Month: July 2026

By Aaron Parseghian

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    BELMONT, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A towering and wide tree that has stood in Belmont, Massachusetts for more than 150 years will remain standing longer than planned after a discovery right before its scheduled removal.

The copper beech tree just outside Belmont Center on the town’s green predates the invention of the automobile and has long served as a landmark in the community.

“It’s kind of become a bit of a symbol of the town of Belmont,” said Will McPhee, Belmont’s tree warden and natural resources manager.

Though the symbol has seen better days, McPhee said the tree has been battling Beech Leaf Disease, an invasive disease that is spreading across Massachusetts and causes the rapid decline and eventual death of beech trees.

“Unfortunately, this is where we find ourselves now, and it’s a sad event to see this tree go,” McPhee said of the planned removal.

Despite years of treatment, McPhee said the tree continued to deteriorate. Town officials decided it needed to be removed because it could pose a safety risk.

“It’s a very popular spot here in town,” said McPhee, pointing to kids who were playing nearby. “It is a concern of ours that a limb on a windy day or maybe even a not-so-windy day will fall on a resident or might even do damage to a structure.”

The removal had been months in the making, with residents hanging goodbye messages and memories from the tree’s branches before crews arrived to begin the work.

However, just as they prepared to cut it down, arborists found a nest containing two American robin nestlings.

“At that point, being that they are a federally protected species, we immediately halted work and we ended up going back to the drawing board,” McPhee said.

The discovery means the historic tree will remain standing until the young birds have left the nest, giving residents a little more time to say goodbye. McPhee says it could be at least another week before they can begin its removal.

“It really does go to show just how much of kind of a shared space that this tree has provided for us,” McPhee said of the nest. “It really is kind of a fitting end. I think there’s definitely something there to be appreciated.”

Once the tree is eventually removed, Belmont plans to repurpose the wood for art projects around town. Officials also plan to plant a new tree near where it once stood, with the hope that it will one day grow to become another community landmark.

Belmont, Massachusetts is about ten miles west of Boston.

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 Zander Adams

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    TEMPE, Arizona (KNXV) — A rare autoimmune disease hospitalized a Tempe woman intermittently over a year and a half — but it also set her on a new path toward medical school.

Delaney Nothaft was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, or MG, during her senior year playing Division I tennis at Santa Clara University.

The chronic condition, affecting an estimated 37 out of every 100,000 people in the U.S., causes the immune system to attack the nerve-muscle connection.

“For a long time it was really debilitating for me and can be really debilitating for lots of people,” Delaney said.

The diagnosis forced Delaney to return home to Tempe, where she was hospitalized roughly every three weeks over a year and a half, according to her mother, Keira, with most visits being in the ICU.

“It was so scary not knowing if she was ever gonna be able to have any kind of a normal life,” Keira said.

MG can manifest in different ways; for Delaney, it means chronic fatigue and difficulty eating, breathing, speaking, and seeing. At times, the condition left her winded to the point of needing a machine to breathe and a wheelchair to move around.

During those hospital stays, Delaney found herself enamored with the conversations doctors had with medical students gathered around her bed. When they left to check on the next patient, she wanted to tag along to see what was happening in the neighboring rooms.

That was when Delaney knew she had found her calling.

“What’s really stopping me from doing it? I can always try,” Delaney said.

She began studying while undergoing transfusions, with an IV still in her arm, and later landed a job as a medical scribe at the clinic treating her.

“It really solidified why I want to go into medicine,” Delaney said. “I love hearing patients’ stories and hearing what they’ve been able to overcome.”

Now, after becoming one of 15 MG patients nationwide to receive a scholarship from the pharmaceutical company UCB, Delaney is pursuing a new dream: medical school at UCLA this semester, to eventually care for people with the same compassion she received from doctors whom she and her mother fervently described as heroes.

“She’s just come so far,” Keira said through tears. “I really say, you just never bet against Delaney.”

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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    AHWATUKEE, Arizona (KNXV) — For years, Judge Sharron Sauls has helped Valley families navigate some of life’s toughest moments. Now she’s helping people in a very different way.

The Ahwatukee judge has become a published author with five books ranging from children’s stories about self-confidence to novels inspired by real-life challenges.

Her first book centered on a domestic violence survivor who becomes a judge. Her latest is a romance novel. In between came children’s books promoting self-acceptance and journals designed to encourage gratitude and personal growth.

