Form of avian flu found at northeast Texas chicken farm

SULPHUR SPRINGS (AP) — Texas and federal agriculture authorities are testing birds and poultry in a northeast Texas county after inspectors detected a low-pathogenic form of avian flu at a poultry farm.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the H7N1 influenza was found last week during routine surveillance of a commercial breeder’s flock of about 24,000 chickens in Hopkins County, about 75 miles northeast of Dallas.

Authorities now are testing other poultry within about 6 miles of the Hopkins County farm.

The low-pathogenic flu is different from the high-pathogenic virus that resulted in the loss of nearly 50 million birds in the Midwest in 2015.

Elaborate sandcastle at South Padre Island vandalized; suspects sought

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND (AP) — Police said vandals have damaged an elaborate sandcastle located in front of the South Padre Island Visitors Center.

South Padre Island police are seeking four men in connection with the $24,000 in vandalism discovered Friday during spring break. Authorities believe one of the suspects also climbed a flagpole and stole the South Padre Island flag.

The sandcastle featured 2018 “Welcome” and “Happy Easter” greetings, along with stylish sand renderings of structures and animals.

South Padre Island police are checking security video for further clues in locating the suspects, who could face criminal mischief and theft charges.

Man on death row for killing 2 women in Houston loses appeal

HOUSTON (AP) — A man sent to death row for the slayings of two women 16 years ago in Houston has lost an appeal before a federal appeals court, moving him a step closer to execution.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday rejected arguments that 44-year-old Ray McArthur Freeney had deficient legal help during the punishment phase of his trial in 2003 when he was condemned for the rapes and stabbing deaths of two prostitutes. One of the victims, 15-year-old Kirschalynne Jones, was found dead in April 2002 at a motel. The other, 37-year-old Vicky Kay Dean, was found four days later at Freeney’s apartment.

His trial attorneys tried to convince a Harris County jury Freeney, who confessed to the slayings, was mentally ill and should be given life in prison.