Colorado Springs using technology in hopes of improving street repaving

KRDO on October 31, 2025

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A different brand of asphalt, along with additives of fiberglass and Kevlar, are being used or tested by the city’s public works in an effort to improve paving efficiency and effectiveness.

Currently, workers are in the final stages of repaving a stretch of busy Woodmen Road, between the Academy Boulevard interchange and Rockrimmon Boulevard, by using stone matrix asphalt (SMA).

Corey Farkas, public works manager of operations and maintenance, described SMA as a material that is specifically designed for highways and other high-traffic roadways.

“It’s thicker and harder to work with, and it’s more expensive,” he explained. “But we went to Denver to look at it, and it seems to hold up well. We decided to try it on Woodmen.”

Farkas said that if the city is satisfied with how SMA performs, the material may be used for certain projects, but could become more widespread if improved durability leads to reduced maintenance costs.

Meanwhile, the city has spent the past ten years studying test patches of asphalt containing fiberglass and Kevlar — the latter being the same material used in bulletproof vests.

Officials want to determine if Kevlar can bond with asphalt to help paving last longer; the test strip is located on Broadmoor Bluffs Drive.

“The Kevlar fibers are designed to really kind of interlock within the asphalt to try to limit the amount of reflective cracking we get,” Farkas said. “Seems to be working pretty well.”

He said that the fiberglass additive is designed to keep asphalt from developing cracks several inches wide — a persistent problem in some older subdivisions, such as Soaring Eagles near the airport.

The test patch for that material is near the intersection of Harrier Ridge Drive and Tail Spin Drive.

Farkas said that he wants to see how both test areas endure several years of weather extremes produced by summer heat and winter freeze-thaw cycles.

Crews recently resurfaced streets in Soaring Eagles to seal smaller cracks in the pavement.

Finally, the city is using recycled asphalt in street paving for the second year; it’s presently being applied on the south end of Oro Blanco Drive.

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Unity Township church group traveling to Jamaica to help Hurricane Melissa victims

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Ed DiOrio

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    UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WTAE) — Those in need in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa will soon have help on the way from Westmoreland County.

A few mission groups from Western Pennsylvania go to the Caribbean, and now Charter Oak Church in Unity Township is joining the relief effort.

A group from the church will leave in the early morning on Saturday. Lorren Riggle and Todd Hrtyanski are two men going on the trip. They’ve gone to the island many times.

“In particular, this is my eighth time going to Jamaica itself,” said Riggle, the manager of Local Outreach Missions at Charter Oak. “We organize many trips throughout the year. We go into communities and help out however we can.”

“It’s a blessing to go help people and build relationships,” said Hrtyanksi, the trip’s leader. “We’ve done this for 20-plus years. You can multiply that, and over the years, think about how much we’ve taken down there.”

They normally help the people of Harmons.

“We continue to go back to the same community,” Riggle said. “We want to see the evolution and growth of that community through what we’re pouring out. We’ve worked at a medical clinic, built a medical clinic, refurbished a clinic, and we’ll go into the schools and help with tutoring. It’s awe-inspiring in the sense that they’re happy with what they have.”

They organize the trips through the group Won by One. It’s a mission trip organization that originated in DuBois, Pennsylvania. Twenty-one Westmoreland County residents signed up for this year’s trip.

However, this trip won’t be like the others.

“It’s going to be unknown for us,” Riggle said. “This trip was scheduled last November to go down.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, that changes the game plan of how to help those in need.

“Our expectation is to go beyond Harmons and the village that we normally work in,” Riggle said. “We’ll start helping folks with their cleanup process.

“[We’ll be] in the schools, we’ll build a house, we’ll build a foundation while we’re there,” Hrtyanksi said. “We’ll be redoing the roofs and whatever else we can do. Each day, we’ll do different serving opportunities in the community.”

Regardless of what the group comes across, they’re bringing a lot with them. Over 1,000 pounds of supplies are being flown down through 21 suitcases.

“We’re going with food, school, and medical supplies,” Riggle said. “They’re all going to be needed regardless. We’ve got peanut butter, dried goods, and dry milk they can reformulate when they get down there.”