Perhaps most surprising? Every book began the same way, as a note typed into her cell phone.

Her books are available everywhere books are sold.

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 Noah Caplan

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    PUEBLO, Colorado (KOAA) — A Pueblo woman and her dog are turning heartbreak into action, using their skills to help find pets displaced by the Aspen Acres Fire.

Dawna Andrews and her search dog, Quasar, are working to locate missing and displaced animals in the wake of the fire, and training other dogs and their owners to do the same.

Quasar is no ordinary dog. Andrews said he has competed at the highest levels before a serious health scare changed the course of his life.

“He’s done speed, agility, obedience, he’s a grand champion,” said Andrews.

“Before he turned three, he got this condition called idiopathic chylothorax, which is a very rare condition. There was a low chance of recovery, and he recovered,” said Andrews.

After his recovery, Andrews said she wanted to find something less physically demanding for him.

“So, when he recovered, I wanted to do something more low impact,” said Andrews.

That low-impact activity has had a high impact for others. Andrews is now training dogs to track and trail missing animals, a skill that requires reading subtle cues most people would never notice.

“Learning to read a dog is very different. We don’t really know how they’re experiencing it, we’re just taking guesses,” said Andrews.

All it takes to start a search is a scent. A well-trained dog like Quasar can follow that scent for miles to determine where a lost pet may have been. The need is real. Andrews said many of the missing animals belong to people who have been forced from their homes.

“It’s more people who have been displaced, and their animal isn’t familiar with where they are now, and they may get out,” said Andrews.

Quasar has already played a role in a search effort for an evacuee’s missing pet at Lake Pueblo State Park. Andrews said the help is available to any evacuee who needs it.

“If my personal pet went missing, I would do everything to try and bring them home,” said Andrews.

Among those training alongside Andrews are Leanne Giordano and her blue heeler, Bixby. The Aspen Acres Fire hit close to home for Giordano, too.

“I housed my daughter and her family from Rye until they could go home. We’ve held on to some horses as well as going to the fairgrounds,” said Giordano.

Giordano said she and Bixby are learning to track in hopes of finding another way to help their community.

“If the day ever comes where we get to help someone else find their dog using their natural abilities, that would be amazing,” said Giordano.

For those still searching for a missing pet, Andrews offered a simple message, don’t give up.

“I’ve seen pets come back after months,” said Andrews.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KOAA 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 Liv Wood

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    CENTRAL SPRINGS, Colorado (KOAA) — Teams gathered at John Venezia Park in Colorado Springs for the annual Ethan Cup, a touch rugby tournament honoring Ethan Ciccolini, who died four years ago from a rare genetic condition.

Ethan’s father, Andrew Ciccolini, is a member of the Colorado Springs Grizzlies Rugby club. He said the team organized the first Ethan Cup just weeks after his son’s death.

“My son Ethan, who passed away 4 years ago from a rare genetic condition,” Ciccolini said.

It was a surprise, but one that he said meant the world.

“Out of nowhere they scheduled the first Ethan Cup in April of 2022, maybe a few weeks after he passed away, and it was the first moment of just like true joy we had had in quite a while,” Ciccolini said.

The event brings people together, but also serves as a way to raise money for Children’s Hospital Colorado. The theme this year was superheroes.

“I think there’s two meanings behind it. One, every year I pick a theme that would be associated with his age, so he’s about 6 years old. So to me I imagine he’d love superheroes right now,” said Ciccolini, “And then this year it has even extra special meaning because to me the people that work at Children’s Hospital are superheroes. They’re real superheroes. The care they provide for kids and for families and just the way they take care of people, they’re just truly superheroes and so we’re honoring them today.”

Ethan spent much of his life receiving care at Children’s Hospital, but his father said his spirit never wavered.

“Unfortunately, we spent about half of his life in the ICU at Children’s Hospital, but the kid never stopped smiling. He was just the happiest kid and he inspired me and our family and everybody that’s ever met him,” Ciccolini said.

Thomas Parry, president of the Colorado Springs Grizzlies Rugby club, said the event is growing. He said he hopes next year will bring in 16 teams versus the 12 who signed up Saturday.

“We’re trying to grow it and expand it into a really big event so we can continue Ethan’s legacy and keep that smile going,” Parry said.

Four years later, Ciccolini said the support from his teammates has never stopped.

