Oklahoma family seeks help to recover stolen sign from ‘Rain Man’ film location

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Jason Burger

Click here for updates on this story

    COGAR, Okla. (KOCO) — A family in Cogar is asking for help to find a stolen vintage sign from a historic service station that was featured in the 1988 movie “Rain Man.”

Cheryl Lockstone, the niece of the property owner, shared memories of the filming.

“They stopped the traffic going down the highway. And my grandparents sat across the street and watched the filming from the movie there,” Lockstone said.

Cheryl’s grandparents bought the gas station and general store in 1958, and several family members worked there for decades. She even grew up in the house behind the building for a few years.

The station closed in the late 1980s, but it remains a significant landmark due to its appearance in “Rain Man.” Dustin Hoffman once described the local people as “the loveliest people you could ever hope for.”

>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel

Cheryl is now asking for help after the iconic “APCO” sign that stood tall on the property was stolen.

“It’s a big gaping hole where that sign is missing right now, and that is the first thing people noticed, is what happened to the sign, and why is it gone,” she said.

Cheryl believes the theft was deliberate, noting that the sign was removed from its frame and the bolts were undone.

“They have reached out and said, there’s no way the wind could have blown that out, you needed a lift, or ladder, some bolt cutters — you had to know what you were doing, and it’s very heavy,” she said.

The sign, considered a collector’s item, went missing around Oct. 26 or 27. Cheryl hopes someone might have seen or recorded something that could help recover it.

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.

“If they have dash cameras or if anyone around here has security cameras that might see the sign in the back or a truck, or a travel trailer,” she said.

Cheryl spoke of the importance of the sign to her family and the community.

“I don’t want them to collect our property thinking it’s abandoned or derelict, or unloved or unused, because it does mean something to our family and the community here in Cogar,” Lockstone said.

As of Thursday night, the sign has not been found.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Making a Difference: Central Oregon’s Bethlehem Inn transforms lives through shelter, help, and hope

KTVZ on November 7, 2025

Kelsey Merison

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At KTVZ News, we focus our resources on bolstering the health and well-being of Central Oregon’s youth through our 21 Cares for Kids partnerships. 

We have six incredible community partnerships that we’re highlighting through a monthly segment called ‘Making a Difference’.  This month we’re spotlighting Bethlehem Inn—a community-supported, high barrier emergency shelter nonprofit in Bend and Redmond. 

“Our mission is transforming lives together through shelter, help, and hope. And the really most important part of that line is the together,” said Michael Hancock, the executive director of Bethlehem Inn. 

Executive Director Michael HancockExecutive Director Michael Hancock

Bethlehem Inn has been making a difference in our community since 1999. 

“We serve just under 200 people a night. But I don’t want anybody to believe that all we do here is provide a warm place to stay and food and hygiene supplies,” Hancock said. 

It provides a warm, safe place to sleep, nourishing meals, and case management services for adults and children experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon. 

“We have a work experience program where we’re helping people gain skills. We bring on-site, vendors who come in and do financial education, employment education, just a variety of things to bring about skills,” said Hancock. “So that when people do get out of this shelter, we’re helping them break out of the cycle of homelessness, rather than just spiraling back.” 

Bend Campus-Credit: Bethlehem Inn

The work couldn’t be done without support from the community. 

“It really does take a village for this mission,” Hancock said. “And we’re so fortunate to be in this village.” 

Bethlehem Inn is getting ready to open a thrift boutique in Redmond so it can bolster its work experience program, hire past participants, and earn additional funds for operations.  

We’ll keep you updated on the opening date but it should be in the coming weeks. 

Click here to learn more about Bethlehem Inn. 

Click here to follow the original article.

South Academy widening project in El Paso County nears completion

KRDO on November 7, 2025

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A major road project that many people thought would never end is now just a few months from being finished.

Officials said that most of the 2-1/2 year, $70 million widening of 1.5 miles of South Academy Boulevard, between Interstate 25 and Milton E. Proby Parkway, should be completed by early January.

The project is the fourth and final phase of the MAMSIP (Military Access, Mobility, and Safety Improvements Projects), designed to increase traffic flow and safety in and around local military installations.

Brett Hartzell, project manager for the South Academy phase, stated that the traffic impacts should be resolved by early January, but final aspects of the project will continue through the winter.

