Month: March 2026

By Beth Carlson

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    NEBRASKA (KETV) — Historic Nebraska wildfires are nearly contained, including the Morrill and Cottonwood fires, but emergency management crews say they are monitoring the potential for new wildfire outbreaks across the state.

Saturday brought record-high temperatures to Nebraska, an added challenge for firefighters. The Cottonwood Fire incident management team reported an additional 100 acres burned and three unoccupied firefighter vehicles destroyed Saturday as a result.

“The crew parked their vehicles in what we call ‘the black,’ so it was an area that had burned before. They hiked in to work some of these pockets of vegetation that were closer to the line, and while they were gone, the fire burned closer to their vehicles,” Morrill and Cottonwood Fire Public Information Officer David Boyd said.

Emergency management also sent crews to several parts of the state to assist with pop-up fires, including one near McCook. In an official statement, the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department said the fire is now 96% contained, but burned an estimated 800 acres in the blaze.

Boyd said this could be a continued issue with temperatures expected to rise again in the upcoming week.

“The grasses and shrubs and trees are really dry, you have really strong wind, and it’s hot. So those three things combined mean fire can get really active and spread really quickly,” Boyd said. “As we’re going into this week, it’s still just unprecedented conditions for fire.”

In a news briefing Sunday, Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood said he’s working with leaders to continue bringing in support to parts of western and central Nebraska.

“Everything’s getting sent to these areas of Nebraska that were devastated by these brutal fires. We’re going to continue to watch this. We’re going to work as a federal delegation to make sure we get the FEMA resources that Nebraska needs going forward,” Flood said.

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 WLWT Staff

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    LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (WLWT) — A local community is rallying support behind a Lawrenceburg High School freshman who was seriously hurt in a golf cart accident earlier this month.

The incident happened back on March 9 in Hidden Valley. Weeks later, Kate Buescher still remains in a coma.

Buescher is described as an “adventure-loving” soccer star with the biggest heart by those who know her.

On Friday night, her friends, family and community came together at Lawrenceburg High School to pray for a medical miracle.

“She’s really just an amazing person to be around,” said Braelyn Gabbard, a friend of Buescher’s at the vigil. “She’s always super happy and could always just get us out of a bad mood. She’s just an amazing, super sweet person, always.”

“I think once we get to tell her all about this, she’ll love it,” said Aubree White, another friend of Buescher’s. “She’ll just feel so happy that everyone just loves her so much.”

Kate’s friends started a GoFundMe to help pay for medical bills as well as support her parents, who have not left her side.

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 KCCI Staff

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    ANKENY, Iowa (KCCI) — Lexi Frederick loves public speaking and wearing high heels and fancy dresses on the pageant stage. You would never know the 16-year-old from Ankeny deals with cerebral palsy and epilepsy as a result of a stroke she had when she was a baby.

“Kids can have strokes too. It’s part of my life motto, I want everyone to be aware of so they can support and understand others so they won’t avoid them but can help them feel good about themselves,” said Lexi.

Doctors still do not know what caused Lexi’s stroke when she was 6 weeks old. She experiences stiffness on her right side, which makes it difficult to do everyday tasks like tying her shoes. Her service dog, Luna, is her loving companion who is always by her side.

“Sometimes, I feel like I am not as good as others because of the limitations that I have, but I adapt, and I just be myself,” said Lexi.

Lexi has found her passion in participating in pageants. She uses her love of public speaking to spread her message of inclusion and support for stroke survivors and people with disabilities.

“I just want to change the world, make it a better place for everyone, no matter where they come from, not matter what challenges they have. I want everyone to know that even a small thing like a smile makes a difference in the world,” said Lexi.

Lexi is one of the nine finalists for the national Stroke Hero Award given by the National Stroke Association. The winner will be announced May 1.

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 Aaron Parseghian

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    MASSACHUETTS (WBZ) — Sunday was the third day of spring, but it didn’t exactly feel like beach weather. That didn’t stop police officers from several Merrimack Valley-area departments from running straight into the cold water at Short Beach in Nahant.

The event marked the culmination of a fundraising effort that included selling custom patches, helping departments raise thousands of dollars for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“It took a little bit of buy-in, a little bit of selling, but for Make-A-Wish, I think we’re going to brave the waters for this great cause and organization,” said Lt. Brian Gendron of the Westford Police Department.

Westford among eight departments taking part, including Billerica, Chelmsford, Carlisle, Nahant, Stoneham, Tyngsborough, and Tewksbury.

Organizers say the money raised plays a critical role in supporting children facing serious illnesses and their families.

“It raises money that is critical to helping us achieve our mission of granting wishes for children with life-threatening critical illnesses, but also as a show of support for the families that we serve, for these families who are going through so much,” said Kara Walker with Make-A-Wish.

Among those families is the LeConti family. Brianna LeConti’s younger brother Bryce had a wish granted in 2010, an experience that left a lasting impact.

“It was very healing, we got to be together as a family, something that was very rare as he spent most of my childhood in the hospital,” LeConti explained. “Just heal together and be together and be what we would say a typical family.”

