being held on $1,000,000 bond. In May, he was arrested by the Austin Police Department for the murders. Meza faces capital murder and murder charges in Lofton's case. According to indictment documents for Lofton's case, the grand jury ruled that Meza strangled Lofton "in the course of committing and attempting to commit the offense of aggravated sexual assault." TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history The grand jury also indicted Meza on charges of murder and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the death of Fraga. Arrest records from May state Meza had been living in Fraga's Pflugerville home. According to indictment documents filed this week in the case, the grand jury ruled Meza knowingly caused Fraga's death by cutting, stabbin...

A prison guard says she was forced to stay at her post during labor pains. Texas is fighting compensation for her stillbirth.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — On a warm November night, Salia Issa had just begun her shift as an Abilene prison officer when she felt the intense pain of what she believed was a contraction.Seven months pregnant, Issa said she quickly alerted her supervisors. She told them she needed to go to the hospital but knew prison policy wouldn’t allow her to leave her post until someone could replace her.No one came for hours.Issa kept calling for relief, but her supervisor repeatedly refused her, even telling her she was lying, according to a federal lawsuit filed against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and prison officials.“You just want to go home,” the supervisor allegedly told her.Eventually, two and a half hours after the pain started, the expectant mother said she was allowed to leave the Middleton Unit. As quickly as the pain would allow her, Issa drove to a nearby hospital, where doctors rushed her into emergency surgery after being unable to find a fetal heartbeat. The baby wa...

Having trouble breathing from wildfire smoke? Advice from a respiratory protection expert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Smoke has been billowing from the sky as Central Texas firefighters work to contain wildfires, making it hard for some people to breathe.“Wildfire smoke is a large contributor to air pollution, to those small particles that are in the air,” said Dr. Nikki Vars McCullough a Respiratory Protection Expert with 3M.“You really want to be paying attention to the air quality index. That is a number that you'll see often reported by the Environmental Protection Agency telling you how healthy or unhealthy the air is.”If the air quality index is high, consider taking measures. “The larger the number the less healthy the air is for you,” said Dr. McCullough. “You should start really paying attention to keeping your indoor air quality good, even if it doesn't look smokey.”She suggests, “first of all, closing your doors and windows to make sure that you aren't getting more outdoor air pollution inside of your home.”Also, using a high efficiency filtrete filter with a high rating...

Motor Oil Coffee closes in Schenectady, more shops planned

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Motor Oil Coffee has closed its location inside b.inspired home at 1671 Union Street in Schenectady. The announcement was made on the Motor Oil Coffee Facebook page on July 29. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We appreciate our time in the Electric City on Upper Union and made the decision, alongside our friends at b.inspired home, not to renew the lease in that location," said co-founder Joe Bonilla.Bonilla said they are looking for a new location in Schenectady County. He ideally wants a location where the shop will be able to have a liquor license. Life Made Simple Boutique in Burnt Hills closing its doors The coffee chain also had a Troy location at 200 Broadway inside 518 Craft. Bonilla said that was a temporary pop up and they intended to eventually close it. Motor Oil Coffee also has two more locations planned outside of the Capital Region, said Bonilla.Motor Oil Coffee currently has locat...

DOJ: Fort Ann nurse unlawfully distributed drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A nurse from Fort Ann pleaded guilty on Friday to distributing drugs outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. Danielle Simonson, 51, faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1M, as well as up to three years of post-imprisonment supervised release. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Simonson admitted that from at least January 2020 to October 2022, she unlawfully prescribed drugs to a total of 54 patients in her criminal plea agreement. These prescriptions were for the opioids hydrocodone and oxycodone, benzodiazepines (clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam), and amphetamine (Adderall). The DOJ says Simonson admitted she issued a total of 63 oxycodone prescriptions to two residents of Suffolk County without treating either of them for a medical condition. These residents reportedly paid Simonson by mailing ...

Car show fundraiser for cancer patients returning to Ashland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

ASHLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Windham Rotary Foundation's 11th annual Cancer Patient Aid Car Show will be returning to Ashland Town Park this weekend. The event is scheduled for August 13. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Vehicles of all years, makes and models will be on display at the show, including a replica of the famous Family Truckster from the movie "National Lampoon's Vacation". Funds raised from the event will support cancer patients in Greene County through the Greene County Women's League.The show will offer a wide variety of food vendors, as well as prizes, 50/50 raffles and live music. Entrance to the event is free for spectators. New eatery opens at former TJ’s Cafe location in Colonie Cars can be registered with a $15 minimum donation. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the car show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Ashland Town Park is located at 12187 State Route 23 in Ashland. Anyone interes...

Albany recognizes summer youth employment program participants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Albany recognized 500 students in their LIGHT Summer Youth Employment Program. The annual program places students ages 14 to 18 in summer jobs and has been recognized nationally for introducing teens to the labor market, helping them build the skills needed to be successful.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to research from SUNY University at Albany, the program significantly boosts graduation rates for students. “The reason for that is that quality time spent with adults who care who are asking questions of young people about what they want, what their hopes, their dreams are," Sheehan said. "And then being able to connect the dots of what it takes to get there.” Students at the ceremony also had the chance to network with organizations like KeyBank and New York State Police, connecting them to future opportunities. 

Forest Rangers assist injured hiker in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

HUNTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On August 6, Forest Rangers assisted an injured hiker on the rail trail in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest. The 70-year-old hiker from Kingston sustained injuries after tripping on a root. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Ranger Gullen located the hiker, splinted her wrists, and treated a dislocated finger. Assistant Forest Ranger Staffa arrived with a UTV and transported the hiker to the Laurel House trailhead. The hiker was turned over to the Hunter Ambulance and taken to the hospital.

Arrest made in 2021 shots fired incident on Lark Street

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany Police Department has arrested a man they believe was involved in a shots fired incident in 2021. Ishmiel Hairston, 25, was charged with attempted murder in the second degree and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the police, the shooting took place in the area of Lark Street and Orange Street on the night of March 25, 2021. Officers located evidence of gunshots and investigations determined that Hairston attempted to shoot another man. No one was injured. Hairston was arraigned in the Albany City Criminal Court. He was remanded to the Albany County Jail.

Water repair on Yates St. in Albany causes shutoffs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:52 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to Albany Water, an urgent repair on Yates Street (Quail to South Lake) has shut off water for part of the block, affecting 13 properties and one hydrant. Residents are reminded to run their taps for a few minutes due to possible sediment. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Anyone with questions can contact (518) 434-5300. Stick with NEWS10 as more updates become available.