CR – Consumer Reports(TM): Getting Help After Harvey

| September 12, 2017

We are all saddened by the tragic events in Texas surrounding Hurricane Harvey. Our experts here at Consumer Reports wanted to share some information that might be helpful to you or anyone you may know affected by the storm. We realize that for many, rebuilding and recovery represents a long road ahead, and we hope that this helps.

What you need to know about flood and homeowners insurance
If you, or someone you know, has been impacted by this disaster and are without adequate — or any — flood insurance, find out other ways you might be able to get financial help, including applying for federal assistance or tax relief.

Saving valuables can be a race against the clock
Check out these tips on how to salvage as much as possible.

Know which charitable organizations you can trust
Whether you are seeking help or wishing to donate to others, see which organizations have a proven track record for assisting with disaster relief efforts.

Find out if your loss is a tax write-off
Uninsured losses caused by a natural disaster may be deductible under federal tax law. If you itemize your taxes, be sure to check with a tax professional to find out if your loss qualifies for the deduction.

Please share this information with others who might need it. If you have a tip, a recovery story, or thoughts about information you’d like to see, reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter.

SEPTEMBER 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER

| September 1, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of TSTA,

Click on SEPTEMBER 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER to read the current issue of the Texas State Trooper.

Good riddance to our unwelcome guest Harvey on page 1.

Deborah Ingersoll and Jack Crier give you details of the Special Session at the Capitol. Deborah’s article is on page 1 and Jack’s article is on page 4.

Lots of yah, yahing going on these days about impeachment. Judge Gist explains both the process and the seldomness of its use on page 2.

Mark Riordan has a great article on Accident Reconstruction on page 5.

Page 6 gives you an overview of some of the laws that came out of the legislative session.

See what TSTA has available for you on page 10

Tickle your funny bone, Kuemple’s Korner is on page 11.

Page 12, “Why that’s an application,” for only $25 PER YEAR you can become bonafide and start receiving your benefits.

Be safe!

Claude Hart
Executive Director

AUGUST 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER

| August 2, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of TSTA,

Click on AUGUST 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER  to read the current issue of the Texas State Trooper.

Lots of good material in this month’s edition of Texas State Trooper.

Jack Crier has an excellent article on what’s about to happen and how we are fighting for you.

Judge Gist’s article on Encounters and Detentions is excellent – need to read.

Deborah Ingersoll has brought you up-to-date on what’s happening in the special legislative session and has included a link to the final report on the regular legislative session.

Many of you remember C.B. Isbell and Jim Pribble.  Both were great TSTA friends.  We mourn their passing.

Mark Riordan has a good story on America’s first woman in Investigations.

Read about the young Gardendale, TX girl who was inspired by a female Texas State Trooper.

Read and heed the social security scam.

See what TSTA offers you for only $25 per year.

Till next time,

Claude Hart

Executive Director

JUNE 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER

| July 6, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of TSTA,

Click on JULY 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER  to read the current issue of the Texas State Trooper.

TSTA is here to help.   See the front page of Texas State Trooper.

Judge Gist’s article on “Community Caretaking” is a good one.

Congratulations Rosalio on your Gold medal in the Texas Police Games and congratulations to Cpl. Katherine Creekmore on your Professional Achievement Award.

Deborah Ingersoll has a good article on the Legislature, see page 4.

Crier’s Chronicles is a particularly outstanding one.  Read it  and see how TSTA is fighting for you on page 5.

Congratulations to the 122 new troopers, story on page 6.

Be safe when you travel.  Mark Riordan tells you how on page 7.

Check out page 11.  It shows you what benefits and services your $25 annual dues gets you.

Be safe!
Claude Hart
Executive Director

Law signed making attacks on police in Texas a hate crime

| June 20, 2017

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott last week gave his approval to the Police Protection Act which ups the penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers.

The measure, HB 2908, was proposed by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, and passed the legislature with only one lawmaker, Rep. Jarvis Johnson, a Houston-area Democrat, voting against the bill. Abbott first backed the proposal to expand hate crime protections to law enforcement last July in the days immediately after an attack on Dallas police officers that left five dead left five dead.

“The men and women in uniform risk their lives every day to protect the public, and it is time we show them the State of Texas has their back,” said Abbott at the time. “Texas will no longer tolerate disrespect for those who serve, and it must be made clear to anyone targeting our law enforcement officials that their actions will be met with severe justice.”

The new law adds police and judges to those threatened or targeted because of their perceived race, color, disability, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, or sexual preference. As such, it would increase penalties for those who assault a law enforcement officer or jurist to as much as 20 years in prison. Attacks that result in severe injury could result to life in prison on conviction.

Civil rights advocates such as the Austin Justice Coalition and others argued the proposal was an insult to historically marginalized groups for which hate crime laws were established to protect, and is a step backward in relieving prison overcrowding.

“Although the work of peace officers is incredibly important, and many put their lives on the line every day, their inclusion into this statute meant to address bias and prejudice is inappropriate,” said the Texas Civil Rights Project in opposition to the measure.

The proposal had the support of several police lobby groups including the Houston Police Officers’ Union, Texas State Troopers Association, Texas Municipal Police Association and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas.

The law takes effect Sept. 1.

A federal bill, the Thin Blue Line Act, which would impose the death penalty on those convicted of killing or attempting to kill first responders passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. House last month.

