Coast Guard rescues two men drifting in open ocean without life jackets

By John Iz

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    MIAMI (WPBF) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two men Sunday morning after they reportedly drifted away from their vessel near Caesar Creek, 4 miles east of Elliot Key in Biscayne Bay.

Crew members aboard the tug vessel Allie B notified Coast Guard Sector Miami at approximately 7:30 a.m., reporting two individuals drifting offshore without life jackets.

The Station Miami Beach rescue crew arrived at the scene at approximately 8:10 a.m. and located both men in stable condition.

“We are grateful we were able to bring these mariners home safe to their families today,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Fiala, a Station Miami Beach boat crew member. “We want to remind all mariners of the importance of having a proper life jacket for each person aboard your vessel and how it could play a critical role in saving the life of you or your loved ones.”

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Traffic Alert: Hoopes Avenue in Idaho Falls temporarily closed beginning Monday

Danielle Mullenix

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Drivers across eastern Idaho are continuing to navigate numerous construction zones as road projects remain active throughout the region this month. The latest traffic impact is now underway in Idaho Falls, where a section of Hoopes Avenue will be closed starting this Monday, June 22nd, for utility work associated with the future Hope Lutheran Church development.

Beginning today, June 22, Fine Dirt Inc. will begin installing underground utilities near 1085 Hoopes Avenue. The work is necessary to support the church development and is expected to continue through Friday, June 26, weather permitting.

During construction, Hoopes Avenue will be fully closed to through traffic in the area near 1085 Hoopes Avenue. Drivers are being detoured to Woodruff Avenue while crews complete the utility installation.

City officials note the project is not being managed by the City of Idaho Falls, although the city is helping notify residents about the temporary traffic impacts.

The Hoopes Avenue closure is just one of several active transportation projects drivers may encounter throughout eastern Idaho this month.

In Rexburg, crews are continuing to resurface Main Street along the SH-33 Business Spur (Downtown Rexburg) between East 2nd and East 4th streets to improve driving conditions through downtown.

In Idaho Falls, work occured earlier this month at the Yellowstone Underpass, where crews leveled the roadway drains to create a smoother ride for motorists.

Along U.S. 20 between Rexburg and St. Anthony, drivers may encounter intermittent traffic control as highway rehabilitation and milling operations continue.

Further north, crews are conducting hazardous tree removal and roadside improvements along U.S. 93 between Challis and Salmon.

Additional construction projects remain underway throughout the region, including a water line replacement project near the SH-48 underpass in Rigby and the ongoing replacement of the Riverton Road Bridge near Blackfoot, expected to finish this fall.

In Pocatello, major infrastructure improvements are either beginning or continuing on the Portneuf River Bridge and the Center Street underpass.

Transportation officials continue to remind drivers to slow down in work zones, watch for crews and equipment, obey posted traffic signs, and allow extra travel time when traveling through construction areas.

For additional information regarding the Hoopes Avenue utility project, residents can contact Fine Dirt Inc. project representative Dan Moulton.

Follow the latest traffic alerts by visit Idaho 511’s website here or checking their social media pages.

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Road rage shooting suspect charged with attempted murder; driver suffers life-threatening injuries

By Erin Hynes, Alex Suckow, Renee Maloney

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    SCOTTSBURG, Indiana (WLKY) — A man has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a “road rage” shooting on I-65 in southern Indiana, and the suspect has been arrested, according to Indiana State Police.

Around 2:30 p.m. Friday, ISP responded to a shooting at the 27-mile marker on I-65 northbound, just south of Scottsburg.

ISP said one driver, a man, shot into a vehicle and struck that driver, also a man, during a road rage incident.

According to ISP, it doesn’t appear that the suspect and victim know each other.

ISP said they were stopped in the fast lane for some type of construction work. At some point. the men got out of their vehicles and exchanged words.

“The driver of the second vehicle apparently got out and went up to the other vehicle to speak with that gentleman that first came back, and the first driver shot that driver at that point. So, it happened very quickly, apparently all over a road rage incident,” Sgt. Carey Huls said.

The victim was hit in the stomach. ISP initially said his injuries were not serious, but now is calling them life-threatening. The victim’s identity has not been released.