“There is still some scour and bridge work that we plan to do,” he explained, referring to the pillars of the two bridges over Fountain Creek. “Winter is the best time for that because that’s when the creek flow is lowest. The work is similar to what we did early in the project, in late fall 2023 and winter 2024. We’re having to do more of that work than expected.”

Hartzell said that the bridges are approximately 50 years old and that the repair work should extend their use by another 25 to 30 years.

Drivers should expect to see continued occasional lane shifts and ramp closures as crews finish lane striping, constructing medians, and installing new street lights.

The completed project will make entering and exiting South Academy much easier from three major access points: I-25, Highway 85/87, and Bradley Road.

Perhaps the project’s largest impact was on the Stratmoor Valley neighborhood, on both sides of South Academy near I-25, with the only two ways in and out going through the construction zone.

Crews installed sound walls to reduce noise and built sidewalks in common areas along the walls.

“I’m excited, for sure,” said Andrew Piercy, a neighbor. “It’s been frustrating, for sure. You know, they had this exit closed one day, and then that one down there closed another day. And, you know, getting onto Academy going this way, was closed. It caused a lot of issues with me getting to work and all kinds of stuff.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Families say tax bills should reflect their neighborhood’s ‘terrible’ condition

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Chad Mills

Click here for updates on this story

    CITRUS COUNTY, Florida (WFTS) — Inverness Village 4 in Citrus County was supposed to be a fresh start for families. But years after buying homes in the relatively new subdivision, residents say they are still dealing with crumbling, unpaved roads and no drainage system. Now, some are asking the county to adjust their property taxes until the problems are fixed.

Thursday, seven homeowners appeared before a special magistrate at Citrus County’s Value Adjustment Board to challenge their property tax bills.

Some argued their assessments should be reduced by $109,000, the amount county officials once estimated it would take each homeowner to pay to fix the neighborhood’s failing roads.

Others asked for a full exemption until the roads are repaired.

“If not tax exemption, then reduce the property tax by $109,000,” said homeowner Josie Rivera. “We don’t feel we should pay taxes until this is resolved.”

The Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office acknowledged the poor conditions but pushed back and noted that homes in the subdivision are still selling. Six properties in 2025 alone have sold for an average of nearly $248,000.

Nevertheless, reps from the Property Appraiser’s Office said they applied a 15% downward “external obsolescence” adjustment to account for the neighborhood’s challenges.

“We’re not arguing the fact that the roads are terrible. And the developer and the county has probably dropped the ball on those folks, and we’re as sorry for that as we can possibly be,” said Herb Mack of the Property Appraiser’s Office.

“We’re just doing the job that the state demands of us,” he continued.

For homeowners like Rick and Jessica Biddlecom, the adjustment does not go far enough.

“It hurts so much, you know,” Jessica said. “Our dream turned into a nightmare.”

The special magistrate will review testimony and evidence before issuing a recommendation at a later date.

Until then, residents were encouraged to pay their taxes during November, during the discount period, with any potential relief applied as a credit or refund later.

The hearings are the latest chapter in a years-long struggle over who is responsible for fixing the neighborhood and who should pay for the repairs. Homeowners have been stuck in a stalemate between the Citrus County Government and those who constructed the subdivision.

Over the years, portions of the subdivision’s sandy streets have become nearly impassable.

There have been multiple instances during which delivery trucks, work vehicles and even emergency vehicles became stuck on the sandy roads.

In one case last February, a Citrus County Fire Rescue truck got stuck while leaving a medical call in the neighborhood. While the fire department has four-wheel drive vehicles, the incident highlighted the safety risks for residents who lack similar vehicles.

Homeowners have said they were misled when they purchased property in the subdivision. They believed paved roads and drainage would be installed as part of the development.

In July, the Southwest Florida Water Management District filed a lawsuit against Citrus County and parties connected to the development. The agency claims homes were built without required environmental permits designed to prevent flooding, erosion and other hazards. The lawsuit seeks compliance rather than punishment, emphasizing that the neighborhood must have a functioning drainage system for the health and safety of the public.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Flight reductions at 40 airports; including airports to and from Columbia Regional

KMIZ on November 7, 2025

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Federal Aviation Administration will be officially cutting thousands of flights a day, starting Friday at 40 major airports across the country, due to the ongoing government shutdown. The affected airports include those with flights to and from Columbia Regional Airport.

