A 90-year journey of faith, family and service through the Salvation Army

CNN Newsource on November 24, 2025

By Wakisha Bailey

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — For Lt. Colonel Barbara George, the mission to make The Joy of Sharing with the Salvation Army possible isn’t just part of her work. It’s part of her family’s story.

Every time George buttons her Salvation Army uniform, she thinks about the path that brought her here.

“This uniform has opened so many doors for me,” George said. “It’s a reminder every single day of who I serve and why I serve.”

George has been connected to the Salvation Army her entire life — 62 years and counting. But her family’s relationship with the organization stretches back even further.

In 1934, George’s grandmother was suddenly widowed, pregnant with her seventh child and raising a family in Brooklyn with no support systems for widows.

“When she was 10, her dad died,” George said. “My grandmother was pregnant with her seventh child. It’s 1934, Brooklyn, New York. There are no services for widows.”

With few options, her grandmother turned to a small church for help — a church that would change everything.

That church was the Salvation Army.

The support George’s grandmother received sparked a lifelong connection. George’s mother grew up in that same church, fell in love with music and began serving others through it.

Her mother’s compassion and creativity shaped George’s childhood and ultimately inspired her own calling.

“I knew God was calling me to do something bigger,” George said, “and it involved giving back to people.”

Today, the Salvation Army provides far more than Sunday services. It offers meals, social services, emergency assistance, youth programs and spiritual support for families across the region.

During the holidays, their work becomes especially visible — and incredibly meaningful — through The Joy of Sharing campaign.

George and her husband, Lt. Colonel Edgar George, trade their uniforms for holiday hats this time of year, joining volunteers and officers who serve record numbers of families.

“Our officers work so hard. At every location, there are people in record numbers of need, and the need just continues to grow,” George said. “The joy of sharing, it’s something circumstances can’t touch.”

George met her husband in officer training college, and they were commissioned together in 1989. Their shared calling became a shared life.

Today, as divisional officers, they oversee toy distributions across the region — ensuring gifts arrive on time and spirits stay high.

“I’ll be down there next week handing out toys because that’s my joy, to be with the people,” George said.

Their commitment is generational. The George family’s legacy continues through their children, who also serve as Salvation Army officers. Even their grandson plays a role in holiday efforts.

What started as a single act of support for a struggling family in 1934 has grown into a multi-generational mission of service.

This holiday season, the George family’s story reminds us that compassion can echo through generations — and that the joy of sharing is one gift that never fades.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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Gotham FC to celebrate NWSL championship in NYC with parade and keys to city

CNN Newsource on November 24, 2025

By Renee Anderson

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — New York City is honoring National Women’s Soccer League champions Gotham FC with a parade and keys to the city Monday.

The club got a goal from Rose Lavelle in the 80th minute to beat the Washington Spirit, 1-0 on Saturday for its second league championship in three years.

Mayor Eric Adams announced there will be a procession around City Hall Park, followed by a ceremony with the players and coaches. He also had City Hall and other buildings lit up in blue in their honor.

“At a time when the rest of the country is sleeping on women’s sports, New York City stands tall and celebrates our champions. Gotham Football Club continues to make our city proud, and we will celebrate them like the champions they proved they are [Saturday] night. This team embodies everything we love about women’s soccer — grit, skill, and pure determination,” Adams said in a statement after their victory. “In a city that never settles for less, Gotham FC reminds us of what it means to fight for greatness, to defy expectations, and to win with heart.”

Here’s everything to know about the festivities.

The celebration is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24.

It comes just days before Thanksgiving, as the city prepares for the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The forecast is expected to be sunny and mild, with highs in the low 50s, before rain moves in Tuesday into Wednesday.

The parade will begin at Barclay Street in Lower Manhattan and head north up Broadway roughly four blocks to Chambers Street for the keys to the city ceremony outside City Hall.

Gotham FC represents both New York and New Jersey and plays its home games at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

CBS News New York will have coverage from City Hall Plaza, where there will also be designated viewing areas for the public.

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Apartment fire leaves roughly 100 residents displaced

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Noelle Lilley

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    New York (WCBS, WLNY) — A raging fire in Mount Vernon, New York forced dozens of people out of an apartment building early Sunday morning in Westchester County.

Mount Vernon officials said the flames broke out shortly before 3 a.m. at a building on Cottage Avenue. Hours later, there was still an active scene.

Officials said the fire started in a kitchen on the seventh floor and then spread to the cockloft, the space between the ceiling and the roof.

“The fire got inside there, and once it gets inside there, it spreads all over,” Mount Vernon Fire Chief Juan Peralta said.

Neighbors said they could see and smell the smoke from blocks away, plus charred walls and broken windows as they got up close.

“Blazing fire, blazing, blazing was just going and going and going,” said resident Eileen Charles Forteau.

Multiple agencies were called to assist, including the FDNY and emergency responders from across Westchester.

