Author: CNN Newsource

By Julia Sandor

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    SYRACUSE, Utah (KSTU) — Dance can be a form of expression. For one Syracuse teen, Hannah Moore, she wants to take her passion for dance overseas.

Many people are familiar with tap, or hip hop, but Moore is a Professional Clogger.

“Clogging is a very American style dance. Clogging has kind of changed over the years, but the dances that we focus on are more traditional style clogging,” Moore said.

For the Moore family it’s a tradition that goes back generations.

“My mom did clogging when she was younger since she was eight. One of her friends started a studio a while back, and my sister joined and I thought it was cool,” Moore said. “So I joined a year after, when I was four, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Moore is trading in her competition trophies and banners to head to Portugal and the Basque Country to represent the United States on tour.

“We go and represent the country and that style of dance.” Moore said. “It’s nice to be able to talk to people in other countries. Especially with things going on, they don’t have a very good view, so it’s nice to show them who we are and what we’re about.”

She just so happens to be following the beat of her own sister, who also performed overseas in France.

“Each country had their own type of dance that they did. In all the festivals, there were different kinds…” Sarah Hall said. “I’m so happy for her. It is like a bittersweet thing to see that she can do the same thing I did. And that type of view of dance, in the non-competitive side of it. Just performing and doing what you love.”

While Moore’s trip isn’t until the summer, she said she still needs help with expenses like travel, lodging, costumes, and program fees. She started a GoFundMe to help with those expenses.

“To me, clogging is just like this little sport. Not many people know about it, and it’s just my little thing,” Moore said. “But the fact that it’s got me to the point where I can travel outside the country and represent people. I’m also a teacher for our studio, so it’s nice to show the little girls what you can do with clogging.”

With a brush, drag, and step, Moore’s hoping to take a new stage and leave a lasting impression on dancers across the world.

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 Paula Wethington

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    HOLLY, Michigan (WWJ) — The Holly Police Department presented a life-saving award to a bystander who assisted a snowmobiler who fell through the ice in Oakland County, Michigan.

Wade Wines of Holly was honored at Tuesday’s Holly City Council meeting with the Citizen Life Saving Citation, with the presentation attended by members of his family along with the man he saved, Adam Brewer of Holly.

The accident happened about 2:40 p.m. Jan. 4 at Bush Lake. Police were called to the lake on report that a man and his snowmobile broke through the ice.

Several people were on shore at the time, including Wines, who had been ice fishing that day and was wearing both ice spikes and a floatation suit.

By the time police arrived, Wines was on the ice, reaching out with a rope and other equipment. Wines used the rope to pull the victim away from the hole in the ice while first responders prepared a kayak for the rescue efforts.

“The quick-thinking, courageous, and selfless actions of Mr. Wade Wines prevented a drowning and directly saved a life. His actions bring great credit upon himself, his family, and the entire Holly community,” police said. “Well done Mr. Wines, and so glad to have you still with us, Mr. Brewer.”

In the meantime, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was able to get the snowmobile equipment out of the water.

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 Steven Rosenbaum

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    DALLAS (KTVT) — The Southern Methodist University Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a missing student.

Brianna Arango, 21, was reported missing at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. SMU PD said a family member reported her missing after she had not met them as planned earlier in the afternoon. She was also absent from a 1 p.m. class, police said.

Arango was last seen on campus around 12:30 p.m. near Harold Simmons Hall. At the time, she was wearing a white shirt, blue sweatpants and carrying a beige tote bag, police said.

SMU PD said it officers are “actively working to locate Brianna and are treating this as a matter of concern.”

The department is asking for anyone in the community who has information to call 214-768-3388. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at 214-SMU-2TIP, online at smu.edu/2TIP or through the SMU Aware Safety App.

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 Mike Toole

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    DEDHAM, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Stefon Diggs, a star wide receiver with the New England Patriots, made a brief appearance in court in Dedham, Massachusetts Friday to face criminal charges after he allegedly assaulted his personal chef.