After one week, they’re coming back with a lot less.

“The clothes that we wear down there, we’ll leave with them,” Hrtyanksi said. “This week, we’ll leave behind our shoes and everything.”

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Charges dropped against 3 Boca Raton residents accused of livestreaming child sex abuse

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Ari Hait

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    PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (WPBF) — Charges have been dropped against three Boca Raton residents accused of livestreaming child sex abuse.

Walquiria Cassini, her boyfriend Ryan Londono, and her adult son Matthew Cassini were all arrested in March 2024.

Cassini and Londono were charged with sexually abusing two young boys for years, recording the acts, and streaming them live online for payment. Matthew Cassini was also charged with sexually abusing the boys.

When the three made their first court appearance, a longtime judge expressed shock at the severity of the accusations, saying, “To shock the court’s conscience is frankly a difficult proposition at this stage of this court’s career.”

The FBI raided Cassini’s home in March 2024, discovering ring cameras, tripods, and other items allegedly used to record the abuse.

However, 19 months later, the charges were officially dismissed on Thursday when the state attorney’s office filed a document which stated, in part, “New information was brought to the state’s attention that requires dismissal of these charges.”

The document did not specify the nature of the new information.

Cassini’s attorneys reiterated the defendants’ longstanding insistence that the allegations were false, releasing a statement that said, “The accusations originated from a vindictive and jealous ex-boyfriend who sought retaliation after being evicted from Cassini’s Boca Raton home.”

The statement further emphasized, “This case serves as a powerful reminder that false allegations can destroy lives, and highlights the need for stronger safeguards when family disputes escalate into criminal accusations.”

Walquiria Cassini and her attorneys have scheduled a news conference for Friday.

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Death threats to ICE on social media connected to Cape Coral man arrested in DHS raid

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By James Curtis, Madison Zaleski

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    CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WBBH) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a statement Friday morning that details what led to a raid in Cape Coral Thursday to arrest a man accused of making death threats toward ICE and its agents on Bluesky.

According to DHS, Joseph Giancola Jr. was arrested after he was accused of posting death threats on the social media platform Bluesky directed toward ICE. DHS said some of the posts include “Shoot the ICE Nazis down like the rabid dogs they are” and “They come near me, and I shoot to kill. Be warned”.

Giancola Jr. is accused of making these death threats on Bluesky under the pseudonym “Cain Delon.”

The raid happened at a home on Chiquita Boulevard around 6 a.m. Thursday. Anna Giancola, who owns the home, said they were awakened by Homeland Security putting a hole through their door.

Anna said she did not receive a warrant until a hole was put in the door. According to Homeland Security, they had a warrant to detain Giancola Jr., her father.

Video from cameras in the home showed men in military grade protection armed with guns entering the home. Anna said one of the men then put a piece of tape over the camera. She also said one of the cameras was ripped out, and the others were turned to face the wall.

According to Anna, everyone in the home was taken outside, and Homeland Security barricaded and searched through every room in the house.

Giancola Jr. is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court Friday afternoon.

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Carlisle Indian School disinterment program returns children to their tribes

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Matt Barcaro

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    CARLISLE, Pa. (WGAL) — The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was the first federally funded, off-reservation boarding school for Indigenous children in the United States. From 1879-1918, approximately 7,800 students were enrolled.

The school, in Carlisle, Pa., became a model for Federal Indian boarding schools and was designed to assimilate Indigenous children into white, American culture.

At least 170 students died while enrolled at Carlisle and were buried at the school’s cemetery.

Over the years, a disinterment program has exhumed the children’s remains to return them to their tribes around the country, so they can receive a proper burial.

WGAL continues to cover developments at the Carlisle Indian School and will update this page with new phases of the disinterment program, student identifications, and repatriations to tribes across the country.

Bookmark the page and check back often for the latest updates as work continues.

Oct. 7, 2025: Sixteen more children return home The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma have successfully returned the remains of 16 children from the Carlisle Indian School Cemetery to their tribal lands, following this year’s disinterment program. That story is here.

