Bethel Park police seek suspect after kittens thrown from car: “It was horrific”

CNN on August 17, 2026

KDKA

By Ricky Sayer

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    BETHEL PARK, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — Bethel Park Police are investigating after they said someone threw kittens from their vehicle.

The kittens died, police said.

At least one of the kittens was still alive when it was thrown, said Tracy Flaherty, who manages the Dairy Queen on Library Road. She saw it moving along the road and believes a car hit it. She and another individual moved the kitten to the side of the road.

“As we were petting it, it took its last breath,” Flaherty said.

Bethel Park Police received calls on Saturday between 3:30 and 3:45 about an individual throwing “items” from a vehicle in the area of Connor Road and Old Connor Road, as well as on Library Road near the Dairy Queen plaza, the department wrote on Facebook.

“Upon investigation, the items were unfortunately determined to be deceased kittens,” the post said.

They did not specify how many kittens were found or if they were all alive when thrown from the vehicle.

Bud Demart saw the Connor Road police scene unfold in front of his home. At first, he thought it was a dead squirrel on the road.

“It was small and had a big tail, and I’m-I mean, who would have thought there was a kitten on the road,” he said. “That’s a shame that happened. I’m not a big cat person, but they don’t deserve to be thrown out of a car and run over.”

At Bailey’s Cat Haven in nearby South Park Township, manager Barb Brown reacted to what happened.

“It was horrific,’ Brown said. “You know as a rescue we don’t understand what possesses people to do this?

Theres a variety of rescues the person could have contacted to give their kittens to, she said, adding she wishes she could have helped.

“Generally, when people are this desperate, they’ll release them in a park or a wooded area, but the fact that they threw them out the window-that’s a horrible way for any any animal or pet to to pass away,” Brown said.

Rick, who volunteers at the same shelter, was equally disturbed by what happened.

“It’s absolutely heinous,” he said. “You know, it just it made my blood boil thinking that somebody could do something like this.”

Cross Your Paws rescue in Greensburg put up a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest. Rick said he’d give them another $500 so they could increase their reward.

“Somebody has to care for those who don’t have a voice,” he said. “We want to know who did it.”

Demart was asked about what he thought of the person responsible.

“I think somebody ought to throw them out of the car,” Demart said. “I mean, I just can’t understand how somebody could do that to a harmless animal.”

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed anything to please contact them. They added that no matter how insignificant it may seem, it could help them.

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.

El Paso police search for missing man

KVIA on August 14, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Friday, El Paso Police said they’re looking for a missing 72-year-old man.

According to a social media post, Estanislado Rubio was last seen on Aug. 5 at Sun Metro Nestor A. Valencia Mission Valley Transfer Center. That’s located at 9065 Alameda Ave.

(Courtesy: EPPD)

Rubio was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt and green shoes, according to police.

He is 5’3″ and 180 lbs., according to police. Rubio also has brown eyes.

The El Paso Police Department noted that Rubio requires medication, uses a cane and carries a Bible with him.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call (915) 832-4000.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by El Paso Police Department (@eppolice)

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Traffic collision shuts down I-10 near Desert Center

KESQ on August 14, 2026

Tommy Gallegos

DESERT CENTER, Calif. — A traffic collision on Interstate 10 near Desert Center sent one person to the hospital with critical injuries Friday afternoon after a vehicle caught fire and blocked all lanes of the freeway.

Cal Fire firefighters were dispatched at approximately 12:58 p.m. to westbound Interstate 10, east of the Red Cloud Road off-ramp. The crash involved a vehicle that caught fire, creating a complete blockage of the freeway.

Firefighters contained the vehicle fire at approximately 1:22 p.m.

TRAFFIC COLLISION – Rpt @ 12:58 p.m. Interstate 10 West / East of Red Cloud Road off-ramp in Desert Center. Firefighters are on-scene of a traffic collision with a vehicle on fire and is blocking all lanes. The fire was contained at 1:22 p.m. One patient sustained critical… pic.twitter.com/txPTYYLUWT

— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) August 14, 2026

One patient sustained critical injuries and was transported by helicopter to a local hospital for further treatment. No other injuries were reported.

The incident occurred near Red Cloud Road, Exit 182, along I-10 in the Desert Center area.

Motorists traveling through the area should expect significant delays and use caution while emergency crews work at the scene. Additional details about the cause of the collision were not immediately available.

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Champs Heart Equine Encounters receives Idaho Service Spotlight, presented by Senator Jim Risch

KIFI on August 14, 2026

Hadley Bodell

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Champs Heart, a local organization committed to providing equine encounters and rides for veterans and children with special needs in the community, received the first Idaho Service Spotlight presented by Senator Jim Risch. The national recognition puts Champs Heart on the map as a community impact organization.

What is Champs Heart?

Since 2019, Champs Heart has been a healing place for children with disabilities and veterans through horse experiences. The nonprofit organization aims to help the overlooked and underserved populations in Idaho Falls by providing a whole new kind of therapy.

