Author: CNN Newsource

By Nicholas Brooks

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    JACKSON, Miss. (WAPT) — The impact of gun violence in Jackson is being felt long after police tape comes down and investigations begin.

Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home said it has buried roughly 20 to 25 young people this year following homicides, with victims ranging in age from as young as 2 years old to 23.

Kaleb Rhodes, assistant manager at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, said the number of young homicide victims is concerning, especially considering the year is not over.

“We’re just one funeral home. So for us to be at in our 20s in August and we still have the rest of the year to go, that’s pretty high,” Rhodes said.

Rhods said the funeral home is preparing to help two more families who lost loved ones to homicide this weekend.

“Even this weekend coming up, we have to stand alongside of two families who lost their loved ones to homicides here in the city of Jackson,” he said.

Westhaven has also handled funerals connected to some of Jackson’s most heartbreaking cases, including a triple homicide that claimed the lives of the Wethersby sisters and the 2-year-old son of one of the sisters.

Rhodes said helping a family through a multiple-homicide case is different from the typical funeral process.

“It was a very different and unique process because traditionally we’re dealing with one loved one. This instance, we were dealing with three individuals at one time who lost their lives due to a homicide in our city,” Rhodes said.

While funeral homes help families through the final goodbye, Rhodes said those families are often left with a financial and emotional burden they were not prepared to carry.

“The families are left with the burden to bury their loved ones and a lot of these families are not prepared for that,” he said.

Dr. Valerie McKnight, founder of I’ll Go Outreach Missions International, works with young people and has been involved in efforts to address gun violence in the community.

McKnight said she believes part of the solution involves returning to basic moral values and strengthening communities.

“And I think that is what happened in these communities. We strayed away from the basics of good moral ethics and values. Once we go back to that, I think that it will make the world a better place as well as our communities,” McKnight said.

McKnight plans to bring that message to the community through a prayer vigil scheduled for Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. at L’il Go Outreach Missions International’s facility in Clinton.

For families at Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, the continued funerals serve as a reminder that the impact of Jackson’s gun violence extends far beyond the crime scene, affecting families and communities for years to come.

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 Sophia Falbo

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    BURLINGTON, Vt. (WPTZ) — Hundreds of cyclists took over Burlington streets on Wednesday for a critical mass ride honoring Shiloh Skalka.

Two miles of biking, with many holding signs along the way, as a tribute to the 16-year-old Burlington girl who died doing just that.

“Shiloh was riding a bike when she was killed, so it’s important to show that bicyclists are out here,” said Val Cyr, communications specialist at Local Motion. “We take up space on the road, and we deserve to be part of traffic.”

Skalka was hit by a car, driven by 79-year-old Douglas Knapp, while riding her e-bike at the intersection of Pine and Locust Street on July 16. She later died from her injuries at UVM Medical Center.

Police cited Knapp in connection with the fatal crash. He’s due in court later this month.

“I’ve been processing it,” said Christian Skalka, Shiloh’s father. “I can say I’ve just mostly been struggling to make it day by day and moment by moment.”

Bike advocacy group Local Motion hosted Wednesday afternoon’s critical mass ride.

“I came out today because I am grieving but also because I am so angry,” said South End resident and parent Jason Van Driesche.

Volunteers installed a ghost bike just feet away from Skalka’s memorial that is continuously growing.

“It’s a bike that’s painted white just to show that this is a spot where a cyclist was killed,” Cyr said. “It’s left on the side of the road as a memorial, as a reminder for anyone passing that something awful happened here.”

Some neighborhood parents said Skalka’s death is their biggest fear come true.

“A few days after Shiloh was killed, my daughter, who is 19 [years old], and loves to bike all over Burlington, was headed downtown on her bike,” Van Driesche said. “And I looked at her, and I said, ‘Be careful, sweetheart,’ and she said, ‘I know.'”

And Skalka’s accident is highlighting the need for better biker protection, now more than ever.

“The city’s slow walk improvements for biking over and over and over and prioritize convenience for people driving over saving people’s lives,” Van Driesche said. “That makes me furious, especially when something like this happens.”

