Month: October 2025

By Darren Cunningham

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    DETROIT (WXYZ) — Andre Ash, 61, said his shift on Thursday started off like any other workday. He showed up to Regency Tower Apartments and clocked in ready to keep residents safe.

However, Ash said he ended up encountering an irate man who tried to kill him.

Bandaged and bruised with multiple deep cuts to his hand and cuts to his head and neck, he said his injuries came while he was just doing his job.

Ash said he was four hours into his shift when he noticed a man trying to get into the lobby.

“He’s coming around to the front door, but he can’t get in because whoever he was calling, I guess they wouldn’t let him in,” Ash recalled.

He said the guy managed to get into the lobby when some residents used their key to get in.

But when Ash asked the man if he’s visiting someone and to sign in, he said the guy started to argue and threatened to get him fired.

“He’s making motions like what he’s gone do to me, but I don’t believe you’re going to do anything to me, so just go ahead and do what you’re going to do, go where you’re going to go. He pulls the knife out and I’m like whatever, you think is gone happen, it’s not gone happen,” Ash explained.

Before Ash could finish dialing 911, he said, “He lunges twice at me and after that, we were fighting.”

As the two fell to the floor, Ash said he took the first stab to his hand while trying to block the knife.

“He stabbed me through my hand again. We went on the floor, rolled around on the floor and I flipped him over up under me, and I grabbed the knife and I start stabbing him with his knife. I held him tight on the floor. He was trying to choke me, and I was choking him until the police came,” he recalled.

Someone else had dialed 911. Detroit police say they arrested 43-year-old Marcus Shamily. He’s now facing a number of charges including attempted murder.

“I’m glad (police) came because if they hadn’t came when they came, this would be a different type of interview,” Ash said. “I’m just glad he didn’t approach anybody else because he probably would have done serious harm to anybody else.”

Regency Tower residents are praising him for his actions.

“People may slip in or whatever. That worries me by me coming home the times that I come home or what not. Ya know, I felt good that he was here whenever I saw him working,” Shontell Jackson said.

Mark Pace said, “It was a heroic act, and I appreciate him trying to keep us safe here because it’s a lot of seniors.”

Ash said, “Hero, I don’t know about hero but a survivor. I believe that.”

It’s survival skills Ash says he learned years ago.

“When I was younger I took up martial arts. So every now and then I’ve practiced for exercise,” he said. “And I think all of that came back and helped me out a lot.”

Ash said he’s grateful for the help from Detroit police, medics and the medical staff at Detroit Receiving Hospital as he starts a long road to recovery.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Michelle Bandur

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    CAMERON PARK, California (KCRA) — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed at least two cases of avian flu in birds found at Cameron Park Lake in El Dorado County. It’s a popular spot for Canada Geese as migration begins for these birds and others.

Launi Varbell, who walks the lake daily, has noticed more geese recently arriving.

“I’ve been videoing them because they’re big clusters of them,” she said. “They’re gorgeous. I love them.”

Leslie Ackerman from California Wildlife Encounters has been monitoring the situation closely.

“I tend to look for ones that are isolated; there’s one over there by himself,” Ackerman said.

Ackerman is an experienced wildlife rescuer and noted that they are finding more sick and dying birds than usual.

“We found 14 birds, five which were already dead. And the rest I’ve actually had to euthanize,” she said. “It’s been hard hit out here.”

Ackerman recorded a video of a sick goose showing flu symptoms, such as spinning in a circle.

She said there are other signs too.

“Very lethargic. They tend to have neurological issues where they wobble, their head swivels,” Ackerman said.

“We have received two Canada Geese carcasses from Cameron Park Lake, and the preliminary results show avian influenza,” said Peter Tira with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Tira explained that the flu first appeared in wild birds in Northern California in 2022.

“Those birds, some of them are diseased, and they bring that in with them. They’re social. They congregate in large flocks. And so it spreads,” Tira said.

Ackerman added, “You can see how well it spreads because there’s so many all congregated together.”

