Mother nature can be cruel, but Texas Game Wardens were there to rescue hundreds of folks last weekend.
Where I come from, the game wardens are responsible for all state police duties that happen “off road.” In Texas right now, that includes rescue efforts when the road is fully submerged.
Here’s the scoop. During the first week/weekend in May, Texas and Oklahoma were rocked by tornados and heavy storms. Some weather stations recorded 23 inches of rainfall. Disaster status was declared in 91 counties.
Houston was hit by some of the worst flooding. Even after the rainfall subsided, authorities were forced to release overflow from nearby dams, so in some places water levels continued to rise. Hundreds of residents, even of houses built on stilts, ended up trapped by the water.
In some cases, such as a 12-hour-old newborn in need of a hospital with an intensive care unit, authorities used a helicopter to complete a rescue. But with hundreds of Houstonians stranded, authorities needed another way. Enter the Game Wardens and their airboats.
Airboat used in Houston rescues | Scott Olson via Getty Images
Why airboats? Regular boats use a propeller submerged in the water to move. But this requires deep, clear water. The floodwater covering Houston neighborhoods was often about waist deep. So shallow enough to trap a boat. In addition, debris could foul up a propellor. Downed power lines could be a deadly obstacle for a prop boat.
Airboats are propelled by huge fans at the back of the craft. They can easily navigate shallow water with a ton of obstacles, such as swamps. So the Texas Game Wardens trucked their airboats to Houston and began going house-to-house. I’ll bet anyone stranded by floodwaters was happy to hear those fans.
There is no number for airboat-specific rescues. But authorities say over 600 Texans have been rescued from their homes or cars thus far.
This was far from the Game Wardens’ first rodeo. Houston flooded so badly in 2017, that government personnel rescued 60,000 trapped residents.
Next, read about the Louisville firefighter who jumped off a bridge to save a trapped trucker, or watch drone footage of an airboat rescuing Houston residents in 2017:
In the fast-paced world of automobile ownership, security is paramount. Yet, despite advancements in anti-theft technology, some vehicles remain prime targets for carjackers. According to recent data, certain models continue to attract unwanted attention, topping the charts as the most stolen automobiles in the United States. Let’s delve into the list of the 15 most stolen autos and discover what makes them so irresistible to crooks.
Honda Civic
Alexander-93/Wikimedia
A perennial favorite among car robbers, the Honda Civic’s popularity translates into high demand for its parts, making it a lucrative target. Its sleek frame, fuel efficiency, and ease of customization contribute to its appeal, often targeting both newer and older models.
Honda Accord
Gold Pony/Wikimedia
The Accord’s reliability and ubiquity make it a common sight in neighborhoods and police reports. Its popularity makes it easy to steal, as crooks can blend in quickly as they escape. Additionally, its cozy interior and fuel economy make it an easy sell for someone seeking to make a quick buck.
Ford Pickup (Full Size)
Asurnipal/Wikimedia
Whether hauling cargo or cruising the streets, these trucks command attention, making them prime targets for theft, especially in areas where they’re in high demand for both work and leisure. The versatility and resale value of full-size Ford trucks make them easy pickings in the underworld, much to the chagrin of many owners.
Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
order_242/Wikimedia
With their sturdy build and powerful engines, these trucks are favored not only among contractors and families but also among criminals wanting to profit from their theft by stripping them for valuable components. Moreover, like its Ford counterpart, the Chevrolet full-size truck is a staple of American roads, making it an easy option for robbers.
Toyota Camry
Matti Blume/Wikimedia
Noted for its sturdiness and fuel efficiency, the Toyota Camry’s popularity extends beyond lawful ownership. Its reputation for low maintenance costs and high resale value makes it attractive for those looking to cash in on stolen vehicles.
Nissan Altima
Quzhouliulian/Wikimedia
From its smooth ride to the spacious interior, the Altima appeals to many consumers who want something practical. Unfortunately, this attention also includes stealers who recognize its profit potential when stripped down for spares or resold in black markets.
Toyota Corolla
Matti Blume/Wikimedia
The Corolla’s affordability and fuel efficiency make it a favorite among budget-conscious consumers and criminals seeking to exploit its widespread availability and high demand for spares. Additionally, the number on the road is pretty high, making it easy for a carjacker to make an escape after nabbing one.
GMC Pickup (Full Size)
Charles/Wikimedia
These full-size pickups share the same fate as their Ford and Chevrolet counterparts, often disappearing from driveways and parking lots without a trace. Whether it’s the Sierra or the Canyon, these trucks offer power, comfort, and versatility, making them lucrative targets for the black market as the motorcars and their parts can fetch quite the penny.
Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
Reinhold Möller/Wikimedia
Dodge’s full-size trucks round out the quartet of popular trucks targeted by robbers, underscoring their universal appeal. From the Ram 1500 to the heavy-duty models, these machines are prized for their towing capacity and rugged design, contributing to their allure among legitimate owners and carjackers alike.
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
M 93/Wikimedia
With their iconic styling and reputation for adventure, Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees are not immune to car stealers. These vehicles are often targeted for joyriding or stripped down for valuable parts, which can fetch high prices in the aftermarket.
Toyota RAV4
Matti Blume/Wikimedia
The Toyota RAV4 is a versatile option for small families, which is why many robbers are on the lookout for them. The vehicles are pretty popular, meaning their resale value is relatively high. The spare parts are also easy to sell, making them an easy payday for the sticky fingers community.
Nissan Sentra
Mr.choppers/Wikimedia
This car is a hit among urban commuters who are targeting to save a few bucks. Unfortunately, this level of accessibility has also garnered the attention of the black market, which is constantly aiming to update its inventory with an extra Sentra. The cars sell like hotcakes, making them even harder to track down once stolen.
Chevrolet Impala
W. Bulach/Wikimedia
The Chevrolet Impala’s long history and widespread availability contribute to its status as one of the most stolen cars in the US. The car’s popularity is nothing to scoff at, as you’ll always meet a few cruising down the highway. Their inconspicuous nature makes them the perfect opportunity for illegal activities and propensity to get stolen.
Hyundai Sonata
Mr.choppers/Wikimedia
With its modern design, advanced features, and competitive pricing, the Sonata is a popular choice for families and commuters alike. Still, these attributes also make it a favorite for carjackers striving to profit quickly.
Ford Fusion
Alexander Migl/Wikimedia
Rounding out the list is the Ford Fusion, a midsize sedan prized for its comfort and fuel efficiency. Whether it’s the hybrid model or the sporty Titanium trim, the Fusion’s combination of style and performance makes it a sought-after vehicle, both legally and illegally, with thieves often targeting it for its valuable components.
It sure could have been a lot worse. Nevertheless, when a school bus is involved in a crash, worries abound.
Wednesday afternoon just after 3:00, crews responded to the area of Route 251 and May Road in Peru. That’s where a Ford Escape had just collided with a school bus carrying passengers.
The kids were reported to be OK. The driver of the SUV was the only person injured, and was transported to a hospital.
May Road was closed temporarily following the accident. WLPO was at the scene and reported the Ford had been hauled away, and officials were preparing to re-open the road, within 45 minutes of the first dispatch call.
A school bus was involved in a collision reported at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday on May Road east of Route 251 in Peru. None of the four students on board nor the bus driver were injured, Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond said.
May Road was closed to through traffic by police at the Airport Road. The crash site was on May Road, just east of the QuikTrip.
The crash appeared to involve an Illinois Central School Bus with minor damage to the rear, however, a silver sport utility vehicle had heavy front-end damage and was placed on a flatbed truck to be towed. The driver of the SUV had a head injury, but the severity of it was unknown, Raymond said. The driver was alert and conscious, Raymond said.
Peru firefighters walk past an Illinois Central School bus that was involved in a crash Wednesday, May 1, 2024, that occurred just after 3 p.m. in front of the entrance on May Road in Peru.
Two adults died, another was in critical condition, and four more people were hospitalized after an SUV and a pickup crashed Wednesday morning at a rural crossroads in southern Hendricks County, the sheriff’s office says.
The names of the people in the crash were not shared in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon from the sheriff’s office.
Hendricks County deputies were sent about 7:35 a.m. Wednesday to the intersection of South County Road 0 and County Road 900 South. That’s north of the unincorporated community of Hazelwood, which is about 10 miles south of downtown Danville, the Hendricks County seat.
Deputies arrived to find two severely damaged vehicles: a black Chevrolet Traverse SUV that carried four adults, and a black GMC Sierra pickup that carried an adult and two children.
Investigators think the the SUV was eastbound on County Road 900 South when it disregarded a stop sign at South County Road 0. The SUV hit the pickup that was northbound on South County Road 0. Investigators also believe the SUV’s excessive speed may have contributed to the crash.
Two passengers in the SUV died in the crash. Another passenger from the SUV was in critical condition at an area hospital, the release said. The SUV driver was stable when taken to an area hospital.
The driver and two children in the pickup also were stable when taken to an area hospital, the sheriff’s office says.
Toxicology results were pending. No criminal charges have been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.
Tesla wanted to make its entire vehicle underbody with just one casting, but Reuters reports that it has given up on that effort.