The ride comes exactly one week after Local Motion organized a walk-and-bike forum for South End residents to suggest ways to make biking feel safer.

A memorial fund, with more than $100,000, has been set up in remembrance of the beloved teen.

Her father said it’s a way to pedal forward and show solidarity with all cyclists.

“All power to Shiloh and her memory,” said Christian Skalka. “More needs to be done for biker safety in Burlington and in Vermont, and I hope this can send that message.”

Volunteers said Skalka’s ghost bike will remain on Pine Street for the next several weeks.

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 Veronica Haynes, Ted Wayman

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    ACTON, Mass. (WCVB) — A Massachusetts teenager was arraigned Thursday on murder charges in the deaths of his mother and younger brother at their Acton home earlier this week.

Arjun Aravind, 17, is charged with killing his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his 14-year-old brother, Siddharth Aravind, at the family’s home Tuesday night.

Police responded to the Acton residence after a scheduled tutor was unable to enter the home and Aravind’s father requested a well-being check.

What charges does Arjun Aravind face?

A not guilty plea was entered on Aravind’s behalf Thursday in Concord District Court on two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery on a family or household member and two counts of assault and battery.

Aravind was ordered held without bail and will undergo a mental health evaluation. He is scheduled to return to court Sept. 11.

A prosecutor said there were “obvious signs of a physical and violent struggle” inside the home and that the victims showed signs of “blunt force trauma.”

“He did not even know when he left that house that they were dead. There was an incident within the house that occurred, and when he left the house, he did not even realize his mother was dead,” said defense attorney Debra Dewitt.

What happened at the Acton home?

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said Wednesday that the victims’ causes and manners of death would be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Ryan also said Wednesday that Aravind had previously been using the internet and ChatGPT to explore “gothic novel” stories involving the deaths of his family.

“Including using the internet and ChatGPT to make searches for theoretical ideas or fantasy stories of the killing of his family,” Ryan said.

When was the Massachusetts teen arrested?

Ryan said Wayland police found Aravind in his mother’s 2014 green Honda Accord after officers responded to an unrelated alarm call early Wednesday morning.

“It’s an incredibly dark day for this community, for this school system,” Ryan said.

Police said Aravind was known to them from a runaway incident about a year ago but had little other involvement with law enforcement.

How is the Acton community responding?

“It’s just very scary to know that this is happening right in our neighborhood,” one resident said.

“I feel bad about what happened. It’s a tragedy, sickening, you know. If I could have helped, I would have helped,” another resident said.

Acton Police Chief Douglas Sturniolo expressed condolences to the victims’ family and said police would continue working to keep the community safe.

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By Pamela Comme

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    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WESH) — Daytona Beach code enforcement has given Seaside Health and Rehabilitation Center 48 hours to address what officials described as a “life safety issue” involving residents’ windows.

The order was issued after WESH 2 started asking questions on Wednesday. Our cameras were there as officials posted a notice on the building, starting the clock on the deadline.

The initial complaint was received on July 26. The city says the initial investigation was delayed because the complaint did not contain all necessary contact information. On Aug. 10, an inspection of the room was done, and an additional walkthrough was made on Aug. 12.

One resident, who agreed to speak only if their name was withheld, said the facility’s windows were recently secured shut.

“A couple weeks ago, they came in. The maintenance lady was screwing everything shut, and I’m like, what are you doing?” the resident said. “And she said they ordered us to shut everything, lock everything down.”

The resident said the restrictions have left them feeling confined.

“I feel like I’m in jail, you know what I’m saying?” the resident said.

A frequent visitor who contacted WESH 2 said he was concerned about what could happen during an emergency, particularly because some residents have limited mobility.

“You got a lot of people who can’t move around that well,” he said. “And how are they supposed to get out if there’s a fire or there’s some other emergency?”

The complaint was submitted about a month ago by a resident, who said there had already been limits on how far the windows could open before they were completely shut.