Back on the beach, officers sprinted across the sand and into the cold Atlantic Ocean, drawing cheers as they showed their support.

“We have a long-standing culture of community involvement, and if you have a happy police department, you have happy communities, so that’s the most important thing,” said Dep. Chief Gary Hannagan of Chelmsford Police.

The chattering teeth-filled smiles told the story as officers shouted “Make-A-Wish” after emerging from the water.

The fundraising push comes just ahead of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island granting its 11,000th wish to a 4-year-old in Marblehead next weekend.

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 Anahita Jafary

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    STOCKTON, California (KCRA) — Stockton 99 Speedway owner Tony Noceti made a triumphant return to the racetrack for the first time since surviving a head-on car crash, where he was met with an emotional surprise reunion with the couple who helped save his life.

Noceti, who has been recovering for months, expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery. “My biggest challenge has been not being able to get in there hands on and do it. I have to delegate,” Noceti said.

“This is the 77th opener of the Stockton 99 Speedway and we’re giving tribute to Norman David number 77. He raced here for many years,” he added.

“This is the first time I’ve made it out here, so I’ve got my walker going. Thank you all so much for all the prayers, ladies and gentlemen, for helping me and my wife out. We appreciate that,” Noceti added.

In an emotional surprise, the couple who pulled over to help Noceti and his wife the night of the crash were also present at the event. “We’ve never met them other than that night,” said Scott Bollengier, who helped save the Nocetis.

“My dad doesn’t know, but the people who saved his life are also here,” said Noceti’s daughter, adding to the emotional atmosphere of the day.

Sheila Bollengier, who is an RN, recalled her immediate response upon arriving at the scene. “I was there first thing [and what] I had to come up [with] in my mind is I have to make sure they’re okay,” she said.

Scott Bollengier described the situation they encountered. “One of them was wedged under the steering wheel. The other one was in a lot of pain on the passenger side, we released the steering wheel. [Sheila] climbed in the truck with them, and we just kept them awake. We kept them going,” he said.

While Noceti acknowledged that healing has not been easy, relying on his walker, family, and friends made the opening day memorable. “31 days I was in the hospital. I went upstairs and the big boy upstairs pushed the button to send me back down here and said, ‘you’re not done yet’ and it’s been a little tough on me watching everybody do the work around here. But you, the fans, are the ones that make me happy,” Noceti said.

The owner also mentioned looking forward to the 40th Annual San Joaquin Asparagus Festival scheduled for April 24–26.

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 Jacquelyn Quinones

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    SANTA CRUZ, California (KSBW) — A historic radio station building on Portola Drive in Santa Cruz is now up for sale after its previous owner, Michael Zwerling, decided to sell it following decades of ownership.

“That opportunity came 24 years after January 4, 1967, on January 31, 1991, when I became the owner of this property,” Zwerling said.

Once Zwerling became the owner, KSCO also became his radio station, and at 74 years old, he is finally ready to retire.

“Still love the place, still love the idea of being a voice for everyone who chooses to use it, but it’s time to pass the baton,” Zwerling said.

The property includes several amenities, such as a lagoon and a crashing surf, which Zwerling affectionately calls KSCO beach, though it is technically known as Cochrane Beach or Santa Maria Beach. Additionally, there is a bomb shelter built in the mid-1950s to early 60s.

“It’s so unique, it has coastal character, it has coastal convenience, and it has amazing architectural design so bit century, nearly 5,000 square feet of building, nearly 7 acres of lagoon and ocean front obstructed views,” Zwerling said.

According to the listing agent, the property offers a unique opportunity for various uses, including business or residential.

“It’s a real unique opportunity for someone to come in whether it’s residential or business. This property can be separated to sell just the business or just the property and the building,” the listing agent said.

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 Jane Kim

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    SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A 100-year-old Escondido man who received the Medal of Honor for his service during the Korean War was honored Saturday with his own day in San Diego.

Fighter jets flew over the USS Midway as Royce Williams looked on. March 21st will now be known as Captain Royce Williams Day in San Diego.

“I want to tell you that I’m not here just because I did it by myself. I’ve had so many wonderful people dedicating hard efforts going. It’s unbelievable effort and use of their time on my behalf,” Williams said.

In late February, Williams was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor at the president’s State of the Union.

ABC 10News previously spoke with Williams about his 1952 battle during the Korean War, where he faced seven Soviet pilots alone.

“But I could see clearly because of their contrails that there were seven and as they flew over me, I could see that they were MiG-15s, a superior fighter airplane,” Williams said.

Williams shot down four of them before returning to his aircraft carrier.

Saturday’s ceremony paid tribute to Williams for his bravery and going beyond the call of duty for his nation. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria awarded Williams with his honorary day.

“I am proclaiming today, March 21st, to be Captain Royce Williams Day throughout the city of San Diego in recognition of all that you’ve done for us, sir. We honor you, we respect you, we are proud of you, and we’re grateful to all you are amazing,” Gloria said.

The day honors an incredible legacy for a man who sacrificed so much for his country.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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.