Tractor driver chases 5 teens after they allegedly damage vehicle, all 6 facing charges

Jul 26, 2023

LONDON — A bizarre chase involving the enraged operator of a farm tractor in pursuit of five teenaged cyclists concluded with no reported injuries — and arrests and criminal charges for everyone concerned.

The July 18 disturbance on a rural road north of London kicked into gear when the group of cyclists “intentionally damaged” a parked passenger vehicle, whose owner was operating the tractor nearby, according to Middlesex Centre OPP. Police say the 62-year-old man behind the wheel of the machine drove after the cyclists, “nearly striking” some of them. He then exited the tractor with a large stick and continued the chase on foot.

An officer arrived at the Nine Mile Road scene, near Clarke Road, shortly after 11:15 a.m., and took all involved into custody without incident.

Police report charging Thames Centre resident Thomas Buys, 62, with assault with a weapon and dangerous operation.

The cyclists, all residents of London and ranging in age from 15 to 19, were individually charged with mischief over $5,000. Police say they include: Juan Castro Cortes, 19; Juan Guarin Fandino, 18; Tomas Martinez Pinzon, 18; Daniel Monroy Torres, 18; and an unnamed 15-year-old whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Source : Farmersforum

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.