Month: October 2026

By Stephanie Moore

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    RICHLAND COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — A pastor at a South Carolina church and his wife are accused of stealing more than $200,000 from the church and spending it on a motorcycle, payments on a BMW, vehicle insurance, and other unapproved items.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department said the investigation began in June 2025 when a church member filed a report about the pastor of his church misusing collection funds.

The complainant reported that Barry Spears had been accepting donations through the church’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and was using the parishioners’ donations to pay personal bills.

Upon further investigation, investigators said they found that Spears and his wife, Jeri B. Spears, had stolen over $200,000 of the church’s money.

Receipts and other documentation show misappropriation of the church funds by Barry Spears dating back to 2018, investigators said.

On Sept.28, 2026, investigators obtained arrest warrants for the couple.

Both Spears and his wife turned themselves in on Sept. 29.

Barry L. Spears is charged with Violations of the Computer Crime Act, 1st Degree, Forgery $10,000 or More and Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent.

Jeri Spears is charged with Obtaining Goods Under False Pretenses $10,000 or More.

Both were released on bond.

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 Michael Rosales

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    WATSONVILLE, California (KSBW) — Researchers at UC Santa Cruz are exploring ways to help farmers go fully organic. A new steam technology could offer an alternative to pesticides and fumigants.

Researchers are testing whether hot steam can protect crops without relying on traditional pesticides or fumigants. The machine heats the soil to about 70 C and holds it at that temperature for about 20 minutes.

“So it’s just water. It’s treating the soil only by heat,” Ryan Benson, lead engineer, said.

The process heats the ground enough to target pests, weeds and pathogens without chemicals, potentially giving organic farmers another tool.

“Soil fumigation has been traditional since 1950. That’s worked very well. This is just a look over the fence to see if an alternative works,” Mark Boulda, a farm advisor, said.

Pathogens can cause plant diseases and significant crop losses. Researchers say the steam treatment could help control soil-borne pathogens and extend the growing season, allowing farmers to keep working the land later into the fall.

The technology is being tested at organic berry farms across the Pajaro Valley, with a focus on farms near schools and neighborhoods.

Kathleen Kilpatrick, a member of the Santa Cruz County Safe Ag Safe Schools group, said, “The Pajaro Valley has some of the most concentrated use of fumigants in the state. We hope these pilot projects will provide tools for pesticide reduction and expansion of organic buffers.”

Researchers say they will monitor the fields over time to assess the treatment’s long-term effectiveness.

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 Riley Nagel

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    OILDALE, California (KERO) — An Oildale woman who spent nearly two months in a Fresno burn unit after she says she was set on fire at a local homeless encampment is now home — but frustrated that no one has been arrested.

Frances Lopez, 33, says she was visiting a friend inside a tent at a homeless encampment on July 11 when three people confronted her friend over a money dispute. She says the encounter quickly turned violent.

“And then the guy goes out again and grabs a gas can and is like, ‘**** it, let’s just light them on fire then,’ and threw the gasoline on us. When I tried to leave, he pushed me back, and I fell on my friend’s bed. And that’s when the girl lit the flame… and we went up in flames,” Lopez said.

Lopez says she managed to escape the burning tent, stop, drop and roll, before making her way to a nearby trailer park to get help.

“I was so cold, but I was hot. I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” Lopez said.

Lopez was airlifted to a burn unit in Fresno, where she says doctors told her she had to be resuscitated twice during transport and treatment. Doctors determined she suffered second- and third-degree burns across 32% of her body.

“It consists of both my arms, to my back right here. And then my legs… like the backs of my legs. And my face,” Lopez said.

After 4 surgeries and nearly 8 weeks in the hospital, Lopez returned home in September. But her recovery is far from over. She says she still has open wounds, needs daily dressing changes and has limited mobility.

“I don’t have a home health nurse coming. It’s up to my family to do my care, and it’s a lot of stuff, like really a lot,” Lopez said.

Lopez says she has been working with an arson investigator with the Kern County Fire Department and has provided information about the people she believes were involved. She declined to name those she suspects, saying she fears for her safety.

“I don’t know why these people haven’t been apprehended yet,” Lopez said.

The Kern County Fire Department confirms the case remains under investigation, but says it cannot comment on specific details. The department also says public records will not be released while the investigation is active.

