Reptile sanctuary begins cleanup after fire kills 22 animals, displaces more than 140 in Des Moines

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Pepper Purpura

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — For the first time since a fire tore through Spock’s Sanctuary earlier this month, volunteers were allowed back inside part of the building Monday to begin cleaning soot-covered enclosures and salvaging equipment.

The Des Moines reptile rescue lost 22 animals in the fire. Another 144 survived but had to be relocated to temporary foster homes, the Animal Rescue League and veterinary care facilities while the sanctuary searches for a new location.

The cleanup effort revealed just how extensive the damage was.

While Des Moines fire investigators say the fire itself was mostly contained to a small section of the building, smoke and soot spread throughout nearly the entire sanctuary.

“We’re just trying to scrub off the soot, and then we will clean it again when we find a location that we can move into,” co-founder Cam Reiman said Monday while wiping down tanks and equipment.

The sanctuary says salvaging those enclosures is important because many were custom-built by co-founder Cole Reiman and would be difficult and expensive to replace. Staff say even reusable equipment will still require additional treatment before it can safely house animals again.

“We’re gonna have to put a layer of sealant all over everything to make sure that there’s not any carcinogens being leached from the soot,” Cam Reiman said.

Other equipment cannot be saved at all.

“We’re going to have to start from scratch with a lot of our domes and bulbs,” Reiman said, that is because firefighters were forced to cut through cords and electrical systems in order to rescue many animals from the building.

Fire appears accidental According to Des Moines fire investigators, the fire appears to have started accidentally from a heating device used for the reptiles.

The sanctuary had recently completed a major expansion to accommodate growing interest from the public. Staff said the added space was built after attendance surged following increased community outreach and media attention over the past year.

Much of that expansion is now coated in soot.

Volunteers cleaning Monday described the scene as emotional and overwhelming.

“It was pretty shocking,” volunteer Stella said while helping clean.

Still, she said the number of people who are pitching in was encouraging.

“It’s hard, but it brings me hope that so many people showed up today.”

Relationships built before the fire now helping recovery

Spock’s Sanctuary has spent the past several years building partnerships across central Iowa’s animal care community.

The organization has worked with the Animal Rescue League to help staff and animal control officers safely handle reptiles and exotic pets. It has also partnered with Blank Park Zoo on animal care and outreach efforts while educating thousands of visitors about reptiles through tours, programs, and hands-on experiences.

One training KCCI covered previously ended up becoming critical during the fire response. Spock’s shared reptile handling guidance with first responders. That knowledge helped crews safely remove animals from the burning building the night of the fire.

The Animal Rescue League has also played a major role in the aftermath, temporarily housing animals and helping coordinate care for survivors.

Many reptiles are now being fostered in volunteers’ homes while staff monitors them for smoke inhalation and stress-related injuries. Some animals continue receiving specialized veterinary care, including treatment from reptile specialists in Omaha.

Reiman said the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.

“To actually see that support come to fruition was very surreal for us and absolutely gives us a lot of hope in what our next steps are going to look like,” Reiman said.

How to help Spock’s Sanctuary

Spock’s Sanctuary says it still urgently needs financial support, reptile supplies and help finding a new long-term commercial space.

The sanctuary says donations can be made in several ways:

Monetary donations through the sanctuary website and GoFundMe Supplies through the sanctuary’s Amazon wish list Physical donations, including heat lamps, enclosures and bleach-free cleaning supplies, dropped off at 204 12th Street in Des Moines (see Amazon wishlist for needs) A fundraiser is planned for Wednesday at The Little Book bookstore on Euclid Avenue

The sanctuary says updates on rebuilding efforts and ongoing needs are being posted to its social media pages.

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.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Missouri communities welcome data centers?

KMIZ on May 21, 2026

Matthew Sanders

Gov. Mike Kehoe joined executives from Google on Wednesday in High Hill to celebrate the company’s plan to build a data center near New Florence in Montgomery County.

Part of the message emphasized the benefits of such projects for local communities. In this case, Kehoe said Google plans to invest $15 billion, including infrastructure upgrades. The project will also bring jobs, according to Kehoe and Google.

And, Kehoe said, welcoming such projects helps position Missouri for the future.

But data center plans have also drawn intense opposition in Montgomery County — as have plans for data centers across Missouri and the country.

