Ames man accused of sexual exploitation after messaging officer posing as child

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Web Staff

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    AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — An Iowa man is in custody after police say he tried to pay a police officer posing as a child for sex.

John Sprecher, 49, of Ames, used the Telegram app to send messages and calls to an officer posing as a 12-year-old, according to court records.

Sprecher is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and soliciting commercial sexual activity.

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

‘They are living in fear’: Baltimore County councilman introduces bill to protect immigrants

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Barry Simms

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    TOWSON, Maryland (WBAL) — Two bills now before the Baltimore County Council are designed to protect immigrants.

The councilman who introduced the bills during a legislative session on Monday said he did it because he was moved by his faith.

Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka, D-District 2, said immigrant neighbors aren’t just part of the community, they are the community.

With the bills, Patoka hopes to protect immigrants in the county and reduce fear of encounters with ICE and other federal officers.

“Right now, in Baltimore County, they are living in fear, afraid to go to places of worship, afraid to go to work. Children sometimes don’t go to school,” Patoka said.

The bills call for protection from discrimination and unauthorized immigration enforcement by county employees, departments and agencies. They also call for due process under law and advocacy by creating an Office of Immigrant Affairs in the County Executive’s Office.

Patoka said the memorandum of understanding signed between Baltimore County and the federal government sparked the legislation.

The county signed an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. In October, the DOJ removed Baltimore County from its list of designated sanctuary jurisdictions.

In response to the bills, the County Executive’s Office said, in part: “Baltimore County’s immigrant communities are an important part of who we are and a vital part of our economy, culture, and neighborhoods. As these pieces of legislation move forward, we will review them and continue working with the County Council to ensure our policies continue to serve the best interests of all Baltimore County residents.”

Not everyone is for the legislation, though.

“Sanctuary status or anything like that would defy federal immigration enforcement and invite chaos, and by refusing to cooperate with the feds, we risk losing $500 million in federal funding,” said Tim Fazenbaker, a Dundalk resident.

Patoka pushed back.

“In my experience, the two extreme emotions we have are love and hate, and I’m going to move forward with these two bills with love — and push back on hate,” Patoka said.

There will be two work sessions for the bills in January. The final reading and vote is Feb. 2.

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Parents recall terror, relief after 33 children, 5 staff escape Yukon day care fire caused by crash

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Alyse Jones

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    YUKON, Oklahoma (KOCO) — Parents shared their stories of relief after 33 children and five staff members escaped a day care that caught fire Friday.

The fire happened at La Petite in Yukon, near South Mustang Road and West Reno, after a car crashed into the building. Some parents, who were on the way to pick up their children, saw smoke fill the air.

“Our hearts dropped when we saw the smoke and realized what was happening,” Blane Shallenberger, a parent, said.

The fire left holes in the roof, a fence blocking the entrance and it caused the business to close indefinitely. On Monday, parents said they have found childcare replacements.

“It’s hard not to cry, because I remember the way my heart sank,” Jordann Williams, a parent, said.

Panic and fear filled the area until parents saw rows of children waiting in a nearby field. Everyone inside made it out safely.

“Obviously, relief is the biggest emotion I felt. Relief that everyone was OK, and he was OK,” Shallenberger said.

Since that terrifying moment, the day care and the families have been trying to find a place for their children to go.

“We would love to help the families as much as possible. We are opening our doors,” Jana Westberry, owner of Step into Learning, said.

Step into Learning is another childcare center in the area. Westberry said they have stepped up, waiving December fees for families searching for childcare.

“We are praying for that community, and we are there for them however we can stand in the gap,” Westberry said.

Parents told KOCO on Monday that La Petite has been in constant communication, helping them find childcare.

La Petite posted on social media, thanking the first responders, community and everyone who has helped them since the fire. They said next week will determine the next steps for the location.

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San Marcos stays undefeated in league with win over Santa Barbara

KEYT on December 17, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Freshman Josie Drabik scored a game-high 5 goals while senior superstar Charlotte Raisin and sophomore McKenna Stuart tallied 4 goals apiece as San Marcos cruised past Santa Barbara 19-9.

(Josie Drabik scored in every quarter for San Marcos. Entenza Design).

The Royals move to 5-0 in the Channel League and 10-2 overall.

San Marcos led 5-2 after the first quarter and 12-3 at halftime.

(Charlotte Raisin and the Royals limited the Dons to just 3 first half goals. Entenza Design).

Santa Barbara was led by Kana Wolfe and freshman Violette Bailey who scored 3 goals each while star sophomore Jules Horton chipped in with two goals.