“Often times these children and people are underserved and overwhelemed with financial burdens, so we want them to come in, as long as its safe for you, you can ride our horses,” said founder Larry Cudmore. “And if the horses happen to do some therapy for you while you’re riding, I can’t stop that.”

The idea for this organization didn’t materialize out of thin air, rather a string of unfortunate events and a heartfelt dedication. Cudmore was diagnosed with severe prostate cancer in 2016 and had to immediately begin treatment in Salt Lake City.

“I met this girl down there from Ashton, Emily, and she had bad cancer too. I spent that summer going back and forth across the parking lot, visiting her and seeing all the children in that primary,” Cudmore explained. “They had all kinds of sadness because of wheelchairs and tubes coming out of all parts of their body. When I finished my treatment I told Emily I’d bring my horse Champ to Ashton for a buggy ride for her or a sleigh ride.”

When Emily passed away in December of 2017, Cudmore knew he had to do something in her memory. Following his treatment, Cudmore was forced to retire and thus Champs Heart was born.

“The thing just exploded to the point where we have close to 400 participants a month and 2,200 hours of volunteers per month,” he said.

Cudmore said his main focus is highlighting the children with disabilities who come to ride the horses as well as the veterans. They are the purpose and life of the organization.

The horses are completely safe for children and adults to ride. When they are donated or sold to Champs Heart, they are put through an 8-week probationary period before they get to be in the program.

They are also always looking for volunteers, there is an application online at champsheart.org.

Idaho Service Spotlight

“This is a new thing that Senator Risch is doing, I’m so honored to be the first one for the month of August in the state of Idaho,” Cudmore said. “If I can put the spotlight on the children and veterans by receiving this, whatever I can do, I’ll do it.”

Senator Risch read the Service Spotlight on the Senate floor on August 7. Cudmore said this is an incredible opportunity to get Champs Heart on the map.

“I was contacted that I’d been nominated and was asked to write up something on what we do and submit it to the employees work center for Eastern Idaho and then it was sent to Washington D.C. where his staff looked at it and picked me,” Cudmore said.

Larry Cudmore with Senator Risch, August 13

He explained some people are aren’t interested in horses, but love helping the children, and others love horses and don’t know about the benefits for childrens with disabilities and veterans. With over $20,000 in expenses per month, Champs Heart needs all the donations and help they can get.

“To put us on the map, I mean, it means everything to us and changes everything for us,” he said.

Riding for Veterans

On Fridays, Champs Heart has riding for veterans in the community. The events are in collaboration with Operation Freedom Recovery, another local organization run by Dan Miller, that helps connect veterans with resources.

“Larry realized the value of riding and the theraputic value for veterans and reached out to me,” Miller said. “I’m a military veteran, I’ve dealth with PTSD and things from service. It’s no secret that required therapy is being largely adopted within the veteran community so I was interested in having this experience myself.”

Miller brings his children to ride as well on Fridays at Champ Hearts in Idaho Falls. He said it creates a space for veterans to interact with one another and the animals.

“It’s kind of fun to interact with the creatures and see their temperament and see their own behaviors and see how they’re a lot like us and we’re a lot like them,” Miller said. “It’s just a great place to gather. But also, if you’re looking to network or connect with other veterans that are interested in finding recovery resources, it’s a great gathering for that.”

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Motorcyclist allegedly hits, kills pedestrian in Northeast El Paso

KVIA on August 14, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 27-year-old man died after a motorcyclist allegedly hit him in Northeast El Paso, according to the El Paso Police Department.

Police said the Special Traffic Investigations Unit went to the 3700 block of Fred Wilson Avenue near Dyer Street on Aug. 2. It happened at 1:42 a.m.

Police said the motorcyclist allegedly hit Basheer Farajallah Younis.

Younis was reportedly crossing the street in a non-designated pedestrian area at the time.

Both went to a hospital for their injuries.

On Aug. 8, the Medical Examiner’s Office told investigators Younis died to his injuries, EPPD said.

EPPD said this marks the 33rd traffic death this year, compared to 36 at this time this last year.

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St. Charles Road bridge to open to pedestrians in September

KMIZ on August 14, 2026

Demetra Alarcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The St. Charles Road bridge is set to open to traffic at 4 p.m. Friday, but the Missouri Department of Transportation says the bridge will not be open to pedestrians until mid-to-late September.

The bridge will open to cars while construction is still underway on the sidewalks. It has been under construction since mid-April and was first expected to open in late September.

Spencer Robinson, a project director for the Improve I-70 Project from Rocheport to Columbia, said Friday afternoon that crews were waiting on fencing they can install.

As for cyclists, Robinson said there is a shoulder on the bridge where they can ride, and that they can use the sidewalk once it’s open.

“There’s about a 3-foot shoulder or so on the side that bikes can use to get across, or they’re more than welcome to use the sidewalks once those are open as well,” Robinson said.

Sidewalks will be installed on both sides of the bridge.

Robinson said other Interstate 70 projects will have improved pedestrian connections.

“We will be upgrading all of those with construction and making wider, safer pedestrian connections across I-70 at all of those locations,” Robinson said.

