Month: October 2025

By Kate Devine

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    MAIZE, Kan. (KAKE) — Two Maize teenagers are being credited with saving a man’s life after stopping to help when his truck began swerving on the road Saturday afternoon.

Maize Police Chief Jeff Weible said officers were called to 37th and 119th Streets around 4 p.m. Saturday for reports of a truck driving in and out of the ditch. When officers arrived, they learned a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old had pulled in front of the truck to get it to stop and called 911.

Officers found the driver, Norman Stahlheber, was suffering from low blood sugar and had become unresponsive.

“These two teenagers had pulled in front of the truck to get the truck to slow down and stop, which they were able to do,” Weibel said. “The driver was having a medical issue. Had he kept driving, he could have wrecked or caused a fatality.”

Officer Lia Faber said the teens’ quick action likely saved Stahlheber’s life. “They didn’t hesitate to get involved,” she said. “It was beyond amazing that two younger people in this world took the time to not only call it in, but talk to him and see if they could do anything.”

Stahlheber said he’s grateful the teens noticed something was wrong and stopped to help. “They certainly were a big factor,” he said. “If they wouldn’t have stopped, I don’t know if anybody would have known.”

We did reach out to the teens and did not hear back, but the Maize Police Department plans to recognize the teens at an upcoming city council meeting in November. Norman and his wife say they plan to attend to thank the teens one more time.

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By Adi Guajardo

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A Long Island woman has been reunited with her biological mother 41 years after they were separated at birth in Chile.

Kaitlin Saar’s biological mom, Maria Gonzalez Seguel, touched down Wednesday at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“Touching her, even like smelling her, it was just so surreal,” Saar said.

Gonzalez Seguel first reached out to Saar on Facebook nearly two months ago. The message unraveled Saar’s life.

“It said, ‘I’m writing to you because this is an attempt to contact you and your biological mother,’ basically to get us together,” Saar explained.

She said she learned over the summer that she was one of the hundreds, if not thousands, of Chilean babies illegally adopted under Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship.

“All of our paperwork said that we were given away willfully because of economic hard times, and so a lot of us never even looked for our families,” said Tyler Graf, with the nonprofit Connecting Roots.

Saar said her parents told her at a young age that she was adopted.

“The story that my parents were told was that she was poor, she was young and she wanted me to have a better life, so she agreed to give me up for adoption,” she said.

Saar reached out to Graf, whose nonprofit works to reunite adoptees with their biological Chilean families. They immediately started the DNA process and, when a match came back, they quickly arranged the reunion.

“We just started talking over the summer, and here she is staying with me in my house, it’s just a dream,” Saar said.

“Lots of beautiful things, happy feelings, a lot of excitement and also sadness,” Gonzalez Seguel said in Spanish.

Gonzalez Seguel said she was 16 years old when she found out she was pregnant, and she spent more than three decades searching for her daughter — time she’s now working to make up.

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By Jason Barr

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — On a Sunday afternoon in Tucson, Arizona, Ken Larson, a chess coach with over four decades of experience, sits across from eight-year-old Nik Jain, offering a gentle nudge: “Maybe you should protect that pawn.”

Nik, a second grader at Ventana Vista Elementary, responds with focus, explaining his strategy: “In the opening, I’m trying to get pieces in the center and develop.” It’s a scene that captures the essence of chess—a game of strategy, intuition, and mentorship—and no one embodies this better than Larson, Tucson’s undisputed “Chess King.”Larsen has been a fixture in the local chess community since his days as a player at Amphi Middle School. Coaching since 1983, he’s guided countless young players to success, including Nik’s father, Sameer Jain, a former Arizona state champion.

Now, Larsen is passing his wisdom to the next generation, with Nik as one of his star pupils. “When you win a game or figure out a position, it’s just satisfying,” Larson says, a sentiment that resonates with his young protégé, Nik, who already takes fourth-grade math despite being in second grade, shows a natural aptitude for chess.

“Some kids have a natural feel for math—some kids don’t,” Larsen notes, drawing parallels to the strategic thinking required on the board. Under Larsen’s guidance, Nik has helped Ventana Vista Elementary secure second place in the last two Arizona state chess championships, earning trophies nearly as tall as he is. “The gold one is an inch shorter than me,” Nik says matter of factly.

What makes Larsen’s coaching special is his ability to break down complex concepts for young minds. “When I explain concepts that might be complicated for an eight-year-old, he seems to understand them pretty well,” Larsen says of Nik.

This talent for chess runs in the famil. And, Nik’s father, Sameer Jain, who once trained under Larson, knew exactly who to call when he wanted the best for his son. “Ken is a good individual. He’s got a kind heart, he cares. He’s very smart. He plays chess at an extremely high level,” Sameer says.