The Dons are 12-2 on the season with both losses coming in the Channel League.

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Court documents: Man confesses to killing girlfriend in OKC because she mentioned another man’s name

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Chantelle Navarro

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — A 21-year-old man confessed to Oklahoma City police that he shot his girlfriend, Andrea Leete, after she mentioned another man’s name while they were sitting in a car.

On Dec. 5, multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a call at Lorraine Thomas Park, where they found 22-year-old Leete shot multiple times. Caleb Davila admitted to police that he shot Leete, leading to her death from multiple gunshot wounds.

Officers said she was still alive at the scene.

According to a newly filed arrest affidavit, Davila was sitting in a car with Leete when she mentioned another man. He asked who the person was and demanded to see her phone, but she refused and asked him to get out of her vehicle.

Davila told detectives he “got angry and blacked out,” admitting that he “ruined his life and hers.” He was unsure whether he shot her inside or outside the car.

After the shooting, Davila ran away, called his mom, and she picked him up about a mile down the road near Southwest 24th and Brookline. Davila then took his mom’s car, leaving her on the road, and he led police on a chase.

When they finally caught up with him, he had the gun in the car with him.

Davila is facing charges of first-degree murder and endangering others while eluding police.

Leete was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Davila’s next court date has not been set yet, and he is in jail on a $10 million bond.

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Toddler dead after dad fell asleep with her in hot tub, Osceola deputies say

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Madilyn Destefano

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    OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — A 1-year-old was found unresponsive in a hot tub Saturday just after 3:30 a.m., according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Osceola County deputies and Osceola County Fire Rescue responded to a home off Nice Court in Kissimmee.

The 20-month-old toddler, Azariah Hough, appeared to have drowned in the hot tub, the OCSO said.

The home was listed as an Airbnb, and a family from Washington, D.C., was staying at the residence.

The toddler was transported to Advent Health Celebration, and she was pronounced dead just after 4:30 a.m., the OCSO said.

The father, 33-year-old Reynard Tyrone Hough, told detectives he was with his child in the hot tub and fell asleep with her in his arms. When he woke up, the child was unresponsive, he told the OCSO.

“It’s very hard losing a niece this way and then we have so much hurt for my brother because he’s just so distraught and tore up,” said Angel Hough, his sister.

WESH 2 spoke exclusively with Hough’s sister, brother and mother from Washington, D.C.

They are all heartbroken by this loss and grieving the loss of Azariah.

“She will be missed, and especially just seeing her little butt running around. I just can’t believe it’s almost Christmas and this happened,” said Angel Hough.

Detectives determined the father was neglectful in the death of his daughter, and he was arrested for child neglect with great bodily harm.

Hough told detectives he was drinking that night, and police say alcohol likely contributed to his falling asleep. Hough also ingested two different narcotics before getting into the water with his daughter, he told detectives.

“I feel bad for this mom and dad; they were devastated and they had another 6-month-old child at the home. We do know that watching two small kids can be challenging,” said Capt. Kim Montes, with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

The charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child was added Sunday.

Hough appeared in court Monday and was issued no bond. He remains in custody at the Osceola County Jail. His next scheduled hearing is set for Friday.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Cal Poly can’t complete second half comeback and lose to Montana State

KEYT on December 17, 2025

Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Sophomore guard Cayden Ward (above) finished with a team leading 25 points Tuesday evening, but the Cal Poly men’s basketball program – after trailing Montana State by 14 with four-and-a-half minutes to play – fell to the Bobcats inside Mott Athletics Center, 83-80.

Sophomore guards Hamad Mousa and Peter Bandelj added 16 and 14 points, respectively, for Cal Poly (5-7), which faced a 77-63 deficit before a Mousa three-pointer sparked a 13-2 run that dropped Montana State’s lead to 79-76 with 56 seconds remaining.

A Bandelj layup following a missed Mousa free throw then cut the gap to one with 35 seconds left, but Montana State (5-7) twice escaped Cal Poly’s inbounds defense with dunks at the other end of the floor from guard Patrick McMahon. At the buzzer, a potential game-tying three-pointer from Mousa fell short.

Ward grabbed a game high eight boards for Cal Poly, which outrebounded Montana State, 47-39.

Cal Poly knocked down four of its initial five attempts from the floor Tuesday, taking a 9-2 lead after two minutes before the Bobcats hit back with a 10-1 run. With Montana State leading by as much as 33-27 late in the first half, Cal Poly thrice tied the matchup before a free throw from freshman guard Austin Goode with a second to go handed the Mustangs a 41-40 halftime lead.