Do you think communities should welcome data centers? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Senior overcomes gruesome leg injury to qualify for Iowa state track meet

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Scott Reister

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    HUXLEY, Iowa (KCCI) — The first day of this season’s football practice was one Chase Ihle will never forget. The Ballard senior was playing defense when a receiver landed on Ihle’s lower leg.

“I felt the ground,” he said. “I was like ‘something feels off.’ Then I looked. I grabbed my leg. It was dangling at a 45-degree angle to the right.”

He was carried off on a stretcher. “When the ambulance came up to me, my teammates were praying on the field. That made me cry, I’m not going to lie. My football season was over.”

Ihle broke his tibia and fibia. His career as a Ballard football player was over. Surgery to insert a rod and pins was successful, but his leg looked like spaghetti.

His track coach, Darren Herrold, assumed the worst. “I got the X-ray from his football coach,” Herrold said. “I thought, ‘Oh man, I lost one of my leaders, one of my seniors.’ It was not a good picture to see, and I was just hoping he’d be able to walk again as a normal person.”

Ihle did what was necessary. “I did a lot of rehab,” he said.

He healed and started jogging. Still, when track season began in late February, he was nowhere close to being able to run full speed. There was still a lot of pain.

“It still hurts to this day,” he said.

Bit by bit, he built himself up and returned to competition. Last Thursday, he was at the State Qualifying Meet as part of Ballard’s shuttle hurdle relay team.

“I was kind of worried if I was going to let them down.”

Chase didn’t need to worry. He got it done, helping the Bombers qualify for the State Meet.

“I’m kind of proud of myself for that,” Ihle said.

“It’s a great feeling for us,” Herrold said. “Knowing how far he’s come and the miracles of modern medicine.”

“It’s been a journey,” he said.

The state meet starts Thursday.

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‘Frustrating’: Florida county sheriff warns of jury duty scam after victims lose $40,000 in one weekend

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Angela Rozier

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    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WPBF) — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a jury duty scam that has cost victims thousands of dollars.

Scammers are calling residents, claiming they missed federal jury duty and now have a warrant out for their arrest. The callers demand immediate payment to avoid being taken into custody, often requesting payments through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, payment apps, or even cash pickups.

WPBF 25 news was rolling when one of the reported scammers phoned the sheriff’s office Tuesday afternoon while interviewing Sheriff John Budensiek.

Budensiek said these calls happen all the time. He shared details about a similar case this weekend when someone claiming to be a member of the sheriff’s office called a resident.

“Told her that she had a warrant for her arrest and that she needed to buy $26,000 in bitcoin for bond — which she did,” Budensiek said.

The sheriff’s office said that over $40,000 was lost to these scams this past weekend alone, with one victim losing $12,000.

Budensiek admits the chances of the victims getting their money back are not good.

“Zero! Zero,” Budensiek said. “We’ve arrested nobody as a result of this scam, zero.”

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

“It’s frustrating, it’s so frustrating,” Budensiek said.

Officials said no legitimate law enforcement agency or court will ever call and demand money to avoid arrest.

Investigators said the scammers can sound very convincing, often spoofing real phone numbers, using the names of actual judges or deputies, and creating a sense of fear and urgency to pressure people into paying immediately.

The sheriff’s office is urging residents to warn their friends, family, and seniors to help prevent more people from falling victim to the scam.

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.

Florida couple accuses neighbor of harassment, targeting man’s disability

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Jaylen Baron

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    CAPE CORAL, Florida (WBBH) — John Lackey, a Cape Coral resident who has been disabled for more than 22 years, says he and his family have faced troubling interactions with their neighbor, Tam Nguyen, over the past year.

In a video from May 4, 2025, Nguyen appears to taunt Lackey, telling him to wave. Lackey, who has no arms, is seen riding his handicap-accessible bike.

“And he likes to tell me that I’m not waving here. Your he says, you know, waving because he knows that he’s taunting my disability because I don’t have hands to wave,” Lackey said.

The Lackeys claim Nguyen has mocked John’s disability by placing his arms inside his shirt. Nguyen was arrested in May 2025 following the incident, but the State Attorney’s Office initially declined to file charges. Less than a month later, the office reduced the charges to a felony battery charge, which was ultimately dropped in February 2026.

