Month: July 2026

By Olivia Young

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    Colorado (KCNC) — A school in Douglas County will be the first in Colorado to install a drone active shooter suppression system.

John Adams Academy is a public charter school currently being built in Sterling Ranch. The school is preparing to open to students this August. It will be the first school to open in the growing community, and the first school in Colorado to use drones to protect students from active threats.

Tuesday, county leaders were expected to approve $200,000 in security funding for the school. They didn’t end up voting on the funding, but the drones will still be taking to the halls of John Adams Academy.

“We were looking for technology that could enhance the response time for our first responders and give real-time critical information in the case of an incident,” said Sarah Kiesewetter, headmaster at John Adams Academy Douglas County. “It’s enhancing response time, and it’s enhancing real-time information for our first responders. So we have a multi-tiered approach to school security.”

Texas-based tech company Campus Guardian Angel places drones in schools that can launch within seconds of a confirmed threat. They’re flown remotely and give responders a live look. They can even spray pepper gel or fly at and pummel an attacker.

“What about a drone spewing these pellets and hurting a kid?” Douglas County parent Jennifer Iversen asked. “It brings in so many ethical and legal issues that I just think it’s a really bad idea.”

“This is a new use of drones because they’re actually using it as an attack, right?” said Highlands Ranch neighbor Julie Ort. “The potential for that to go wrong is so high, especially in a school like John Adams Academy, where they are saying that they are going to have armed teachers. So the idea that somebody in Austin is going to be the first responder to a school shooting, and doesn’t have the awareness of what happens if we need to call this off, what happens if those drones are actually interfering with our law enforcement? There’s big issues that we really need to explore.”

Iversen and Ort came to the meeting to speak about the funding during public comment, but weren’t able to address the issue since it was removed from the consent agenda.

“This company has the drones in other schools, but they don’t have any data about their use,” said Ort. “I think that that technology is unproven, and I think school security is really important, and we shouldn’t be using our kids as test sites.”

The technology is being tested in about 10 schools in the southern U.S. Campus Guardian Angel says there have been no attempted shootings at those schools, so the technology has not stopped any real-world threats yet.

“It’s innovative technology. We might be the first school in Colorado that’s looking at it, but we certainly won’t be the last. What we’re looking at is just any tool that we have in our toolbox that can help us if there were ever a critical incident in school,” Kiesewetter said.

As a public charter, John Adams Academy is funded by public tax dollars. It asked the county for $200,000 for “physical school security improvements,” the details of which were redacted.

“If this was privately funded, then we don’t get a decision in that. But they’re using taxpayer money, and I don’t think that that should just be rubber stamped or given willy-nilly,” Iversen said.

On Tuesday, Douglas County commissioners were set to approve the funding using the remaining funds from a school safety grant created after the 2019 STEM School shooting. But the item was removed from the consent agenda and tabled to allow discussions about an SRO to continue.

“Excited to have that conversation. I know you shared with me in some briefings around school safety that that would be your highest and best goal is to have an actual physical SRO. We want to make sure that you have that same opportunity that every other school has been provided,” said Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon.

The school hopes to have both the drone program and an SRO. They will also have “armed staff.”

“Our school is just at both ends. Every tool that we have in our toolbox, whether that’s advanced technology, mental health supports, SROs, they’re definitely part of the equation as well,” said Kiesewetter.

John Adams Academy’s founder told CBS Colorado they can afford Campus Guardian Angel without the county’s funding, and the technology is expected to be installed in August. She would not confirm how much the partnership with Campus Guardian Angel costs.

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 Dean Fioresi

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    California (KCAL, KCBS) — Nearly 50 years after he was killed in a crash in Riverside County, authorities have finally identified the 18-year-old man with the help of advances in forensic technology.

In a news release, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office deputies said that the crash happened back on June 2, 1978, when the driver of a Volkswagen Beetle with four other teenage passengers lost control, crossed over the center divider of Arlington Avenue in Riverside and collided with an SUV.

“The driver of the Volkswagen was the only survivor of that vehicle and told investigators at the time that he had met the male passenger only the day before, knowing little about him,” the release said.

The three other victims, who weren’t named in the release, were identified at the time, but no one was able to provide information on the fifth victim’s identity.

