3-year-old finds weathered, live hand grenade in Grant County front yard

By Natalie Grant

Click here for updates on this story

    GRANT COUNTY, Washington (KXLY) — A three-year-old made a scary discovery in his front yard: a live hand grenade.

It happened near the intersection of Willard and May Street in Hartline.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the young boy discovered the grenade Monday night and brought it inside to show his parents.

His parents then called 911.

The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad was called to help, and they were able to determine that the grenade was live.

The Bomb Squad was able to carefully remove the device and take it to a remote area north of Hartline to dispose of it.

According to the GCSO, the grenade appeared to be weathered and exposed to the elements for a long time. Right now, it’s not clear how the grenade ended up in the front yard or how long it had been there.

This type of grenade is consistent with those used during World War II.

No one was injured in this incident.

Please note: 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.

Omaha City Council to vote on homeless encampment ban today amid fierce community opposition

By Jill Lamkins

Click here for updates on this story

    OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Omaha’s homeless policy could shift today. The City Council will decide whether or not to ban encampments. After 80‑plus people spoke out at the public hearing, opponents tell me this isn’t the way.

We spoke to Stephen Center CEO Chris Knauf before the vote to discuss his concerns about the proposed ordinance. Councilman Brinker Harding tells me he’s introducing an amendment to include some ideas local organizations are asking for. The decision isn’t just drawing attention in Omaha, leaders in Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties are watching closely. BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

The Omaha City Council will decide today whether to ban homeless encampments, a move that has sparked fierce opposition from service providers and advocates after more than 80 people spoke against the proposal at a public hearing.

Stephen Center CEO Chris Knauf was among the most vocal opponents of the ordinance.

“Personally and professionally I’m absolutely disgusted at this ordinance,” Knauf said.

I spoke with Knauf before the vote to discuss his concerns about the proposed ordinance. His hope is that the vote doesn’t happen at all and that shelters like the Stephen Center and other organizations can move forward with Mayor John Ewing’s outreach-focused pilot program.

“This is an investment that we are making from our own budget to make sure that this works and to show the community and show the council that street outreach is a viable tool for helping bridge the gap between homelessness and housing,” Knauf said.

The pilot program would adopt a seven to 10 day notice process before encampment closures, whereas the proposed ordinance gives those experiencing homelessness 24 hours to vacate the space or face fines up to $300 or even jail time.

Councilman Brinker Harding, who introduced the ordinance, tells me that even if it doesn’t pass, the issue needs to be addressed immediately.

“It’s a public safety issue. It’s a public health issue,” Harding said.

He says he’s introducing an amendment today to include some ideas local organizations are asking for.

“We want to make sure that we do this right. And if the council determines with my amendment that they need more time to consider that, I’m willing to do that. But again, I’m not willing to wait 6 months while a pilot program gets developed and then we see what the results are, and we’re talking about this a year from now,” Harding said.

The mayor’s office tells me John Ewing’s position remains unchanged. Harding tells me he’ll meet with him before today’s council meeting.

But for service providers like Knauf, he says the concern isn’t just about timing, but about the people living in these encampments and what the vote could mean for them.

“If there still is a point where minds need to be changed on this, how do you tell all of the people who came out last week and spoke in loud opposition, how do you tell those people they were wrong and this inhumane ordinance is right?” Knauf said.

The decision isn’t just drawing attention in Omaha, leaders in Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties are watching closely, worried their communities could be next.

Please note: 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.

Reunited at last! Runaway emu Bert reunited with Ernie after Pueblo Park adventure

By Michael Logerwell

Click here for updates on this story

    PUEBLO, Colorado (KRDO) — On Sunday, park officials at Lake Pueblo State Park saw quite an unusual bird. A bird, we’d wager, has never been spotted at the lake before. That bird was named Bert. He’s an emu, and he was on the run after escaping from a small farm just south of Pueblo.

“Somebody, I think it’s the cows, had pushed in the gate and let the birds out,” Joslyn Rafferty says. She couldn’t find any break in the fence that would’ve led to Bert the emu’s great escape.

The next time Bert was seen by the Rafferty family was on Facebook. Lake Pueblo State Park posted this photo (seen above), asking if anyone had lost their emu.

Joslyn said her son, Logan, was the only one home when Bert, the emu, went missing. He contacted friends, family, neighbors, and anyone with a phone in Southern Colorado.

“I had everybody, all the way from here to Beulah up to Pueblo. I even had people down in Colorado City, like, ‘Oh, we’ll keep an eye out,” Joslyn said. Bert didn’t make it that far, but he did make it six miles away from his home.

