NTTA Suing Toll Violators

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The North Texas Tollway Authority is filing lawsuits against drivers with unpaid toll bills.

As of the end of February, attorneys have filed approximately 75 lawsuits against violators who owe unpaid tolls and fines, the agency said.

The NTTA said it was in the beginning stages and expects to the number of lawsuits to "significantly" increase.

"The decision to file is based on whether filing a lawsuit is in the NTTA's best financial interest," the agency said in a statement.

Many drivers aren't happy that the NTTA is taking people to court.

"Maybe it would be justified if they were on the ball, getting their bills on time," said Eric Domuret of Houston. "The fact that they are taking people to court when they can't stay on the ball upsets me. Probably makes things easier for them; taking us to court seems backhanded to me."

Domuret said he's gotten a second late notice on more than one occasion after never receiving a first bill.

"It's ridiculous," he said.

The move is the agency's latest effort to collect unpaid tolls.

Last year, the NTTA began posting a list of its top toll violators. Since the list's inception in July, the agency has collected $2.8 million from 12,808 people who paid in full or made payment agreements.

As of March 1, the list contains nearly 25,000 names. It can be found on the NTTA's website.

According to the list of top 100 toll violators, the top 100 collectively owe millions in unpaid fines and fees. As of March 1, each person on the list owes more than $78,000.

The top 100 toll violators list names Melissa S. Martinez, of Sachse, as the top violator with $153,000 in unpaid tolls and fees.

The NTTA referred 6,000 randomly chosen offenders from the top toll violators list to six different law firms last fall.

"Firms have been contacting and, in some cases, negotiating with people assigned to them," the NTTA said in a statement.

In a list of the referred names on its website, the NTTA said that all of the violators had accumulated more than 100 unpaid tolls, received more than 16 invoices and had cycled through more than 180 days of requests for payment.

The list of drivers that were referred to attorneys can be found on the NTTA's website.

The agency is encouraging those contacted by law firms to work out a settlement.

Everyone on the list should contact the NTTA to resolve their outstanding tolls, the agency said.

Toll violators are also subject to criminal citations, the NTTA said.

The NTTA said it is currently asking the state Legislature to block the vehicle registration for an owner who has a significant amount of outstanding tolls.

NBC 5's Ray Villeda contributed to this report.

More: Top Toll Violators Referred to Law Firms

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Bees Are Buzzing Problem for Saginaw Family

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A Saginaw couple says aggressive Africanized bees are holding them hostage.

For the last five years, the bees have been swarming their backyard, Annie and Larry Antwine said.

"We can't live like this," Annie Antwine said. "It's like there's no freedom."

On a number of occasions, the bees have forced away contract workers there to do work on electrical equipment in the yard.

Aaron Garcia, a bee expert with Bee Charmer, told NBC 5 that Africanized bees are extremely territorial and very aggressive.

"If you're walking past an Africanized beehive, they're just going to hit you, sting you as hard as they can," said Garcia, who was working in the backyard of a Keller family that has had a bee problem for seven years.

Large Beehive Relocated From Denton Home

A beekeeper carefully removed on Thursday a massive beehive that had formed in the eaves of a home in Denton.

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The Antwines said they initially tried fixes such as setting fire to the bees and pouring Pine Sol on them, but none of their efforts were effective. Three years ago, the couple hired a beekeeper to help get rid of their unwanted guests, but even that didn't solve the problem.

Garcia suggests calling an expert if you have a problem with bees, saying the so-called "quick fix" home remedies are ineffective and often dangerous.

"The bees you see are just a fraction of what's on the inside -- thousands and thousands of bees," he said.

The Antwines said their bees are centered around the shed in the corner of their backyard and seem to come up from under it. They want to burn down the shed, but city ordinances do not allow it.

On Thursday, beekeepers relocated a colony of Africanized bees from a Denton home to private land out in the country. The large beehive had formed in the eaves of the Peggy Norton's home, even protruding into the attic.

"Right now is swarming season," Garcia said. "We're seeing a lot of swarming calls right now -- we've had 20 just today."

If you're unable to afford a professional, the best thing to do is simply leave the bees alone, Garcia said. He also suggests wearing light-colored clothes. Bees have a difficult time seeing lighter colors, which is why you regularly see beekeepers wearing white.

If an Africanized bee or any other of bee stings you, scrape the stinger with your fingernail rather than trying to pinch it out, Garcia said. Pinching makes it much worse, he said.

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Half Brothers Arrested in Separate Armed Robberies

Kutztown University

Kali Smith (left), Shahaid Smith (right)

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Two men in Pennsylvania who are former members of the Kutztown University football team have been arrested. Shahaid and Kali Smith, who are half brothers, are facing charges in separate armed robberies that happened on and off campus.

A spokesman for Kutztown University says Shahaid Smith, 19, was arrested Thursday in connection with an armed robbery of an on-campus dorm. Police say in the early morning hours of March 8, students were inside their room at Deatrick Hall when they heard a knock at the door.

