Month: September 2025

By Shelby Lofton

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    PARK CITY, Utah (KSL, KSL-TV) — The state’s first girls’ high school flag football league has started its inaugural season.

The Utah High School Girls Football Association has teams in high schools across the state, including Park City High School.

That’s where Erin Miller coaches 34 girls in eighth through 12th grade.

“It went from eight the week before school started, before we knew it, we were just like, ‘We don’t have enough jerseys,'” she said.

She and her co-head coach, Brandon Heaney, said the interest was so high, they created two teams. They also have some members from neighboring high schools.

“I think the sport’s going to get bigger throughout the years, and we’re going to try and get a team at Wasatch next year,” said player Lily Millett, a senior at Wasatch High School.

Flag football is an official, sanctioned high school sport in 17 other states, but not yet in Utah. The sport will also be played at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

Heaney said football should be more accessible. He played at Brigham Young University from 2001-2004.

“We’re watching the men play, and these girls grew up in that culture, and they love it,” he said. “And now they have an opportunity to express their athleticism on the football field.”

He said he wasn’t sure if his sons would ever play football, much less his daughter, Brighton, who is in eighth grade.

“She’s been actually playing flag football in the rec leagues for the last three years with the boys,” Heaney said. “The problem was there was not an avenue for her to keep playing.”

Miller said she was recruited to coach the team. She works for the Park City School District and plays football.

“I played for the Utah Falconz; we’re a part of the Women’s National Football Conference,” Miller said. “I’ve been playing tackle football for 12 years. I’ve been playing flag since I was 6.”

Miller said the Las Vegas Raiders are helping flag football expand in Utah.

“They’re going to cover our registration fee to get into the tournament, and they provide some swag for us,” she said.

She said the sport allows girls to try something new, and it helps them build on their strengths.

“(You got) to see the athleticism, like, these girls from day one to now, it’s a different team,” Miller said. “I don’t think that there’s haters. And if they want to continue to hate, then I welcome them to stand on the sidelines with us and so that they can understand what we’re trying to build.”

Park City senior and quarterback Coco Crawford said when the team started practice a few weeks ago, it was awkward. A few weeks in, and a few games under its belt, she’s impressed with its progress.

“Even after a month, I feel like we’ve grown so much together, and I’m honestly so happy that I decided to join this sport because I’ve made so many new connections with the underclassmen and even some of the eighth graders,” she said.

The league aims to make flag football more inclusive and move toward making it an officially sanctioned high school sport in Utah.

“My goal has been to play fast and have fun, and start building the foundation for the program and the league,” Heaney said.

He said he’s seen his daughter grow in the past few weeks.

“Seeing the competition rise has made her also have to rise to that competition level and create a belief in herself that she belongs out here and she absolutely does,” he said.

Miller and her players said there’s a lot of support for the team. Members of the Park City boys’ football team came to cheer for the girls at Tuesday night’s games.

“We’re probably going to get the cheerleaders, we’re going to get the band (and) we’re playing senior night, so the community, just, it’s a vibe up here,” Miller said. “They love what we’re doing up here, and they just want to support us full-heartedly.”

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By Kelly Hallinan

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    KIMBERLY, Wisconsin (WGBA) — On Friday nights at Papermaker Stadium, Kimberly junior Maddux Hermus can be found just about anywhere on the field.

“He’s clearly a top-flight athlete on our team and you can’t have kids like that standing on the sideline,” Head Coach Chad Michalkiewicz said. “He’s just an all-around exceptional athlete that we’re just trying to get on the field.”

Michalkiewicz said Hermus’ athleticism makes him nearly impossible to keep in just one role.

“I don’t really know my position that much, I kind of just bounce around, so I just know I’m a football player,” Hermus said.

That versatility has him lining up at quarterback, shifting to receiver, and handling punting, kicking and extra points.

“Yeah, he’s just a dog,” said teammate Cam Wong. “We need him on the team. He’s one of the best athletes on the team and he’s pretty awesome.”

Michalkiewicz said Hermus handles the workload like a champion.

“He’ll do anything that he’s asked first of all cause he wants to and second because he’ll do whatever the team needs,” Michalkiewicz said.

And Hermus embraces the challenge with enthusiasm.

“Michalkiewicz was like, ‘yeah, I’m going to use you everywhere this year.’ And I kind of thought he was joking a little bit, so I gave him a little laugh. But once I knew he was serious about it, I was excited. I was ready. I want to do this,” Hermus said.

Michalkiewicz said Hermus changes games with his leg, even breaking a state record with a 91-yard punt, the longest in Wisconsin history.