Joslyn said in the four years she’s had the big birds, this was the first escape. She credits the John Wayne movie Hatari! with sparking her love for emus (and ostriches, but she hasn’t added those to the farm yet). The four years of love made the escape all the more devastating and worrisome, and the eventual reunion all the sweeter.

“He literally hit my chest and put his little head, neck, and, like, threw it on me. The guy [who returned Bert] was like, Oh, this is so weird, and I thought, This is just Bert, and Bert just wanted to be hugged. So I just rubbed like you rub your dog’s cheeks,” Joslyn said.

Now Bert and Ernie are back together again, hopefully for good this time. Joslyn has added some more safety measures to ensure there is no second great emu escape.

“I’m just very proud to be part of this pueblo community and have their help and support….like, I get choked up a little bit, you know, with my babies home, but I’m very appreciative to everybody,” Joslyn said.

Please note: 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.

Arrest report reveals man left dog outside in triple-digit heat before dumping crate near dumpster

By KTNV Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — We’re learning more details surrounding a dog dumped near a dumpster and the man who police believe did it.

We first told you about this story in July when police discovered the dog near the 100 block of North 27th Street.

As the investigation continued, authorities released video to help identify those involved. Then, this past Friday, authorities announced the arrest of 33-year-old Darrion Lamar Garry in connection to this case.

Channel 13 obtained Garry’s arrest report and learned more about what he was doing leading up to the dog being found dead.

Garry told police he got the dog as a gift from his cousin after Garry was released from prison in October of 2024. Garry said he would leave the dog, named Louie, outside on the patio, checking on him when he got home from work or remembered, but admitted there was no set routine.

On July 9, Garry said he checked on Louie at nighttime, put water and food in his bowls he had inside his kennel and then went to sleep. When Garry woke up July 10, he said he brushed his teeth, washed his face and started playing video games for a couple of hours. He then made himself breakfast and got ready for work, where he had to be at around 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

It wasn’t until before leaving for work that Garry went to check on Louie outside and found the dog not moving. Garry said he tried to call his name to see if he would react, but that Louie had died by this point.

During his interview with police, Garry said he couldn’t call off work because he had already called out too many times, so he grabbed a white sheet and put it over the cage so the dog wasn’t exposed, then went to work.

When he got back from work, Garry called someone to help him get rid of the dog. The two men grabbed the cage and rolled it to the dumpster, where police found it on Friday, July 11.

During the necropsy on the dog, authorities found evidence further supporting that the dog had died from inadequate shade or cooling measures, leading to severe heat stroke.

On July 9 and July 10, high temperatures were around 108 and 109 degrees, and overnight temperatures only cooled to 93 degrees at the lowest.

During the interview with police, Garry said he had previously had Animal Control called on him after someone complained about him leaving Louie outside. Animal Control told him that he had to put a pool or something outside where the dog could cool himself down if Garry was going to keep Louie outside.

Garry admitted to completely taking responsibility for the dog. He said he was the only one who fed him and looked after him; he was the only one responsible for taking care of Louie, and realized he probably left it out for too long. He said the patio where the kennel was had shading but those days were hot

Garry was arrested on a charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of an animal.

Please note: 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.

Parents at elementary school claim stranger fed kids through fence during recess

By Tori Apodaca

Click here for updates on this story

    California (KMAX, KOVR) — Parents at a California elementary school are alarmed after they said their children told them that a man was feeding children through the fence during recess.

The Amador Unified School District could not confirm that detail. The district did send out a message to parents of Ione Elementary School the same day, confirming an incident occurred on campus that required assistance from police, but no details of what that incident was were given unless your child was involved.

The principal also said he was going to students’ classrooms to review safety with them.

Multiple parents recounted the same story and are concerned not just that a stranger was on campus, but also about what is being done to prevent it from happening again.

“She didn’t want to go to school the next day after it happened. She didn’t want to go to school for the week, actually,” said one father, whose daughter is in transitional kindergarten, who did not want to be identified. “She didn’t want another strange man walking up.”

He said his daughter did not eat any grapes the man had, but claimed she witnessed it happening to her classmates.

A mother who also wanted to remain anonymous said her daughter was one of the children who ate grapes from the man and she is now keeping her eyes out around town for the truck she said he was driving.

“Which made me sad because she’s just a little girl and she shouldn’t have to be thinking about that, but she is, and it’s real and it sucks,” said the mother.

It happened during recess on Friday, Sept. 26. The mom claims that the yard duty supervisor told the kids to ask the man to throw a ball that bounced over the fence back to them.

When they approached, that is when they accused him of giving them grapes.

