Homeowners can skip phone calls and book snow removal through new app

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Brian Johnson

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — As winter weather moves into the Kansas City area, a new app is offering homeowners another option for snow removal, without making phone calls or negotiating one-on-one.

GreenPal, a service often described as “Uber for lawn care,” has expanded its platform to include snow removal in the Kansas City metro. The app connects homeowners with local contractors through a marketplace-style system.

“Stay inside. Let the pros handle it. It’s too cold,” said Gene Caballero, founder of GreenPal.

Caballero founded the company 14 years ago. He said the snow removal feature was recently added locally as demand grows during winter storms.

“It’s free for homeowners to sign up and get bids,” Caballero said.

Instead of calling multiple companies, homeowners can send one request through the app and receive several competing bids. Caballero said that competition can work in the homeowner’s favor.

“Also kind of creates a price advantage for the homeowner,” he said. “Maybe somebody is just starting out and like, ‘Hey, I really want this’ or ‘I really need this,’ and they are able to give pretty aggressive pricing.”

Caballero said about 45 companies are currently available for snow removal jobs in the Kansas City area. Each contractor must have a verified ID, along with customer reviews and ratings. Homeowners can also ask contractors for proof of insurance.

With heavy snowfall, Caballero said patience is important.

“Give the next business day, you know, especially when it’s a big snowstorm coming like this one is,” he said.

Homeowners can also pre-book snow removal services if they know they will need help ahead of time. Caballero emphasized that users stay in control throughout the process.

“The power is ultimately up to the homeowner and they can decide who they want to work with,” he said.

Payment is handled through the website or app after the job is completed. GreenPal keeps 5% of each contract.

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.

Man who tried to use Molotov cocktail to damage ICE building is sentenced to prison

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By McKenzy Parsons

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    GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska (KETV) — A federal judge sentenced a Grand Island man to prison for trying to damage a federal property with a Molotov cocktail.

Eulisis Martin, 35, will spend five years behind bars.

Martin spray-painted the words “Kill ICE” on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in June 2025.

He then lit and threw the explosive, but it didn’t work.

After prison, Martin will be on supervised release for three years and pay over $1 million in restitution.

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.

Birmingham crime intervention organization makes ‘Free the Streets’ initiative permanent

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Michal Higdon

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    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WVTM) — The Urban League of Alabama, in partnership with Birmingham officials and other organizations, is expanding its community violence intervention program.

The expansion comes after a successful pilot in 2025 which helped contribute to a 42% reduction in homicides in the city. Birmingham reported a decline in homicides from 152 in 2024 to 88 in 2025, a result attributed to a coordinated effort involving law enforcement, community organizations, data, and residents who reject violence as a norm.

“Our communities have dealt with violence for generations and now it stops,” Uche Bean, the director of the Birmingham Office of Community Safety Initiatives, said. “Public safety isn’t about lowering numbers. It’s not just about data. It’s about people. And I’m thankful that we are now making those decisions that are going to impact the community in the long run, for generations to come.”

The program, which encompasses a partnership between the Urban League of Alabama, City of Birmingham, Trajectory Changing Solutions and Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, targets Birmingham’s 35204 ZIP code. It uses street outreach, conflict mediation, and community-based prevention strategies to prevent shootings.

Leaders emphasize the importance of interrupting violence as a key component of the program.

“Our street team may be out at 11:00 at night,” William Barnes, Urban League of Alabama’s president, said. “If they’re talking with people that now trust them, can they have a conversation about, ‘Listen, I’m really thinking about committing some type of act of violence.’ Can our team actually talk them down from being able to do that? And so that’s what crime prevention, crime intervention really is.”

This initiative is part of the “Free the Streets” program, which focuses on people most likely to be involved in shootings. Leaders describe it as evidence-based and note that many residents, including those at high risk of committing crimes, are grateful for the program’s intervention.

“Many of the residents are very thankful,” Barnes says. “I can tell you this, some of the residents who actually are at high risk of committing the crimes are also relieved because there’s a conversation to give them a way out. Most of the people who commit crimes are not necessarily interested in committing said crimes. They just have no way out. And this is an opportunity for us to address that and help them do something different.”

“We’re not trying to interfere with law enforcement work, we are just trying to complement law enforcement work,” Latonya Tate, who represents Council District 9 and a big proponent of the work, says. “Any time that you’re a high risk individual, your actions, your decisions bring about consequences. So, we want to get ahead of this and offer preventative measures. And as it has been stated here, there’s substantial ability and long-term solutions. We are in this for the long haul.”

Norman Livingston Kerr, chief executive officer for Trajectory Changing Solutions, thanked everyone who is taking part in this initiative.

