Month: February 2026

By Jacob Jansen

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    DAVENPORT, Iowa (KCCI) — What started as a gift from her great-grandmother has grown into a Guinness World Records title for a Quad Cities collector.

Cammie Pohl’s Mississippi Spoon Gallery in Davenport now holds more than 38,000 spoons, the largest spoon collection in the world, according to Guinness.

The Mississippi Spoon Gallery, 902 East River Drive, has just been crowned the Guinness World Record’s Largest Spoon Collection.

The owners say their collection of spoons pays tribute to America’s 250 years of history and the history of the Quad Cities area.

“A lot of displays go in, some displays go out,” said Pohl. “When you have over 38,000 spoons, I can only hang approximately, a little over 9,000, maybe 10,000 in the gallery.”

For Pohl, her collection began 36 years ago when her great-grandmother gifted her with her first spoon set, before she left to serve our country.

Pohl said her great-grandmother told her “not to open them until either I got married or bought my first home.”

She stored the boxes before leaving for basic training, and when she returned from the Army and bought her first home two years later, her great-grandmother had already passed away.

“When I got to open up those boxes, I got to celebrate her life all over again,” Pohl said.

A full-circle moment, as Pohl says, because spoons represent a beginning.

“It was the first utensil ever made,” Pohl said.

And spoons are part of stories in our country’s history.

“The souvenir spoon craze didn’t hit here in America until 1891 after the Salem Witch Spoon was actually made and that’s what started the whole craze here in America,” Pohl said.

And Pohl’s collection even highlights the Quad Cities’ history.

“I have the Tri-Cities spoons, before we became the Quad Cities,” Pohl said. “I have Chief Blackhawk spoons. Chief Blackhawk was born over in Rock Island on the cliffs of the Rock River.”

For Pohl, what began as a gifted set of spoons has quickly grown into a passionate pursuit to display our nation’s history.

The Mississippi Spoon Gallery opened in August 2023 and has brought in visitors from near and far.

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.

By Andres Valle

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    TRUCKEE, California (KCRA) — The town of Truckee gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the nine backcountry skiers who died in an avalanche in Nevada County.

Tears streamed over a candle-lit plaza in downtown Truckee as hundreds came together on Sunday evening.

“The families carrying those losses bear a weight that is unbearable,” said Courtney Henderson, Truckee’s vice mayor.

The vigil was held in front of the eagle statue, drawing a large crowd.

Mercie Galvin, an attendee, said, “Just hearing the helicopters the last couple of days with, you know, recovery, it’s just a lot of noise that breaks your heart.”

“It’s just it’s so sad. And we’re really sorry for the families and the survivors. It’s just really tragic,” said Linda Williams.

The emotional impact was palpable, as one attendee noted, “The energy levels are just not the same.”

Many wrote messages over nine hearts, each representing a victim.

“I’m sure that they are leaving an amazing legacy behind for their children and their husbands, and all the rest of their friends. It’s just really tough,” said Sue Ireland.

The vigil included a local church choir singing “Amazing Grace” and a moment of silence.

Through community support, Truckee is proving that no one should grieve alone.

“Grief has a way of making us feel very small and very isolated. My deepest hope for tonight is that you feel the opposite,” said Henderson.

Dozens left candles and flowers at the memorial, and the vigil also paid respects to other skiers killed at nearby resorts, as well as the attack on the Tahoe Titans.

As we’ve reported, 15 people have died on the Tahoe area slopes this year. That includes five unrelated deaths at ski resorts and a January avalanche in the Castle Peak area.

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.

By Sam Smith, Nicholas Gallo

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    NEW MEXICO (KOAT) — Professional hockey is returning to New Mexico after 17 years, as the New Mexico Goatheads announced their NHL affiliation with the Colorado Avalanche, drawing over 2,000 fans to Rio Rancho for the celebration. The announcement was made Saturday, Feb. 21.

According to the ECHL, the agreement establishes a formal player development partnership, creating a clear pathway for players to advance within the Avalanche system while bringing professional hockey back to New Mexico.

“The timing of the affiliation worked out perfectly,” Goatheads General Manager Jared Johnson said. “Outside of the name, probably the second-biggest secret we’ve had to keep in the last six months.”

Johnson also said the Colorado Avalanche were the only team the Goatheads talked to, as they were looking for a new team in the ECHL due to their current team’s relocation at the end of the year.

“It’s a close affiliation, you know,” said Mike Battaglia, who is head of U.S. scouting for the Colorado Avalanche. “It’s a fresh start with hockey here and for us.”

The partnership aims to develop players for the next level. “It’s a way for us to bring more prospects in and have a little more time with all of them,” Battaglia said.

The team plans to bring a consistent style to their play, emphasizing speed and competitiveness. “We like to play fast and we like to be competitive,” Battaglia said. “Those are two huge things for us. The only way players get better is by playing, and that’s a big piece, and winning. Hopefully we can establish that environment here.”

The team also announced their mascot Billy as he energized the crowd, which has been eager to watch competitive hockey. While the possibility of hosting a preseason game with the Avalanche was discussed, the Goatheads’ general manager indicated it likely won’t happen this year but could occur in 2027.

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.

