Randall, Gray County news includes bodies found, fire extinguished, dog rescued
Person found dead near Walmart identified as 33-year-old
The Amarillo Police Department is investigating after a body was found near a store earlier Friday. According to a Monday afternoon update, the man has been identified as Sonny J Hannebohn, 33. Autopsy results are pending, and the case has been assigned to the APD Homicide Unit.
On Friday, Sept. 8 at 7:19 a.m., Amarillo officers were called to the Walmart at 2711 SW 58th on a report of a person found dead behind the building. The call was made by a concerned citizen, according to police.
The Amarillo Homicide Unit and CSI went to the scene, and from their investigation, foul play is not suspected. The Randall County Justice of the Peace then ordered an autopsy.
Randall County Sheriff's Office investigating after body found near railroad tracks
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) is investigating after a dead man was found near the railroad tracks over the weekend.
On Sunday, Sept. 10 at about 8:58 a.m., Randall County deputies were sent to the area of FM 3331 and the BNSF Railway bridge on reports of a dead body. RSCO said call was initiated by a BNSF employee on a passing train, who had reported a potential discovery of a deceased individual.
Upon arrival at the scene, Randall County deputies confirmed the presence of a dead man, and the Criminal Investigation Division Investigators and the Crime Scene Investigation Unit were notified. The Texas Rangers also joined in to assist with the investigation regarding the circumstances of the individual's death.
RCSO said at this time, no signs of foul play have been identified in connection with this incident.
Randall County Justice of the Peace Byrd has ordered an autopsy, which was scheduled for Tuesday. Identification ofthe individual is pending notification of next of kin.
First responders rescue dog from abandoned cesspool
Fire crews rescued a dog that fell in an old abandoned cesspool Monday night in Randall County.
According to the Randall County Fire Department, at about 8:20 p.m., members of the combined technical rescue team from the Canyon Fire Department and Randall County Fire Department were sent to the area of Hungate Road and South Western Street to rescue a hunting dog that fell into an old abandoned cesspool.
The cesspool was approximately 20 to 25 feet deep, and the dog, named Ranger, was rescued without injuries in about an hour and a half.
'You saved a town': Agencies stop progression of grass fire near Lefors
A grass fire charred nearly 1,300 acres in Gray County near the town of Lefors on Friday, leading to a Fire Warning and evacuation of the area.
At approximately 2:57 p.m. on Sept. 8, Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) received a request for assistance for a fire about one half-mile northeast of Lefors. The fire, dubbed the Thut Hill Fire, burned in grass vegetation and exhibited "extreme fire behavior including a wind-driven and torching fire" according to TAMFS. Strategic firing operations took place on the outskirts of Lefors, with county, local and area firefighters were joined by personnel, heavy equipment including a large air tanker and dozers, fire engines from TAMFS and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System. By 6:30 p.m., forward progression of the fire was stopped.
During the fire, residents were asked to go north toward Pampa, and the Lefors School was evacuated to the rodeo grounds. A shelter was established at the First Baptist Church in Pampa, and Highway 273 was temporarily closed.
Gray County/ Pampa Emergency Management posted on social media:
"Thank you to everyone who assisted with the Thut Hill fire in Lefors, you were greatly appreciated. Lefors, Hoover, Mclean, Shamrock, Mobeetie, Skellytown, Hedley, Clarendon, Wheeler, Briscoe, Allison VFD. Pampa fire, Gray County precinct 1,2,4 , Gray County EMS, Gray County Sherriff, Lefors Marshal, Gray county constables, DPS and the Texas forest service. You saved a town. We hope we never have to repay the debt, but know if you call, we will be there. Thank you to the Red Cross and Salvation army for food and water. Thank you to Zac at the first Baptist in Pampa for always opening your doors during a crisis. Make sure you show your support to your local VFD just like everyone in this economy they are struggling with costs to operate. If I missed anyone please give them a shout out. Grateful."
Over the weekend, TAMFS responded to 51 wildfires for 5,342 acres burned across the state. Crews continued suppression work on Mondary for 30 still-burning wildfires in Texas.
The extremely dry vegetation in the Texas Panhandle had some rainfall relief with storms passing through the area starting earlier this week, with some areas possibly facing flooding. "There will be a chance for flash flooding on Wednesday that's primarily focused on the southwest half of the combined Panhandles," the National Weather Service in Amarillo said in an update Tuesday, with the timing expected from around 4 p.m. Wednesday through around 7 a.m. Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Randall, Gray County news includes death investigations, fire, rescues