“These initiatives don’t happen by accident, they happen because someone is willing to push, advocate and stay in the fight long enough to see them supported and sustained,” Kerr said.

Last month, the Birmingham City Council unanimously voted to continue funding multiple violence intervention programs. The Urban League of Alabama is looking forward to this program succeeding and would love to expand the program to all ZIP codes across the city.

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.

Bad art for a good cause; animal shelter makes ugly pet portraits to raise donations

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Charlotte Hancox

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    BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (WPTZ) — An “ugly portrait” may not sound like the best gift at first, but a local animal shelter is challenging that idea by turning bad art into big support for vulnerable pets.

The Windham County Humane Society will be offering these portraits throughout January to raise donations for the shelter.

The fundraiser invites people to send in a photo of their pet, which is then drawn badly, by the staff.

“You’re just like, I’m going to do my best and then it ends up coming out hilarious. And even without the artistic talent, you can see the essence of the animal in the photo,” said Violet Zarriello, the marketing manager at Windham County Humane Society. “I’m always most pleased when that comes through in my terrible drawing.”

She said there’s only one criterion to be an artist here.

“You can’t be good at art. You can’t actually be good at drawing. It has to be authentically folks whose drawing is not their strong suit. They’re funnier that way,” Zarriello said.

Portraits cost $20, with 100% of the proceeds going back to shelter pets. So far, the reaction has been strong.

“The very first one we did was actually for one of our board members. He was like ‘this is perfect. I love how it exaggerates her superhero look. That’s Chloe,'” she said.

And to get your own portrait, you just have to send a picture of your pet with their name to Violet Zarriello, and they will send you the drawing back digitally over email.

Organizers said that the goal is to have fun, laugh at the artwork, and help animals who are in need. You can purchase one through the end of the month.

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.

Dumpsters fall off truck, snarl traffic on Interstate 95 in Danvers, Massachusetts

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Katie Thompson

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    DANVERS, Mass. (WCVB) — Three dumpsters fell off a truck and onto Interstate 95 in Danvers, Massachusetts, early Friday.

The truck that was carrying the dumpsters may have struck the Centre Street overpass on the northbound side of the highway near Exit 69 causing the dumpsters to fall onto the road, Massachusetts State Police said.

It appears another truck struck one of the dumpsters and a car hit that truck, officials said.

Three lanes of travel were blocked as crews worked to clear the mess.

WCVB will have more information when it becomes available.

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.

Multiple myeloma survivor hosts blood drive after platelet shortage

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Ava Rash

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    JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. (WTAE) — Rose Rose is a warrior. She has been battling multiple myeloma since August 2024.

“I’ve needed approximately 40 blood and platelets transfusions. A couple of times, I was critically low, and that was super scary,” she said.

Recently, her platelet levels dropped, and the hospital did not have enough available for her.

“I had to wait a day to get that so they could find a donor match. That’s when it’s very scary, knowing that your life is depending on those donors, and if they don’t have a match or don’t have enough donations, then the outcome isn’t what you want,” she said.

This experience motivated her to give back. She hosted a blood drive Thursday at Gill Hall Volunteer Fire Company to help others in need.

“I haven’t needed any transfusions since Thanksgiving, so I am doing much better. I’m super, super thankful, and just want to help raise awareness for others like me and help put a face to who the donors are helping,” she said.

Now on an upward path in her cancer journey, Rose is focused on encouraging as many donors as possible to contribute.

“In your lifetime, I can guarantee you that someone you’re connected to — whether it’s yourself, family member, friend, co-worker — will need a donation, and blood donations save lives,” she 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.

Toxicology report reveals oxycodone, alcohol in driver’s system during deadly wrong-way I-95 crash

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Meaghan Mackey

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    BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) — The Florida Highway Patrol says toxicology results show the driver who caused a deadly wrong-way crash on I-95 in Brevard County had high amounts of oxycodone and alcohol in her system.

Troopers say the 34-year-old Cocoa woman had a blood alcohol level of 0.053, which is below Florida’s legal limit of 0.08, but impairment is still considered a factor in the crash.

The crash happened in September 2025 near Wickham Road, when investigators say the woman made a U-turn at Viera Boulevard and began driving the wrong way in the northbound lanes.

FHP says her vehicle struck another car head-on, triggering an eight-car pileup.

Two people were killed in addition to the driver, and six others were seriously injured, according to troopers.

Investigators previously said the woman traveled about 2 1/2 miles the wrong way before the collision. Because she made a U-turn in the interstate lanes, the wrong-way driver detection systems on ramps did not catch the incident.

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.