When they opened it, police say they were met by three masked men dressed in black. Two of the men were armed, according to investigators. The intruders allegedly struck one of the students, searched the room and then left without taking anything.

Kali Smith was also arrested Thursday and charged in connection with an incident that happened off-campus, according to a Kutztown University spokesman.

The charges were linked to an armed robbery that happened at an off-campus house in March of 2012, according to the Reading Eagle.

Shahaid Smith is a special education major. His brother, Kali, is a business administration major.

Both have been placed on interim suspension from Kutztown University.
 

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NCAA: Michigan Wins Against Kansas, 87-85

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Trey Burke made up for one of his worst starts with the best shot of his life.

Burke bounced back from a scoreless first half to score 23 points, including a long 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, and Michigan rallied to beat Kansas 87-85 in the South Regional semifinals Friday night.

The fourth-seeded Wolverines wiped out a 10-point Kansas lead in the last 3 minutes of regulation, and Burke gave them their first lead since early in the game with another long 3 to open Michigan's scoring in overtime.

The Wolverines (29-7) reached the regional finals for the first time since the Fab Five era 19 years ago, the last time they were in the round of 16.

Ben McLemore had 20 points for the Jayhawks (31-6), who looked to be on their way to a third straight regional final before Michigan's improbable rally. Instead, they became the third No. 1 seed to fall in this tournament, joining Gonzaga and Indiana.

The Wolverines will play Florida in the regional final Sunday.

FLORIDA 62, FLORIDA GULF COAST 50

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Rosario had 15 points to help Florida to an NCAA regional final for the third year in a row and stop the run for Florida Gulf Coast, the No. 15 seed whose improbable tournament journey ended just before midnight Friday.

Florida Gulf Coast, the high-flying team from "Dunk City" few people knew before this NCAA tourney, jumped out to an early 11-point lead against the SEC regular-season champs.

But the No. 3 seed Gators (29-7), with a roster filled with NCAA tourney experience, were just too strong and too good.

Michael Frazier made a pair of 3-pointer to start a 16-0 run late in the first half. That came in a 4½-minute span when the Eagles (26-11) had four turnovers and missed their only shot. They trailed the rest of the game.

The Gators are trying to get to their first Final Four since consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007.

Sherwood Brown led FGCU with 14 points, and Chase Fieler had 12.

___

MIDWEST REGIONAL

DUKE 71, MICHIGAN STATE 61

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Seth Curry shot Duke right into the regional finals — and put Mike Krzyzewski on the verge of another milestone.

Curry scored 29 points and the Blue Devils beat Michigan State 71-61 to advance to the regional final in the NCAA tournament.

If No. 2 seed Duke (30-5) beats top-seeded Louisville (32-5) in Sunday's regional final, Krzyzewski would tie John Wooden's record with 12 Final Four trips.

Third-seeded Michigan State (27-9) just couldn't keep up with Curry and Duke's shooters. Keith Appling had 16 points for the Spartans, and Adreian Payne finished with 14.

Curry's sixth 3-pointer of the game broke a 38-38 tie early in the second half, sending Duke on a 9-0 run. It also matched the school record for most 3s in an NCAA tourney game, most recently accomplished by Jason Williams on March 22, 2001, against UCLA.

The Blue Devils never trailed again.

Rasheed Sulaimon had 16 points and Mason Plumlee finished with 14 for Duke.

LOUISVILLE 77, OREGON 69

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Louisville survived its first test.

Russ Smith matched his career high with 31 points to lead three Cardinals in double figures, and top-seeded Louisville showed it can win close games, too, posting a narrow victory over Oregon.

Kevin Ware added 11 and Gorgui Dieng had 10 points and nine rebounds for Louisville (32-5), which has won 13 straight. Coach Rick Pitino improved to 11-0 in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

The 12th-seeded Ducks (28-9) at least made a game of it late. After Louisville went up 66-48 with 9:01 left, Oregon made six straight field goals to close to 70-64 — the closest anyone's been to the Cardinals in a couple of weeks.

But Kevin Ware scored on a layup and Chane Behanan threw down a monstrous dunk to put the game out of reach. Still, Oregon is only the second team to be within single digits at the buzzer during Louisville's run.

E.J. Singler's 15 points led five Ducks in double figures, and the Ducks had only 12 turnovers — one fewer than the Cardinals.

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NYPD Braces for Possible Easter Sunday Gang Violence

Police are stepping up security near Times Square on Easter Sunday, a day that has seen eruptions of violence in recent years as part of gang initiation rituals.

NYPD Beefing Up Patrols Near Times Square

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The NYPD is again planning to beef up patrols in Times Square and Midtown the night of Easter Sunday, a day that in recent years has seen violence as part of a yearly gang initation ritual following the Javits Center car show.

Police say the Easter Day "wilding" started years ago but became especially violent in 2010, when hundreds of gang members attended the annual auto show at the Javits Center, then conducted gang initiations in Times Square. 