Everyone stayed at the scene and the suspect, identified as 28-year-old James Dowdell of Shelbyville, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Indiana State Police are investigating and say that while the investigation is ongoing, there is no threat to the public.

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Neighbors concerned after house explosion

By Omose Ighodaro

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    CANTON, Miss. (WAPT) — Witnesses say a house explosion and fire in Canton left one man and a child seriously injured Saturday. The incident is raising concerns among neighbors who say it’s the second explosion in the area in less than three weeks.

Canton fire crews told 16 WAPT they responded to the home on McDonald Avenue near Denson Street around noon. While crews confirmed the fire and explosion, the cause remains under investigation.

Neighbors say the blast was so powerful it shook nearby homes.

“I heard a big boom,” said Renada Jackson, a caregiver for a neighbor who lives nearby. “You literally could feel it in your chest, and it opened the screen door; it was just that big.”

According to neighbors, a man and two children were inside the home when the explosion happened. Neighbors told 16 WAPT he was airlifted to a hospital.

Several neighbors, including those who did not wish to appear on camera, said the loud sound, fire, and heavy smoke were something they’ve never seen before. They described the incident as frightening. They say the back-to-back explosions leaves them concerned about their safety.

“This is the second house that’s exploded from a gas line being up under the ground,” said Rodriquez Brown, who lives in the area. “I know the guy. We went to high school together. I’m hoping that he is okay, him and his family.”

“Two houses in less than three weeks’ time that done exploded,” Jackson said. “I’m praying that gas leak don’t run and come this way, and especially while I’m here.”

Canton fire officials have not yet released information about what caused Saturday’s explosion or confirmed the extent of injuries.

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Childhood popcorn memories become successful business that’s popping on Cape Cod

By Doug Meehan

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    MASHPEE, Massachusetts (WCVB) — What started as a fond childhood memory for two brothers has now turned into a full-fledged, successful business on Cape Cod. That memory and now business is, of all things, popcorn.

“Popcorn has always been a Smith family tradition,” said Pat Smith, co-founder of Smith Family Popcorn.

Pat Smith and his brother, Dan Smith, both spent their summers as kids on the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland. During that time, the taste and smells of eating freshly popped popcorn from the boardwalk harkened warm family memories.

After leaving corporate America, the brothers wanted to create that same experience for families on Cape Cod. But when they first launched their small-batch gourmet treat in 2018, business didn’t exactly pop.

“We looked at each other and said, ‘We might have made a big mistake quitting our jobs and opening up a popcorn shop.’ But I knew if I handed it to people, people would love it,” Pat Smith said.

People did indeed love it. Now eight years later, with dozens of flavor options and a storefront at the Mashpee Commons, the Smith family is cooking up hundreds of thousands of bags of popped deliciousness a year.

“The way you should make it is with butter, brown sugar, salt, classic ingredients, and you have to get it to a cracking point,” Pat Smith said.

The Smiths’ success isn’t limited to the summer months. Business in November and December can be just as hot as the warmer months.

“Our holiday season is actually as busy as our summer season. It’s all just compacted into about four or five weeks,” Dan Smith said.

In addition to the Mashpee brick-and-mortar store, needing to keep up with demand, the brothers opened up a manufacturing operation in Hyannis to handle wholesale and grocery store orders.

They’ve expanded to offer a new line of popcorn designed specifically for your pup.

“The dogs go crazy for it. It’s an awesome training treat for the dogs cause it’s low (in) calorie. So, we have a lot of people who train service dogs, police dogs, use it,” Pat Smith said.

Like the name implies, this Made in Mass company is as much about family as it is the popcorn.

“Since 2018, it’s been a family affair. And we’ve taken on employees that now are part of the family. So that’s really the cool part about it,” Dan Smith said.

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Westborough officer Ashlyn Mercier crowned Miss Massachusetts

By Tim Nazzaro

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    WESTBOROUGH, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Ashlyn Mercier temporarily traded her badge for a tiara over the weekend when she was crowned Miss Massachusetts.

Mercier was born and raised in Oxford and works for the Westborough Police Department as a patrol officer.