After experiencing other interactions with Nguyen, the Lackeys installed over $4,000 worth of security cameras on their property. Kim Lackey said she had another unsettling encounter with Nguyen last Saturday.

“I looked down there, and he walks into the middle of the street and unzips. And he grabbed his privates, and he shook them at me and then zipped up, and I was shocked,” Kim said.

Nguyen denied the allegations, telling Gulf Coast News, over the phone, that he did not flash anyone.

“I only grab my waistband,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen also claimed his neighbors are discriminating against him because of his race.

The Lackeys said they called the police after the incident. Officers came to their home and took a report, but did not arrest Nguyen. According to John Lackey, police told them they could not make an arrest because they did not witness the exposure, even though it was caught on video.

“He had come back for some additional evidence, and he said that they were reviewing the evidence and talking with the state attorney,” Lackey said.

John and Kim Lackey expressed concern about their children being exposed to vulgar actions and words.

“I think that anywhere you live, you can find individuals that you don’t relate to or even necessarily get along with. But I think it’s up to us to understand that and then not take it any further than that. It doesn’t need to become a more or a continuous battle,” John said.

The Lackeys said police informed them they would work with the State Attorney’s Office to determine if there is enough evidence to take further action.

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Mysterious urn unclaimed after it floated into marina near Fort Myers Beach

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Gina Tomlinson

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    FORT MYERS BEACH, Florida (WBBH) — A mysterious box floating into a marina near Fort Myers Beach has turned into a search for somebody’s loved one.

Employees at Salty Sam’s Marina say a sealed wooden urn drifted into the rocks near the docks a few days ago. When workers picked it up, they quickly realized this wasn’t just another piece of debris floating through the water.

“It’s somebody’s loved one,” said Ryan Vandenabeele, marketing director at Salty Sam’s. “It’s the remains of a person.”

The urn weighs roughly 12 to 15 pounds, has carvings of hands folded in prayer, and appears to be tightly sealed shut. But despite sitting inside the marina office for days, nobody has come forward to claim it.

There are also no labels, names, or identifying markings on the outside of the box.

“Usually, if something like this has been in the water, you’ll start to get some algae growing on it,” he said.

But Morgan McWilliams, general manager at Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services, says the urn itself actually appears older.’

“With the praying hands design,” McWilliams said. “If I had to guess, I would say probably the 80s or 90s.”

McWilliams also said federal regulations require cremated remains scattered at sea to be released at least three nautical miles offshore. He said families are only supposed to scatter ashes directly or use biodegradable urns designed to break down in the water.

“There should be a disc with a specific number that’s attached to the ashes inside of the urn,” McWilliams said. “You have to assign a certain disc number to the individual so you can identify them later if cases like this arise.”

Now, Salty Sam’s says if the family comes forward, the marina says it will offer a free burial-at-sea cruise to help give their loved one a proper final resting place.

Until then, the mysterious urn is safely inside the marina office and still waiting for answers.

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Scam investigation leads to suspect in China, money recovered for victim

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By James Stratton

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    BROOKFIELD, Wisconsin (WISN) — A cryptocurrency scam led police in Brookfield across the world to suspect in China, charges were filed against a man who lives there, and money was recovered for a woman who lost $55,000.

Prosecutors charged Zhao Lin, of Nanchang City, China, with two felonies of conspiracy to commit theft and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Though there’s a slim chance police will ever arrest him.

Prosecutors say a woman called Brookfield police, saying she believed she lost money in an investment scam. The woman told police, according to prosecutors, she met someone on Facebook, and then on WhatsApp, who she thought was helping her invest. A criminal complaint says the woman invested $55,000.

“As soon as the victim transferred the cryptocurrency from the wallet that the victim controlled to wherever the suspect wanted it, it was gone,” said Brookfield Det. Chris Foster, who investigated the case.

Prosecutors say the suspected scammers claimed her money had doubled to $117,000 in January. When she tried to withdraw it and needed to pay a fee, Foster said she believed it was a scam.

Foster and state investigators from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions were able to track down the individual crypto wallet numbers and transaction numbers. Foster then asked the crypto account company to freeze the accounts and hand over the owner’s information. Which, he says, led them to Zhao Lin.

“He was just where the money ended up,” Foster said.

He said police froze three accounts, which eventually will lead to the victim receiving roughly $31,000 back.