Sept. 4, 2025: Work begins to repatriate more remains The Office of Army Cemeteries started work at the Carlisle Indian School Cemetery to repatriate the remains of Native American children, with a focus on returning more remains this year than in any previous year. WGAL’s Matt Barcaro was there.

March 3, 2025: More repatriations announced WGAL learned of U.S. Army plans to repatriate more remains from the Carlisle Indian School cemetery in 2025.

Oct. 25, 2024: President Joe Biden apologizes

President Joe Biden formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of the government-run boarding school system that forcibly separated children from their parents.

History of the Carlisle Indian School Taken from their reservations, thousands of Native American children underwent an education experiment at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School (1879-1918). Capt. Richard Henry Pratt, the school’s founder, summed up his mission in one thought: “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.”

Native children from across the United States and its territories were forced to wear military-style clothes, cut their hair, and give up sacred items they brought to Carlisle.

The Carlisle model spawned 24 other off-reservation schools, according to the National Park Service.

While at the school, at least 170 children died, most likely from disease. They are buried in a cemetery on the current grounds of the Carlisle Barracks at the U.S. Army War College.

Carlisle Barracks also offers a self-guided walking tour of the historic school grounds and lodging accommodations on site. Carlisle Barracks does not charge admission but a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance are required to enter.

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Anne Arundel County police officers recognized for saving individual in cardiac arrest

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Jake Shindel

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    WASHINGTON (WBAL) — Four Anne Arundel County police officers are recognized for actions that saved a man who was in cardiac arrest at a grocery store.

Cpls. Lauren Pridgen, Christopher Terenyi, James Sears and Patrick Madera are the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s Officers of the Month for September.

“These officers are heroes, and their actions serve to highlight the countless acts of valor which often go unnoticed and without the recognition or fanfare such acts deserve,” William Alexander, the CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, said in a statement.

Pridgen, who had saved someone else’s life just days prior, heard a call for a cardiac arrest and responded with an AED. She administered a crucial shock, at which time she was joined by Terenyi, Sears and Madera.

Their CPR efforts saved the man, restoring his pulse and breathing. By the time he was in the ambulance, he was already conscious and breathing on his own.

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad sent a statement to WBALTV.com, saying: “I am incredibly proud of Cpl. Pridgen, Cpl. Terenyi, Cpl. Sears and Cpl. Madera. Their swift and decisive life-saving measures are a profound testament to their dedication and training. For Cpl. Pridgen, to help save a second life in just three days is truly remarkable, and all four exemplify the very best of the Anne Arundel County Police Department.”

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Fire department says Big Springs Fire was caused by large remote-controlled airplane

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Celeste Springer, Mackenzie Stafford, Marina Garcia

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    EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — The Tri-County Fire Department says Thursday’s fire near Yoder, which required the evacuation of homes, was caused by a remote-controlled airplane crash.

According to the department, the remote-controlled airplane was not small in size; it had a wingspan of about 6 feet. The department added that it wasn’t from a hobbyist, but a company nearby that does experimental aircraft testing.

The crash and ensuing fire required a widespread response from fire departments across Southern Colorado, including from departments as far as Fountain and Monument.

The size of the fire can be attributed to lithium batteries in the plane, a spokesperson with the Tri-County Fire Department said.

“In my backyard, pretty much– I just saw, like, smoke and flames, especially in the one back here,” said Kaitlyn Whitmarsh, a resident who lives nearby.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) briefly issued evacuation orders for homes near the fire, which started near 31400 Big Springs Rd.

Residents say they are thankful the flames didn’t take down their homes.

“I just bought this house this year. I don’t know what I would have done,” said Whitmarsh.

But one neighbor, who didn’t want us to share her name, says the flights are constant, loud, and frequently spook her horses.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says the fire was about 80 acres in size. EPSO says they believe the crash was neither deliberate nor reckless; they do not plan to pursue criminal charges.

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East Bay gun shop burglarized for 3rd time in 2 years; $40,000 in guns stolen

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Kevin Ko

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Damon Butts, who owns and operates East Bay Firearms with his brother, saw his family gun store in Livermore victimized for the third time in two years on Saturday.

“Thieves are the worst type of people, and I want to see them brought to justice,” he said. “If this can happen to us here, in what we believe is a very secure facility, it can happen to your business as well.”