“This is an old age style pre-war building, and there are no standpipes. So, of course, that makes it a little more difficult,” Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said on the scene.

Two residents were taken to Jacobi Medical Center, and five firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Help for residents who have been displaced The mayor and the Red Cross were on the scene to help the roughly 100 residents who were displaced.

“Families that have been impacted are being serviced over at the Doles Center here in Mount Vernon so that they can get some warmth, some beverage, fill out the paperwork that is necessary, so that we can begin getting them housing vouchers and food vouchers and assistance,” the mayor said.

Neighbors across the street were also impacted — all just days before Thanksgiving.

“My building didn’t have no water right now because I guess all the water is gone,” Charles Forteau said.

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Minivan crashes into home, killing driver

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By TJ Dysart

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A minivan crashed into a house near 19th and Windlake Avenue in Milwaukee just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, killing the 29-year-old driver and causing significant damage to the property.

The shocking incident was captured on surveillance video, showing the vehicle speeding down the street, losing control, and veering onto the sidewalk before crashing into the home, causing the porch to collapse and scattering debris across the yard.

Shane Mervyn, the homeowner, was in bed when the crash occurred.

“I would describe it as like a huge bass drum because it was just a huge thump,” Mervyn said. “By the time I got out here, I figured out ‘oh that’s why.'”

Despite the destruction of his porch, Mervyn’s house remains habitable.

“The fire department and the city inspector were both here to inspect for structural damage and thankfully there isn’t any,” Mervyn said.

While Milwaukee police have not yet determined the cause of the crash, Mervyn has his suspicions.

“Those are not my beers, those were taken out of the vehicle,” he said. “There is no brakes or skid marks, and it was a pretty straight shot, they estimated he was doing about 80.”

Mervyn is left with a massive mess but is grateful to be alive.

“No one here was hurt and nothing was damaged that can’t be fixed,” Mervyn said.

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Golfers spot beached manatee on golf course; initiate rescue

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Lydia Blackstone

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    HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina (WJCL) — A beached manatee is safe after an unusual wildlife rescue unfolded Saturday on the ninth hole at Crescent Pointe Golf Club.

According to club officials, two golfers first spotted the stranded manatee and immediately contacted the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. General Manager Ron Schiavone and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office worked quickly to secure the area and redirect golfers away from the animal.

Cpl. Dean Entrup with the Sheriff’s Office remained in constant communication with SCDNR, which was coordinating with partner agencies in Florida to determine the safest rescue plan. While awaiting further direction, Entrup relayed step-by-step care instructions — including keeping the manatee’s skin lightly hydrated with misting and damp towels without overcooling it.

Crescent Pointe Director of Marketing Dylan DeBellis and a community member shuttled back and forth on golf carts carrying buckets of water. Director of Agronomy Brian Roller tapped into a sprinkler head to set up a hose system, allowing workers to safely mist the animal.

Nearby residents Tommy O’Donnell and Ryleigh Durham also assisted, helping carry out SCDNR’s guidance without interfering more than necessary.

Club officials say the combined efforts helped stabilize the manatee until the tide returned. As water levels rose, the animal was able to move on its own and eventually slip back into deeper water. Authorities later checked nearby inlets and confirmed the manatee had not resurfaced, indicating it likely made a successful return to open water.

Crescent Pointe staff thanked the community, first responders and SCDNR for their teamwork during the rescue, saying the outcome was a testament to how quickly residents can come together in an emergency.

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Bay Area family divided over Cal, Stanford rivalry unites for massive tailgate

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Loureen Ayyoub

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    California (KPIX) — At the annual Big Game, choosing a side is usually simple: Cal or Stanford. But for one Bay Area family, the rivalry runs straight through the middle of their tailgate.

Rob Romine, a former Stanford football player, admits the household is a bit divided, but he says everyone can still unite over the season and the spread.

“We are here to celebrate Thanksgiving, and the only way a Cal/Stanford divided family can do it is with a massive tailgate,” Rob Romine said.

Different teams, one family, and plenty of tri-tip.

“We have kids that went to Cal, kids that went to Stanford, and we have grandkids that are rooting for both,” said Janice Romine, laughing as relatives in blue and red mingled under the trees outside Stanford Stadium.

The Big Game’s legendary rivalry has long drawn alumni, students, fans —and even their pets — to early festivities. Tailgaters said the setting only adds to the tradition.

“Now that it’s dark earlier, I feel like we all need to be getting our vitamin D,” said Natasha Glenn. “Being in nature is amazing. I feel like Stanford Stadium is very unique. We are not in a parking lot, like a concrete one. We are among the trees, and it’s such a nice, family-friendly vibe.”

The Big Game is for all ages, big and small, including Rob and Janice Romine’s granddaughter, Margo.

“She’s class of ’46. She’ll be here. She’s ready.”

The rivalry that began in 1892 still offers the same thing it always has: a chance to come together, even when they’re cheering for opposite sides.

