Month: September 2025

By Jarvis Robertson

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    BESSEMER, Alabama (WVTM) — Wednesday was a celebration at New Life Christian School of Excellence. It was all to honor one of its own first grade students, as September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Nova Stafford was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma — eye cancer — when she was only five months old.

“The left and right eye had tumors inside of them,” Matisha Stafford said, Nova’s mother.

This health journey hasn’t been the easiest for the Stafford family. They’ve spent time between Birmingham and Memphis, Tennessee, getting treatment for their young child.

“When she was five months old, we were vacationing; when I took a picture of her, the picture came back, and her eye was glowing. In her left eye, and I was like, that’s not normal. It wasn’t a red flash; it was a glow in her eye,” Matisha said.

Nova went through 10 months of chemotherapy for the tumors in her eyes. About three months after that treatment was finished, they dealt with more health concerns for the little girl.

“The tumors in her left eye burst, and we had to immediately go back to the hospital in Memphis. They did emergency surgery. And they removed her left eye,” she said.

After more medical tests, Matisha told WVTM that they learned the cancer had spread to Nova’s liver and bone marrow. This led to more aggressive treatment and time in the hospital.

The journey from the very beginning was met with many questions from the Stafford family.

“My heart, it literally sank, it crumbled. I felt like what did I do wrong? What happened? How could life be this way for us? She’s my one and only child,” the mother said.

Fast forward to the present day: Nova is thriving.

“As of now, there’s no evidence of disease. The tumors in her right eye are what they consider to be not growing. The same with her liver, the lesions have disappeared,” Matisha said.

The school held a parade for Nova, a walk of honor, and a big party.

WVTM spoke to the six-year-old Wednesday about how she feels about everything she’s been dealing with.

Nova told us, “Cancer, it’s bad, sad,” and gave it a thumbs down.

Her favorite subject is math, because it’s easy for her. Although her life hasn’t been the easiest, she still has a bright smile.

Matisha feels an immense sense of joy when she looks at her daughter.

“Especially when she’s sleeping, it brings tears to my eyes to know that she’s with me because some days was so tough, I didn’t know if I was going to bring my baby home,” the mother said.

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By Russ Reed

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    LIMERICK, Maine (WMTW) — A Limerick man who claims he was unlawfully assaulted and beaten by Maine State Police troopers who arrested him last year has sued those officers and the law enforcement agency, as he seeks more than $100 million in damages.

Justin Savage and his girlfriend, Shawna Morse, filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Maine; the Maine State Police; MSP Col. William Ross, the leader of the agency; MSP Trooper Jamie Fenderson; MSP Sgt. Adam Schmidt; and Det. Anna Ritland.

MSP officials said that on the night of March 16, 2024, troopers responded to a report of a domestic assault happening on Long Street in Limerick.

State police initially reported that Savage was detained by troopers after he had assaulted Morse in front of their home. But in a revised news release that was shared in May 2024, state police said a neighbor called to report Savage had assaulted Morse in front of their home.

According to state police, Savage became combative and during an ensuing struggle, he landed on Schmidt’s leg and broke his ankle — an injury that reportedly required surgery. Police then accused Savage of biting Fenderson’s hand in an effort to escape, causing two lacerations.

Savage was arrested on charges of domestic violence assault, assault on a police officer, refusing to submit to arrest and disorderly conduct.

A booking photo shared by the York County Jail with Maine’s Total Coverage in March 2024 shows Savage had a black eye, a split lip, and severe swelling on the left side of his face.

The lawsuit claims that Savage and Morse did not understand why troopers responded to their Long Street home, and that the police caused and escalated a conflict.

According to the lawsuit, Savage had his hands cuffed behind his back by Fenderson when Schmidt body slammed Savage onto the driveway, and all three troopers swarmed on top of him.

The lawsuit states that while Savage was being put inside a police cruiser, Fenderson punched and beat his face, drawing blood. The troopers then put leg restraints and a hooded spit mask on Savage, the latter of which caused him to have difficulty breathing that was ignored by the troopers for “an excessive and unreasonable amount of time,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit goes on to state that the troopers removed Savage from the cruiser, laid him on the ground, and held him there. According to the lawsuit, Fenderson once again repeatedly punched and beat Savage’s face.

“At all times, Justin was fully restrained, immobilized, in handcuffs, leg restraints, fully covered with a face mask, and had multiple individuals sitting on and holding him on the ground. Justin did not and could not pose any threat nor protect himself,” the lawsuit states. “Fenderson’s violent punching and beating of Justin’s face was outrageous, unlawful, unjustified, and wrongful, and done with malice, or malice can and should be implied. Justin suffered serious head injuries and lasting severe physical and psychological injuries from the assault.”

Maine’s Total Coverage has watched video of the arrest, which shows troopers handcuffing Savage before taking him to the ground. The video also shows the troopers punching Savage while he was on the ground.

Court documents state that all criminal charges against Savage were dismissed on April 15, 2025.

Maine State Police officials also said Morse tried to help Savage in his attempt to escape, and she was arrested on charges of obstructing government administration and refusal to submit to arrest.

The lawsuit states Morse was falsely accused of using force and resisting arrest, and that she was detained or restrained.

“[Shawna] visibly witnessed the assault on Justin and she suffered severe and lasting emotional injuries,” the lawsuit states.

According to court documents, all criminal charges against Morse were dismissed on Feb. 24, 2025.