Montana State, however, surged ahead for good three minutes into the second half after a three-pointer from guard Jed Miller handed the visitors a 49-46 lead.

Cal Poly Noteworthy (versus Montana State Dec. 16)

Up Next: Cal Poly plays its final scheduled non-conference road matchup of the season when visiting UCLA on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. The Mustangs make their eighth all-time visit to Westwood and first since an 88-83 setback on Nov. 15, 2015.With his 11th double-digit scoring game in as many outings this season, Hamad Mousa maintained the Big West’s scoring lead at 20.1 points per game.Cayden Ward’s 25-point effort – three points shy of his career high – improved his scoring average to 15.2 points per game (10th among Big West players).

(Article courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics).

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Florida anglers set 18 saltwater fishing records in 2025, including 12 youth achievements

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Derrick Shaw

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    FLORIDA (WBBH) — Anglers across Florida made waves this year with 18 new saltwater fishing records approved through the state’s official recognition program, driven largely by a standout showing from youth participants.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, youth anglers claimed 12 of the records in 2025, while adult fishermen and women accounted for six. The program’s growth follows the addition of new Adult and Youth Length and Youth All-Tackle categories last year.

Among the adult accomplishments, Nathanial Campbell set an All-Tackle record with a 27.6-pound yellow jack caught while spearfishing.

Other adult standouts included Carl Caradonna’s 40-inch snook, which surpassed a previous record set earlier in the year, and Billy Ray Pierce’s 6.74-pound red porgy.

Renee Knight and Watson Eugene Wilson also earned length records for snook and red drum, respectively.

Youth standout Julia Bernstein was responsible for five of the 12 youth records, securing top catches in both length and all-tackle categories for species including permit, vermilion snapper and blackfin tuna. Her mutton snapper record, however, was topped later in the year by Jeremiah Pelequin II’s 15.7-pound catch.

The year ended with more shakeups in the Youth All-Tackle category, including Chase Curry’s 3.7-pound spotted seatrout, which bested an earlier record by Cash Ward.

Additional youth record-setters included Theo Zellers with a sheepshead, Harrison Farshid with a black sea bass, Carson Atcheson with a tripletail and Brandon Canedy with a Spanish mackerel.

“It has been so exciting to see anglers of all ages taking advantage of these opportunities in the Fishing Capital of the World,” said Jessica McCawley, director of the Division of Marine Fisheries Management. “The participation we have seen from both adults and youth setting these records really emphasizes the passion Florida has for fishing.”

Despite the banner year, officials said many categories remain open. There are currently two vacant Adult Length records and several Youth All-Tackle openings.

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Prep basketball and soccer scores

KEYT on December 17, 2025

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT). –

High School Boys Basketball:

Dos Pueblos 67, Rio Mesa 53: Wyatt Gardiner scored 31 points and had 13 rebounds for DP.

High School Girls Basketball:

Dos Pueblos 60, Rio Mesa 38: Carly Letendre scored 20 pts, Kindah Ahmad-Reda added 14pts, 13 reb, 9 steals for DP.

Oxnard 46, San Marcos 30: Gia Angell scored 16 points for the Yellowjackets

Buena 62, Santa Barbara 20: Aralynn Hess scored 34 pts for Bulldogs.

Ventura 80, Pacifica 21: Kai Staniland scored 30 pts for Cougars who collected 1,000th career program win.

High School Boys Soccer:

Ventura 4, Dos Pueblos 1

Rio Mesa 2, Buena 0: Miguel Leon and Aiden Gonzalez with the goals for Spartans

High School Girls Soccer:

Dos Pueblos 1, Ventura 0: Paige Ferro scores lone goal.

Buena 4, Rio Mesa 1: Tatiana Padilla with 2 goals and 2 assists for Bulldogs.

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North Naples woman found guilty of using cast-iron microphone stand to kill roommate

CNN Newsource on December 17, 2025

By Web Staff

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    NORTH NAPLES, Florida (WBBH) — A woman was found guilty of killing her roommate with a heavy metal object during an argument inside a North Naples home in 2019, a Collier County jury decided Friday after a four-day trial.

According to the State Attorney’s Office, Amanda Cook was convicted of second-degree murder for bludgeoning her roommate with a 9-pound cast-iron microphone stand.

The incident happened inside a residence the two shared, and authorities said Cook ran to her mother’s nearby home after the attack. Her mother later called 911 after the two returned to the scene.

Investigators with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said the victim’s DNA was found on the base of the microphone stand, while Cook’s fingerprint and DNA were located near the top and above the base. A medical examiner testified the victim’s injuries were consistent with those seen in high-impact car crashes.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22.

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