“I mean, it felt really good off my foot. It was a little rugby punt… I saw the spiral, and I was like, oh yeah, that’s carrying. And then I saw the bounce. I was so excited. I was running down the field, jumping around and stuff,” Hermus said.

Beyond the numbers, Michalkiewicz said Hermus is building a legacy.

“He’s one of those kids that will kind of transcend time,” Michalkiewicz said. “You’ll be talking about the Maddux Hermuses 10 years from now — just how he conducts himself and what he means to this team is an example that will be set for generations to come.”

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By Alvieann Chandler

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WXIA) — Some birthday wishes do come true. One Navy veteran who celebrated turning 103 in August can attest to this fact after he had his wish granted.

Claude “Captain” Levinge was surrounded by loved ones and dignitaries at the Retreat at Canton in August to ring in his 103rd year. Some notable attendees included representatives from the White House, U.S. Navy’s Admiral James W. Kilby, Governor Brian Kemp’s office and more.

Levinge served as a fighter pilot in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He graduated from the very first Top Gun program and mastered more than 34 aircraft. Levinge still holds the Navy record for the most single-piloted flight hours and has earned a long list of medals from the years he spent serving his country.

During his celebration in August, Levinge wished for a chance to meet a NASCAR driver. That wish came true in September after a social media post of the Levinge went viral, and eventually reached NASCAR.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2024, Atlanta race winner Daniel Suarez stopped by to meet Levinge.

“Super excited to be able to meet somebody that has meant so much for this amazing country. That has given so much for our freedom,” said Suarez,” getting to meet somebody, that you know, he’s a real Top Gun.”

EchoPark Speedway GM Brandon Hutchison also met with Levinge and made him an honorary race official for the next race. The Autotrader 400 is scheduled for February 22, 2026.

When asked what he loves so much about NASCAR, Levinge said he loves the speed and the way the drivers handle the turns.

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By Tia Maggio

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    Georgia (WJCL) — Two Georgia senators are pressing federal officials for answers following a series of deaths in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, including two that occurred in Georgia this year.

Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock sent a letter Tuesday to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, calling for immediate information about the deaths and a plan to prevent further fatalities.

In May, 68-year-old Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado died while being transported to Stewart Detention Center in Georgia. Weeks later, 45-year-old Jesus Molina-Veya was found dead at the same facility in what officials ruled a suicide. These deaths mark the 13th at Stewart since 2006, including three suicides.

In their letter, the senators wrote:

“We write with serious alarm regarding the rise in the number of deaths in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody nationwide… We request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE immediately provide information about these individuals’ deaths and about the [administration’s] plan to prevent further fatalities.”

The letter also highlights a troubling history at Stewart, citing allegations of medical neglect, solitary confinement, and overcrowding. Local advocacy group Migrant Equity Southeast says similar concerns exist at the Folkston Detention Center.

“Generally, what conditions look like is the lack of proper medical attention, a lack of decent food,” said Eduardo Delgado, civic and advocacy coordinator for Migrant Equity Southeast.

Nationwide, ICE has confirmed 14 detainee deaths so far this year, the highest number recorded since 2020. Advocates say each death affects not just the individual, but entire families.

“We’re talking about 14 families that were affected by this. I think that the administration really needs to take a look at this issue,” said Delgado

Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter called the senators’ claims misleading, stating,

“Having toured the ICE Processing Center in Folkston, I can assure you that the Trump administration] is prioritizing safety.”

ICE said in a statement to WJCL 22:

“Senators Ossoff and Warnock stayed quiet as the Biden administration lost 450,000 unaccompanied migrant children and opened our border to terrorists and gang members. Their silence on the demonization of federal law enforcement by their colleagues is equally as deafening. Just earlier this year Sen Ossoff released a “report” filled with false claims and inaccuracies. It is clear the Senator is now only taking an interest in this subject matter for political purposes. All in-custody deaths are tragic, taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated by law enforcement. ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously. DHS responds to official correspondence through official channels.”

The senators have given the agencies until Oct. 31 to provide records, respond to questions, and outline a plan to prevent future deaths in ICE custody.

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By Christian Petersen, Carrie Hodgin

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    AVERY COUNTY, North Carolina (WXII) — When Helene slammed Avery County, one man found himself in the fight of his life.

First, raging floodwaters washed away the only bridge connecting him to the outside world, but then something even worse happened.

Tim Buchanan, 66, narrowly escaped a landslide on the morning of Sept. 27, 2024. He would spend the next 10 months finding ways to cross the Toe River after his bridge washed out. “I kept watching the water rise, “he said.