Lopez says the lack of a report or case number has also made it harder to access resources to help cover the cost of her care. With no burn unit in Bakersfield, she must continue making the trip to Fresno for treatment.

She says she is now terrified to even walk outside, afraid the people she believes are responsible could target her or her family again.

“I just hope that they do their job, and I hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Lopez said.

Lopez still faces a long road to recovery, including continued wound care and physical therapy. She hopes those responsible will be held accountable so she and her family can feel safe again.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KERO’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Jeremiah Estrada

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    HALAWA, Hawaii (KITV) — Two teen boys are facing several charges in an attempted murder investigation after another teen was shot in Halawa earlier this month.

After the first suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested days ago, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) arrested a 16 and 17-year-old boy on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in connection to a shooting on Saturday, Sept. 19. HPD reported that at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, a 15-year-old boy and two other boys were in the parking lot of the Halawa Housing area on Kohomua Street.

A car entered the parking lot when an unidentified man dressed in black wearing a ski mask and the group was approached by the man after he got out of the car. HPD said the suspect raised what appeared to be a handgun and fired multiple times. One of the shots hit the 15-year-old victim.

The boy was treated at the scene by Honolulu Emergency Services for his gunshot wound. Afterwards, he taken to the hospital in serious condition.

The suspect car was said to be possibly be a light red four-door sedan, according to police.

Two more teen boys, ages 16 and 17, were arrested by HPD District 3 officers at 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday. They were both taken into custody for three counts second-degree attempted murder and first-degree theft.

The two teens were charged for three counts second-degree attempted murder and first-degree theft on Wednesday. Additionally, the 16-year-old was also charged with place to keep, and the 17-year-old was also charged with first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

Their identities were not released because they are minors.

HPD said that petitions have been filed in Family Court.

The investigation remains active.

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 Indiana Schilz

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    MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Ground has been broken on Milwaukee’s first universally inclusive and accessible playground, bringing a project more than a year in the making one step closer to reality.

Stella’s Playground is being built at Kilbourn Reservoir Park and is designed to give children of all abilities an opportunity to play together.

The project has been in development for about 15 months, with organizers raising $1.5 million to bring the playground to life.

The playground is named after Stella, a 10-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in 2023.

Her fight inspired the effort to create a space that could serve children and families throughout Milwaukee.

“Really excited to be able to tell Stella we’re making this happen, not just for her, but for all the kids and families in our city,” Stella’s mother said.

Organizers say the playground will be designed with accessibility and inclusion at its core, creating a space where children with different physical and developmental needs can play alongside one another.

Stella’s Playground is expected to be completed in fall 2027.

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 Duaa Israr

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    MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WDJT) — A bizarre attack outside Fiserv Forum, where police say a man climbed out of a manhole, then knocked a 63-year-old man unconscious.

Police say 21-year-old Alandis Tribblett assaulted the elderly bus driver and also bit an officer’s hand.

“The individual lifted the manhole cover out of the street and sat in it,” said John Roots, owner of Natty Oaks.

Roots says the bar had several shuttle buses in the area transporting concertgoers when Tribblett began verbally harassing them.

“He threatened one of the drivers,” said Tribblett.

When another driver stepped in to help, Roots says Tribblett attacked the driver.

“He assaulted him. Knocked him unconscious and did some hard work to him, I’ll tell you that,” said Roots.

In a criminal complaint, investigators say when they arrived at the scene, the 63-year-old driver was “unconscious and officers noticed blood around his mouth.”

Police say Tribblett was standing by the open manhole and making comments about “underground tunnels where they are sex trafficking kids.”

Roots says the driver, who is now recovering, had significant bruising on his ribs, jaw, and head.

“The individual that was assaulted has been with me for an awful long time,” said Roots.

The bar says it’s now taking extra security measures when it comes to its shuttle buses and also calling for more security near Fiserv.

“All of our drivers have GPS in our vans, and we have all this ability to see where each other’s at, but we’re investing in bringing security cameras inside of the cabs and cameras outside of these cabs as well,” said Roots. “This is helping people be safe either mentally or physically, by people that are paid to help us and protect us.”

After his arrest, police say Tribblett bit an officer at the hospital. He’s due back in court in November.

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By Rian Stockett

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — Many business owners attended Explore Asheville’s annual meeting on Thursday to learn where we’re at in tourism recovery two years after Helene.

“…not only to recover but to rebound,” President and CEO of Explore Asheville Vic Isley said during the meeting.