DPS Troopers work an average of 50 crashes a month, including multiple fatalities

| June 9, 2017
LOVING COUNTY — There’s no doubt about it that DPS Troopers are spending most of their time working car crashes in West Texas.
In fact, between Loving County, Ward County and Reeves County troopers are seeing an average of 50 crashes a month.
In the last 24 hours our area has seen nine crashes including three fatalities.
Loving County had three crashes Thursday morning — all within an hour of each other.
Unfortunately one was fatal.
“There’s a problem here and we need to start focusing on what this problem is,” said DPS Trooper Justin Baker. “[We need to] start changing our habits, our driving habits, and we want to see this number drastically reduced.”
Some of those habits Baker would like to see changed are distracted driving and obeying the speed limit and road signs.
According to DPS, two pickup trucks were involved in the fatal accident in Loving County.
A preliminary investigation shows the driver of one of the pickup trucks ran a stop sign and was T-boned at the intersection of County Road 300 and FM 652.
“These roads are treacherous and they get worse and worse every day,” said Lori Moon who works down the street from where the accident happened. “As the boom picks up, there’s going to be more and more traffic.”
Moon is just one of several residents who’ve witnessed too many crashes to count in their county, including Thursday morning’s fatal.
“Well sadly that gentleman this morning won’t go home to his loved ones, he went home to the lord instead,” said Moon. “It’s sad, but so many times it can be avoided if people would just slow down and pay attention.”
It might sound like a broken record, but Trooper Baker has a message for all drivers:
“Drive defensively, reduce your speed, pay attention to warning signs, especially in construction zones and be courteous to each other. Go out there and share the road and don’t take unnecessary risks.”

JUNE 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER

| June 5, 2017

Click on  JUNE 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER to read the current issue of “Texas State Trooper.”

In this edition you will see how much TSTA cares about you and your career.

We help to sponsor events such as the DPS Retirees Firearms Qualifications.  It was fun because of the fellowship and meal.  It was necessary to maintain firearm proficiency.

We assist those in need.  TSTA met with Cynthia Vetter, widow of slain DPS Trooper Randy Vetter, and assisted monetarily.

Judge Gist, as usual, has a great article.  This one will make you chuckle!

Deborah Ingersoll’s Legislative Update will advise you how involved TSTA has been in this legislative session to fight for your interests.

Crier’s Chronicles by TSTA Attorney Jack Crier will allow you to know how keen an understanding he has toward the legislative bills that affect you, and how hard Jack fights to keep the “bad” stuff off of you.

Retired TSTA member Mark Riordan has an interesting article—Stay Alert!

You can join TSTA at any time.  Dues are only $25 per calendar year and you get great representation.   LET US SERVE YOU!

Be safe!

Claude Hart

Executive Director

MAY 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER

| May 3, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of TSTA,

Click on MAY 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER to access the current issue of “Texas State Trooper”.

It was quite the deal – the Region 2 Annual Qualification and Fish Fry that is. Lots of people and lots of old friends. Great job folks!

Great article Judge Gist. Each month the Judge shows us differing facts of the Criminal Justice System and how they work.

TSTA strives to safeguard your retirement as promised to you. State Rep. Phil Stephenson has an interesting approach.

Page 3 shows you that you can join TSTA at any time, how easy it is and how little it costs you.

Read what’s happening at the legislature by Deborah Ingersoll. The race is on.

“Crier’s Chronicles” is great. Jack is working hard to keep laws from being passed that would adversely affect you.

Find out “What you get from TSTA” on page 13 followed by Kuempel’s Korner on page 14…It’ll tickle you!

Be Safe!
Claude Hart
Executive Director
Texas State Troopers Association

APRIL 2017 TSTA

| April 3, 2017

Dear Members and Friends of TSTA,

Click on APRIL 2017 TSTA NEWSLETTER to access the current issue of “Texas State Trooper”.

A very important read – Retirement and why defined benefit retirement plans must be saved. Thank you Mr. Malfaro for your great enlightening article.

On the front page see how easy it is to become a TSTA member. We look forward to serving you.

Again Judge Gist has a great article on “Insanity” this month.

Jack Crier in “Crier’s Chronicles” always writes about things that directly affect you. Gotta read this one on page 4.

Find out what’s going on in the legislature and how it happens in the “Legislative Update” by Deborah Ingersoll on page 5.

Many of you knew Mark Riordan, retired DPS Lt. Read about what he’s doing now as a Private Investigator on page 6.

You still have time to vote in the ERS Trustee Election – see our candidate and see how you can vote online on page 7.

We lost two good men, Odis Lee Whaley and Richard Loose. Their obituaries are on page 8.

See what our $25 annual dues buys for you on page 12.

We thank you officers for what you do!

Be safe!

Claude A. Hart
Executive Director

DPS schedules testing session for trooper candidates

| March 23, 2017

The Texas Department of Public Safety is calling prospective troopers for a testing session April 4.

Those interested in the career are invited to attend the event 9 a.m. April 4 at the department’s highway patrol office in Victoria at 8802 N. Navarro St.
Before attending, participants should complete an online application at joindps.com and RSVP by contacting Sgt. Arminda Henke at 512-626-3456.
Testing will cover basic skills and could last about two hours.
According to the DPS website, trooper trainees make about $55,000 annually. That salary can rise to about $73,000 within the first 18 months.