Month: August 2026

By Aaron Hegarty

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    LINCOLN, Neb. (KETV) — More than 700 inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln have been without running water for days after two water main breaks, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

The first break occurred Thursday and was repaired Friday, but a second break on Friday remains unresolved. The department said the second break is buried under concrete and near electrical lines, making the repair time unknown.

“If this were my dog, I would go to jail for doing this, withholding water,” said Nature Jackson, the wife of inmate Earnest Jackson, who was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1999 shooting death of Larry Perry.

Nature Jackson said inmates haven’t showered in days and do not have clean clothes because the laundry is impacted. She said they have to choose between drinking water, cleaning clothes, or washing themselves.

The NDCS said in a statement:

“Initially, 20,000 bottles of water were delivered to NSP, and additional water deliveries have since been made. Bottled water is distributed every four hours—and more frequently if needed — to ensure individuals have continuous access to drinking water.” “Portable toilets were delivered on Thursday. Sanitation and operational checks are made hourly, and the toilets are emptied at least every 12 hours.” “A schedule for shower access is in place and will continue until normal water service is restored.” “Laundry from the facility is being sent to other facilities to be cleaned, and those items will be returned and distributed tomorrow. This process will continue until normal water service is restored.” Four of the prison’s nine housing units are impacted, according to NDCS, holding about 715 incarcerated people. That’s more than half of the facility’s average daily population of 1,287.

The Nebraska State Penitentiary is the oldest prison in the state. Aging infrastructure there is a known problem. A replacement being constructed in North Lincoln is expected to be completed in 2028.

“This is an ongoing problem that people in the community have been advocating for long before I even started advocating, and I’m not new to advocating,” Jackson said.

A 2018 Inspector General of Corrections report noted that water main breaks were expected to be a recurring issue, with five breaks reported between September 2018 and the prior December. A 2022 engineering study published by the department estimated $220 million in deficiencies at the prison.

Jackson described the conditions as unacceptable.

“How do we, as a village, a community, expect people to go into a space where they’re treated so terribly, and then the day it’s time to be released, say, ‘All right, go be great in your community,'” she 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 Olivia Hickey

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Almost 50 years after six people were murdered at an Oklahoma City restaurant, one of the women convicted of the crime asked to be released from prison Monday.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board discussed whether Verna Stafford, who is now 73, should be free. The families of the people killed nearly five decades ago delivered a clear message to the board: keep her behind bars.

They said their pain and their fight are far from over.

One by one, the victims’ relatives stepped to the podium, recounting the horror of the Sirloin Stockade murders and the pain they still carry nearly 50 years later. Prosecutors joined their call, urging the board to deny Stafford parole.

“Why are we even considering this?” said Erin Salsman, who is related to David Salsman.

Verna is serving two life sentences for her role in the murders.

Six restaurant employees were forced into a meat freezer and shot. Five died at the scene, and the sixth later died at a hospital.

Stafford recently passed the first stage of the parole process, but the families of those killed said the pain has never gone away.

“The generational curse that has been passed down from these murders—it runs deep for all of us,” Elizabeth Payne, family of Anthony Tew, said.

The board emphasized that the hearing is part of Stafford’s due process.

“We’re not here to debate this. The fact is some people may see it as if she were moved to her second life sentence, it would spare the victims from coming in every three years. That’s one position. It’s not necessarily the position the board will allow,” Robert Reavis, a member of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, said.

But the families said they are going to make sure she stays behind bars.

“We write letters every three years to keep her in prison, and we will keep doing that,” said Elizabeth Payne. “We understand that she’s serving two life sentences and that this parole is for the one life sentence. However, we also understand that if they, for over on the first life sentence, there is not a guarantee of 15 years before she could be released again.”

Stafford is expected to appear before the board on Tuesday. The board will then make its decision.

Family members of those killed said they will be in attendance.

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 Fletcher Keel

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    BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WLWT) — Beavercreek City Council has officially recognized the beaver as a historic symbol of the community.

The move comes as Beaver’s Mini Mart faces a trademark lawsuit from convenience store giant Buc-ee’s, which filed the suit after the local business allegedly sought a federal trademark for the name “Beaver Mart.”

City leaders say the new resolution is not about that legal fight.

They point to the beaver’s long connection to Beavercreek’s history, geography and community identity dating back to its earliest settlement in 1803.

The resolution supports the use of beaver imagery by local schools, businesses, community groups, and in public spaces.

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 Russ Reed, Bonnie Bishop

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    SCARBOROUGH, Maine (WMTW) — A Maine lifeguard who has more than five decades of experience survived an encounter with a great white shark in Scarborough.

Greg Wilfert, the park manager at Scarborough Beach State Park, was using a rescue torpedo in the water Saturday afternoon when a shark grabbed the flotation device and pulled him under the surface.

“I thought I was caught in a boat propeller, and I realized I wasn’t,” Wilfert said.

Wilfert was pulled about 5 to 6 feet down before he was able to free himself from the strap that was attached to the rescue torpedo. Although he did not see the shark, Wilfert knew that is what pulled on his flotation device.

“There’s no fish that’s going to do that,” Wilfert said. “It has to be a big fish or a shark. It had to be the shark.”

Wilfert was able to swim safely back to shore and get out of the water without further incident.

“I was hoping that it wasn’t coming back up to check me out,” he said.

A bystander told Scarborough officials that they saw the rescue torpedo come up about 6 to 8 feet out of the water, shortly after Wilfert had begun swimming back toward shore.

According to officials, the reported shark activity and circumstances surrounding the encounter are very consistent with other activity they have seen. The activity and circumstances have also been reviewed and corroborated by New England Aquarium shark expert John Chisholm. Wilfert tells Maine’s Total Coverage there have been more than a dozen shark sightings in the past few days.