“Despite years of investigative efforts, the victim remained unidentified until now, nearly 50 years after his death,” the release said.

With the help of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains grant program, Riverside Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau personnel were able to perform an exhumation, which allowed them to identify the victim through forensic genetic genealogy work by the nonprofit forensic investigative firm GenGenies.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Mark Alan Smith.

“On behalf of his sister, Pam Bright and family, we extend our sincere appreciation to GenGenies and the Department of Justice’s Missing Persons DNA Program, whose expertise and commitment contributed to this outcome,” the release said. “Together, these efforts have finally given Mark Smith’s family the closure they have long awaited.”

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 Beret Leone

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — Minnesota seniors living in assisted living communities and nursing homes will soon be able to enjoy a glass of wine or beer at resident happy hours without facilities navigating liquor licensing hurdles.

Gov. Tim Walz signed the bipartisan measure Tuesday, known as the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” law, during a ceremony at Amira Choice in Champlin.

The new law allows assisted living facilities, nursing homes and boarding care homes to serve alcohol to residents and their guests during organized social events, provided facilities notify the state and meet required safety standards. The law takes effect Aug. 1.

The legislation was inspired by residents at Amira Choice after staff learned the facility could host happy hours but could not legally serve alcohol because no existing liquor license fit its situation.

Walz said the law is about giving seniors greater autonomy and removing unnecessary government barriers.

“Providing the autonomy and the dignity and the choices that belong to you. You have earned the right to make your own choices,” Walz said. “Government can get out of the way, allow people to make their choices and do this right.”

Resident Anita LaBrun, who advocated for the legislation, said the change is about more than drinks.

“Happy hour is our connection, laughter, sharing stories from our lives,” LaBrun said. “It brings friends together and helps make everyday moments special.”

Supporters say the law recognizes assisted living communities as residents’ homes and gives older adults more opportunities to socialize while maintaining existing health and safety protections.

The Grandparents’ Happy Hour provision is part of a broader omnibus liquor bill that also updates liquor licensing laws for businesses, attractions and college campuses across Minnesota.

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 Nick Lunemann, Jeff Wagner

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — An annual Boundary Waters Canoe Area trip for a family from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, ended early after wildfires forced visitors to evacuate the wilderness.

For nearly eight years, the Hoefer family of 11 has made the trip each summer. This year, however, multiple wildfires prompted the U.S. Forest Service to close the BWCA to visitors for only the third time in its history.

Shane Hoefer and five of his children were deep in the wilderness near Lake Insula when they learned they needed to leave.

“We were all the way back in Lake Insula and got the news yesterday that we needed to head out,” Shane Hoefer said during a video call while taking a break from paddling toward the entry point. “It’s pretty deserted here in the Boundary Waters, a little eerie.”

Despite the evacuation order, Shane Hoefer said he and his family did not feel they were in immediate danger.

“I don’t think there’s like an imminent sense of peril, but anytime you know that there’s these dry conditions and these fires and the U.S. Forest Service sends you a message that says evacuate and get out, we need to pay attention and be safe and follow instructions,” he said.

Back home in White Bear Lake, mom Mindy Hoefer followed wildfire updates and stayed in contact with the family through their Garmin satellite communicator.

She said the family planned to leave immediately after learning about the evacuation, but changing conditions made that impossible.

“Yesterday they were not able to start exiting because we didn’t know until about 3 o’clock, and the winds were so high at that point that it was not safe for them to be out in the canoes,” Mindy Hoefer said.

Instead, the family waited until early Tuesday morning before beginning the long paddle back.

“I’m going to stay in close contact with them and make sure they are out safely,” she said. “I’m sure they’ll be really exhausted from the quick exit.”

The BWCA has become a cherished family tradition for the Hoefers, making this year’s evacuation especially difficult.

“I told Shane last night to really enjoy the views and the special things that they’ve gotten used to in that area because you never know when a fire is going to change the landscape,” she said.

Later Tuesday, the family made it safely out of the wilderness. In a text message to her mother, daughter Eva Hoefer described heavy smoke that at times reduced visibility to less than 200 feet, and said some of the children covered their faces with cloth shirts to make breathing easier.

