Locals share concerns after Lake Okeechobee ranked dirtiest in the US

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Caleb Califano

Click here for updates on this story

    FLORIDA (WPBF) — A new study has ranked Lake Okeechobee, Florida’s largest freshwater lake, as the dirtiest lake in the country. The news comes as little surprise to those who live and fish there.

Local fisherman Rob Alfano, who has spent decades on the water, said he was disappointed but not shocked when he heard the news.

“Coincidentally, the best lake was Lake Superior, and I was just at Lake Superior, looked down at the water, and I kind of took a glass and drank it. It was so beautiful. Not the case here,” Alfano said.

The ranking comes from Lake.com, a vacation rental website that evaluated 100 of the nation’s largest lakes using recent chemical data. Researchers cited high levels of detectable lead and phosphorus in the lake.

Alfano said the lake’s condition has worsened dramatically over the years.

“It’s a completely different lake,” he said. “There’s an area called the Pass where you go through that used to be full of lily pads and pepper grass, all native grass and crystal clear and in good shape. Now it’s just a big bowl.”

He added that the perception of a dirty lake doesn’t just impact the water.

“The people up north read it, and they don’t want to come down. They don’t want to book guide trips,” Alfano said.

As for the cause, Alfano believes the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s chemical spraying of vegetation contributes to the problem by killing plants and creating muck at the lake’s bottom.

“Where does all that go when it’s dead to the bottom? So we have tons of dead vegetation building up on the bottom of the lake, and where areas used to have nice, clear bottom, you stick your rod in and you’re going through a foot and a half of muck,” he said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District both say they are aware of the study’s findings.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Homeless man accused of inappropriately touching 15-year-old girl walking to school

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Vanessa Laurent

Click here for updates on this story

    LAKE WORTH BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — A 15-year-old girl’s report of inappropriate contact while walking to school has led to the arrest of a homeless man in Palm Beach County.

The victim informed a school police officer that she had been approached and touched inappropriately by an unknown man.

The suspect had previously approached the girl and her mother while they waited for a bus after shopping. According to the mother, the man made inappropriate comments and touched himself over his clothing.

After reporting the incident, the girl helped the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identify the man by taking photos and videos. He was later confirmed to be James Whidby. He was arrested and charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation.

The girl is now taking a different route to school, and the investigation continues.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Eastbound Lanes now open after big rig crash on I-10 Near Whitewater

KESQ on September 18, 2025

María García

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – All lanes are back open on the eastbound I-10 freeway following a crash involving a big rig Thursday morning near Haugen-Lehmann Way in Whitewater.

The crash was first reported at around 4:10 a.m.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the big rig crashed into the center divider guardrail and had become jackknifed, blocking the #1 and #2 lanes.

The two lanes were closed until about 5:35 a.m.

CHP said the driver of the big rig suffered minor injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Stay with us on-air and online for the latest updates.

Click here to follow the original article.

One person injured in crash after vehicle goes airborne onto Interstate 80 in Omaha

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Jake Anderson

Click here for updates on this story

    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — One person was injured after a vehicle ran off the road, up a grass embankment, went airborne and landed on Interstate 80, Omaha police said.

The crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. near I-80 and 84th Street.

Investigators said a 2011 Nissan Sentra was traveling northbound on 84th Street when it ran off the road, up a grass embankment, then went airborne and landed on I-80.

An eastbound GMC Acadia on Interstate 80 then collided with the Nissan, Omaha police said.

The driver of the Nissan was taken to CUMC-Bergan Mercy Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

The crash is still under investigation.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Asphalt paving project ends muddy road controversy on Glider Loop in El Paso County

KRDO on September 18, 2025

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Rainy weather that had been a problem on the mile-long Glider Loop, just south of Black Forest, ended up being somewhat of a blessing in the past two weeks.

It influenced crews to change their initial plan to place a double chip-seal pavement and instead pave the road with asphalt.

Crews are putting the final touches on the project, which Public Works Engineer Dan Gerhard said costs around $200,000 more than chip sealing, but will stabilize the road and eliminate the mud issue.

The chip-seal work was scheduled to begin several weekends ago, but was delayed by rain.

Gerhard said that when the project’s contractor returned, he decided he couldn’t guarantee an effective chip-seal application because of the wet gravel.

“Our fear was if we did chip it, and over time the chip seal kind of broke apart a little bit and moisture got down into that gravel, that maybe we would kind of end up in the same spot, like we were on Myers Road this summer,” he explained.

In that project, the county chip-dealed three miles of the weather-damaged road.

It was a year ago this month that neighbors began contacting KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior about slick and muddy conditions on Glider Loop that created a mess and caused drivers to get stuck or slide off the road.

Those neighbors blamed the conditions on what they described as a clay-based gravel applied by the county that drained less effectively than sand-based gravel.

“I actually got injured walking down the road,” said neighbor Gil Szaraz. “I slipped, fell into the ditch, and broke a piece of bone off my heel. In fact, I just finished physical therapy for that.”