Officers responded to the gun store around 4:30 a.m. and found a car rammed through the glass storefront, according to the Livermore Police Department. More than 30 guns worth about $40,000 were stolen.

The Livermore Police Criminal Investigations Bureau and the ATF are currently investigating the burglary. No arrests have been made.

“It’s not the financial losses for us,” Butts said. “It’s the things that they stole that could be used to hurt the community. I’m never going to be okay with that.

Jeff Harp, a security analyst and former FBI agent, is also the son of a former gun store owner.

“My dad’s guns that were stolen in the ’70s were still entered in NCIC (National Crime Information Center) when I was in the FBI in 1995. That’s kind of the course of action that takes place. All these firearms are entered into NCIC in the event they’re used in a crime and recovered,” he said. “Now, catch-22 – if they’re recovered.”

Harp said stolen guns tend to be used in other crimes, sold on the black market, or never found again.

“ATF monitors these stores very closely: their transactions, and the things they do to make sure it’s all above board and above the books. But it doesn’t prevent the bad guys from conducting any sort of surveillance, then hitting the store when they’re not there,” Harp said. “Certainly, you can have a more robust safe, a robust security system, and all those things. But if somebody rams a car in the front of your building, (it) doesn’t do a whole lot of good.”

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Sacramento influencers stepping up to help neighbors bracing for food crisis

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Tori Apodaca

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    SACRAMENTO (KOVR) — As the federal government shutdown continues, communities are stepping up big to feed their neighbors.

A group of influencers in Sacramento is teaming up to use their platforms to give back, as SNAP benefits or federal food aid benefits will stop on Nov. 1.

Sacramento influencer Ashley Newell said donating cash goes further than donating cans.

“They were never meant to fill the gap of SNAP and they are going to try,” said Newell.

Every $1 donated to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services equals three meals.

“It makes me cry,” said Kari Shipman, who is the program director of All Together Now Sacramento. “It makes me so happy.”

Shipman is rallying the community and is overwhelmed by how they have raised nearly $18,000 in just over 24 hours.

“Not going to sit here and say it’s easy to meet this demand, but we’re committed to doing everything we can,” said director of communications at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services Kevin Buffalino.

Buffalino said that they are serving 330,000 people a month, which is way more than they ever have in their 49 years.

He said there are nearly 270,000 people in Sacramento County on SNAP benefits, known as CalFresh in California.

Buffalino said they are bracing for the number of people they serve to surge.

Shipman created a QR code that she hopes people will post on their front doors as children trick-or-treat this weekend, so people have an opportunity to donate.

“I see the faces and the heartbreak of people who are going without food, and it really is gut-wrenching and makes you want to do more,” Shipman said.

Food banks are worried about the need moving forward because CalFresh provides nine meals for every one meal distributed by food banks.

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Orange County deputy arrested for sexual assault of inmate

CNN Newsource on October 31, 2025

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    ORANGE COUNTY (KCAL, KCBS) — The Orange County Sheriff’s Department arrested a deputy for allegedly sexually assaulting a female inmate.

Deputy Leobardo Martinez Garcia, 29, was booked for felony sexual battery and assault under the color of authority. The department placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The alleged criminal conduct of this deputy is a violation of the oath to serve and protect our community, particularly those entrusted to our care in the Orange County Jail,” Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said. “I could not be more disappointed in the actions of Mr. Martinez Garcia.”

The department began its investigation on Oct. 14 after a female inmate told Orange County Jail staff that Martinez Garcia had assaulted her while she was in custody for a separate charge in March 2025. She said she was receiving medical care at a local hospital at the time of the assault.

Investigators served multiple search warrants before arresting Martinez Garcia on Oct. 29.

“I want to assure our community that this is not representative of the professional integrity shown every day by hundreds of deputies and professional staff who serve in custody operations,” Barnes said. “The thorough investigation will continue, and any deputy who fails to uphold the responsibilities of a peace officer will be held accountable through a prompt and impartial process.”

Deputies said they will forward the case to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office or the U.S. Attorney’s Office once their investigation is complete.

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