By Paul Burton

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A Black artist is highlighting the achievements of African Americans and their role in United States history through art for Black History Month.

Behind each of George Freeman’s paintings is the story of a person who never gave up, even in the face of immense discrimination, violence, and death. He describes his style as street art on canvas, focusing on subject matter that resonates throughout generations and paying homage to those who led the way.

“I grew up in that comic book era, where it’s an exaggerated feature era. It’s taking these styles and putting it in the historical context of specific people I want to show as superhero-like,” he said.

Freeman said today’s social climate inspired him to do the “Freedom Fighters” exhibit, which celebrates the heroes of the Black community in a unique way.

“A lot of history is being challenged in a way almost kind of washed away and to be honest this history is going to help us move forward because we are dealing with a lot things that we dealt with in the past and they also do give us the blueprint on how to move forward and how to make a better society,” he said. “To go on a learning journey. More impactful now and need these lessons these historical figures have given us or it will all be in vain.”

He has painted Ella Baker, Martin Luther King Jr., Shirley Chisholm, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Harriet Tubman. Inside each piece are little lessons that describe who each person was.

“These are people that inspire me every day,” Freeman said.

Freeman’s collection is open to the public and on display at The Muse on Blue Avenue in Dorchester on February 28. He is donating part of the proceeds from his art back to the community.

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.

By Josh Taylor

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Friday was “Pim Neill Day” in the city of Pittsburgh. The 6-year-old is doing something no one has ever done as a Girl Scout, going viral for her cookie-selling ambitions.

In her first season, she has sold more than 100,000 boxes of cookies, and on Friday, she even got to sell a couple of boxes in the mayor’s office.

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor welcomed Neill and her dad into the mayor’s office on Friday for a special ceremony. The mayor presented her with a proclamation that officially declared today as Pim Neill Day.

Neill and her family are residents of the city, although Neill’s Girl Scout troop is based in the Baldwin-Whitehall area.

As of Friday afternoon, she has officially sold more than 117,000 boxes of cookies. It’s thanks to a social media campaign that has seen multiple videos go viral. She even sold 20,000 in one day.

O’Connor says you can tell she has a “passion” for selling cookies, and her story is a positive message for everyone.

“I think it’s amazing what her story is to so many people, and how many people she has inspired. And then to have her be from Pittsburgh, it really helps promote our city too. So she’s not only inspiring people, but she’s helping to promote Pittsburgh and the city. Credit to her, she was very aggressive in getting me to buy cookies.”

Neill’s original goal was 10,000 cookies and then once she passed that, it became 100,000. Now she has her eye on the career record of boxes sold by one Girl Scout that is around 180,000.

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.

By Tiara Leflore

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — As prom season approaches, more than 200 high school juniors and seniors from across Jackson lined up Saturday outside Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for the annual Her Prom Closet gown fitting.

The event, sponsored by Memphis-based Couture Cares, let students try on and take home formal gowns at no cost.

“They will come and be able to try dresses on at no cost, take it home, wear to the prom and say yes to the dress,” organizers said.

Davina Jones of Couture Cares said the program aims to ease financial burdens on families so parents can focus on other priorities like college and graduation.

“We’re just trying to take the burden off these parents at this expensive cost and in these times that we’re in,” she said.

Senior pastor Reginald Buckley, who has hosted the fitting at Cade Chapel for eight years, framed the event as more than a wardrobe giveaway.

“As they say yes to the dress, they’re also saying yes to something much deeper — saying yes to themselves, saying yes to the image of who they want to be, who they are attempting to become, and who God has already ordained them to be,” Buckley said.

Buckley added that the goal is to build confidence and integrity in the students.

“A sense of beauty that goes beyond the exterior of the dress and the exterior of the face — it really begins with who they believe they are at their core,” Buckley said.

In addition to gowns, teens had the chance to compete for scholarships and receive dorm supplies to help with the transition to college.

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.

By Megan Matthews

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    CLARKSVILLE, Indiana (WLKY) — Nearly 150 handmade bowls lined the walls at Our Lady Providence High School, not as decoration, but as a visual reminder of neighbors facing food insecurity.

The display was part of “Empty Bowls,” a student- and staff-led event that raises awareness about hunger while generating support for local food pantries. Attendees were invited to enjoy soup and rolls, then take home a handcrafted bowl meant to keep the cause top of mind long after the meal.

“It’s a reminder for us, for people that do have food every day, because we are so lucky, we should be grateful for what we have and what we are able to donate to the less fortunate,” Brennan Hall, a junior at the school, said.

Staff say the work behind the event spans the entire school year, with students involved in nearly every detail, from creating the bowls to designing event materials.

“All year long, the students are putting together the whole event,” Tina Cooper, the art teacher, said. “So from starting to make 150 bowls, they also do all the gift bags and design the T-shirts and all the signs, and then digital design also.”

Cooper said the bowls are intended to serve as a lasting symbol of those who go without.

Funds raised through the event will benefit the food pantries at Holy Family Church and St. Anthony’s Church.

“They both have their own food pantries. But it’s open to the public in the community, not just our diocese families,” Cooper said. “And so all the money raised, we divide it by two, and we give half to one and half to the other.”

Organizers hope the event continues to grow, making a difference, one empty bowl at a time.

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.