Phone

Urgent Alert: Augusta County Residents Targeted by Phone Scammers Posing as Sheriff’s Office Officials

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Augusta County, Va. — Residents of Augusta County are being warned about a phone scam involving impersonators posing as sheriff’s deputies. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) has received multiple reports from concerned citizens reporting suspicious calls from individuals claiming to be Lieutenants or Deputies. The fraudulent calls are being made from restricted numbers, and if recipients do not pick up, the impersonators are leaving voicemails. These messages typically mention a civil summons, jury duty, or some sort of pressing legal issue that requires immediate attention. Among the numbers associated with these scams are 540-445-0998, … Read more

Texas Schools Embrace Major Overhaul for 2025-26: Cell Phone Bans, Religious Displays, and Historic Teacher Pay Raises

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Longview, Texas — As the 2025-26 school year commences, educators in Longview and across Texas are adjusting to significant changes that include teacher pay raises, cell phone restrictions, and new legislation regarding prayer and religious displays in schools. A recent state law prohibits students from using cell phones during school hours, prompting districts in Longview, Pine Tree, and Spring Hill to enforce policies that require students to store their devices in backpacks from the beginning of the school day. Representative Caroline Fairly, who authored House Bill 1481, aimed to create a distraction-free environment for students. … Read more

Beware! Jury Duty Phone Scam Targeting Local Residents—Court Officials Issue Warning

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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Residents of Madison and Bond counties are being warned about a fraudulent jury duty scam that has recently surfaced. The Office of the Chief Judge for the Third Judicial Circuit reports that numerous citizens have received phone calls from individuals falsely claiming they missed jury duty. Officials emphasize that these calls are part of a scam. Typically, official jury duty notifications are mailed directly to individuals rather than communicated over the phone or through emails. The court and sheriff’s office do not make calls about missed jury duties, according to court authorities. … Read more

New School Year in North Texas Sparks Changes: Phone Policies and Controversial Laws Take Center Stage

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Dallas, Texas — As the new academic year begins, students and parents in North Texas are adjusting to several significant changes, including the implementation of new laws affecting school policies. Amid the excitement of returning to class, educators are navigating various regulations that impact everything from personal device usage to classroom decor. One of the new laws, House Bill 1481, mandates that school boards create policies limiting the use of personal electronic devices during class hours. While the law takes effect on September 1, many districts have proactively established guidelines for the current school year. … Read more