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Routine call turns heroic as deputy helps delivery baby in store parking lot

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Madisen Keavy

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    California (KMAX, KOVR) — What started as a suspicious circumstances call for Rancho Cordova police ended with a newborn surprise.

“It was zero to a hundred really fast. It was one of those calls you go to, run-of-the-mill,” Deputy Foster Tracy said. “This was definitely not something that I was prepared for at any part of the day.”

A routine call for Rancho Cordova police became a race to save a newborn’s life.

“And I didn’t really register at first, what do you? Excuse me? She said, ‘I’m having a baby, I’ve been out here for hours screaming for help and nobody would help me,'” Tracy said.

Tracy called for medical backup and got to work.

“She lifts up her dress, and the baby is halfway out and she said she’d been there for hours,” Tracy said.

His partner arrived moments later.

In between two bushes with only a blanket as comfort, concerns set in fast. The deputies saw the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck.

“I was concerned the baby was deceased because it was purple and blue,” Tracy said. “Saw the umbilical cord, did the best we can with our experience.”

It paid off. The baby and mom are safe.

Nearby, the store’s owners, shocked to learn a baby was born in their parking lot, were relieved to hear they’re safe.

“Heart was pumping the whole time, checking on mom and baby,” Tracy said.

At last check, mom and baby are alright. The deputies are credited with those life-saving measures.

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Home burglarized of more than $100k in valuables, couple says

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Dean Fioresi

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    California (KCAL, KCBS) — A newlywed San Fernando Valley couple says that they were burglarized of more than $100,000 in valuables and family heirlooms while they were out to dinner on Friday night.

The couple tells CBS Los Angeles that left their Valley Village home, near Chandler Boulevard, at around 6 p.m. to have dinner with friends and returned at around 9:30 p.m. to see that a balcony door on the second floor was open.

They found that their home had been ransacked and that a safe with collectibles and valuables had been taken.

Surveillance camera footage shows three suspects leaving the house along a small sidewalk next to the property. Two of the suspects were seen carrying what looks to be a safe.

Los Angeles Police Department officers have taken a report of the incident and launched an investigation into the alleged burglary. The couple says that an AirTag inside of the safe shows an approximate location for the items, but police have not yet followed that lead up, they told CBS LA.

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12-foot boat sinks and leaves 2 boaters stranded offshore of Hanauma Bay

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Jeremiah Estrada

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    HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (KITV) — Two boaters were left stranded in the waters off of Hanauma Bay after their boat sank Saturday afternoon.

A 55-year-old man and a man in his 20s were in a 12-foot boat in the waters outside of Hanauma Bay on Saturday, Nov. 22, when it was swamped by a large wave. All of the water that entered the boat caused it to sink and left the two men without their vehicle.

The man in his 20s was able to swim to shore where he climbed up a cliffside and called 911 for help. However, the 55-year-old man drifted west.

The Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) received a 911 call at 4:06 p.m. and began to search for the distressed swimmers at the shoreline about 20 minutes later.

The other man was eventually located and rescued by someone on a jet ski. The jet ski then took him to an HFD rescue boat for further care.

HFD took him to the harbor at Maunalua Bay where Honolulu Emergency Medical Services (EMS) evaluated him for medical treatment.

EMS treated the 55-year-old man who suffered possible fatigue, hypothermia and a cut on his foot, but he declined to be taken to an emergency room. There were no injuries reported from the other boater.

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71-year-old worker pinned under equipment in cranberry bog in Massachusetts dies

CNN Newsource on November 23, 2025

By Paul Burton

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    Massachusetts (WBZ) — A 71-year-old man died in a tragic accident at a cranberry bog on Cape Cod Friday morning.

The man, who has not been identified, was working at a bog behind County Road in Bourne, Massachusetts when something went wrong just after 8 a.m.

In a statement, police said he was “operating a piece of equipment in the cranberry bogs, when it rolled over on top of him, pinning him under the equipment.” Fire officials explained that the man was using the tractor to sand the bog in preparation for next season when something went wrong. The man had been in the industry for decades.

“When the tractor that this gentleman was driving started to go down a ramp to get to the bog, it flipped over, and he was trapped. His fellow workers who were with him did their best to get him out of there and they did” State Representative Stevem Xiaros said.

Officers and paramedics rushed in and attempted CPR, but the man died. The victim’s identity has not been released.

State and local police are looking into what happened, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The medical examiner’s office was also called in as part of the probe.

“The Bourne Police Department’s collect thoughts are with the family, friends, and co-workers of the victim in this incident,” police said in their statement.

Xiaros said that he spoke with the owner of the cranberry bog on Friday. The bog has been in the man’s family for five generations.

“He’s just a hard-working man and he ‘s very upset and struggling with the loss of his friend,” Xiaros explained.

No other information is available at this point in the investigation.

Bourne, Massachusetts is about 57 miles south of Boston.

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