The maximum reduction of flights will be 10%, but will start at 4% on Friday. The cuts will increase to 6% on Tuesday, then 8% on Thursday and up to 10% next Friday. Airlines will decide which specific flights to cut.

Three major airports that fly to and from Columbia Regional Airport are on the list of airports that will be seeing flight cuts (Dallas-Fort Worth International, Chicago O’Hare International and Denver International).

Columbia Regional Airport Manager Mike Parks told ABC 17 News, “At this time, I am unsure if it will directly impact COU flights. I’ve not seen any specific flight decisions, but will continue communicating with both airlines so we can share updates when we have them.”

American Airlines and United Airlines fly out of COU and both put out statements on social media Thursday regarding the flight cuts, stating customers can be refunded for flights without penalty or will be rebooked.

United Airlines will preemptively cancel about 200 flights starting Friday, roughly 4% of the airline’s Friday schedule and comprising mostly regional flights. It will cancel about 4% again on Saturday and Sunday.

American Airlines reduced flight schedules by 4% at 40 airports Friday through Monday, amounting to about 220 flights canceled each day.

Delta Air Lines has canceled around 170 regional and mainline flights that were scheduled on Friday, and more regional flights will be canceled. Around 100 Southwest Airlines flights will be canceled Friday.

Click here to follow the original article.

Meet Splash, the otter helping deputies find human remains and solve underwater mysteries

CNN on November 7, 2025


WFOR

By Sergio Candido

Click here for updates on this story

    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WFOR) — A Florida sheriff’s office is diving into a new kind of innovation — literally. Meet Splash, a 2-year-old otter trained to assist the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in search and rescue missions by detecting human remains underwater.

Traditionally, K-9 units lead investigators to the water’s edge in missing persons cases. But now, the sheriff’s office is taking that next step into the water with Splash, believed to be the first otter in the U.S. trained for recovery missions.

Authorities said Splash uses a unique technique to locate human scent underwater: he releases air bubbles that capture and carry scents to the surface, allowing him to pinpoint areas of interest for divers and investigators.

Law enforcement officers from across Florida watched Splash in action during a recent demonstration, where the otter showed off its remarkable skills. Officials said Splash has already been deployed on more than 20 missions, helping locate four bodies so far.

“We see a lot of innovative technology, but this is really going back to basics: using an animal to do what it does best,” Sheriff John Budensiek said. “He works in his natural environment and detects things that don’t belong there.”

The sheriff’s office said Splash represents a new kind of partnership between humans and animals in public safety, one that blends instinct, training, and trust. And while artificial intelligence continues to expand in policing, Splash proves that sometimes, nature still has the upper hand.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Meet Splash, the otter helping deputies find human remains and solve underwater mysteries

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Sergio Candido

Click here for updates on this story

    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WFOR) — A Florida sheriff’s office is diving into a new kind of innovation — literally. Meet Splash, a 2-year-old otter trained to assist the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in search and rescue missions by detecting human remains underwater.

Traditionally, K-9 units lead investigators to the water’s edge in missing persons cases. But now, the sheriff’s office is taking that next step into the water with Splash, believed to be the first otter in the U.S. trained for recovery missions.

Authorities said Splash uses a unique technique to locate human scent underwater: he releases air bubbles that capture and carry scents to the surface, allowing him to pinpoint areas of interest for divers and investigators.

Law enforcement officers from across Florida watched Splash in action during a recent demonstration, where the otter showed off its remarkable skills. Officials said Splash has already been deployed on more than 20 missions, helping locate four bodies so far.

“We see a lot of innovative technology, but this is really going back to basics: using an animal to do what it does best,” Sheriff John Budensiek said. “He works in his natural environment and detects things that don’t belong there.”

The sheriff’s office said Splash represents a new kind of partnership between humans and animals in public safety, one that blends instinct, training, and trust. And while artificial intelligence continues to expand in policing, Splash proves that sometimes, nature still has the upper hand.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Uber passenger accused of choking female driver with wire and stealing her car

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Penny Kmitt

Click here for updates on this story

    BOSTON (WBZ) — A man accused of choking his female Uber driver with a wire and stealing her car in Boston was ordered held without bail Friday.

