Author: CNN Newsource

By Lisa Crane

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    PELHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — A St. Clair County teen was killed in a car crash in Canada on Monday. He was playing hockey on a junior league team in Alberta and died along with two Canadian teammates when their car was hit by a semi-truck loaded with gravel.

For 17-year-old Caden Fine, hockey was his life. He started playing when he was nine, and last year he signed with the Southern Alberta Mustangs junior league team and moved to Canada. Craig Simchuk is the head coach for the Birmingham Bulls. He coached Fine when he was younger.

“For local guys here, that’s kind of their way out is to move up the ladder either to Nashville or some bigger cities where hockey is more predominant,” said Simchuk.

Learning of his death on Monday in a car crash has been devastating to those at his home rink in Pelham. Taylor Dickin coached Fine when he played on the Birmingham Bulls junior team.

“It’s a small hockey community here, and all the kids play with each other right when they start playing and maybe as young as five, right? So, they get to know each other really, really well and spend a lot of time on the road in hotels and things like that. So, I know all the kids involved are hit pretty hard, with the news,” said Dicken.

His coaches brag on Fine’s hockey skills. One thing they all mentioned was that fine was considered small for this sport, but that didn’t hold him back. His love for the game made up for his size. Simchuk added, “The old cliche is, you know, you need to be big and tough to play the sport. But he made up for it with his heart and his grit, like he knew that he was smaller, but that didn’t stop him. And it actually probably propelled him and drove him to where he was fearless.”

Fine leaves behind a heartbroken family including an older sister and younger brother. His father said in the depths of his grief he wants to make sure people remember his son for not only being a good hockey player but also for being a great kid.

Another one of Caden’s coaches has started a fundraiser to help his family deal with transporting his body back home and funeral arrangements.

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 Charlotte Hancox, Michael Cusanelli

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    CHARLOTTE, Vermont (WPTZ) — Earlier on Tuesday, an ice rescue unfolded on Lake Champlain after a group of skaters became stranded on a chunk of ice.

Now, everyone have been safely rescued, with no injuries reported.

An ice shelf broke and started moving away from shore, taking a group of skaters with it.

“We were skating up to it and then we saw that there was no way one of them skated north, and we took a look south. We could see no area that we could skate across,” said Brett Blanchard, one of the skaters that was rescued. “It was more mild that became heavier embarrassment, which is how did we get here?”

Officials say a total of ten people were skating in the area at the time. Two people from Vermont were able to get back to shore. Three from New York found a safe ice path and made it back on their own.

The remaining five skaters were left stranded on moving ice.

“They thought it was safe enough, and then conditions changed very quickly, and they became stranded. Folks have to remember that no ice is safe ice.” Said Lieutenant Paul Ravelin with the Vermont State Police.

Another group who was about to start skating noticed the ice cracking. They then saw the skaters get stuck and quickly called 9-1-1.

“it just opened up very quickly. And we’re looking out there and we’re like, how are those guys going to get across that ice? Well, they couldn’t.” said Carol Huntington.

Multiple rescue crews throughout the area responded. The rescue took more than an hour, with skaters brought bake to land one by one.

“to happen that quickly, none of us have seen that. It’s a great life lesson, which is when you think you know ice, when you think you know things, end of the day, you may not,” said Blanchard.

Vermont State Police said anyone planning to go on the ice should always be in groups, have your phone on you, and always dress warm.

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 Miya Payton

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    ABBEVILLE COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — For one upstate family, this past weekend’s snowfall ended with grief. The Abbeville County Coroner’s Office says 35-year-old Christopher O’Quinn died after a sledding incident using a UTV.

“I just said, there’s been accident, and your dad is now in heaven and my youngest, of course, he said, I don’t want my daddy in heaven right now,” said Christopher’s wife, Jordan O’quinn. “And I said, me either, baby.”

Jordan thinks of the day her husband, Christopher O’Quinn, took his final breath.

It was just pure southern fun in the snow. This time ended in a tragedy,” Jordan said. “It was an accident. It wasn’t reckless.”

Jordan recalls what she describes as God’s protecting hand in every moment during the tragedy. She names specifically; their children were not outside at the time.