Eva Hoefer said the family encountered numerous emergency vehicles on the way out and found the normally busy entry point nearly empty as evacuations continued.

Exhausted, sore and dirty after the long paddle, she said her family was grateful to be heading home safely. She added that despite the difficult trip, they still spotted loons, a large beaver and ended the day with a stop at Dairy Queen as per tradition.

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 Adam Harrington, Acacia Hernandez

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — The Magnolia Bakery location in downtown Chicago was shut down this week due to a cockroach infestation.

City data shows the bakery in the Block 37 mall, at 108 N. State St., failed a health inspection on Monday.

An inspector noted that they saw more than a dozen live roaches crawling between cracks and crevices near the food preparation area.

City data said inspectors came in after someone filed a complaint.

The health violations were characterized as “high-risk.”

A sign near the door at Magnolia Bakery said it has temporarily closed and will reopen soon. A lime-green “License Suspended” sign from the Chicago Department of Public Health is also affixed to the doors.

The Magnolia Bakery in Block 37 opened in 2011 as the first and only Chicago location for the New York-based operation. The bakery is known for cakes, pies, and banana pudding, among other delights.

Magnolia Bakery was founded in New York City in 1996. The bakery grew in fame when it was named in the TV show “Sex and the City.”

The bakery was also featured in the movie “Prime,” which features a character hurling Magnolia Bakery pies at his ex-girlfriends, as well as the movie “The Devil Wears Prada,” and the 2005 “Saturday Night Live” digital short “Lazy Sunday.”

Magnolia Bakery was credited with starting the cupcake craze that began in the late 1990s.

However, the original Magnolia Bakery location on Bleecker Street in New York City’s West Village also made headlines in February 2013 for being shut down for a couple of days by that city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene due to mice.

Magnolia Bakery also has numerous locations around Manhattan, as well as one each in Los Angeles and in Holiday Hills, Utah. The bakery also has six international locations.

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 Mike Hellgren

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    Maryland (WJZ) — A Harford County family is reeling after their beloved rescue dog likely started a fire on July 10 that killed three of their other pets and left their home uninhabitable.

The homeowner on Foxglove Court in Belcamp credits his home camera system for alerting him to the blaze and likely saving several of their other animals.

No people were injured.

How the house fire started On Friday, July 10, just before 5:30 p.m., a Ring camera video showed the Ellis family’s dog, Bo, rummaging around on the kitchen counter looking for food.

Within minutes, the fire alarm goes off, and you can see flames.

Homeowner Chad Ellis told WJZ he left the house about 15 minutes before he got the camera alert and rushed back.

“It was an absolute freak accident. I guess the lesson we’re going to learn the hard way is to unplug appliances that aren’t being used,” Ellis said. “I saw the fire literally next to the refrigerator, saw the knucklehead Bo jumping on the counter, then I came back as fast as I could. By the time I got here, there were two trucks from the fire department here.”

He thinks the dog was trying to get to bread inside a nearby bread box on the counter.

Ellis said, “He’s a counter surfer—always has been—but you don’t think about stuff like that.”

He said watching what happened “was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it.”

Home destroyed, beloved pets killed Ellis allowed WJZ cameras inside the now-unrecognizable kitchen. The air was stagnant with the smell of smoke and soot covering every surface.

“We love our dog. Bo did not do anything he hadn’t done normally,” Ellis said. “He started the fire. It was with a toaster. It was a freak accident.”

Bo and their black shepherd Addie survived thanks to a neighbor who was able to get them out.

Their bearded dragon Yoda also survived after 24 hours in critical care.

“When I got up here, my neighbor had just let my other two dogs out, and they ran out,” Ellis said. “I tried to go in the back door to go up the stairs to get the other animals, and I couldn’t get in the house. It was too smoky.”

Their dog Dakota did not make it.

“Dakota was our heartbeat. She was amazing. She was only three years old,” Ellis told WJZ.

The family’s two Maine Coon mixed cats, Beth and Kayce, also died.

Ellis said, “They fit right in—best cats I’ve ever had—loving, playful, cuddly, and just beautiful.”

Praise for the camera Ellis credited the Ring camera for the quick response.