‘Suspicious substance’ found in student’s jacket at LaBelle Middle School

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Carson Zorn

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    LABELLE, Fla. (WBBH) — A teacher at LaBelle Middle School contacted the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office after a student allegedly gave her a small baggy containing what deputies called a “suspicious substance.”

HCSO said the student found the baggy in a jacket they were given early Wednesday by a neighbor because it was cold outside. They said the woman mentioned the jacket had been in her closet for years, and there was no indication she was aware of any substances.

The school safety and security director was informed, along with the Department of Children and Families. Investigators said the teacher and two students were tested and did not show any signs of exposure to the substance.

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.

Police: 20-year-old man facing multiple charges after stabbing parents in Owings Mills

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Barry Simms, Blair Young

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    Baltimore County (WBAL) — Details have emerged from the double-stabbing in Owings Mills as a 20-year-old man is facing multiple charges for allegedly stabbing his parents.

According to charging documents, Jaden Dawkins, 20, initially called 911 on Tuesday morning around 5 a.m. and claimed an unknown person was walking around the house with a weapon. Officers responded to the home in the 12000 block of Greenspring Avenue and found no evidence of the claims and cleared the call for service.

Police said a short time later, around 7 a.m., another call was placed to 911 by Dawkins when he said that he had stabbed his parents. Due to the nature of the call, multiple officers responded to the location. Officers knocked on the door and Dawkins answered it with a towel on his hand.

Police asked him if anyone else was in the house and Dawkins responded “My mother and father” and told them “they are in the room.” When an officer asked him what happened to them Dawkins said “I stabbed them, y’all got a band-aid or anything?”

Officers immediately placed Dawkins under arrest and placed him in a patrol car, while officers searched the house for the victims. They found them hiding in a bedroom closet, suffering from multiple life-threatening lacerations.

Both were taken to Shock Trauma and an update has not been provided on their condition. The victims are the mother and step-father of Dawkins but have not been identified.

According to police, while being interviewed Dawkins made a statement that he had a knife and stabbed his mother and step-father because someone was trying to break into the house, and he was telling them but they were in on it.

Police would interview the victims at the hospital who said that Dawkins entered their bedroom and told them that people were outside the house with weapons. He then would return a few hours later and attacked them.

Dawkins is facing multiple charges including attempted murder and first and second-degree assault.

Original story below:

Baltimore County police have identified the suspect in the double-stabbing in Owings Mills on Wednesday.

According to police, they have arrested 20-year-old Jaden Dawkins in connection with the stabbing of a 43-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman. Dawkins is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

County police said officers were called around 6:55 a.m. to a house in the 12300 block of Greenspring Avenue.

Police said investigators believe the incident to be isolated and a person of interest has been detained.

The two people injured were taken to hospitals, but their conditions were not immediately released.

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.

Small Georgia town rocked as city manager faces 29 felony theft charges

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Christopher Harris

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    ELLAVILLE, Georgia (WUPA) — A quiet south Georgia town is grappling with shock and uncertainty after the longtime city manager was arrested and charged with dozens of felony counts tied to alleged misuse of city funds.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested Donna Lynn McChargue, 50, of Ellaville, charging her with 29 counts of theft by taking, according to a GBI press release. McChargue has served as Ellaville’s city manager since June 2015 and has worked for the city since October 2014.

The investigation began in October 2025, when the Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office asked the GBI to look into concerns involving McChargue. Investigators said they uncovered suspicious purchases and withdrawals during their review.

McChargue was arrested on Jan. 20 and booked into the Schley County Jail.

Following the arrest, Ellaville’s mayor and city council moved swiftly, approving a preliminary resolution to terminate and remove McChargue from her position as city manager in accordance with the city charter and her employment agreement.

Under the city charter, the arrest alone allows the governing body to begin removal proceedings. As part of the resolution, McChargue has been suspended from duty, though she will continue to receive her salary until a final resolution is adopted or the process concludes.

The city charter gives McChargue five days from receipt of the resolution to request a public hearing. If no request is made, the city council can vote to terminate her employment immediately.

Mayor Shane Tondee called the city council meeting to address the arrest, saying the situation stunned local leaders and residents alike.

“This city has never experienced anything like this, not since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here all my life,” the mayor said. “Most people in city government are shocked.” Ellaville, located in Schley County, has a population of about 1,513, according to 2024 census data. City leaders said the allegations have sent ripples through the close-knit community, where many residents personally know local officials.

The GBI is asking anyone with information related to the case to contact its Americus Regional Investigative Office at 229-931-2439.

No additional details have been released, and authorities emphasized that the case remains under investigation.

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.