“I couldn’t see out of the back of the window to see the initial hit. So, I didn’t see that. That’s God,” Jordan said. “And when I went to Chris, and I was praying for him for just a heartbeat … just a breath. He never did. He never felt pain. So that’s God.”

Christopher’s family says he was an intentionally loving husband, father, brother, and friend. The family and loves one say they are in constant prayer.

“Lord, I said, you’re going to have to show up, and you’re going to have to show out,” Jordan said.

Christopher leaves behind three little children who are ages 8 and under.

“The Bible says that he will be a father to the fatherless,” Jordan said. “And I’m going to hold Him to it.”

For her sister, Raegan McCullough, the heartbreak has brought bloodshot eyes. Over the past days, countless people have shown support in grand ways and shared memories of Christopher.

“We’ve had people come tell us how he led them to Christ and how he led their family members to Christ,” McCullough said.

Jordan takes what she learned from her husband and pours out in prayer to those who are struggling with loss.

“For the people that have lost, God, I thank you for the time that they were able to have their loved ones. I pray peace and mercy and grace,” Jordan said. “We thank you, thank you, thank you for the life that you gave us before these tragic events. And we thank you for the life that you are going to give us coming out.”

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 Kelly O’Brien

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    NORTH HAMPTON, North Hampton (WMUR) — One New Hampshire business’ dreams are coming true as their product will be featured in Super Bowl 60 on Sunday.

While all of New England will have their eyes on the Patriots, Sherry Rand, owner of Pom Express in North Hampton, will be watching the Seattle Seahawks dancers.

Rand started her business in 1986, selling all the gear cheerleaders wear. By the late 1990s, she had narrowed her focus to pom-poms exclusively.

“There’s a multitude of decisions to make in their design and choices for each team,” Rand said. “And it was just, I think I just had a good feeling that, that was going to be the future of poms.”

As the business grew, Rand’s daughter, Kris McClelland, joined to help out.

Their American-made pom-poms can now be seen around the world, in the hands of big names like Lady Gaga and Madonna.

Recently, the NFL started calling.

“We kind of said, ‘Oh my gosh, wouldn’t it be wonderful to start working with some of these teams, especially the Seahawks?’ Their colors are fantastic. They’re so vibrant,” McClelland said.

Eventually, the Seahawks reached out to Pom Express.

Rand and McClelland anxiously followed the team through the regular season, the playoffs, and now to the Super Bowl.

“I watched every game. I’m not a super football follower, but I sure became interested all of a sudden,” Rand said. “I watched every game, and now my heart is really going to be beating really, in two different directions.”

Neither expected to see their product on the biggest stage for sports in the country.

“We’re thrilled. We are absolutely thrilled that we’re a part of it. We’re thrilled to see our poms out there on the, in the lights, and see the dancers and just be a part of all the amazing energy,” McClelland said.

Both Patriots fans at heart, Rand and McClelland said no matter the outcome of Sunday’s game, they feel like winners.

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 Rhondella Richardson, Yogev Toby

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — The Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Red Cross, and the NFL are sending two Massachusetts locals to the Super Bowl this week to watch the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks.

Zeeshan Mohammed, 13, of Sharon, will be cheering on the New England Patriots from the stands this Sunday, after being one of 24 Make-A-Wish recipients from across the country.

Mohammed, an eighth grader who dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, underwent treatment for lymphoma. During that time, his family says, football helped him take his mind off his illness.

The NFL will provide Mohammed and his family Super Bowl tickets, and Make-A-Wish’s sports charity, Fanatics, will offer the kids special events, athlete meet-ups and a tour of the Levi’s Stadium as part of the five-day experience.

The NFL also collaborated with the Red Cross during a January blood donation campaign to award one randomly selected donor tickets to the game.

For Eric Jellison, of Wakefield, the Super Bowl will be his first-ever NFL game.

Jellison had been a lifelong blood donor after experiencing a severe traumatic injury at a young age and receiving blood transfusions. He then made a promise to continue giving blood.

“I’ve never actually gone to a football game, so my first one to be my home team in the Super Bowl is an amazing feeling, and I can’t wait to get out to San Francisco to get the full effect,” he said.