Gerhard recently disputed neighbors’ criticisms and said that crews applied material approved by the state.

However, he added that it remains unclear why Glider Loop was so muddy in wet weather, although gravel roads in different parts of the county can respond to moisture differently.

Around a dozen residents live along the road, which connects to Vollmer Road at both ends.

The Road Warrior spoke with three homeowners who said that they don’t like the new asphalt and prefer the road as it was.

However, most are happy with the new pavement.

“I really am glad that they did this,” neighbor Evelyn Billek said. “I don’t know why anybody would want to complain about it. We’re in the county, and we’ve got a paved road! What more can we ask for?”

Gerhard said that the county has extra funds in its annual road maintenance budget for unexpected situations and emergencies.

But it’ll be interesting to see if the floodgates open, so to speak, over time, with asphalt paving requests from other residents of muddy gravel roads.

Click here to follow the original article.

11-year-old Roseville boy expresses gratitude to group of kids who helped him after bike crash

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Peyton Headlee

Click here for updates on this story

    ROSEVILLE, California (KCRA) — An 11-year-old boy from Roseville is expressing gratitude after a group of students came to his aid when he fell off his bike on his way home from school.

Alex Cannon said he fell on a busy bike path right after classes let out at Barbara Chilton Middle School.

“It’s like half a mile from my house to school. And I was like super tired. So, I went and I asked my friend like, ‘Hey, can I hitchhike?’ Because he has an e-bike. So, he said, ‘Yeah,'” Cannon said.

So, on his bike, Cannon held onto his friend’s electric bike. But, after only a few seconds, he said he began to tip over.

“I just, like, blacked out and then the next thing I know, I’m on the ground crying,” he said.

Cannon said he was crying and covered with scrapes and bruises, but surrounded by other kids who stopped to help.

“I look behind me and there’s like ten people surrounding me. And I’m like, ‘What happened?’ And they’re like you skidded five feet across the ground and I’m like, ‘Oh, ow, everything hurts,'” Cannon said.

He said the group of about a dozen middle schoolers stayed with him for the next 30 minutes, applying water to the spots where he was bleeding, giving him band-aids, and helping him get ahold of his mom.

“I get this text it says: Hi. Your son fell off his bike. Answer your phone, please. And I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh,'” Lizzie Cannon, Alex’s mom, said.

Lizzie Cannon said she grabbed her electric scooter and rushed to find him. On the way there, she said there were students already out looking for her.

“When I went to the stoplight where I needed to cross the road, there were two kids and they said, ‘Hey, is it your son that fell?’ So I followed them and they showed me where he was,” she said.

Upon finding her son, Lizzie Cannon’s concern shifted to admiration for the students who helped him.

“They said ‘Hey, we checked his head. Nothing’s broken. He can walk.’ And they had him in a little shady area and they were cracking jokes and bringing up his spirit so that he didn’t feel lonely,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see a bunch of kids at this impressionable age just stopping to help a kid instead of looking the other way.”

“In that moment, it was a bad moment because I was hurt, but at the same time, it was like an amazing moment knowing that these kids stopped and like, cared for me,” Alex Cannon said.

Alex Cannon is scraped and bruised, but above all, he said he is grateful.

“I mean… I’m very thankful,” Cannon said. “Thank you for caring for me and helping. And I hope that that spreads out the world.”

He said he learned two valuable lessons: always wear a helmet and avoid holding onto friends’ e-bikes.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Participation of transgender volleyball player for Santa Rosa Junior College prompts protest before match in Rocklin

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Carolina Estrada

Click here for updates on this story

    ROCKLIN, California (KCRA) — The Sierra College Women’s Volleyball team hosted Santa Rosa Junior College on Wednesday night in Rocklin.

The match unfolded amid controversy — after three SRJC players filed a Title IX complaint involving a transgender teammate.

The complaint is filed against the Sonoma County Junior College District, SRJC, and member schools of the California Community College Athletic Association.

The players allege physical endangerment by a transgender teammate – who KCRA 3 is not identifying since she has not publicly spoken about her identity.

It also states the deprivation of women’s rights by the school for allowing her to occupy a roster spot, and retribution from their coach, who they claim benched them after they raised concerns.

KCRA 3 reached out to the attorney who filed the complaint on their behalf but did not receive a response.

Outside the gym on Wednesday night, demonstrators protested the athlete’s participation.

Beth Bourne from Yolo County Moms for Liberty said, “We need to have sports be divided by the two sexes.”

KCRA 3 asked those who attended the game for their perspective, but no one agreed to speak on camera.

In a statement, SRJC spokesperson Sarah Pew said, “SRJC is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and employees. The district complies with California Community College Athletic Association regulations, which govern student eligibility and participation in our athletic programs.”