Buchanan watched from his front porch as the storm raged and debris started floating down the river. “Large trees, huge oak trees. Yeah. Big round was coming down the river, parts of houses. It would just be lumber and stuff by the time it got here,” he said.

Buchanan jokingly said that he lives on the wrong side of the river. Like so many folks in this part of Avery County, a small bridge led from his property to the highway.

“There were trees and stuff stuck up in the old bridge, where you could tell it was still there. And then the next minute, there weren’t any trees stuck in it, and I knew my bridge was gone,” he said.

But that wasn’t the end of Buchanan’s troubles. “I heard a sound and went out my back door, and there were trees coming like this, and I kept looking.”A landslide was barreling towards him and his home. “And then I saw rolling rocks, trees, and mud. But I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I couldn’t run for watching what I was seeing, and I finally ran and got out of the way. But if I didn’t run, it would have, it would have gotten me for sure.”

With no power, internet, or cell service, Buchanan had no way to share with his daughter that he was alive and that his bridge was out.

“Just like it’s a dream, a nightmare,” he said. He also had no way to get help.”A couple of days later, she made it. She made it down, and I saw them, you know, they were yelling at me from the road, and I said, I’m alive.”

Buchanan spent the next several days walking over a mile through the woods to town when he needed supplies. When the water receded, he would walk through the river to the other side. Eventually, volunteers helped him build a small footbridge so he could cross the river.

“It was, it was hard, you know, I didn’t get out a whole lot. Mostly just staying home,” Buchanan said.

It would take 10 months before Buchanan, along with help from several nonprofit organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and the Appalachian Recovery Coalition, built him a new bridge.

“I never did clean the mud off the window. Just a memory I wasn’t ready to shake yet,” he said.

Buchanan’s back porch is also fixed, but the emotional scars from that day will take longer to heal.

“It just feels like I’m blessed beyond what I should be. And other people are suffering beyond what they should be,” he said.

There’s a nonprofit organization, Bridges for Avery, that’s helping folks like Tim who can’t afford to rebuild their bridges.

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By Rachel Williams

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    FORT PIERCE, Florida (WPBF) — A Florida man is recovering after surviving a shark attack while spearfishing off the coast of the Bahamas during a fishing-trip-turned-nightmare.

Eddie Jarmakowicz from Riviera Beach was diving during a three-day fishing trip to Grand Cay on Aug. 16 when he was bitten by a shark. The attack occurred just offshore and left him with serious injuries to his left hand.

“I never saw the shark that attacked me, but my wrist was hanging down, and I could see flesh, so obviously that was a concern. I swam back to the boat, and the whole rescue started from then,” Jarmakowicz said.

There were four people in his group at the time — two in the water and two aboard the boat. The other diver in the water said the type of shark that bit Jarmakowicz was a reef shark about 6 feet long.

He recalls, “It came from behind me, turned and grabbed the fish, and unfortunately got my hand as well, and then it swam behind me and my friend tried to poke it away with his spear a couple of times, and then it swam off.”

Because they were offshore, it took them about 45 minutes to return to land. The local emergency facility on the island wasn’t equipped to treat his injuries.

“Then we started trying to make plans to get back to the United States. Fortunately, there was someone who had a plane on Big Grand that offered to fly me home. From Grand to Stuart, Florida was the closest route, so we flew here. I was trauma-hawked to the hospital,” he said.

When Jarmakowicz arrived at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, his hand had been tightly wrapped in a tourniquet for more than four hours. Trauma surgeon Dr. Aleta Paschal said the extent of the injury was immediately alarming.

“He had a major injury where we consider it a mangled extremity, multiple muscles that were exposed, tendons that were involved. I could see down to his bone and his forearm. I slowly brought down the tourniquet just to see if the vascular flow was affected, and thankful to God it wasn’t,” Paschal said.

After losing about a liter of blood, Jarmakowicz underwent emergency surgery. Due to the complexity of the wound, Paschal consulted with a plastic surgeon to assist with the operation.

“We looked at all the tendons, and it was a very complex repair. I believe eight tendons that needed to be repaired in his forearm. There were also smaller tendons, because the shark had another bite towards the wrist,” Paschal said.

Jarmakowicz was discharged from the hospital the next day. Doctors say he’s fortunate not only to have survived but also to still have movement in all of his fingers.

As he begins a six- to eight-month physical therapy recovery, Jarmakowicz is already thinking about his return to the water with added precautions, sharing what he learned with others.

“Be conscious of sharks in the area, be conscious of barracudas in the area, have a tourniquet on your boat, and have a way to contact emergency care, whether that’s a satellite phone or another phone,” he said.

Doctors called the outcome a miracle, given the severity of the injury and how quickly he received care after being flown back to the U.S.

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