Volunteers Backfill for West Firefighters Attending Memorial

Mark Schnyder, NBC 5 News

North Texas firefighters volunteered to man the fire station in West so that residents could attend the memorial service in Waco.

North Texas Firefighters Help in West

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news/local/North-Texas-Firefighters-Help-in-West/204768801

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

City Hall in the town of West was closed Thursday so that employees could attend the memorial in Waco for the victims of last week's explosion.

A block away from City Hall, at the fire station, there were no West firefighters present, but the station was far from empty.

"It's an honor to be here and to fill in when they're under such duress, taking care of their services and just kind of regrouping after the disaster," said John Rodgers, a Waxahachie Battalion Chief.

Twelve firefighters from a three-city mutual aid group consisting of Waxahachie, Red Oak and Cedar Hill are in West answering all emergency calls while West's firefighters attend Thursday's memorial and honor five of their own.

The visiting firefighters have been here for a week.

"In our down time we've been doing normal fire station duties, checking trucks, cleaning trucks, maintaining the station," said Rodgers. "We constructed a memorial. It's a firefighter's nature to stay busy."

The memorial consists of a firefighter statue donated by the Hempstead Fire Department near Houston.  There's also a display of patches and T-shirts representing all the departments that have dropped by to lend support.

"We just wanted a place where we could display those and know the fire department here in West has everyone's support," said Rodgers.

Rodgers said his 12-member team will be replaced Friday by firefighters from Flower Mound, Little Elm and Lewisville.

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bells, Videos Honor West First Responders

NBC 5 News

As part of a fire department tradition, a bell was rung for each of the first responders who died in the West fertilizer plant explosion, then the 5-5-5 signal was given in a final salute.

Bells Salute West First Responders

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news/local/Bells-Salute-West-First-Responders/204782101

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

Family members paid tribute to the first responders who died in the West fertilizer plant explosion and each of their names were later read aloud, with a bell rung after each name.

Video messages from family members were played Thursday during a memorial service in Waco.

President Barack Obama, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and thousands of attendees watched relatives of the 10 first responders and 2 honorary first responders speak about their loved ones.

You can see each of them below, in the order they were played during the memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

MedStar Crew Saves Woman From Burning Car

advertisement

Two EMTs pulled an unconscious driver out of her overturned pickup truck moments before it exploded in west Fort Worth early Thursday morning.

Kayden Bathory and Robert Long responded to a report of a vehicle on fire following a crash along West Freeway at Chapel Creek Boulevard just after 1 a.m.

"We pulled up there, and we saw a red pickup truck just fully engulfed in flames," Bathory said.

As the first emergency crew to arrive on the scene, Bathory and Long had to act quickly to rescue the driver, a woman who was going in and out of consciousness. They used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames while they tried to pull her to safety.

"The fire extinguisher didn't do much, so ... we actually ended up taking turns," Long said. "We'd run in and we'd grab her and we'd try to free her up, and it was a little too hot, so we'd have to back up take a break.

Each ambulance in MedStar EMS' fleet is outfitted with a fire extinguisher, similar to what anyone can purchase at a store. But beyond that, fighting fires is not typically in a paramedic's job description.

"We're not really trained on that," said Bathory, who has six years of experience as an EMT with MedStar.

You can find just about anything you'd need to save a life on-board a MedStar ambulance, with one exception - firefighting equipment.

Eventually, the pair successfully freed the victim. But they weren't out of the woods yet.

"Well, I tell you what -- after we got her pulled out, as soon as we got her to safety -- I don't know if it was the gas tank, what it was, something exploded in the vehicle, and it actually knocked us both on the ground," Long said.

Both Bathory and Long sustained flash burns -- essentially, intense sunburns from exposure to the heat. The pair immediately recovered from being thrown to the ground, stabilized the patient and transferred her to a medical helicopter that flew her to a Dallas-area burn center.

At last check, the victim was listed in critical condition.

Bathory and Long, who were back on the job Thursday evening, said they cannot help but consider what could have happened.

"If there'd have been a five, six, seven-second delay with anything, we might've been right up against that car when it exploded," Long said.

MedStar will formally recognize Bathory and Long for their actions, according to a press release.

The Fort Worth police and fire departments also responded to the crash. Fort Worth firefighters extinguished the vehicle fire.

NBC 5's Greg Janda contributed to this report.