“It’s a big deal, it doesn’t happen often,” Foster said.

The Wisconsin DFI declined to comment on this case specifically, saying the investigation is still open, but noted the success rate for recovering stolen crypto funds is not very likely. Though they do get requests from law enforcement for help roughly once or twice per week. Often, police request help tracing crypto, including collecting information and creating affidavits.

In this case, once the accounts were frozen, police say Lin emailed them directly asking for help, saying he did not know why his account was frozen.

Foster responded, asking for his information and how he received the cryptocurrency.

Lin responded and said he couldn’t provide that information, according to an email provided by Brookfield police.

“I obtained USDT [cryptocurrency] through dozens of merchants, and I am unable to provide their information. Please restore my trading privileges as soon as possible. Thank you,” he responded, in part.

“It’s an example of the capabilities of the modern law enforcement agency,” Brookfield Police Chief Chris Garcia said. “To reach halfway across the globe and get a victim’s money back, and then seek some form of justice.”

Garcia said to verify everything before making an investment online, especially if someone contacts you directly. If you think it could be a scam, he suggests calling the police to verify first.

Wisconsin DFI said you can end the conversation by simply saying no. Or turn the tables and ask questions, DFI says a legitimate investment professional must be licensed and registered.

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500 beagles remain at Ridglan Farms as attorneys fight to save them

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Mariana La Roche

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    BLUE MOUNDS, Wisconsin (WISN) — Animal rights attorneys are asking a Wisconsin appeals court to protect hundreds of beagles still at Ridglan Farms in Dane County.

The Nonhuman Rights Project and the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project are appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit involving the dogs.

They are also asking for a court order to stop Ridglan from killing dogs for non-medical reasons while the appeal moves forward.

Last month, Ridglan agreed to sell about 1,500 dogs to rescue groups, but attorneys say about 500 beagles remain at the facility. Ridglan has agreed to surrender its license to breed and sell dogs by July 1.

In a statement, the Nonhuman Rights Project said, “All the remaining beagles have a right to be free from cruelty. Until the Wisconsin Court of Appeals rules on this case… we are simply asking Ridglan Farms not to kill these innocent animals.”

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Aircraft from Vance Air Force Base makes emergency belly landing in Kansas

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Addison Kliewer

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    WICHITA, Kansas (KOCO) — An aircraft from Vance Air Force Base performed an emergency belly landing in Kansas on Tuesday afternoon.

An Air Force T-6A Texan II, a single-engine, two-seat aircraft used to train Joint Primary Pilot Training students, landed at McConnell Air Force Base, according to a news release from the Kansas Air Force base.

Both pilots exited the aircraft without injuries following the emergency landing, according to the news release. Emergency response crews were on the scene immediately, and the pilots were checked by medical personnel.

Students typically fly the aircraft to learn basic flying skills used by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.

The initial investigation is underway. A board of officers will be appointed to formally investigate the incident.

Vance Air Force Base is located in Enid, Oklahoma. The landing took place at McConnell Air Force Base, which is in Wichita, Kansas.

The two bases are about 120 miles apart.

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Kansas City man gets 30 years in federal prison in deadly GPS-tracking ambush case

CNN Newsource on May 21, 2026

By Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — A Kansas City man will spend decades in federal prison after admitting he helped tracked down a vehicle with a GPS device before a deadly shooting outside a grocery store.

Michael Smith, 39, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for cyberstalking resulting in death, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release on Tuesday.

Federal court documents say it was part of a murder-for-hire plot that began in early 2019.

Court records state that Smith and co-defendant Dontay Campbell placed a GPS tracker underneath the victim’s red Chevy Tahoe on March 5, 2019, allowing them to monitor the movements around the region.

Smith used the tracker multiple times to locate the victim before the killing.

On March 16, 2019, Smith followed the victim to a Kansas City grocery store. As the victim returned to the Tahoe, Campbell and another co-conspirator pulled up in a Chrysler Sebring.

Authorities said the gunman jumped out and fired a Ruger .40-calier handgun.

The shooters than circled back through the parking lot and fired additional shots into the SUV before fleeing the scene.

Campbell also attempted to remove the GPS tracker from the victim’s vehicle, but was unable to do so.

Smith later admitted he was paid cash for helping carry out the killing. Campbell has also pleaded guilty and is still awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Kansas City Police Department.

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