Jellison won two tickets to the game, pre-game activities, the Super Bowl Experience and a $1,000 gift card.

“I’ve watched every Super Bowl with my childhood friend, who I’m taking,” Jellison said. “So, we’ve been friends for like 44 years. And every year we get together, and we watch. And we’ve had some disappointing years, but we had a lot of good ones as well.”

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 Jamy Pombo Sesselman

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    FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A Dighton, Massachusetts, man who won two tickets to the Super Bowl during the Patriots sendoff at Gillette Stadium on Sunday is taking his father to the big game, and the trip is extra special for the pair.

Duncan Tarver was one of three people who had the chance to win two tickets to the game.

“We were hanging out with a few people in the bar afterwards, and they’re like, ‘Why aren’t you bringing your girlfriend?'” Duncan Tarver said. “I love her to death, you know? But these memories are made with my dad, you know? That’s really important to me. Everything that we’ve gone through the last few years together, you know, it’s really the least I can do to give back to (him).”

The luck winner is taking his father, Aaron, who is battling prostate cancer that recently metastasized.

“It’s a mind shift, and priorities change a lot,” Aaron Tarver said.

“Making the memories has been the biggest priority, and this is an opportunity to make the greatest memory ever,” Duncan Tarver said.

Duncan Tarver said he hasn’t made it to many games in the past few years and is thrilled to be going to the biggest game of the season.

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 Marcie Cipriani

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    PLUM, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Vishavdeep Singh, a 22-year-old facing charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats, attempted to escape from ICE agents during his preliminary hearing at Plum’s district court, injuring a constable in the process.

Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel confirmed the incident, stating, “She has a couple of bruises and cuts or scrapes when she hit the floor.” A criminal complaint said the constable sustained a large swelled knot with bruising on the right side of her head. She was evaluated on scene and later taken to Forbes Regional Hospital.

Schlegel said Plum police are filing charges for the assault that occurred when Singh tried to evade ICE agents.

“Somebody said he- the word was he went nuts and tried to escape and knocked her down,” Schlegel said.

Court documents reveal Singh was in Plum for a hearing related to a road rage incident at Fifth and Virginia in Oakmont, where he was charged with pointing a gun at two drivers.

Police reported that Singh admitted to the crime, using an airsoft shotgun with the orange tip removed to make it appear realistic.

Singh’s hearing for these charges was postponed as ICE took him into custody following the escape attempt.

Efforts to reach Singh’s family at his apartment were unsuccessful.

Schlegel said those charges will include assault.

Attempts to contact ICE for comment have not been successful.

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 Sheldon Ingram

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    NEW CASTLE, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Neshannock Senior High School senior, Aresenii, is connecting his schoolmates to the brutal, war-torn reality in his homeland, and the soldiers fighting for their country’s independence.

Arsenii fled the eastern region of Ukraine two years ago, with his mother and sister upon his father’s orders, while he stayed behind to fight in the army.

Their journey to escape Ukraine took them to Slovakia, Germany, Canada, and finally New Castle, where Arsenii is a senior.

His heart aches for his father as he fights in combat against the Russian invasion.

“I’m proud of him,” he said. “He’s the best dad I could ever wish for, but I really miss him. I fear that my dad is still there. That’s what I fear. I’m scared that he’s still there.”

Arsenii wrote letters to his father and then asked schoolmates to also write letters to other soldiers on the front line to lift their spirits.

The response was overwhelming.

“I wasn’t expecting more than maybe a couple, 10 letters, but we received over 300 letters,” Arsenii said. “I’m really happy and thankful for all the students who wrote the letters.”

Arsenii was assisted by school administrators to organize the letter-writing campaign, and they are expected to be delivered to Ukrainian soldiers within two weeks, after they were mailed on 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 Ed DiOrio

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    NORTH BELLE VERNON, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — A man is behind bars after police said he allegedly entered an eye doctor’s office naked while holding two large knives in North Belle Vernon on Monday.

“It’s certainly something you would never expect to hear on a normal, quiet Monday morning in North Belle Vernon,” Check Eye Group optometrist Dr. John Cicchini said. “Very little problems here in North Belle Vernon.”