In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming chess with powerful engines and analysis tools, Larsen brings something AI can’t: human connection and intuitive understanding. “Because you have to think about what move you want to play and what are the best moves and what are bad moves,” Nik explains, echoing the strategic mindset Larson instills. This blend of logic and creativity has helped Nik excel, much like his father did years ago.

For Sameer, watching his son thrive under his former coach is a source of pride. “Nik is a great kid, and it’s really cool to see him excel and doing well,” he says. “It’s cool to see his love of the game. I hope that he continues to grow with it.”

As Nik continues to progress, earning accolades and mastering the board, Larson remains the steady hand guiding Tucson’s chess legacy. From one generation to the next, the Chess King’s influence endures, one move at a time.

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By Daniel Wilkerson

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    LOGANVILLE, Georgia (WUPA) — Seniors at a Gwinnett County high school organized to protect their parking spot art after the school district said their paintings would be removed.

Students at Grayson High School were surprised when they were told their personalized parking spots had to go.

What happened next had people in the town, about an hour northeast of Atlanta, talking.

Senior Brook Burns was excited to be part of bringing a national trend to her school.

“Here at Grayson High School, we have something called senior stamp,” Burns said. “It gave seniors the ability to paint their parking spots.”

She said principal Dr. Rukina Stewart approved the project. Fifty-eight seniors signed up to take part, each paying $20 and buying their own art supplies.

“We had music out here. Some people even had tents out because it was hot,” Burns said.

But at the start of homecoming week, Burns said she and other seniors were told they couldn’t have their parking spots anymore.

She said the news was devastating.

“I just thought of my friend Milan Cannon, who actually founded it, and thought about how much hard work and effort she put into getting it approved,” she said.

The seniors began organizing alongside Cannon to save what she created.

“When you have so many people backing you up—I’m talking about parents, teachers from other schools, and your own peers backing you up—you’re comforted,” Cannon said.

The group looked through Gwinnett County’s laws. Burns started an online petition that quickly grew to hundreds of signatures.

To their surprise, the district reversed its decision. For this year only, seniors are keeping their painted spots.

“I am proud of the organized and respectful way you expressed your concerns,” principal Stewart wrote in a letter to the students.

“We knew the right way is always following the rules, and us as students, we stay in our place and do what we can,” Burns said.

Justin Burns, Brooke’s father, says her actions to save the art made him and his wife proud.

“We raised her to always be respectful, be kind, and always speak positive, and just do the right thing. Between that, church, and all of these leadership clubs she’s a part of, leads and things like that, man, she’s just got God’s hand on her,” he said.

CBS News Atlanta learned from the district that the school did not follow the proper channels to get the project approved.

The district says it reversed the decision because it did not want the students to be penalized for poor communication.

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By Jerry Olenyn

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    CHICO, California (KHSL) — An innovative approach to addressing homelessness in Chico was the focus of discussion at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

The North State Shelter Team is proposing a pilot program that would place tiny homes in church parking lots to house elderly women experiencing homelessness.

Action News Now has learned that the Community Church of God on East Avenue is one of three Chico churches considering allowing up to four tiny homes on its property. The homes would be designated specifically for senior women who are currently living on the streets.

“Depending on who you listen to, there are 40 to 80 senior women on the street every single night in Chico,” said Richard Hoyt, the pastor at the Community Church of God. “We’re very concerned about that population, and that’s who we want to help.”

The North State Shelter Team, a nonprofit that advocates for the homeless, believes the proposal could gain broad community support because of the vulnerable demographic it aims to serve.

“These ladies aren’t going out and hurting anyone,” said Lori Mason of the North State Shelter Team. “Their likelihood of having a drug or alcohol problem is less. Their ability to go out and raise hell or crawl through someone’s window and steal something is probably zero.”

While three of the seven councilmembers voted against the idea, Councilmember Mike O’Brien said he sees potential in the program. He suggested beginning with two tiny homes per church instead of four to help ease neighborhood concerns.

“I think neighbors will likely embrace something like that if it’s done well, and done small, and done very exclusively for older women,” O’Brien said. “I think that’s what we want to look at.”

The next step for the North State Shelter Team is to submit an official application to the city. Although churches are private property and do not require council approval for such projects, the group hopes to receive the council’s support before moving forward.

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By Christopher Harris

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Neighbors in a southwest Atlanta community described a chaotic scene as U.S. Marshals and the Atlanta Police Department’s SWAT team surrounded a home Wednesday where 28-year-old Derrick Groves was hiding. Groves, who had been on the run since a May jailbreak in Louisiana, was found hiding in a crawl space beneath the house after a brief standoff.

