Month: June 2026

By Christian Petersen

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    GREENSBORO, Georgia (WXII) — The parents of 2-year-old Er’Mias Mitchell are seeking a criminal investigation after he died last July following a dental procedure at Valleygate Dental Surgery Center in Greensboro.

Sharde Sherrill and David Mitchell described their son as a healthy, playful, and smart child who loved spending time with his father.

“He is very, very playful. He can go on and on and on. He’ll wear you out,” Sherrill said.

“Er’Mias was my best friend. That was like my mini-me. We did everything together,” Mitchell said.

Sherrill recalled how her son would join his father while working on the car.

“I used to work on my car outside. He would come out there and try to grab tools and try to do it with me all the time, too. It just made me think I did something about him, like he was just like his own little man, but he was just like a super mini man in a sense,” Mitchell said.

Their lives changed forever last July when Er’Mias died after being given anesthesia before a dental procedure.

“The day he died, a lot of me died that day too. And I’ve been struggling to go on because I feel like it’s unfair,” Sherrill said.

Sherrill and Mitchell said they were not informed by staff at Valleygate Dental Surgery Center that their son was in distress while they waited in the waiting room.

According to the autopsy report, Er’Mias went into cardiac arrest after receiving a second dose of Propofol to sedate him. He later died at the hospital.

“Every day, I’m just hoping I’m living in a dream. I’m hoping when I wake up, I hear my son say, ‘Mama.’ But then I wake up and I don’t hear it. So then I realize it’s my new reality that my baby is, he’s gone,” Sherrill said.

Er’Mias’ parents said they were unaware he had been given Propofol and are calling for a criminal investigation into his death.

In a letter obtained by WXII, Guilford County District Attorney Avery Crump said their office does not comment on whether an investigation is being conducted. Crump wrote, “The medical examiner lists the manner of death as natural and I am not aware of this conclusion being amended.”

Sherrill said, “They will see then our son did not die of natural causes. My son went to a dental procedure and went into cardiac arrest. And something led to him going into cardiac arrest.”

The North Carolina Medical Board said all investigations are confidential. Er’Mias’ parents and their attorney plan to hold a news conference tomorrow in front of the Guilford County Courthouse, urging the district attorney to investigate their son’s death.

Valleygate Dental Surgery Center has not responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Greensboro Police Department said there are no updates in the case.

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 Cameron Polom

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    SCOTTSDALE, AZ (KNXV) — Most people think about retirement in their late 80s, but Scottsdale’s Elliot Koidin was looking for a job.

At 87 years old, Koidin applied for a position at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q near Raintree Drive and the 101, hoping to stay active and connected to the community. Instead of focusing on his age, managers saw his energy, work ethic, and enthusiasm — and took a chance on him.

A year later, that decision changed lives on both sides of the hiring counter.

Known by regular customers simply as “Elliot,” the popular busser has become a beloved fixture at the restaurant, logging more than 1.4 million steps, losing 20 pounds, lowering his blood pressure, and finding a renewed sense of purpose along the way.

Koidin, who is now 88, works nearly 24 hours a week, greets customers with a smile, and has even become something of a local celebrity after a chance interaction with comedian Adam Ray went viral online.

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 Cameron Polom

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    GILBERT, Arizona (KNXV) — For months, two sisters joked that their babies might arrive on the same day. As it turns out, they weren’t joking enough.

On June 7, sisters Rylee Rumsey and Kayla Strickland gave birth at the same hospital, just hours apart.

If sharing a birthday wasn’t incredible enough, both baby boys arrived weighing the exact same amount — 8 pounds, 6 ounces — and recovered just a few doors down from each other.

Now, these week-old cousins are already sharing a bond most families couldn’t script, while their moms got to experience one of life’s biggest moments side by 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 Leslie Solis

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    CALDWELL, Idaho (KIVI) — Two Canyon County men say they were targeted, chased, and beaten by a group of men in downtown Caldwell Saturday night — and because of a gap in Idaho law, the attack cannot be prosecuted as a hate crime.

Juan Olvera and his partner, Eric Reed, say they were dining downtown when a group of men began directing homophobic slurs at them. The couple says they got up and left, but the men followed them and attacked them.