“You can see just by looking at how many people are here, we’re not just here for me or Ethan, we’re here for each other, and that’s what rugby is all about,” Ciccolini said.

A girls rugby team also participated in this year’s event. The players are close in age to how old Ethan would have been today. Ciccolini said he knows exactly how his son would have fit in.

“If Ethan was still here he’d be playing his 2nd year of rugby and he’d definitely be a scrum-half. He was a scrappy little kid, so I know exactly what position he’d be playing,” Ciccolini said.

For the younger players, the day was about more than rugby.

“It’s just awesome to be with other people and to learn how to do rugby with the coaches and other kids,” Maddyn Davis, a member of the girls rugby team, said.

“Working together and caring for each other,” Ellianna Rae Williams, also a member of the girls rugby team, said.

Ciccolini said the tournament captures something bigger than the sport itself.

“It’s not just about the game, it’s about the people,” Ciccolini 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 Tony Keith , Michelle Reyes

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    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KOAA) — After a few grueling days of not having his dog, Paul reached out to News5, letting us know that Blanco has been returned!

According to Paul, the same unidentified man who took Blanco from his yard also returned him around midnight on Sunday.

The two were reunited after Paul’s girlfriend heard Blanco barking, and Paul said that seeing his furry companion again felt surreal.

“The same guy. He dropped him off this morning. I think around 12 or 1 o’clock something like that in the morning he just threw him in the backyard, but I didn’t know he was here until my girlfriend let him in,” he said. “She heard him barking and he jumped on my bed and I was sound asleep and when I woke up, I thought I was in a dream. He was just crazy, but I’m happy he gave him a nice big steak. I was saving for him that I made the other day.”

Paul says that the thief also left him an apologetic note.

The note reads;

“I’m sorry I did this I was not in the right state of mind. I was very drunk and don’t remember doing much of that day. I was very scared on not knowing how to return him. I been taking care of him bought him food and made sure he had water.”

“I’m very sorry for what I did.” Anonymous

Paul says that he’s happy that Blanco is home, and he thanks everyone for caring about his situation.

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 Chantelle Navarro

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — A woman who rented out a room inside her home in exchange for work being done on her property is now warning others about squatters’ rights after the tenant kept her out of her home for more than a year.

Traci Bates said there is some relief in sight after the tenant changed the locks and kicked her out. A judge just sided with her earlier Monday on a default judgment, but she has been going back-and-forth with the case for more than a year.

“I feel bullied, pushed into a corner. I feel like I had no rights, especially in the beginning,” Bates said.

Bates said this happened at her late father’s home after she agreed to rent out one of his rooms to a mutual friend.

“Asked him if he would like to exchange for rent to help me clean up the house, you know, do some remodeling, some small jobs, just some minor things like hauling off some trash from the backyard or whatever. Fixing a fence, repairing it,” Bates said.

After just three weeks, things took a turn.

“He changed the locks to the house. I show up to go to get something because all my clothes are there. All my dad’s belongings, everything are still in the house,” Bates said.

She said she hasn’t been able to get it back since. Bates said he actually called the police on her, but they couldn’t do much because it was a civil matter.

Bates said he produced a fake sales agreement, claiming she sold the house to him for $13,000.

“There’s no proof. That’s not how you’re buying a property,” Bates said.

A police report filed by Bates accused him of fraud for that agreement, saying she never signed it. It points to a letter from the secretary of state, acknowledging that the notary stamp he used was reported missing around the time that the agreement was supposedly made.

“This isn’t just a problem in Oklahoma. You see this problem all over the country,” attorney Noble McIntyre said.

McIntyre, who is not tied to the case, said the situation is sort of a civil court loophole.

“If you had somebody that was very, very wealthy that had all the resources in the world, they could push this much more aggressively. But the average person doesn’t have that kind of money. So, they get caught in these situations where they’re a law-abiding citizen. They own the property. They’re doing everything right. They’re doing everything right. But the law is treating them like the bad person. It’s ridiculous,” McIntyre said.

The property assessor’s website still lists Bates’ family trust as the owners, but the man has since tried countersuing for everything from breach of contract to intentional infliction of emotional distress.

KOCO went to the home Monday to try and speak with him about the situation, but no one answered.

But just hours after the interview with her Monday, Bates got a notice that the judge granted a default judgment, meaning, soon, she finally gets her house back.