“I heard pop, pop, pop, pop,” said Deborah Lackey, who lives nearby. “Then I came out and I saw the police cars, and the SWAT truck driving up on the grounds. Next thing you know, they were knocking the door and the garage in. I’m still trying to figure out how he got here from New Orleans. Someone had to bring him.”

Law enforcement officials say Groves’ capture followed a Crimestoppers tip and video evidence that led investigators to the Atlanta home. Inside, officers found drugs and weapons, though it’s not yet clear if anyone else will face charges.

The homeowner, Richard McQueen, told CBS News Atlanta he had no idea who was living in the house.

“I don’t know the people I rented to,” McQueen said. “It was so secretive. I asked my neighbor, ‘Who are these people?’ and everyone said, ‘Oh, they’re good people.’ Now I come home and my property is damaged. I’m trying to figure out what happened just like everyone else.”

Police say Groves was the last of 10 fugitives who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center on May 16. He had been convicted of murder and was considered one of the most dangerous of the group. Groves was taken into custody after the brief standoff. He is now being held at the Fulton County Jail before law enforcement take him to Louisiana in the next 15 days.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges said investigators “never lost sight during the investigation and our responsibility to bring a violent criminal back to prison.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill called Groves’ capture “a very good day,” adding, “It’s unsettling to have somebody out like this and not know where he is.”

Back in the neighborhood, residents are just relieved the ordeal is over, but they’re still shaken.

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By Paula Ebben

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    METHUEN, Massachusetts (WBZ) — When you drive past Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Methuen, Massachusetts, you might think it’s an old city building. But it was built by a very wealthy local man just to house one spectacular instrument.

The hall is the home to “The Great Organ,” the first concert organ in the United States.

Organist Fred MacArthur said its greatness lies in its history, age, and sound. Even the organ’s intricate carved case is one of the most recognized in the world.

“If you were to show this to any organist, anywhere, they would say ‘Methuen,'” MacArthur said.

How such a prized organ ended up in this town 30 miles north of Boston is the story of changing musical tastes, rapidly changing times and one man’s passion to save an important piece of American musical history.

The organ was built by E.F. Walcker and Company in Ludwigsburg, Germany during the Civil War for the Boston Music Hall, which is now the Orpheum Theater. The case is carved out of wood from the Black Forest, which could not be reproduced today.

The hall’s executive director, Ashley Haseltine, said when well-to-do Bostonians took “the Grand Tour” of Europe in the mid-1800s, they heard impressive concert organs and wanted to bring the sound back to Boston.

MacArthur pointed out The Great Organ arrived in a time when daily life was free of the modern sounds of cars, machines, or any recorded music.

“I think attending concerts back then was much more emotional,” said MacArthur, “because they didn’t very often hear live instruments.”

By pulling out the various stops on the organ console created in Germany, concertgoers heard reeds, flutes, or violins often for the very first time. Hence the expression, “pulling out all the stops,” which meant to create an overwhelming sound with an organ.

“People would travel – and still do – multiple days to hear this organ played,” said Haseltine.

The Great Organ was state of the art in 1863, with more than 6,000 pipes and 85 stops, which, when pulled, force air up through a huge but intricate bellows with electropneumatic action and slider windchests that create its distinct sounds.

After 21 years, however, times had changed, and the massive organ was crowding out the newly formed Boston Symphony Orchestra in the 1880s.

“Over time,” Haseltine said, “as the orchestra was ready to expand, the organ got booted out, traded up and put into storage for several years.”

Methuen millionaire and interior designer Edward Frances Searles, an organist himself, jumped at the chance to buy The Great Organ as a showpiece for his hometown. Searles built the music hall just to house it, and he did it with flair.

“He really took care when he was designing the interior of the hall to match the grandeur of the organ, including specific architects and engineers that designed an acoustic bounce throughout the space, so we don’t need any microphones for our concerts in here,” said Haseltine.

The concert hall was dedicated in 1909 and became a non-profit cultural center in 1946.

Searles also owned an organ company, which has since burned down. It once operated in what is now the hall’s parking lot. The organ inside the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. was made there on the property and is a copy of the Great Organ.

The hall has hosted a summer series that began right after World War II. The fall variety series culminates with an always sold-out Christmas concert, and it can be rented for weddings and memorial services. And as Searles intended, all Methuen fourth-graders get a musical history lesson in the building every spring.

“Mr. Searles’ mission was a lot of community, bringing art to the local Merrimack Valley and supporting children and really connecting all of those pieces together, so that’s been the forefront driving the board ever since,” said Haseltine.

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