Two women were shot during the sprawling brawl, two other people were wounded and several police officers injured. More than 50 people were arrested. 

Since then, police have beefed up Easter patrols and monitored activity at the car show. The Daily News reports the NYPD is also monitoring social media to look for gang members who may be planning a "mobbing" through Times Square. 

There have not been any gang incidents on Easter since 2010, and the NYPD is looking to keep it that way. 

"For me, it's a religious holiday and it should be respected," said Michael Hoard in Times Square Friday night. 

The police "are here to protect us, that's the bottom line," said Al Centrella of Hempstead, who was in the area with his wife to see a show.

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Peace Officers Assoc. Pulls $50,000 From Christopher Dorner Reward

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The Peace Officers Research Association of California became the second entity to reject paying its share of the reward pot issued during the manhunt for a murderous ex-police officer, union president Ron Cottingham said Friday.

The 64,000-member union joins the city of Riverside in California, which on Monday pulled its $100,000 from the $1.2 million reward saying conditions were not met. Payout of the reward was contingent on Christopher Dorner's arrest and conviction, a spokeswoman for the city told NBC4.

The Peace Officers Research Association had previously offered $50,000 to the reward.

After killing two law enforcement agents and a newly engaged couple in a revenge-fueled shooting spree, Dorner died in an apparent suicide on Feb. 12 during a standoff with authorities and cabin burning near Big Bear.

With little debate or discussion, the Riverside City Council voted unanimously to post the reward during the frenzied manhunt, even after it was told the fugitive's demise was likely to be announced soon.

Riverside city leaders defended their decision to vote after Dorner didn't emerge from the burning cabin following a gunfight with law enforcement.

There were conflicting reports the night of the vote about whether Dorner's body had been found, said Councilman Mike Gardner.

"There was never an intent to authorize a reward knowing it wouldn't be paid," Gardner said.

After Riverside pulled its slice of the reward, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Police Chief Charlie Beck said they want to the see the reward paid.

Cobbled together quickly as the manhunt for Dorner went cold on a snowy mountain where the ex-officer abandoned his truck, the reward was hastily announced over a weekend by multiple police chiefs and mayors.

It was never formally put in writing and was offered before public boards were able to authorize the money or set conditions for payment. Officials are expected to announce the payout by mid-April.

A lawyer for the couple who called police after Dorner tied them up in their Big Bear Lake condominium and fled in their car shortly before his death accused Riverside of reneging on an offer that was never genuinely made.

"The mayor knew full well that he wasn't going to be convicted when he authorized the resolution," attorney Kirk Hallam said.

"It is completely disingenuous for him to stand up there now and say, 'Oh we weren't legally authorized to issue this.' Really? That's not what you said when you offered the ordinance to the City Council after the facts were already known."

Hallam, who represents Karen and Jim Reynolds, said his clients deserve the money because they put police on Dorner's trail. Despite being bound and gagged, and told not to alert police, Karen Reynolds managed to call 911 to report that Dorner had fled in their purple SUV.

During the ensuing pursuit, Dorner crashed their SUV and carjacked a pickup truck from Rick Heltebrake, who also called authorities. He, too, filed a claim for the reward.

Hallam said Riverside should consider reviewing a state law that provides for the governor to pay rewards in police officers' killings even if the arrest or conviction is "rendered impossible by an intervening event, including but not limited to, the death of the person during a pursuit by law enforcement."

Frank Zimring, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said the city of Riverside can legally not pay the reward, but it could hurt the city in the future.

"The problem is going to come the next time Riverside wants to get the public's attention by offering a reward, because the issue is really the community's long-term credibility," Zimring said.

While the city of Riverside has pulled its reward, the county specifically changed its reward language to assure it wasn't only symbolic.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors met the day after Dorner's death to authorize its $100,000 contribution. After some debate, the board voted unanimously to approve the amount and to change the language from "arrest and conviction" to "apprehension."

"The bottom line is if these individuals were helpful to get law enforcement to put this issue to an end ... then it should be offered," Supervisor John Tavaglione said during the meeting.

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Dallas Standoff Ends After 5 Hours

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A Dallas man is in jail after a five-hour standoff with police overnight Friday.

The man's girlfriend had called police earlier in the evening and claimed he pointed a gun at her.

When officers arrvied at the home on the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, the man, whose name has not yet been released, ran inside and refused to come out.

At about 2 a.m., officers fired gas into the home to get the man to surrender.

As he was being taken into custody, the man was thrown to the ground by police.

No one was injured in the standoff and no gunshots were fired.
 

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One Killed in Grand Prairie House Fire

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One person was found dead by firefighters battling a house fire early Saturday morning.

Grand Prairie firefighters arrived at the home on the 200 block of Matt Place shortly after 8 a.m.

Upon arrival, the found a male occupant had been trapped inside the home.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Check back and refresh this page for the latest update.

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