Reed says he suffered a split lip. Olvera says he was punched to the ground, kicked, and left with a black eye.

“I thought I was going to die,” Olvera said.

“Wound up getting attacked, thrown in an ambulance, and now it makes me question… can I really go outside at all?” Olvera said.

“I don’t want to go to Caldwell ever again,” Olvera said.

Caldwell Police Lieutenant Jeffrey Peterson says officers responded quickly and made an arrest.

A man was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor battery.

Olvera and Reed say they believe they were targeted because of their sexual orientation and hoped the case could be prosecuted as a hate crime. But under Idaho law, hate crime statutes only apply when the motive is tied to a victim’s race, ethnicity, or religion — not sexual orientation or gender identity.

Peterson says investigators pursued every available avenue under the law.

“We do every step, everything that we can within and under the law to be able to bring justice for those individuals,” Peterson said.

The couple says they hope sharing their story will bring awareness to the years-long “Add the Words” campaign in Idaho, which seeks to expand discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

“And I think laws like this by putting them in the code will allow to protect people like me who are affected by things that happen like this,” Olvera said.

Caldwell Police are asking anyone who witnessed Saturday’s confrontation to contact the department.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KIVI 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.

By Tracy Carloss

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    WILLOUGHBY, Ohio (WEWS) — Beverly Thomas spent 33 years as a nurse caring for others. Now, the 79-year-old is the one in need of help. She is facing charges for failure to maintain her property and trim trees.

Thomas was summoned to Willoughby Municipal Court last week for misdemeanor offenses.

“I paid my taxes all of these years, I haven’t broken any laws, and they’re calling this a crime,” Thomas said.

Thomas said arthritis and tremors make it impossible for her to keep up with her yard. She uses a walker to get around.

“I went to court and heard [the judge] say that I can be put in jail over it, making it sound like a crime, then I got nervous and have trouble sleeping at night,” Thomas said.

She is not disputing that the work needs to be done.

But she said she simply cannot physically do the work anymore, and on a fixed income, she cannot afford to hire anyone. She said she tried calling social services but could not find help.

“I just don’t want to be in jail,” Thomas said.

Late Monday afternoon, the city of Willoughby provided this statement:

“While we cannot comment directly on any cases currently in litigation, we can provide general information regarding the city’s property maintenance enforcement process.

When a potential violation is identified, an inspection is performed from the public right-of-way to determine if a violation exists. If a violation is found, a notice is sent to the owner of record. This notice provides the codified ordinance number, a description of the violation, and a deadline to achieve compliance. The notice also provides information regarding the homeowner’s right to appeal should they wish to do so.

A follow-up inspection is performed at the deadline. If the violation has not been substantially addressed, or if there is a condition that may impact the health or safety of the public, the city may file a Complaint & Summons with Willoughby Municipal Court. If compliance is met prior to any scheduled trial, the city will immediately dismiss the charges. If compliance has not been achieved, it is ultimately up to the court to determine if further action is merited.

The City’s goal is always voluntary compliance, and legal action is generally the last step after attempts have been made to resolve the issue. If compliance is achieved prior to any scheduled trial, the city will dismiss the charges. If compliance has not been achieved, the matter proceeds through the court process.

The city recognizes that every situation is unique and will provide reasonable extensions when appropriate, as health concerns, financial circumstances, weather, and other factors can affect the ability to complete necessary work. However, the city must also balance these considerations with the need to maintain safe, well-kept neighborhoods and address conditions that may impact surrounding properties.” Thomas said she did receive previous letters from the city and believed the issues were addressed at that time.

She is due back at Willoughby Municipal Court next month for a pretrial hearing. Until then, she said she is trying to figure out what to do next.

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 Keith BieryGolick

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    FAIRFIELD TWP., Ohio (WCPO) — Allias Harman opens his box of graphite pencils and begins drawing a self-portrait. He exaggerates the bags under his eyes and colors his face blue.

“I felt like that represents me,” Harman said. “I’m kind of a blue guy.”

The recent grad holds the sketch up to his face, telling me he emphasized a pimple on his cheek.

“I think it’s important to appreciate your flaws,” Harman said.

His friend laughs. They drove here together, to the Butler Tech School of the Arts, where the two students recently graduated after they say they never really fit in at their previous school.