These projects include:

Connector overpass

Paris Road overpass

Providence Road interchange

Stadium Boulevard

Midway interchange

Starting the morning of Aug. 24, MoDOT will close Clark Lane at the intersection with Hanover Boulevard for 60 days to build a roundabout and new pavement.

Robinson said that the city of Columbia came to MoDOT with extra grant money to add additional features to the roundabout that were not in the original project.

“Through a grant that they had, to add some additional width to the roadway and sidewalks, some additional sidewalks that we did not have in the original scope of the project,” said Robinson.

According to a report from Columbia Public Works, $10,520,310 has been agreed upon for the Clark Lane pedestrian, bicycle, capacity, and safety improvements initiative

“Improvements as part of the I-70 project include initial completion of a 10-foot shared-use path and a bicycle lane on the north side between Hanover and near Golden Bear and a two-lane roundabout with pedestrian accommodations at Hanover,” the report states.

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Elevators at 2 downtown Columbia parking garages out of service for repairs

KMIZ on August 14, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia announced in a Friday press release that elevators at two downtown parking garages are out of service.

The elevator at the southwest corner of the Eighth and Walnut parking garage will be out of service for at least two months for maintenance and repairs, the release says. Residents should use the elevator in the southeast corner, according to the release.

Additionally, the elevator at the northwest corner of the Short Street Parking Garage will be out of service “for an indefinite period for maintenance and repairs,” the release says. Residents should use the elevator in the southwest part of the building, the release says.

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T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights stops in Yuma

KYMA on August 14, 2026

Morgan Feller

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gila Ridge, Harvest Prep and Yuma High stopped by T-Mobile Tuesday for a day full of meet and greets, cheers and fun for locals to enjoy.

This is the biggest competition T-Mobile has had yet, with $8.4 million up for grabs for local high schools across the country.

The grand prize is a $1 million football field transformation high schools across the country could win by entering the competition.

Upon entering, even if the schools don’t win the grand prize, there will be other opportunities to cash in. In fact, the Gila Ridge Hawks have already won $5,000.

Frank Aguayo, a senior manager for T-Mobile, shared how schools can enter and win.

“The first step is really to get the high schools to apply. And when they fill out the application, they really tell their story of what it’s going to mean to the football program at the high school, what it’s going to mean to the community,” Aguayo shared. “And then the second step is exactly that is the community engagement…is everyone around the school rallying, liking the social post either on Instagram or Facebook, and then sharing it with their friends and family. And that’s part of the reason why we’re doing these tailgate party on Saturday.”

The Tailgate Party he is referring to is in Calexico this Saturday at the T-Mobile located at Lockwood Avenue.

It’s one of 15 parties happening in the entire country.

Aguayo encourages every football program from the valley to show up to increase their chances of raising money for their team.

The event is completely free to the public and will feature food trucks and a chance to win an autographed football and helmet by Rob Gronkowski.

For more details on how to enter your school for T-Mobile’s National Friday Night 5G Lights competition, click here.

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Student Safety: What parents should know after alarming incidents in the community

KESQ on August 14, 2026

Raymond Kalra

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)- An alarming case involving a pastor who authorities say served at churches in Indio and Blythe is bringing renewed attention to child safety and the conversations parents can have with their children.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says 41-year-old Lino Hernandez was arrested this week on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor. Authorities believe there may be additional victims, and the investigation remains ongoing. On the same day, Cathedral City Police released info on an arrest involving a Cathedral City teacher accused of sexually abusing several students, who has now been ordered to stand trial.

News Channel 3 is working to learn more about what parents should watch for, how they can talk with their children about uncomfortable situations and what questions families should ask before involving children in churches, programs or other community organizations.

See my full story tonight at 5.

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Mud Bay launches donation drive for pets, families affected by Spokane-area fires

KTVZ on August 14, 2026

Lance Campbell

BEND, Ore. — A Pacific Northwest pet retailer is calling on customers across the region to help pets and families affected by recent fires in Spokane-area communities.

Mud Bay is collecting donated pet food and supplies at its stores through Aug. 30, giving Central Oregonians and other customers a way to contribute directly to the relief effort.

Customers can purchase pet food or supplies at any Mud Bay location and donate the items in-store. Mud Bay says it will match customer-donated purchases up to $10,000.

The effort is designed to get needed pet supplies from communities across the Pacific Northwest to animal welfare organizations serving fire-affected areas around Spokane.

Spokane-based AFCO Distribution is helping coordinate transportation of the donated products to the affected region. The supplies will be delivered to animal welfare organizations serving those communities, including SpokAnimal.

For Central Oregonians who want to participate, the process is simple: purchase pet food or supplies at a local Mud Bay store and leave the donation with the store. The products will then be collected as part of the broader relief effort and transported to the Spokane area.

The campaign gives people hundreds of miles away from the affected communities an opportunity to help families caring for their pets as they deal with the impacts of the fires.

Mud Bay’s donation drive began Aug. 12 and continues through Aug. 30.

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