Diggs, 32, was arraigned in Dedham District Court on charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery in the Dec. 2 incident. Diggs, who has denied the allegations, pleaded not guilty. He was allowed to leave without paying any bail. The entire session lasted less than three minutes. Diggs was ordered to stay away from his accuser. He’s due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on April 1.

According to a Dedham police report, Diggs’ personal chef reported the alleged assault on Dec. 16, two weeks after it happened. She said she was hired as Diggs’ personal chef for the entire NFL season and was allowed to stay in a room at his house in Dedham. She told investigators the confrontation was about money.

“She said that they began to discuss this, which apparently angered the male,” police said in the report. “She alleges that the male then smacked her across the face. She said that she tried to push him away. The male then tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.”

David Meier, an attorney for Diggs, said in December that his client “categorically denies these allegations.” Meier called the woman’s accusations “unsubstantiated” and “the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction.” According to the Boston Globe, Meier and another attorney withdrew from the case Thursday and Diggs is now represented by attorney Sara Silva.

After the allegations became public, Diggs called it a “very emotional time” and said he couldn’t say anything about the case. The Patriots issued a statement saying, “We support Stefon.”

Diggs was originally scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 23, which would have been two days before the AFC Championship Game. But, his arraignment was moved to Feb. 13, five days after the Patriots lost the Super Bowl to the Seattle Seahawks.

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 Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — An igloo has popped up in the backyard of a South Boston property and it’s taking the neighborhood and internet by storm. Jack Tarca and his buddies started building the structure two weeks ago when Boston’s cold weather hit.

They saw a news story about parents using cake pans to make small igloos with their children, and they decided to take it to the next level.

“We ordered 80 bins, and the next day started filling them up,” said Tarca of their ice brick creating prowess. “I knew nothing about making an igloo. I have some experience with ice. I played hockey all of my life, and I used to build outdoor rinks with my dad in the winter.”

He admits he and his friends knew how to build the first row, but after that they were winging it.

They learned some tricks of the trade online, but most of their advice came from people who watched the evolution of their build on Instagram. Each day, Tarca posted videos of the day’s progress.

“It evolved into millions of people commenting with their own advice on how to build an igloo,” said Tarca.

After 10 days, Tarca says his videos generated more than 33 million views. People wanted to see if they could finish it.

“Day 14, to get to this point with a roof over our head, it’s not a home yet. We need a little more ice furniture and decorating, but 14 days,” said Tarca.

The igloo is 12 feet wide by eight and half feet tall.

When he isn’t making ice houses, Tarca also owns a mental health apparel company called Find the Good.

“It’s been such a great community response. It’s what I am all about, and Find the Good is all about. I did this for my mental health,” said Tarca.

The hope is to make it to Saturday so they can have friends, family, and the neighborhood at the igloo for a party. The weather is a challenge. They have to constantly tend to the igloo even at 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. They must continue to spray water on the igloo to refreeze it. During the day they put a reflective tarp over it to block the sun.

“We are confident in the glue, or snow mortar if you will, just mixing snow and water, and it’s hardened overnight,” said Tarca.

His landlord and community have been supportive with some local families asking if they can come build igloos at their homes.

“Maybe I will do this full time,” joked Tarca, already an entrepreneur. “We just need 14 days and historically low temperatures.”

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 KCCI Staff

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    ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (KCCI) — Authorities have identified the member of the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball program who died in a bus crash while the team was traveling to its next series.

Carter “Tater” Johnson, 19, died in the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. More than 30 others on the bus were injured, including several who were hospitalized.

Johnson, from Rapid City, South Dakota, was listed as a freshman outfielder on the Iowa Lakes baseball roster.

“Our baseball team is more than a roster, they’re a family. Carter was a great teammate, a friend and a valued member of our athletic community,” Troy Larson, Iowa Lakes athletic director, said during a news conference on Thursday. “In his time here, he really impacted our campus, both within our halls, in the classrooms, as well as on the playing field. We’re heartbroken for this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carter’s family. We cannot imagine the depth of their loss and we are holding them close in our hearts.”

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.