Christopher Dawkins, 24, of Dorchester, was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on several charges, including carjacking, strangulation, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and larceny of a motor vehicle. He hid behind a wall during the hearing as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Boston Police said the Uber driver picked up Dawkins in Cambridge Thursday evening and, a short time later, just after 6:30 p.m., he attacked her when she stopped the car at the intersection of Massachusetts and Columbus avenues in the South End.

“She said that he pulled a wire around her neck and stole her car. She came out screaming and yelling and called the police,” said witness Stergios Sanxaridis, who was working at nearby New York Pizza at that moment. He told WBZ-TV that the woman ran into the shop begging them to call 911 for her.

The driver was taken to the hospital, but she did not appear to be seriously hurt.

“It seemed like she had a mark on her neck,” Sanxaridis said. “It’s very traumatizing.”

Police said the driver’s phone was still in her car, so they were able to track it to Stanwood Street and Blue Hill Avenue. Officers stopped the car and arrested Dawkins. He is due back in court November 13. The Uber driver was granted a restraining order against Dawkins.

Uber says it has banned Dawkins’s account.

“What this driver experienced is terrifying,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “We’ve been in contact with the driver to check on their wellbeing and are thankful to law enforcement for their quick action. We are standing by to assist however we can in their investigation.”

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

‘Such a need for it’: Moore mother sets up ‘little food pantry’ to aid neighbors

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Meghan Mosley

Click here for updates on this story

    MOORE, Okla. (KOCO) — Amber Anderson, a mother in Moore, Oklahoma, has created a “little food pantry” in her front yard to support families during a time of uncertainty caused by frozen benefits and furloughed jobs.

“I see such a need for it, lots of moms online talking about how they can’t afford to feed their kids, and I don’t think any kid should have to go hungry or any family should have to stress about that,” Anderson said.

Anderson, who has experienced struggles herself, is determined to ensure no other families have to go without.

“We’ve struggled ourselves in the past,” she said. “It’s a very tight-knit community here in Moore, and we live right next to the Title 1 school, and a lot of families in the area who need the help. So sometimes we’ll have kids stop by after school and grab things off the table.”

She spoke of the importance of the pantry amid the SNAP freeze and furloughs due to the federal government shutdown.

“I think the need is a lot greater than people realize.”

Anderson’s message to anyone struggling right now is one of hope: “It’ll get better. It seems rough right now, but it’ll get better. We’ve been there; things always turn around.”

Anderson hopes to see this movement spread, encouraging more people to set up similar pantries in their neighborhoods.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

‘She’s a fighter’: KETV reconnects with inspiring family whose daughter was born with nearly no brain

CNN Newsource on November 7, 2025

By Samantha Pastorino

Click here for updates on this story

    OMAHA, Neb. (KETV) — Nearly 10 years ago, KETV brought viewers the story of the Simpson family.

The family’s daughter, Alex, is extremely unique; she was born with hydranencephaly, a rare condition with an extremely low survival rate.

“(Hydranencephaly) means that her brain is not there, not half a brain, her whole brain. Technically, she has about half the size of my pinky finger of her cerebellum in the back part of her brain, but that’s all that’s there,” Alex’s dad, Shawn Simpson, said.

Now, almost a decade later, we’re back as the family celebrates another milestone birthday for their daughter.

When asked how their daughter got here, when doctors initially told them she wouldn’t live past 4 years old, parents Lorena and Shawn Simpson answered “love.”

Lorena and Shawn say Alex has grown calmer and healthier over the years.

While the parts of Alex’s brain that see and hear aren’t there, Alex’s siblings and parents say they see and know her personality.

“When I went up there and talked to her a little bit ago, she was looking for me,” Shawn said.

That’s what Alex’s younger brother, SJ, says, too.

He was too young to interview with us back in 2016, but now he’s eager to share how proud he is to be Alex’s brother.

“When people ask about my family, the first thing I start with is Alex, my sister,” SJ said.

The 14-year-old says he researches Alex’s condition often to be as supportive as possible to Alex and his parents.

“Say somebody’s stressed around her, nothing will even happen, it could be completely silent, but Alex will know; she’ll feel something. If my grandma is hurting in her back, Alex will radiate off of it. It’s crazy,” SJ said.

The Simpsons say Alex’s spirit inspires them all.

“Twenty years ago, we were scared. Faith is what really kept us alive,” the family said.

Alex celebrated her 20th birthday on Nov. 4.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.