“I just didn’t really have a passion for anything,” said Joey Smith. “When I got here, I just felt at home.”

Smith is showing me his own project now. It’s about the devastation of war, featuring burnt newspaper headlines and two bombs heading directly for each other.

This summer, work from both Smith and Harman will be featured at Elementz, a nonprofit social justice organization in Clifton. The organization was created after Cincinnati’s civil unrest in 2001. And now, a collaboration with Butler Tech includes a public gallery that gives students a chance to express themselves with pieces that reflect changes they’d like to see in the world around them.

“There’s lots of things going on right now that need fixing,” Harman said. “And art has always been a big part of that.”

Outside the school, he gives the principal a hug.

“Art is something that is already inside you — you just have to unlock it,” said Kimheart Moeung, Butler Tech’s principal and creative director. “Oftentimes art is seen as fun or a hobby, but here … we want art to be an identity.”

It’s an identity Harman embraces.

“At my old school, I felt like a weirdo kind of,” Harman said. “I was going through a lot of mental health stuff — getting high every day, getting drunk when I could. Skipping school to do those things.”

Now, he says he’s been sober for two years. And after he shows off his sketch, which he completed in about 30 minutes, Moeung gives him a fist bump.

“I don’t know if I have a purpose,” Harman said. “But if I did, it would be to create.”

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 Julie Salomone

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    LARGO, Florida (WFTS) — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office upgraded its body-worn cameras to include a new feature to help deputies interpret different languages.

The Axon body-worn cameras may interpret up to 57 different languages.

Sgt. John Mullins said the tool allows them to communicate more effectively when there is a language barrier.

“Couple weeks ago, I had an individual who spoke Arabic that I was able to communicate effectively with him on the side of the road which significantly reduced the amount of time trying to find an Arabic speaker,” said Sgt. John Mullins.

Sgt. Mullins said the sheriff’s office ran a pilot program in November. The sheriff’s office received positive feedback about the additional tool.

Deputies press a button to put the camera in a translation mode. It uses artificial intelligence to interpret the conversation it hears.

“Our primary language that we use the most right now that makes up about 90%-95% of our contacts is Spanish,” he said.

Prior to the upgrade, deputies would rely on Google Translate or another deputy to arrive at the scene.

“We have a language line available that we would be able to call and use speakerphone to communicate back and forth through a third-party translator or we would rely on another deputy or anybody from the neighbor agency who spoke the language that we were looking for,” said Sgt. Mullins.

Bailiffs in the courthouses also have access to the technology, as well as personnel at the jail.

“Definitely makes communicating with our non-English speakers significantly easier,” said Sgt. Mullins.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police Department also use the same technology.

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 Anthony Sabella

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    NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — The Navy’s Carrier Strike Group Two is another step closer to being combat ready with the return of its flagship from maintenance.

Rear Adm. P. Scott Miller took over as the strike group’s commanding officer Monday. The Change of Command ceremony was held aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a year-and-a-half of maintenance.

“Soon we will have all of the elements joined and we will learn to operate as a single well-oiled machine,” Miller said during the ceremony.

The maintenance phase was mostly overseen by outgoing strike group commander Rear Adm. Dusty Rhodes, who noted the carrier wrapped up repairs ahead of schedule.

“Actually came out of the availability earlier by about a month than what was originally planned,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes acknowledged the Eisenhower’s return comes at a time when the Navy has been busy with operations around the world. The Lincoln and Bush carrier strike groups are still overseas as the U.S. hopes to end the war with Iran. The USS Gerald R. Ford returned last month after a historically long deployment.

“Certainly, you will leave on deployment thinking you know what you’re gonna do. But if you look at what happened with the Ford, they did a bunch of stuff they didn’t think they were gonna have to do, so you never really know, so you have to be ready for anything,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes said the Eisenhower and the rest of the strike group will begin preparing for a deployment scheduled for next year.

“You start getting the team together. So you get all the ships, the aircraft carrier and the air wing. A crawl, walk, run mindset, where by the end of it, they’ll [get certified] to be able to deploy anywhere in the world to be able to take on any adversary,” Rhodes said, echoing what he told the audience earlier during the ceremony.

“A carrier strike group is one of the most versatile, lethal and powerful instruments of national influence on the globe.”

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.