The case adds to a growing national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports, and the complaint remains under review.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Unique exhibit offers chance to witness ‘miracle of life’ at Oklahoma State Fair

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Cameron Sibert

Click here for updates on this story

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — The Oklahoma State Fair is a melting pot of interesting experiences. Yes, there are the food and rides, but did you know you can witness the miracle of life?

Inside the Expo Hall, fairgoers can find the Animal Birthing Center to see some of the goats and piglets born in Oklahoma.

“This is the miracle of life. This is where life starts on the farm,” Dr. Alex Main, an Oklahoma Animal Care advocate, said.

If you didn’t grow up on the farm, you’ve never seen what’s inside the Animal Birthing Center – a fresh litter of piglets born healthy right at the Oklahoma State Fair. For those who do go to the Expo Hall to see it, the center delivers an unforgettable day on the farm.

“This is what it actually looks like in a commercial farm, with modern technology and everything. This is what it looks like and the process of birth,” Main said.

Main introduced KOCO 5 to Cardi P, one of the three sows at the fair this year. She just became a mother to 20 piglets. We got there while the piglets were just waking up, and they were hungry.

“Whenever it is time for them to go and they want to nurse, they go and nose her belly. And when she is willing to participate, she will lay on her side,” Main said. “So, cattle, their milk is in the udder already, right, whereas with pigs they have to do milk let-down. So, she will lay on her side and start grunting, and that is her letting her milk down for them to drink. If I were to try to get any milk from her teats right now, it wouldn’t work.”

The birthing center also has baby goats, who are all cared for by volunteer students at different veterinary schools in Oklahoma.

It’s a learning experience for everyone involved. The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association helps get the animals from producers around the state, and Future Farmers of America students show up to get a hands-on experience.

“Where your food comes from, how much care farmers have. It’s an ethical responsibility farmers take on, caring for animals all the way from A to Z,” Main said.

While there’s a lot to see and do at the Oklahoma State Fair, there’s also a lot to learn. Anyone who wants to experience the farm should visit the Animal Birthing Center and Agtropolis.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Man dies after becoming unresponsive on Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Web Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — A guest at Epic Universe died after riding on the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Wednesday, according to Universal officials.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said that off-duty deputies responded to a “man down” call at the theme park.

Once they arrived at the scene, they found a man in his 30s who was unresponsive. The man was then transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chopper 2 was live on the scene and captured exclusive video of a large law enforcement presence, including crime scene vans and a forensic team taking photos of the ride vehicle in the loading area.

Universal Orlando’s app currently indicates that the popular Stardust Racers coaster is closed on Thursday.

Statement from Universal spokesperson:

“Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.

This racing coaster reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and heights of 133 feet along a 5,000-foot track.

The ride features two sides racing each other on green and yellow tracks, with an inverted criss-cross maneuver called the Celestial Spin.

Before opening, the ride underwent extensive testing, requiring 80 consecutive hours of flawless operation.

Universal Orlando’s safety guidelines warn that the coaster includes sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion and dropping.

Riders must be at least four feet tall, and those with blood pressure issues, heart conditions, back or neck problems, sensitivity to strobe lights, motion, or fog, as well as expectant mothers or individuals who have recently undergone surgery, are advised not to ride.

Additionally, the park requires guests to store loose items in a locker and pass through a metal detector before boarding the coaster.

Universal’s Epic Universe is Central Florida’s newest theme park, officially opening its doors to the public on May 22, 2025.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Port Charlotte mom recovering after losing part of arm to severe spider bite

CNN Newsource on September 18, 2025

By Jackie Guenther

Click here for updates on this story

    PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida (WBBH) — Nicole Kelly, a single mother of two from Port Charlotte, has been hospitalized for two weeks, recovering from a venomous spider bite and a COVID-19 diagnosis, which has left her unable to work and facing financial difficulties.

“It’s hard trying to make it through, especially mentally, because I’m away from my kids,” Kelly said. She expressed the difficulty of asking for help, saying, “I don’t ask for help, and it feels very foreign and very weird, but it’s crazy how one spider bite can lead to all of this.”

Kelly was bitten by a brown recluse spider on Sept. 3 while moving, leading to a serious condition that required immediate surgery. “They had to do a pretty invasive surgery. It was bad. They took out what they described as about two ice cream scoops full of tissue and flesh that had been eaten away or had started to deteriorate because of the venom. It was pretty serious,” Kelly said.

Joyce Fassbender, an entomologist and arachnologist at Florida Gulf Coast University, explained that a large amount of venom from a spider can cause serious health issues. “If you get a spider that injects a large amount of venom into the body, then you can actually have the formation of an ulcer that starts to break down and can sometimes work its way through the skin and into the muscle below,” Fassbender said.

Kelly shared the intense upkeep of the wound, “They have to clean it out twice a day. They make sure they give me some pain medication beforehand because it is painful. It’s probably going to take about 6 to 8 weeks to heal. It’s going to be a long ride,” she said.

Kelly is looking for all the help she can get to manage the hefty hospital bills and hopes to reunite with her children soon.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.