A Seaside staff member told WESH 2 that the facility is working to address the issue and had no further comment.

“Thank you so much for doing that. So hopefully it will work,” the resident said to WESH 2’s Pamela Comme. “I really, I pray.”

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 Barry Simms

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    ESSEX, Md. (WBAL) — Two teenagers have been charged as adults in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old boy in Essex on Monday.

Baltimore County police on Wednesday said a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of Roman Wright, 17, in a shooting on Bladen Road.

Police said officers were called Monday to Bladen Road for reports of an assault in progress. When officers arrived, they found the victim inside a vehicle that crashed into a parked vehicle. Wright suffered from an apparent gunshot wound and died at a hospital, police said.

The 17-year-old was taken into custody Tuesday after an hours-long barricade situation on Akin Circle in Middle River, and a judge on Wednesday denied bail. The judge ruled that the teen should not be held in a secure juvenile facility, saying he poses a risk to others given the violent nature of the case, and instead ordered him to be held in an adult facility.

The 15-year-old suspect was found and arrested on Monday at a nearby house on Bladen Road. He waived his bail review at a court appearance on Tuesday.

According to court charging documents obtained by WBAL-TV 11 News, the teenage suspects set up a pre-arranged robbery and fled after the shooting.

The charging document states that the teenage suspects decided to “book the plug,” which detectives said is a term that means “robbing their dealer.”

Police found surveillance video that they said shows the two suspects standing near the victim’s car. A person with a red multicolored backpack raised his arm toward the driver and fired at least two shots, the documents state.

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By Angela Cifone

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    HONOLULU (KITV) — “Walking out and seeing what the Kona lows did to the farm was very drastic and traumatic in a way,” said Cheyenne Adams, Marketing manager for Waimanalo Country Farms.

That trauma came after the March Kona Low storms.

“You could hear like the crackling of the wind and rain coming down over the mountain, and then you could see in the mist the wind whipping,” said Adams.

Now, another storm is on the horizon.

“We’re still in recovery mode. So being hit with another potential hurricane is daunting,” said Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda.

For many, the concern goes beyond the forecast.

“People are still picking up the pieces. We are still recovering from the Kona low, from the earthquake,” said Alameda.

Waimanalo Country Farms is still feeling the effects from the first storms.

“There are only so many fields that we are able to use because some of the other ones are still damaged,” said Adams.

Now, they are hoping this storm passes without setting them back again.

“We’re just praying that it’ll just pass by and not damage those crops because if not, we’re going to be delayed again,” said Adams.

But even just preparing can be a setback.

“Now it’s like we have to pause and now go back to, okay, now we have to go into like survival mode, right? And then go back to work after that,” said Adams.

But the disasters have also taught communities to prepare and rely on each other.

“The earthquake and the Kona Low really made it so that neighbors were reminded to be supportive of one another and work together and with each other. And I think that’s very fresh in people’s minds and experiences,” said Colehour Bondera, an organic farmer on the Big Island.

And while preparation can bring some peace of mind, the fear of what comes after remains.

“The biggest worry is not knowing if you’d be able to recover or assessing the damage,” said Adams.

So for now, it’s prepare, wait and hope this storm doesn’t add another chapter to a year of recovery.

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 Cyera Williams

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    BALTIMORE COUNTY, Maryland (WMAR) — Friday is Purple Heart Day, honoring the service members who were wounded or killed while serving the United States.

Army veteran Lee Chambers entered the Army in 1967 and was trained to operate a 106 recoilless rifle, an anti-tank weapon mounted on the back of a Jeep.

When he arrived in Vietnam, however, Chambers said his unit told him it did not have the weapon. He was instead assigned to be a radio telephone operator for his platoon sergeant, keeping the unit connected while soldiers were in the field.

One day, Chambers and the other soldiers were told they would take part in a combat assault by helicopter into a “hot” landing zone. They were warned to expect incoming fire when they jumped from the aircraft.

Chambers boarded the final helicopter with his platoon sergeant, a medic and another radio operator.

