Texas

Flesh-eating bacteria on rise along Texas Gulf Coast, authorities warn

Published

1 hour ago

August 2, 2024

Flesh-eating bacteria on rise along Texas Gulf Coast, authorities warn

An outbreak of a flesh-eating bacteria along Texas’ Gulf Coast has infected nearly a dozen people, authorities warned.

Officials in Galveston County said 11 cases of vibrio infections have been reported so far this summer, compared to only two at this time last year, according to a report by Houston-area news outlet KHOU Channel 11. Of those infected, eight were from out of town.

Vibrio bacteria occur naturally in coastal waters, including salt water and brackish water, a mixture of salt and fresh water. It is found in higher concentrations in the summer when water temperatures are warmer.

Vibrio can cause two kinds of illnesses. The more common is caused by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dehydration.

The other, potentially more serious infection occurs when an open wound comes into contact with coastal waters. Most of the cases in Galveston were the result of contact with water, a spokesperson for the Galveston County Health Department said in an email Friday.

Symptoms can include fever and redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge of fluid around the wound, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the worst cases, the bacteria can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection in which the flesh around an open wound dies, which is why vibrio is frequently called a “flesh-eating bacteria.” Such severe infections are rare and tend to occur in people with pre-existing conditions that cause weakened immune systems, health authorities say.

The conditions of those infected are not known. Galveston officials said in the release they are working to identify the source of the infections and implement measures to prevent additional cases.

“There’s no need to panic,” Dr. Phillip Keiser, CEO of the Galveston County Health District, said in a statement. “Use common sense: avoid raw seafood, practice good hygiene, and stay informed to keep safe.”

People who experience severe gastrointestinal issues or wound infections following exposure to seawater should seek prompt medical attention, as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to managing symptoms and preventing complications, the county said.

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Texas

North Texas enters the weekend with the hottest day of the year

Published

8 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

North Texas enters the weekend with the hottest day of the year

Same heat alerts, different day: Triple-digit heat sticks around North Texas

02:24

NORTH TEXAS – Plan for the hottest day of the year Friday with a forecast high temperature of 103 degrees.

The cloud cover in place Friday morning was from storms in Oklahoma overnight and into the morning being blown down into North Texas.

Storms developed Thursday along a frontal boundary that is slowly moving south. With the northerly flow aloft on the east side of the mid to upper-level high pressure, the clouds Friday morning and the front are both moving southward.

However, drier air in the mid-levels will scour out any cloud cover, making for an afternoon of full sunshine and hot temperatures. High temperatures will warm to the triple digits for most of North Texas and feel slightly warmer than that thanks to lower dew points.

If temperatures in North Texas reach 103 degrees on Friday, not only will it be the hottest day of the year so far but also the tenth 100-degree day in 2024. North Texas is well behind the average of 20 100-degree days this year but will quickly approach that number in the week ahead. Friday is a day to pay attention to any heat illness warning signs as this dangerous heat builds.

Since the high temperature is forecast up to 103 degrees and a feels-like temperature up to 107 degrees, the National Weather Service extended the heat advisory that was issued on Monday until 8 p.m. Friday for most of North Texas.

There isn’t much relief in sight with this weak front on the way. Rain chances dropped to just 10% for Saturday. A front is expected to move into North Texas early Saturday morning and continue to move south through the day. There are better rain chances in the forecast for Central Texas later Saturday afternoon as the front stalls to the South. The “cool down” won’t really happen until Sunday when high temperatures drop to the upper 90s.

This weekend will be a hot one but a good one for the kids to get in some pool time before heading back to school. Then the August heat dome builds next week with triple-digit heat on the way each day of the forecast.

Scott Padgett

Chief Meteorologist Scott Padgett joined CBS 11 in September 2013.

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Texas

Ex-North Texas fire chief sentenced to 50 months for embezzling over $500K

Published

15 hours ago

August 2, 2024

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Ex-North Texas fire chief sentenced to 50 months for embezzling over 0K

CBS News Texas

Live

ARGYLE – A former Argyle Volunteer Fire District chief was sentenced Thursday to 50 months in federal prison and ordered to pay over $500,000 in restitution for embezzling department funds and neglecting firefighters’ retirement accounts.

U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III also ordered Troy Mac Hohenberger to complete three years of supervised release after serving his prison term.

Federal prosecutors said Hohenberger spent the department’s money at casinos, on a family member’s business in Hawaii, and other personal expenses. While some FBI agents searched his office in Argyle, others arrested him at DFW Airport, where he was returning from a trip to Las Vegas.

Before his Nov. 17, 2022, arrest by the FBI, Hohenberger was the sole administrator for the department’s 401(k), documents showed.

Hohenberger pleaded guilty in May 2023 after a 13-count indictment charged him with multiple federal violations, including misuse and theft of funds from the Argyle Fire District Inc., and lying to the U.S. Department of Labor about the 401(k) payments.

Hohenberger must pay $509,807.50 in restitution to Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1.

Efforts have been made to “make the firefighters whole and to ensure accountability, sustainability and transparency for the future,” the Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 said in a release.

“Today’s decision marks a significant moment in the board’s efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service for the citizens of our communities.”

Doug Myers

Doug Myers is a digital content producer for CBS Texas. A longtime journalist, Doug has worked for four newspapers in Texas and Louisiana and for three television stations in Texas. He has also spent time as a digital content manager for a national trade association and as communications director for a state agency.

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Texas

Watch live: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee funeral service in Houston

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2024

Press Room

Watch live: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee funeral service in Houston

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Celebration of Life by
CBS TEXAS on
YouTube

HOUSTON – Celebrations are underway for Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who died last month. She was 74 years old.

Her funeral service was in Houston at 11 a.m. on Thursday and was attended by several politicians, including Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

A cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but in May Jackson Lee revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years,” her office said in a statement.

Jackson Lee represented the 18th Congressional District.