Wildlife experts anticipate finding more sick geese as more flocks arrive for fall migration. “These guys are healthy, and hopefully they stay that way,” Ackerman said.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that the outbreak currently is confined to El Dorado County, with no avian flu deaths reported in Sacramento or Yolo Counties.

Experts advise not to touch dead or unusual-acting birds and to inform park management or contact Wildlife Encounters or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. While the risk to humans is minimal, it is important to prevent the spread to other animals or pets.

To report a dead or dying animal, call 916-358-2790.

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By Andrea Flores

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    RANCHO CORDOVA, California (KCRA) — A new mother from Rancho Cordova reunited with the police officers who saved her life after she was hit by a car while pregnant. She also introduced them to her daughter, who was born soon after their medical intervention.

Earlier this summer, Nicole Clancy was struck by a car while crossing Coloma Road in Rancho Cordova after a driver ran a red light.

“When I got on scene, I did see a pedestrian in the middle of the road, down. She appeared to be injured and not moving,” said Rancho Cordova officer David Tsverov.

“I was at the intersection when I was crossing, and I just remember waking up in the ambulance,” Clancy recounted.

She was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where she underwent an emergency C-section.

Clancy’s daughter Mackenzie was born premature, 12 weeks before her due date, weighing just 2 pounds, 11 ounces.

Clancy’s aunt, Lori Bergenstock, described Mackenzie as a “warrior princess.”

“We went in and got to see her and she was so tiny, but she didn’t look sick and she didn’t look weak, so we call her our warrior princess,” she said. “It’s a miracle they’re OK.”

Mackenzie spent a month in the NICU, and the nurses described her as “spicy,” which they said was a good sign. While Clancy is still recovering from her injuries, including a broken clavicle, humerus, and a hairline nasal fracture, Mackenzie is now a healthy nine pounds and hitting all of her milestones.

“It felt good to have them behind us and taking care of us,” Clancy said, expressing gratitude for the first responders.

The reunion brought smiles to the officers’ faces.

The driver involved in the crash stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Mackenzie turns four months old on Saturday, and Clancy is back to running.

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By Aliyah Chavez

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    ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KOAT) — The Halloween season has officially kicked off at the Huskisson House in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights, where owner Bryan Huskisson has crafted a spooky experience in his backyard for the community using hours of work and personal funds.

7-year-old Presley and 9-year-old Maximus were the first brave souls to walk through this year’s haunted maze, and their reactions are part of the reason Huskisson continues to build the display.

The haunted house can be found at 7725 William Moyers Ave NE Albuquerque, NM 87122.

“I do a little something in the morning, a little something in the evening, and every weekend,” Huskisson said, describing the effort it takes to construct the display, which takes 12 weeks to build and 2 to 3 months to dismantle.

He has been doing this for the last 12 years, using money from his own pocket. “It’s a spooky number… and it’s not just the animatronics. It’s the spray paint, duct tape, the screws. I spent four hundred dollars on screws because we have over 500 pallets in this build,” he said.

The house features spiders popping out, rotten pumpkins, and spooky skeletons, creating a thrilling experience for visitors.

“We’ve reached a peak here,” Huskisson said. A team of 12 dedicated volunteers helps bring the display to life.

The house is open from Oct. 28 through Oct. 31 from dusk to 9:30 p.m. On Halloween, it will remain open until the last person shows up.

The experience is free, but Huskisson asks visitors to bring non-perishable food donations, which are turned over to the YMCA to make gift baskets for Thanksgiving for needy families.

“If I can create something that brings a little bit of joy, especially in our day and age with all that’s going on by doing all this, I’ll continue to do it as long as people show up,” Huskisson said.

Presley and Maximus preferred this year’s house over last year’s because “it was longer and scarier.” Last year, Huskisson collected more than 2,000 food donations and hopes to gather even more this year. He also asks visitors to be respectful of his neighbors.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Martin Augustine

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    KANSAS CITY (KMBC) — One Lee’s Summit, Missouri, man with a familiar face brings energy and spirit to his Chiefs fandom. But that’s not the only thing he’s passionate about.

Matt Black is an opera singer and fixture of the opera scene in Kansas City, usually cast in at least a couple of shows a year at the Lyric Opera.