“The next thing I know is there was a huge explosion above the helicopter,” Chambers said. “And we started descending like you were on an escalator bumping down on your behind lower and lower.”

As the helicopter fell, Chambers watched the faces of his platoon sergeant and the medic, hoping their reactions would tell him how serious the situation was.

“They were poker faced,” he said. “They didn’t give me any indication how serious it was.”

Chambers then saw his helmet slowly lift from his head. He reached out to grab it.

“And it was instant darkness,” he said.

Chambers said he did not feel as though he had a body or was floating. He only felt as though he was waiting for someone to tell him where to go.

When he regained consciousness, Chambers was lying in a rice paddy.

“I was in pain from my head to the tip of my toes,” he said. “I couldn’t tell where the pain was coming from. All I knew was it was excruciating.”

Chambers opened his eyes but could not see. When he tried to touch his face, he could not move or feel his arms. He also could not feel his legs moving.

“I thought I was blind, I lost my arms, and I probably lost my legs,” Chambers said. “I started to cry.”

Chambers passed out again. A soldier later found him, pulled him from the mud and helped get him to an aid station.

An investigator later told Chambers the pilot had attempted to land the damaged helicopter rather than allow it to fall straight down. The aircraft struck a rice paddy berm, killing the pilot and a door gunner.

The co-pilot suffered a serious head injury. Chambers’ platoon sergeant was trapped beneath the aircraft and suffered a broken back. The other radio operator lost his foot.

The medic had jumped from the helicopter before the crash and injured his back. Despite his injuries, Chambers said the medic returned to the burning aircraft and pulled people from the wreckage. He was later awarded the Silver Star.

Chambers was taken to the 67th Evacuation Hospital, where doctors treated a severe wound that left his scalp open.

“They spent a lot of time getting the rice paddy mud out of, off of my skull,” Chambers said.

Because he had suffered a head wound, Chambers said doctors could not give him pain medication during the procedure.

“I said, ‘I wish you were having this pain,’” he recalled.

Chambers later discovered he could not walk because of his leg injury. He remained in the hospital for about a month before returning to his unit on light duty.

A general presented Chambers with the Purple Heart while he was recovering.

“It was a big deal in the hospital because this general came onto our ward and was pinning Purple Hearts on the patients,” Chambers said.

Chambers kept the medal in its box inside his rucksack. After returning to his unit, he discovered someone had gone through his belongings and stolen it.

“They left the box though and the ribbon,” he said.

While stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Chambers met another soldier who worked in awards and decorations. The soldier offered to replace his stolen Purple Heart and asked how many he wanted.

Chambers requested three.

“The next time I got home on leave, I gave one to my mama and one to my girlfriend, and I had one for my uniform,” he said.

When Chambers returned home from Vietnam, he encountered some of the anger and division surrounding the war.

While traveling through a California airport in his Army dress uniform, a young man approached him and asked about the Purple Heart ribbon.

“He said, ‘Oh, that’s because you’re wounded, right?’” Chambers recalled. “So, yeah, and he says, ‘Serves you right.’”

Chambers said he had been warned that returning troops could face hostility, but he was still stunned.

“He just walked away,” Chambers said. “And I just stood there.”

Chambers continued serving through the Army Reserve before transitioning into the retired reserve in 1993. He estimates his military career spanned about 26 years.

Over time, Chambers began to recognize how fortunate he was to survive.

“I know that I’m here for a purpose,” Chambers said. “I know I have a lot to give back that I never thought how—never reflected on how fortunate I am. Not to have just survived, but how fortunate I am.”

Chambers volunteered for 10 years in the hospice unit at the Loch Raven VA Medical Center. He helped provide bags for families who needed to carry home the belongings of veterans who died in hospice care.

He now tries to visit a 100-year-old World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient at least once a week.

“He is so glad to see me that that lifts me up too,” Chambers said.

Nearly six decades after the helicopter crash, Chambers said his military service continues to shape the way he lives and treats others.

His message this Purple Heart Day is simple.

“Be good to yourself and be good to others,” Chambers 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.