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ellen Airs in Entirety Overnight at 1:05 a.m.

advertisement

NBC 5 has received permission to reair Thursday's full hour-long episode of "Ellen" at 1:05 a.m. Friday.

The episode was interrupted for coverage of the memorial for West first responders from Baylor University in Waco.

The show featured special guest Justin Timberlake for the entire hour.

NBC 5 is grateful to our viewers for their patience and understanding.

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Retired Rabbi to Open Medical Marijuana Dispensary in D.C.

Shomari Stone

text

Retired Rabbi Opens Marijuana Dispensary

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news//Retired-Rabbi-Opens-Marijuana-Dispensary/204828861

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

A local rabbi is coming out of retirement to start a new business venture -- one that's catching a lot of people by surprise. Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn is getting ready to open one of D.C.'s first legal medical marijuana dispensaries, the Takoma Wellness Center, next week.

"We're very excited. It's been a long time in the making," Kahn said. "...For me, it's a chance to really do something else that's important to me, and I guess for my wife and I both, it was a mid-life change of careers."

Kahn retired from his duties as a rabbi in 2007, but is still active at local synagogues. He says he's honoring his father-in-law by opening the medical marijuana dispensary with his wife, Stephanie.

Stephanie Kahn says medical marijuana helped her father when he was suffering from multiple sclerosis in the '70s.

"When he finally tried it, it made a huge difference," she said.

In addition to three kinds of marijuana, the Takoma Wellness Center will sell vaporizers, a machine that makes marijuana butter for brownies and cookies, and books about pot politics.

Only people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis can get doctors' recommendations in the District. They will have to display a Department of Health-issued medical marijuana card to even be able to enter the facility.

"The people who are coming to this dispensary are people who are really sick," Kahn said.

But not all religious leaders approve of the rabbi's new venture. Some believe marijuana is immoral. Kahn disputes that charge.

"Morality is not part of the issue," Kahn said. "And what we're dealing with here is getting sick people medicine. We're talking about easing suffering."

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hit-and-Run Suspect Taunted Victims: Witnesses

Two teens were sent to the hospital after a man hit them with his car, police said. A witness said the driver taunted the victims.

Hit-and-Run Suspect Taunted...

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news//Hit-and-Run-Suspect-Taunted-Victims:-Witnesses/204791691

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

Two teenagers were injured when a driver hit them with a vehicle in Manchester, Conn. on Thursday and fled, authorities said, but them he came back and taunted the victims, the witnesses said.

Two boys, ages 15 and 16, were crossing an intersection in Manchester at 6:48 p.m., when an SUV hit them.

Police said the driver sped off, but then came back, looked at the victims on the ground, laughed and yelled at them.

"Then stopped right there, showed us his middle finger and started laughing and took off," said Zulma DeJesus, who tried helping the teens until paramedics arrived.

The two teens were transported to Hartford Hospital and both are suffering serious injuries, according to police. One has broken bones and a head injury, according to officials.

Responding officers found the suspected driver a block away and arrested Robert Tupper, 55, of Rockville.

Police said Tupper passed sobriety tests and denied being involved.

He is facing several charges, including breach of peace, first-degree reckless endangerment and evading responsibility with serious physical injury.

Tupper is being held on $100,000 bond and is due in court on Friday.

The accident is under investigation.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Officer Steven Koss at 860-645-5560.

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dallas Police Looking For Two After Robbery

Keaton Fox, NBC 5

Police are looking for two men who are accused of kicking in an apartment door, then demanding money from the people inside.

Dallas Police Looking For Two...

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news/local/Dallas-Police-Looking-For-Two-After-Robbery/204842021

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

Police are looking for two men who are accused of kicking in an apartment door, then demanding money from the people inside.

The robbery happened around 4:30 a.m. in an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Vatican Lane. 

Police say the men kicked in the apartment door and injured someone inside the apartment. The men ran off before police arrived.

Police searched for the men for a short time from the ground and air. The men are still at large.

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Firefighters Investigating Large Church Fire

Jeff Smith, NBC 5

Firefighters are investigating what started a large church fire in Mansfield late Thursday night.

Firefighters Investigate Mansfield...

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news/local/Firefighters-Investigate-Mansfield-Church-Fire/204841771

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

Firefighters are investigating what started a large church fire in Mansfield late Thursday night.

Flames ripped through the roof of the Word of Life Church on U.S. 287. Mansfield firefighters spent hours on scene battling the blaze and putting out hot spots.