Amid wider fears that Tesla is pivoting away from actually making cars to focus on artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, a new report indicates it may also be dropping a groundbreaking manufacturing technique that was once meant to create its next-generation electric vehicles.
According to a report from Reuters today, Tesla has canceled plans to use a new generation of “gigacasting” in its future products. The company was reportedly working on a plan to cast the entire underbody of its next-generation car out of a single piece.
A Crazy Few Weeks At Tesla
Tesla has cut over 10% of its global workforce and its entire Supercharging team in the last few weeks. It has rolled back plans for an affordable conventional Tesla in favor of a possible “Cybercab” robotaxi, which Elon says is coming in August. He appears to be betting the farm on A.I., and the company’s core business seems to be suffering from his renewed focus on solving tomorrow’s problems rather than today’s.
That would be a heavy evolution of Tesla’s current gigacasting strategy, which is used in the Model Y and Cybertruck to assemble the entire underbody of the product out of three large casted pieces. Tesla’s current approach is already vastly simpler than traditional automotive manufacturing, which usually requires dozens of casted parts. Simplifying it further will have to wait, according to two sources familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.
InsideEVs has not independently verified these claims, though Reuters has an extremely good track record for reliability.
Moreover, Tesla’s earlier commitments to improving gigacasting had the entire auto industry racing to catch up. Last year, Toyota showed off its first attempt at the technique, all of which is designed to help achieve EV manufacturing cost parity with Tesla—as well as the new crop of Chinese automakers, all of whom are turning out EVs at a breakneck pace.
Tesla’s reported retreat from its ambitious gigacasting plans comes amid what’s seen as a large-scale strategy shift for the company. It slashed 10 percent of its workforce a month ago, and then axed its entire Supercharging team on Tuesday. CEO Elon Musk seems bored of the car industry and laser-focused on A.I. and robotics.
Investors have so far shown astounding confidence in the pivot. But as Musk executes the turn, he is forcing Tesla to abandon or scale back work on the core products. The Supercharger network no longer has enough employees to maintain and expand it, the existing automotive products are either getting old or, in the case of the Cybertruck, too expensive to be relevant at a large scale. The Model 2 appears to be dead. And now even the next-gen manufacturing process that Musk has promised seems to be in question.
CEO Elon Musk appears to be betting everything on solving autonomy with a vision-only system, and monetizing that into something beyond what existing robotaxi businesses have been able to manage. Who knows, that could pay off. If it doesn’t, though, Musk will have gutted the thriving, industry-leading parts of his business in favor of an A.I. dream he can’t achieve anytime soon.
A motorist died Wednesday in Arden Arcade after their vehicle collided with a car and a pole, authorities said.
The California Highway Patrol was alerted just before 8:40 a.m. of a collision between a silver SUV and a white Toyota Prius on Watt and El Camino avenues, according to its dispatch log.
The SUV struck a light pole after making “contact” with the Prius, said Battalion Chief Parker Wilbourn, a spokesman for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.
The victim, a passenger in the SUV, was pronounced dead at the scene; the driver of the Prius suffered minor injuries and was released, he said. The driver of the SUV was not injured.
The CHP is investigating the incident. Officer Justin Fetterly, a spokesman for the North Sacramento CHP office, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Irving Police said no one was hurt after an SUV crashed into a building Wednesday morning.
The driver smashed into the front of a building at N. State Highway 161 Service Road and E. Campus Circle Drive around 8:20 a.m., according to authorities.
The vehicle plowed through a glass window and appeared to have crashed into the middle of a gym.
Irving officers said the driver exited the vehicle alone before emergency personnel arrived.
Although no other injuries were reported, the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Several people were injured in a significant crash in Outagamie County on Wednesday. At 11:05 a.m., the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a serious accident at the intersection of County Trunk S and State Highway 47 in the town of Center.
A 38-year-old man from Appleton and his 49-year-old passenger from New London were heading east on County Trunk S in an SUV. At the same time, two motorcyclists, aged 64 from Appleton and 36 from Milwaukee, were traveling north on State Highway 47. A 23-year-old man from Green Bay, driving a semi-truck, was stopped at the intersection, going west on County Trunk S.
The SUV driver did not give way to the motorcyclists and entered the intersection, resulting in a collision. The motorcycles hit the SUV, which then crashed into the semi-truck. The passenger in the SUV sustained minor injuries, while the motorcyclists suffered serious and critical injuries.
First responders quickly transported the injured to a local hospital. The older motorcyclist had severe injuries, and the younger one was critically hurt. The SUV driver was arrested for a felony charge of operating a vehicle while his license was revoked, leading to significant harm.
The road was closed for about two and a half hours but has since reopened. Authorities are investigating the crash to identify all factors involved. Public safety warnings have been issued to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