“Officer by day, Miss Massachusetts by title, and making the rest of us look bad 24/7,” the department wrote in a social media post. “Congratulations, Officer Mercier!”

Mercier is the first police officer to hold the Miss Massachusetts crown, according to the Oxford Police Department’s announcement celebrating her win.

She is the daughter of Oxford Police Cpl. Kevin Mercier.

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‘It is being held for ransom’: Man receives texts about stolen car

By TJ Dysart

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A Milwaukee man said he received strange text messages about his stolen car, including photos of the vehicle and a request for money, but the sender has not disclosed its location.

D.J. Todd said his 2025 Honda CR-V was stolen last Saturday from 21st and Wells streets.

“This is the car I take my kids to school in. I have groceries that I need to pick up with this car,” Todd said.

Todd reported the theft to police, but on Friday morning, he woke up to a text message from an unfamiliar number.

“Good morning, I think I found something that belongs to you,” the message read.

The text included a photo of Todd’s stolen car and a message stating, “Been sitting here for almost a week now.”

Todd said the sender also shared a picture of a receipt from his car that had his phone number on it.

The mystery texter then wrote, “Wouldn’t mind a small finder’s fee.”

When asked if he felt his car was being held for ransom, Todd said, “Without a doubt.”

The person behind the texts has refused to disclose the car’s location.

Todd said he has not asked directly where the car is, explaining, “Safety is important to me, and I think that would be a riskier move that I do not need to do.”

On Friday night, 12 News called the number attached to the texts and asked where the car was located. The person on the other end hung up after we asked for the car’s location.

Todd said he still does not know where his car is.

12 News also reached out to police, sharing the text message thread and photos, but did not receive a response Friday night.

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Bonneville Fire near University of Utah settles overnight, now 5% contained

By Spencer Burt

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — Conditions that have fueled the Bonneville Fire near the University of Utah campus died down overnight, allowing crews to gain some containment as of Monday morning.

The latest estimate places the fire at 495 acres, with state wildfire officials sharing that they have achieved 5 percent containment.

“Air and ground crews made strong progress [Sunday] on the fire. Overnight, increased cloud cover and humidity helped moderate fire behavior, resulting in minimal activity,” the Salt Lake City Fire Department said.

Despite the easing of conditions, a “READY” evacuation notice — the lowest in the system of “READY, SET, GO” evacuation preparedness criteria — remains in effect for the Arlington Hills neighborhood between 11th Avenue and Tomahawk Drive.

“READY means THERE IS CURRENTLY NO IMMEDIATE THREAT, but conditions could change quickly. Residents should take steps now to prepare in case an evacuation becomes necessary,” SLCFD wrote on X.

Officials added that although the fire did spread northwest, it is still south of Dry Gulch Drainage, east of the Bonneville Shoreline, and north of Red Butte Canyon.

Hiking trails in City Creek Canyon, Red Butte Canyon, Bonneville Shoreline, and Dry Gulch are closed.

A shelter-in-place order originally in place on Saturday evening was lifted for the entire university campus.

The University of Utah Hospital remained operating as usual and was accepting walk-in patients. Ambulances were directed to other hospitals in the area for a time, although that order has also been lifted.

“The campus community will continue to see fire on the hillside and experience smoke in the neighborhoods throughout the night,” school officials wrote. “Some residual smoke may continue to impact the health campus and student housing as the fire burns further into the foothills. Be cautious when opening windows.”

Fire officials initially reported that Red Butte Garden and the Natural History Museum were to be closed Sunday due to wildfire risk. However, both locations were later given clearance to open to patrons at their normal business hours with caution.

Officials are asking the public to avoid the area, and also to not fly drones nearby, as doing so can interfere with helicopters and planes that are used for firefighting purposes.

There have been a few road closures in the far east portion of the campus. Several hiking trails in the area are also closed to the public.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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ICE looking to sell warehouse designated for detention center, report says

By Jeff Tavss , Suzanne Stevens

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is looking to sell the Salt Lake City warehouse it purchased earlier this year to house an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, according to a new report.

The New York Times said the Salt Lake City warehouse is one of seven that the government is now trying to offload, either by selling the facilities or giving them to other federal agencies.