Darnell Howell, 54, is the man police said is responsible.

According to Howell’s criminal complaint, the incident started just after 1 p.m.

One of the women working inside was on a break. She told us off-camera that she saw Howell walking down the street wearing nothing but gym shorts. He was holding a butcher knife in one hand and a steak knife in the other.

The worker ran inside to warn the others inside.

“I heard a bunch of chaos from the front of the office,” Cicchini said. “I saw a large, African American man who is half-dressed in just black running shorts, swinging away with two large knives.”

According to Cicchini and authorities, Howell quickly started doing damage to the front lobby.

“He had knocked off some frames, broke some frames, and threw a display down,” Cicchini said. “The girls were all chaotic. We were trying to call 911. We were all scattered.”

It wasn’t long before the man was in the back of the office.

“He proceeded to stab the walls with the knives,” Cicchini said. “He sat on our sofa. He stabbed that around 16 times. He was trying to break into the business office where I was at.”

During this, Howell’s criminal complaint states that he dropped his shorts, making him completely naked.

“He cornered one of our girls as she was pinned between a refrigerator and a wall,” Ciccini said. “He had two large knives. We were really lucky in the aspect that no one got hurt.”

Through all of this, no one inside knew who the man was or why he was there.

“He did not say a word,” Cicchini said. “He was just grunting. He was just making lots of motions and movements with the large knives. I don’t know if he knew where he was.”

North Belle Vernon Police Chief Eugene Lipari told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that Howell was likely under the influence. The department was familiar with him from previous cases involving drugs.

Lipari was the one who chased Howell out of the office after he allegedly dropped the knives.

“He proceeded up the street naked and flailing around,” Cicchini said. “At least he didn’t have the knives in his hands.”

Howell was arrested about a block away from Check Eye Group. He was taken to a local medical facility for treatment and was arraigned on Tuesday morning.

No one was seriously injured.

“He probably left more mental chaos than anything else,” Cicchini said. “Everyone was just freaked out.”

Now, the long-standing eye doctor’s office is having to rethink how to go about safety.

“We’re already putting a few little things in place to make sure we have a safe room for everybody to get to,” Cicchini said. “This is definitely a one-off experience that could have been a lot worse.”

Howell is facing 13 total charges, including multiple counts of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

He’s currently being held inside Westmoreland County Jail.

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 Angela Rozier

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    FORT PIERCE, Florida (WPBF) — Indian River State College (IRSC) in Florida is set to become the first open-enrollment state college in the U.S. to implement a campus-wide artificial intelligence plan using the tool Superhuman, formerly known as Grammarly.

The plan is to enhance student learning and streamline operations.

IRSC president Timothy Moore emphasized that as long as you have access to information, you can make important decisions and that’s what it’s all about.

“A multi-billion-dollar company and a little college in Florida, and we become the real rollout for their product in our framework here at this school as we drive AI into every day of this college’s operation,” Moore said.

He also said the AI plan is designed to assist individuals rather than replace personnel.

“The whole plan is to augment individuals. If you were just simply stamping widgets yes you could automate somebody out of a job, but say you’re the chief financial officer if can take the mundane 20% of your day away from you and this run automatically in the background then what do I get from you I get this knowledgeable person who can look at my finances in a different way because they’ve got time to look and think and access, that’s what this is all about,” Moore said.

The initiative aims to help students stay on track, prepare them for jobs where AI is expected, modernize day-to-day college operations, and reduce busywork for employees. Instead of using a separate AI website, students, faculty, and staff will receive AI assistance integrated into tools they already use, such as Google Docs, email, and other school systems.

Bruce Fraser, the executive director of AI initiatives at IRSC, said they will also have courses that are more specialized in AI; however, the broader vision is to really incorporate AI tools responsibly across the curriculum.

“These tools are here to stay, and we have a responsibility to help our students use them, responsively, effectively, and to amplify their own natural gifts in a way that prepares them for the marketplace in their future academic pursuits,” Fraser said.

The extended partnership with Superhuman takes effect immediately.

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.