The fire destroyed the church offices, as well as a smaller side sanctuary. The pastor said the church's main sanctuary isn't damaged.

"It's crazy," said pastor Wayne Biggs. "Totally crazy. We're gonna be okay. The Lord's gonna take care of us."

There were no injuries. Witnesses say the fire spread quickly.

"It was a tornado of fire as it shot through the roof," said David Williams. "About 20 min before that, there was a small flame on the other side of the peek and it flowed over to the other side of the church. It just shot through the roof and it was a spectacular fire. It turned into a tornado of flame."

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mom Convinces Son He Has Cancer to Steal Money: Police

NBC10.com - Cydney Long

Police have charged a Pennsauken mother who allegedly lied and said her son was suffering with cancer in order to deceive friends and loved ones out of thousands of dollars.

Mom Tells Son He Has Cancer to Steal Money

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news//Mom-Tells-Son-He-Has-Cancer-to-Steal-Money/204764301

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

Police have charged a New Jersey mother who allegedly lied and said her son was suffering with cancer in order to deceive friends and loved ones out of thousands of dollars.

Investigators say Susan Stillwagon, 35, stole as much as $3,500 through cupcake and bracelet fundraisers by claiming that her 9-year-old son had a type of lymphoma and needed medical care.

"You tell people your son has cancer and they want to help," said Pennsauken Police Lieutenant Michael Probasco.

Police got a tip earlier this week that Stillwagon's story about her son wasn't adding up. Investigators subpoenaed medical records and discovered Stillwagon had been lying.

Probasco says Stillwagon even convinced her son he was sick to carry out the scheme.

The suspect's mother, who did not tell NBC10.com her name, says that her daughter is being treated at a local hospital.

"I will just tell you my daughter is sick and something snapped in her head. That's why she is where she is so that we can find out what's wrong with her," said Stillwagon's mother. "I am very concerned for my daughter, very concerned. We will get through this but people have to leave us alone or we will never get through it."

New Jersey's Division of Youth and Families checked on Stillwagon's four children Tuesday.

"They came to make sure the house is livable, food in fridge and that the kids aren't being mistreated and they didn't find any of that," said Lieutenant Michael Probasco.

Tamara Disalvo, a neighbor, says her thoughts are with the little boy.

"Just as a friend and neighbor you do feel deceived by this. He must be pretty confused because of he was deceived this way by his mother, that's got to feel awful," said Disalvo.

Stillwagon was charged with theft by deception and using her own son to commit a crime.

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woman Shot at Dallas Nightclub

Kendra Lyn, NBC 5 News

Police are searching for the shooter who fired into a Dallas nightclub, seriously injuring a woman.

Woman Shot at Dallas Nightclub

Copy

Close

Link to this video

http://www.nbcdfw.com/video/#!/news/local/Woman-Shot-at-Dallas-Nightclub/204839731

Copy

Close

Embed this video

Replay

advertisement

Police say a man that seriously injured a woman after firing into a Dallas nightclub is now in custody.

It happened around 1:30 a.m. at Pacio Night Club, 3602 Samuell Boulevard, not far from Interstate 30 and Dolphin Road.

The shooting victim's brother tells NBC 5 that his sister, Dexy Alcala, had been hanging out at Pacio with their sister when Dexy was shot three times. 

"It was just a night for them. They hardly do that. They hardly have babysitters," says brother Pablo Solis. Solis had been watching the kids for his two sisters, so the moms could enjoy a Thursday night out.  Pacio's is their typical neighborhood hangout.  "They just chill there, because they say it's real calm."

The calm turned to chaos when police say security tossed a man out of the nightclub for fighting. Officers tell us, he left, but headed to his black Ford pickup truck, grabbed a gun, and shot into the club.

Dexy Alcala got his by the barrage of bullets.  "It took a minute to sink in," says Solis.  "My sister's at Baylor right now, she says she got one to the foot and one to the side of the stomach."

Paramedics rushed Alcala to the hospital in serious condition.  Her brother says she will be okay.  He's still watching the kids, while the wounded mom is recovering.  "Picking up my sisters cars and taking the kids to school.  It doesn't seem real, but it happened," says Solis.

Investigators have been talking with witnesses and getting the tips they need to lead them to the gunman.

Get the latest headlines sent to your inbox!

23.23 | 0 komentar | Read More