Scarborough Beach State Park was closed to swimming for about an hour following the encounter, as lifeguards and public safety personnel assessed the situation and monitored the surrounding waters.

The park now has lifeguards closer to the shore to survey the water, a jet ski going across the ocean and a drone flying overhead. Guests also can only go waist-deep into the ocean.

“We’re not taking any chances,” said Wilfert, who is in his 55th year as a lifeguard at Scarborough Beach State Park.

Officials said there continues to be a significant number of great white sharks being observed in the water off Scarborough Beach State Park, as well as off Higgins Beach. People have seen multiple sharks moving through the nearshore waters and sandbar areas.

Last week, nearly a dozen young sharks were spotted off Pine Point Beach in Scarborough within 48 hours.

The Scarborough Public Safety Team said the presence of great white sharks in the area is an ongoing concern and has encouraged beachgoers to use caution when entering the water and do the following:

Pay close attention to lifeguards and posted beach advisories. Immediately exit the water when instructed by lifeguards or public safety personnel. Avoid swimming near schools of fish, seals or areas where birds are actively feeding. Avoid swimming alone and remain aware of changing conditions. Understand that shark activity can occur close to shore and in relatively shallow water. Report any shark sightings to lifeguards or local public safety personnel. Town officials said they will continue to monitor shark activity in Scarborough and share additional information with the public when warranted.

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 Rachael Perry

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    PALM CITY, Fla. (WPBF) — A Martin County woman is facing felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after deputies discovered 36 dogs living in unsanitary conditions inside her Palm City home.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant earlier today and spent much of the afternoon removing the animals, which ranged from puppies to adult border collies. Investigators wore hazmat suits as they worked to retrieve the dogs.

“The animals are in deplorable conditions,” Sheriff John Budensiek said.

Budensiek described the state of the home, saying, “The food bowls, the water bowls in there are covered in feces. The animals themselves, the dogs, which are supposed to be border collies, beautiful dogs, are covered in feces. They’re supposed to be white and black dogs, and they’re solid black from the feces.”

He added that some of the dogs were skittish and hiding, making it difficult for investigators to remove them.

“Currently right now, there’s more dogs in there than what they’ve been able to get out because they’re skittish, they’re hiding,” Budensiek said.

According to Budensiek, the homeowner, Paige O’Donnell, was previously an AKC breeder. He said the last time officials were allowed inside the home was in 2020, when the animals were in acceptable condition. However, between 2020 and 2022, O’Donnell reportedly underwent treatment for alcohol abuse and began “playing the legal game” to block officials from accessing her home.

A neighbor, Tessa Nabors, expressed hope that the situation would lead to change.

“Hopefully she gets the help that she also needs, but she shouldn’t be subjecting animals to that type of situation because they’re being forced to live in that, and that’s disgusting on her part,” Nabors said.

The sheriff confirmed that all 36 dogs removed from the home will be taken to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.

O’Donnell is expected to appear in court Tuesday.

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 Hayley Crombleholme

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    MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) — Mini therapy horses in Ocala are helping veterans and seniors find comfort and healing through Ponies for Patriots and Pint Size Therapy, an organization that connects people with horse therapy.

On Monday night, the organization held a fundraiser to support its mission.

The Ocala ranch that houses Ponies for Patriots and Pint Size Therapy is home to Fancy, a mini therapy horse who has been instrumental in helping veterans like retired Army SSgt. Dan Hermsen. His wife, Tracie Hermsen, a former Army specialist, introduced him to the program.

“He has pretty bad PTSD, so he doesn’t say yes to very much, so he did say yes,” Tracie Hermsen said.

When they visited, Fancy put her head to Dan’s chest.

“It made me cry,” Dan Hermsen said.

The couple now serves on the organization’s board of directors, with Dan volunteering at the ranch multiple times a week.

“It’s my way of giving back to them because they’ve done so much for me. Internal healing,” Dan Hermsen said.

Ponies for Patriots and Pint Size Therapy was founded about a year ago by Dawn Lomelo, who said she was inspired to start the organization after her son graduated from the Military Academy.

“I made a promise: watch over my son, and I will give back to the community, especially those who have served or are currently serving,” Lomelo said.

She said the organization has grown over the past year. On Monday night, Fancy joined a fundraising event at a restaurant in Ocala to help the organization expand its reach. Raising money, hoping to make the trails around their ranch handicap accessible.

“So no one’s limited by their mobility. Everybody can get the same experience, whether they’re handicapped or not,” Lomelo said.

After Dan’s experience, he and his wife hope more veterans will consider mini horse therapy as a way to heal.

“What if? What if it did heal you in a way you never thought could?” Tracie Hermsen 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 Nick Sloan, Krista Tatschl

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    JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (KMBC) — A former school district employee faces 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child in Johnson County.

Christopher Hills has been charged with ten felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child in Johnson County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Hills unlawfully possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct between February 2024 and August 2026.

The complaint details two separate periods of alleged offenses and cites investigations by local law enforcement, digital forensics experts, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Hills made his first court appearance Monday by video conference.

He requested a court-appointed attorney, telling the judge he could not afford one. Hills worked at Wellsville Elementary School until Aug. 6, the day of his arrest.

In a letter sent to families, the district said none of the alleged crimes occurred on school property or involved Wellsville students.

A $1 million bond has been requested and he’s due in court on Monday afternoon in Johnson County. If Hills posts bond, he would be prohibited from accessing computers or the Internet and from having contact with anyone younger than 18.

Hills is scheduled to appear in court again by Zoom at 10 a.m. Aug. 20.

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.