She said Asheville is a tourism destination climbing back from the devastation of a natural disaster.

Posana restaurant co-owner Peter Pollay attended Explore Asheville’s meeting to learn what’s being done to bring more visitors to the area, including Asheville.

“I’m kind of interested to see what they’re going to say on what their plan is to get more tourism in here, because it is still down, and also to see what the trends are around the country,” said Pollay.

He says Posana relies on tourism and that business isn’t what it was before Helene.

“We have a lot of employees that we like to give checks to. We love to build peoples’ careers, so it’s a little stressful but we’re doing alright, we’re hanging in there, we’re doing OK,” said Pollay.

At the meeting, Adam Sacks from Tourism Economics delivered a keynote speech on tourism recovery from Helene.

“Buncombe County continues to rebound. We’ve seen this in the data,” said Sacks.

While he says that the recovery is remarkable, he notes that for 2026, combined hotel and short-term rental room demand and combined lodging revenue were below pre-Helene levels.

But he says there was a 5.4% growth in lodging during the first eight months of this year.

In his speech, Sacks also acknowledged national trends that work in Asheville’s favor like the shift toward driving instead of flying.

“From April 26 to August 2026, a drop from 48% to 40% travel by air and an increase in road from 26 to 32,” said Sacks.

According to Explore Asheville, 50% of the U.S. population lives within 600 miles of Asheville.

“People are still planning to travel but they’re changing how they travel so they might be going closer to home,” said Isley.

Pollay said the data shared in the meeting seems pretty positive for Asheville.

“Hopefully everyone out there knows that Asheville is open and ready to accept people and show everyone what we’re all about,” said Pollay.

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By Kelly Doty

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    BUNCOMBE COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) approved an emergency rule to prevent black bear interactions in Buncombe County at a meeting Thursday, Oct. 1, as the state agency said the county saw more than 800 reports of bear activity in a five-month period alone.

The rule, which was approved in a unanimous vote, prohibits both intentional and passive feeding of black bears in Buncombe County. Passive feeding includes leaving unsecured trash and pet food outside or installing bird feeders in bear-prone areas.

Buncombe County and the city of Asheville already have ordinances prohibiting bear feeding that were developed with NCWRC’s support. However, the new emergency rule will carry criminal consequences for violators and, for the first time, allow the state to exercise wildlife enforcement jurisdiction when needed.

“Our priority is helping residents of Buncombe County understand how intentional feeding of black bears can create dangerous situations for both humans and bears,” Major Chad Arnold said in a statement. “When officers detect violations they will take appropriate action, which may include issuing warnings or citations, depending on the circumstances. The goal is not punishment, but prevention: reducing conflict, protecting public safety and ensuring that bears remain wild.”

According to NCWRC, between May 1 and Sept. 30, residents and wildlife officials submitted 836 human-wildlife interaction reports involving black bears in Buncombe County alone: an average of 5.5 interactions a day.

NCWRC provided the following breakdown of those reported interactions:

– 271 reports of people feeling threatened by bears, – 30 reports of a bear posing a real threat to people, – 71 reports of bears entering homes, – 31 reports of humans feeding bears, – 14 reports of bears consuming pet food, – 5 pets killed by bears, – 2 injured pets, and – 2 reports of residents injured

“These incidents are primarily due to people feeding bears or leaving unsecured food attractants, such as outdoor pet food, trash cans and bird feeders, which causes bears to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans and their property with an easy source of food” NCWRC Black Bear Biologist Jenna Malzahn said in written statement.

NCWRC data indicated close human-bear encounters have ramped up this year. Of the 115 reports of forced entries between 2023 and 2026, 64% have occurred in the last five months.

NCWRC said Buncombe County accounted for 43% of all bear reports the agency received statewide during this time frame.

After Thursday’s vote, the measure will now move to the Office of Administrative Hearings for final approval.

Food conditioning in bears NCWRC says when bears feed on unnatural food sources around human homes, like trash, pet food and birdseed, they can lose their fear of humans and become more likely to approach people. This can often lead to dangerous situations for both humans and bears.

Wildlife officials said taking steps to keep bears wild and not accustomed to people as sources of food is key to keeping wildlife and humans safe. This includes never intentionally or unintentionally feeding bears by securing all garbage, removing bird feeders when bears are active and never leaving pet food outside.

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.