“It saved my two dogs. It really did. It’s worth its money in gold. We wouldn’t have any dogs at all right now, and this would be burned to the ground if it hadn’t been for Ring because I would’ve been another 45 minutes at least,” he said. “[My neighbor] wouldn’t have been here to let the dogs out. Who knows when a neighbor would’ve seen it? It would’ve taken the fire department another 20 minutes to get here, and all this damage was done in about 20 minutes. My dogs were gone in 20 minutes.”

The family does have an online fundraiser that has raised more than $13,000 as of Tuesday.

They thanked their community for the support along with the Aspen family veterinarian.

“The whole neighborhood has been amazing. The neighbors have given us tons of stuff, offered us houses, places to stay, anything we need really,” Ellis 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 Dacia Johnson

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    BREVARD COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — One of three police officers involved in the altercation that left a 15-year-old with a broken arm has resigned.

A resignation letter for William Markle says he has “thoroughly considered this decision and believe it to be in my best interest to pursue new career opportunities.”

The incident involving Markle happened in June when Melbourne police mistakenly took down 15-year-old Judah Everage, and broke his arm while searching for a different teen.

Police were looking for a 16-year-old described as white and wearing black clothing after his parents expressed concern for his safety. However, officers confronted Judah, who was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

According to a case report, Melbourne police said Judah did not comply with commands to lie on the ground and put his hands behind his back, and they claimed he resisted. Body-camera footage shows Judah on his knees with his hands in the air before an officer took him to the ground and handcuffed him in the area of Eden Park Drive, south of Wickham Park.

Judah’s mother, Angela Sparks, told WESH 2 her son was confused and tried to explain he was not the person they were looking for.

“He’s telling them, ‘I’m not who you’re looking for’ (…) he’s also telling them, ‘My arm, my arm. You’re breaking my arm,’” Sparks said.

Moments earlier, body-camera footage showed an officer speaking with the mother of the teen they were searching for, who had called for help and said her son needed to be evaluated under the Baker Act. Sparks said Judah was simply walking home after trying to assist the police.

Another officer, whose body camera recorded the earlier interaction, arrived at the scene to find two other officers pinning Judah down. The footage shows Judah trying to explain the situation, saying, “I know Armani, I can explain. I know his mom. I was just in the car with her. I can explain. You were there.”

Markle’s resignation letter goes on to say:

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Melbourne Police Department for the invaluable experiences and knowledge I have gained throughout my tenure. The department has provided me with an excellent platform to grow both professionally and personally, and I will forever cherish the memories I have made here.”

WESH 2 obtained copies of the personnel files for all the officers involved.

Markle had two notable complaints: one for failing to turn on his body camera and issuing an incorrect trespass order. He also had another complaint related to a domestic incident.

An internal report found that a citizen reported officer Markle for “aggressive and unprofessional behavior” during an encounter in a Planet Fitness parking lot. Markle issued the man a trespass order for sleeping in his car in the parking lot. When questioned by his superior, he cited the “public camping” order. The report from Melbourne police said it “raises concern” that the ordinance may have been “incorrectly applied.” His body camera was also turned off during the encounter. He told the department that he didn’t know it was off. He added that is the one part of the call he would have handled differently.

In a separate incident from May of last year, Markle received a complaint from an ex in a previous relationship. The complaint alleged Markle “entered an apartment complex where he previously resided, knocked loudly on the door while covering the door’s peephole and continued to contact/harass [the victim] after they made it clear of intentions to discontinue the relationship.”

Markle was reprimanded.

Officer Dylan Joseph had two notable complaints: one for a minor crash in a city vehicle where he was at fault, another for not turning on his body camera during a shots-fired call.

In an internal email from a sergeant at Melbourne police, it said, “it was determined that your failure to initiate your camera and capture the incident created an evidentiary gap during a critical portion of the incident.” He was one of three other officers who received verbal counseling as a result. It’s important to note that he did turn on his body camera eventually, just not during his initial reaction with witnesses on the scene.

The third officer, Thomas Alabise, has one incident of note. He was involved in a minor crash in a city vehicle where he was at fault.

Two of the three officers are still on the job.

The Melbourne Police Department has stated it is conducting a full review of the incident. A spokesperson said no one was available for an interview.

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.