DHS originally purchased the warehouse just west of Salt Lake City International Airport for a reported $145 million.

According to the report, the warehouse plan, which was an initiative favored by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is no longer supported by current Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Eleven warehouses have already been purchased, with four still on schedule to become ICE detention centers. The remaining warehouses, including the one in Salt Lake City, are now subject to being sold.

Earlier this month, Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County filed a lawsuit over the warehouse and the planned detention center, claiming it was “cloaked in secrecy” and violated federal laws.

When contacted by FOX 13 News, the office of Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson had no comment about the New York Times report.

Thursday’s news was welcomed by those who spent hours protesting the site after it was purchased, but for protest organizer TJ Young, the fight is far from over.

“I think it’s just making Salt Lake City an unattractive site for DHS and a problem,” said Young. “So we want to continue being a problem.”

Marie Cornwall with Uproar Utah shared similar sentiments, but isn’t ready to stand down just yet.

“We’re over the moon. We’re celebrating, but with caution,” she said. “Until we get something official, we’re just going to keep going with our plans.”

Although neither Wilson nor Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall shared their thoughts on the report, the Utah Democratic Party called out DHS and ICE for their change of plans.

“Mass detention has no place in Utah, at any price,” said the Utah Democratic Party. “ICE paid millions for an SLC warehouse, and may now sell or abandon it. This is fiscal recklessness and an insult to taxpayers.

“Let us be clear: ICE is not welcome here.”

Besides Salt Lake City, the other locations where ICE is reportedly looking to unload its facilities are Romulus, Michigan, Social Circle, Georgia, Flowery Branch, Georgia, Hamburg, Pennsylvania, Tremont, Pennsylvania and Roxbury, New Jersey.

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Wildfire evacuees — some separated from pets — wait for chance to return home

By Caroleina HaCaroleina Hassettssett

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    EUREKA, Utah (KSTU) — Evacuees from the town of Eureka in Juab County are facing a tough reality: the uncertainty of not knowing when they’ll be able to get back into their homes, and some also hoping their four-legged friends will be waiting for them when they come back.

“First in the morning we just see the smoke, you know, and it’s over behind the mountains from Eureka, and then getting close to the evening, the flames [were]up on that big beacon hill, and I was getting kind of worried then,” said Dennis Wahlberg, a Eureka resident.

The Iron Fire — estimated at 24,284 acres — unfortunately reached the town of Eureka, causing mass evacuations Saturday night.

“On my way back on the way back from Provo, I hear on the radio the evacuation notice…. I don’t get back, she’s won’t get out,” said David Thorsted, a Eureka resident.

Thorsted was trying to get back to his wife who was at home, along with eight other members of their family.

“Scary for me, because I can’t get in touch with my loved ones up there, and in a way, you know, I felt responsible because I went to the store. I shouldn’t have ever left,” Thorsted said.

Despite being able to see the flames from their window, he was able to reunite with his wife Victoria at the evacuation site, with the dogs by her side.

“When my wife finally left it was so abruptly that they wouldn’t even let her turn the water off…. I knew she wouldn’t leave without all her babies,” Thorsted said.

However, one evacuee didn’t get as lucky with his animals.

“The firemen came in, got three of them, and helped me chase the kittens around. We’ve got four of them, and they could only catch two of them, and my big 17-year-old cat, we couldn’t catch him either, so hopefully they’re okay,” Wahlberg said.

The Red Cross assisted evacuees all throughout the night, even getting the Thorsteds a place to stay.

“They said they had a trailer that we could stay in… there’s not many people who can take on strangers and eight dogs,” Thorsted said.

The community came together on Sunday, a day that centers around family.

“It’s Father’s Day today, and I paused for a moment. I’m looking around, and I’m seeing many fathers that were here, away from their own families that weren’t displaced, but were here wanting to help,” said Benjamin Donner with the American Red Cross.

And during a terrifying situation, family is all Thorsted needed.

“There’s nothing up there that can’t be replaced,” Thorsted said.

Families will still not be able to get back into their homes Sunday night. If people need assistance, especially with their pets, they can come to the LDS Church where the Red Cross is assisting. Officials are hoping to let evacuees back into their homes sometime tomorrow but need to see how the fire does overnight.

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