He’s played all sorts of roles, which is a big part of the fun – pairing his love of singing with the excitement of diving into new characters.

Of course, there’s one role he might be best known for.

Black is also known for the character he calls “Almost Andy Reid.”

He’s garnered plenty of social media attention with his performance, and he was even hired as an extra for one of Reid’s TV commercials. A production assistant on set even tried to take him to Reid’s dressing room, thinking he was the real deal.

Black has a natural resemblance to Chiefs head coach, but he’s also studied how the real Reid walks and talks.

“Fortunately, a lot of that comes naturally because we’re both big guys,” he said with a laugh. “Although he’s lost weight and looks great. Coach, eat a cheeseburger, you hear me!”

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By Alyse Jones

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — An Oklahoma teacher is making her classroom a safe space for students in more ways than one.

As the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is just days away from freezing on Nov. 1, Morgan Schmidt, a leadership teacher at Putnam City High School in Oklahoma, is addressing food insecurity by transforming her classroom into a food pantry for students.

Schmidt initially provided hygiene products like soap, deodorant and feminine products to her students. For the teacher, creating a shame-free space to help meet students’ needs has been a goal for years.

“It’s right by the door, so they don’t have to say a word to me. They can just walk in, grab what they need and go,” Schmidt said.

Now, Schmidt is expanding her efforts to include food, creating a pantry where students can take what they need without feeling embarrassed.

“It’s scary to ask for help, and sometimes it can be embarrassing, and they’re kids. They don’t deserve to be hungry,” she said.

Putnam City Schools has food pantries in every high school, accessible to elementary and middle school students, as well. The district also offers after-school snack and supper programs through counselors.

“A lot of our kids, they’re self-conscious of that. They’re embarrassed. They don’t want to look like the kid that needs help,” Schmidt said.

To address this, Schmidt created a pantry where students can come and go without questions.

She reached out on Facebook for donations and received nearly 200 items in less than 24 hours. Schmidt is encouraging students to spread the word about the Pirate Pantry to peers who might need a meal.

“If those SNAP benefits aren’t going to be available, teachers are going to take care of our kids. Yes, you might not be mine biologically, but you’re in my class. You’re in our school. You’re our kids,” Schmidt said.

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By Eddie Messel

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    OMAHA (KETV) — This might come as a surprise to some, but the biggest Taylor Swift fan may be from Omaha.

Frank Uryasz, 95, started a Taylor Swift fan club at the Remington Heights Retirement Community in Omaha in hopes of attracting the singer’s attention and a visit.

The initiative began when a worker expressed disappointment to Uryasz that Swift hadn’t responded to her letters.

“That’s when she said what am I going to do and I said I know some people,” Uryasz said.

The 95-year-old took action by starting his own Taylor Swift fan club.

“We limited the club to 10 originally and then 20 and now it’s 100,” he said.

The club is pretty exclusive.

“Someone has to sponsor you if you’re not a member of Remington,” he said.

The fan club has gained attention from Swifties nationwide, including Molly from North Carolina, who sent cookies and friendship bracelets to Uryasz and the club.

“Very interesting that someone would go through that much trouble to make bracelets for us,” Uryasz said.

When asked what he would say to Taylor Swift if she were to watch, Uryasz expressed his desire for her to visit.

When asked what he would say to the superstar if he had the chance, Uryasz said, “I’d say please come and see us, we need you very much and with his permission I’d give her a hug.”

Efforts to bring Taylor Swift to Omaha are underway, with plans to hand-deliver an envelope to her circle in Kansas City.

“It’s of course a picture of me, what else do you need?” Uryasz said.

The envelope contains not only a picture of Uryasz but also letters to Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Taylor Swift, as Uryasz is a lifelong Chiefs fan.

“We’re having a wonderful time with this and we hope to get the two of them to come, if not one. Kelce will have to stay home and play football,” he said.

With his walker adorned with a custom T-Swift decal, Uryasz and the club are hopeful for some good “karma.”

“If things go right, I can’t say anything but thank gosh,” he said.

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