” Oh, my goodness! I’m so excited,” Bates said. “This is such a big release. I’m in tears because of it. I didn’t think this day would come.”

There are a couple of things that still need to happen. Her attorney will have to bring that notice to the sheriff’s office, giving the man 48 hours to move out.

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 Brian Hamrick

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A West Side man fled for his life early Sunday morning after stopping to help a motorist with flashing lights on I-71 in Silverton.

Richard Fultz, who owns CDS Land Services, was on the highway at 5 a.m. when he saw flashing hazard lights and decided to stop.

“I’m probably within 75 feet, and I’m like, ‘hey buddy, are you okay buddy’?” Fultz said.

Instead of gratitude, Fultz said he was met with a weapon.

“He comes out from his side of his car on the passenger side, and I see he’s holding an AR-15 in his hand,” Fultz said.

Fultz described the terrifying moment when the man aimed the weapon at him.

“[He] starts to shoulder it and up and on me, gets down on one knee and then gets down in a sniper position on his stomach towards me, and I take off, zigzagging as fast as I can back to the car, thinking I’m about to catch one in the back and then jump in the car and call 911,” Fultz said.

In the 911 call, Fultz told the dispatcher, “I stopped at first and when I got close, he laid down in sniper position like he was going to shoot at me.”

The suspected gunman, 18-year-old Aaron Phelan, appeared in court Monday. He is charged with aggravated menacing and discharging a firearm on prohibited premises. Prosecutors said four shots were fired during the incident.

Phelan’s attorney told the court that he graduated from Monroe High School and was a star football player. However, the explanation for the incident remains unclear.

“When they questioned, he said he admits the shooting and says he was trying to shoot people who were ‘trying to steal his car engine’,” the prosecutor said.

Fultz reflected on the incident, saying, “It’s sad either way. All the way around. I’m glad that he wasn’t injured. And as far as I know, no one else was injured.”

Judge Mallory set Phelan’s bond at $200,000.

Defense attorneys suggested the teen may have been victim of a “possible involuntary intoxication,” though they did not elaborate on what that entailed.

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 Sarah Killian

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    CULLMAN COUNTY, Alabama (WVTM) — A Moroccan-inspired Airbnb tucked away in Cullman County has gained national attention after being featured on HGTV’s “Wild Vacation Rentals.”

Jeff and Cherisa Lewis own the Flying Carpet Treehouse.

“When people drive up and get out of their car, the ones that have told us, wow,” Jeff Lewis said. “I couldn’t even dream this was in Alabama.”

The idea for the treehouse started with a simple concept.

“We was loving the trend for the treehouses. So we thought, well, I think we’ll do a treehouse,” Cherisa Lewis said.

However, the project quickly grew into something much more elaborate.

“We were on our way home from vacation and stopped at a salvage store and found these doors and windows,” Cherisa Lewis said. “I think it’s the first thing that we seen and we fell in love with it. So we decided we’re going to do a Moroccan treehouse.”

The couple dove into the design process, drawing inspiration from Moroccan architecture.

“I started just going through all the pictures of what the architecture looks like, and you start to click and ideas of what made Moroccan, Moroccan,” Jeff Lewis said.

The project was challenging but rewarding.

“It was very labor intensive. But it’s just when you have a passion to do something, it just drives you. It’s exciting,” Jeff Lewis said.

The Flying Carpet Treehouse is filled with intricate details, including rich fabrics, vases and lighting from Morocco, and custom wallpaper from Latvia.

“It was like a puzzle. The pieces just started coming into place,” Cherisa Lewis said. “I would find the perfect piece, It seemed like, this is just meant to be because everything just fell into place.”

Since its feature on HGTV, the treehouse has attracted visitors from across the country and even internationally.

“Since we’ve been featured, we’ve actually gotten a lot more diverse. We’ve from California. We’ve, yeah, from Colorado. Just Boston, I think. New York, Boston, a lot of different states,” Jeff Lewis said. “We had a couple who stayed a week from Guam, they came just for the treehouse.”

Despite the attention, the Lewises say their focus remains on creating a memorable experience for their guests.

“We love the hospitality side of it,” Cherisa Lewis said. “We really want them to leave here. Say, you know what? Everything was perfect,” Jeff Lewis said.

The couple is already planning their next Airbnb property, though they are keeping the details under wraps, promising it will be just as unique as the Flying Carpet Treehouse.

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.