Savage and Morse are requesting a jury trial as they seek compensatory damages. Legal-Ease, the Portland-based law firm representing Savage and Morse, said in a news release that their clients are seeking damages in excess of $100 million.

Maine State Police officials said the agency wound up receiving a complaint that the officers involved used excessive force. According to officials, the troopers completed a use of force report and submitted their video footage of the incident along with criminal investigative reports — which were approved and reviewed by their direct supervisors and commanding officer. The reports were then forwarded to the Maine State Police Training Unit for additional review of the officers’ tactics, officials said. The troopers’ video, use of force reports and criminal investigative reports were also reviewed by the State Police Office of Professional Standards.

“The agency determined the use of force in this case was lawful, justified and proper based on the circumstances, resulting in exonerating the officers,” reads a statement from the Maine State Police.

In a statement shared with Maine’s Total Coverage, state police said Savage’s “lack of cooperation and resistance to being detained” is what led to the use of force. State police said no force would have been used and no one would have been injured if Savage had been compliant.

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By Madison Monroe Adams

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    CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Florida (WBBH) — The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman after she was accused of renting out someone else’s home.

Cori Carmichael was arrested last Thursday, and she is facing charges for grand theft.

Khiana Mace’s life was disrupted in 2024 when her childhood home in Punta Gorda was destroyed by multiple hurricanes, forcing her to move in with a friend. “We lost everything,” Mace said.

In August, she managed to get back on her feet by signing a lease for a duplex on Cristobal Avenue in Deep Creek. “It took us a while to get the help and assistance,” she said. “It’s been very hard.”

Nearly two months after moving in, the property manager discovered someone was living in the home during an inspection and called 911. Charlotte County deputies arrived at Mace’s door, questioning why she was in a home that didn’t belong to her.

“I kind of was like. What? Like, I was confused. I was like, why are you here? Like, why y’all messing with us?” Mace said.

She showed officers her lease, only to learn that the woman who rented her the home, Cori Carmichael, had no legal right to do so and had collected thousands of dollars in rent. Deputies said Carmichael does not own the home and was only given permission to clean and list it by the homeowner.

Now, Mace says the real property manager is suing to evict her.

“I am so scared to open our door because you never know if you’re gonna get thrown out for no reason,” she said. Mace has tried to contact the actual homeowner, hoping to stay, but says she hasn’t received a response.

“It’s really upset me,” she said. “It’s just very traumatizing because, like I said, nobody should have to worry about laying their head down at night and being forced out of their home or the place that they rent, which they consider their home.”

Khiana Mace’s life was disrupted in 2024 when her childhood home in Punta Gorda was destroyed by multiple hurricanes, forcing her to move in with a friend. “We lost everything,” Mace said.

In August, she managed to get back on her feet by signing a lease for a duplex on Cristobal Avenue in Deep Creek. “It took us a while to get the help and assistance,” she said. “It’s been very hard.”

Nearly two months after moving in, the property manager discovered someone was living in the home during an inspection and called 911. Charlotte County deputies arrived at Mace’s door, questioning why she was in a home that didn’t belong to her.

“I kind of was like. What? Like, I was confused. I was like, why are you here? Like, why y’all messing with us?” Mace said.

She showed officers her lease, only to learn that the woman who rented her the home, Cori Carmichael, had no legal right to do so and had collected thousands of dollars in rent. Deputies said Carmichael does not own the home and was only given permission to clean and list it by the homeowner.

Now, Mace says the real property manager is suing to evict her.

“I am so scared to open our door because you never know if you’re gonna get thrown out for no reason,” she said. Mace has tried to contact the actual homeowner, hoping to stay, but says she hasn’t received a response.

“It’s really upset me,” she said. “It’s just very traumatizing because, like I said, nobody should have to worry about laying their head down at night and being forced out of their home or the place that they rent, which they consider their home.”

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By Jennifer Eagan, Emily Maher

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A man with a knife was shot by police early Wednesday in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood after officers responded to a 911 call for a breaking and entering at a restaurant, officials confirmed.

Officers were called just before 6 a.m. to an alleged breaking and entering at 97 Mount Vernon St.

Taylor Pacifico called 911 reporting that a naked man had shattered the front door of the restaurant 1928 Beacon Hill.

“He was smashing plates and going crazy in there,” she said.

One of the responding officers was seen on video at the door of the restaurant with his gun drawn as other officers rushed to a back ally, where police said they encountered a man armed with a large knife.

“An officer dispatched his department-issued Taser, striking the suspect to no avail. Officers then discharged their department issued firearms multiple times, striking the individual,” Boston Police Department Superintendent Paul McLaughlin said.

“They were screaming, ‘Boston Police,’ and then we heard the man when the Taser was going off screaming, like, really intensely, and then we heard a gunshot and more screaming,” Pacifico said.

The man was given first aid by officers at the scene, and he was taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, McLaughlin said.

Two pest control workers were inside the restaurant when the man entered.

“He just came in,” one worker said. “I definitely didn’t see him. He was naked though.”

Residents of the quiet neighborhood said they woke up to the sounds of gunfire and chaos.

“I just woke up to the sound of a gun,” one resident said.

“Unreal. It wouldn’t happen in this neighborhood,” another resident said.

Three Boston Police officers were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

The names of the man and the officers involved in the shooting were not released.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Boston police at 617-343-4470.

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