Ione Police Chief John Alfred could not confirm that the man was feeding the children grapes or give details of whether there was any interaction at all with the children.

Alfred said detectives are in contact with the man. Unlike what some parents suspected, the chief of police said the man was not homeless, but he did not know if the man had a student who went to Ione Elementary.

Alfred said the man is being cooperative in the investigation, but at this point, it does not appear that anything criminal happened. They are still reviewing security footage from the campus.

Parents want to see privacy fences added around the play area, more cameras, patrols and more transparency from the district.

“It could have changed their lives and their family’s lives forever,” said the concerned mother.

CBS13 also reached out to the district, which had a different story from parents. The superintendent gave us this statement:

“On Friday, September 26, an unknown individual parked his vehicle in the Ione Elementary School parking lot and approached a fence adjacent to a student play area. The individual returned to his vehicle and left the parking lot. After school staff reported the interaction to the school office, Ione Police Department was contacted out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students. The Ione Police Department collaborated to conduct an investigation, which went into the weekend.”

Please note: 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.

Restaurant owner suspected of shooting at man over bill dispute

By Jose Fabian

Click here for updates on this story

    SANTA ROSA, California (KPIX) — Santa Rosa Police said a restaurant owner was arrested as a suspect in a shooting that happened at his business on Sunday morning.

Offices were called to the Dos Culturas Restaurant, at 1709 Santa Rosa Avenue, just after 4 a.m. for a report of a possible shooting.

When they arrived, they found that a gun had been fired during an assault but that no one was struck, and they identified the suspect as 48-year-old Moises Flores, the owner of Dos Culturas.

According to police, Flores and the 37-year-old male victim had been drinking inside the restaurant when a dispute broke out over a bill. The dispute turned into a physical confrontation, which was continued outside, and during the confrontation, police said Flores returned inside to retrieve a gun.

He then shot at the victim but missed and struck the window of an occupied vehicle, police said.

The woman inside the car was not injured, and the male victim had minor injuries from the confrontation.

Police said they arrested Flores on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at an occupied vehicle, violation of probation and felon in possession of a gun. According to police, Flores is on probation from a 2023 conviction for gun and DUI violations and is prohibited from possessing a gun and from drinking alcohol.

Officers at the scene recovered a .357 revolver and live ammunition in the restaurant’s kitchen, police said.

Flores was booked into the Sonoma County Jail, and police are still looking for witnesses.

Please note: 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.

Tow truck driver sentenced to 16 years in prison for auto theft scheme

By Sydney Isenberg

Click here for updates on this story

    DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colorado (KMGH) — A Castle Rock tow truck driver was sentenced to 16 years in prison for orchestrating an auto theft scheme that spanned across the Denver metro area.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said its investigation began in December 2023 after a detective with the Auto Theft Unit was assigned a stolen vehicle case. The detective later learned that the case may be related to several incidents involving Eagle Wing Towing.

According to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, between April 2023 and February 2024, Brian Chacon, 34, owner of Eagle Wing Towing in Aurora, used his tow truck to steal unoccupied vehicles, then forged ownership documents to sell the vehicles to salvage yards across the Denver metro area. Investigators found the stolen vehicles in lots from Douglas County to Denver to Aurora.

The DA’s office said Chacon “exploited a loophole in Colorado law,” which allowed him to complete the sales without raising immediate suspicion.

According to the DA’s office, of the more than 80 cars that were sold during the scheme, 48 were confirmed stolen. Investigators could not confirm the information on 29 vehicles “due to the inability to locate the most recent/true owner,” according to the sheriff’s office.

“I want to commend the relentless work of our Auto Theft Detectives, whose determination and attention to detail were critical in breaking this case wide open,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said in a statement Monday. “These detectives uncovered a large-scale criminal operation involving dozens of stolen vehicles. Because of their exceptional work, along with strong support from our deputies and dedicated prosecutors, the suspect has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Let this be a clear message: if you come to Douglas County to steal from hardworking people, we will find you, will prosecute you, and you will go to prison.”

DCSO said investigators also discovered that Chacon was in possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Chacon was arrested on August 11 for:

Five counts of sexual exploitation of a child/possession of child sexual abuse material 48 counts of second-degree motor vehicle theft 37 counts of forgery 37 counts of chop shop activity One count of driving under restraint

On Monday, the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced that Chacon was sentenced to 16 years in prison as part of a plea deal.

Chacon pleaded guilty to “multiple felony charges,” according to the district attorney’s office, including motor vehicle theft, forgery and operating a chop shop. The DA’s office confirmed to Denver7 that the sexual exploitation of a child/possession of child sexual abuse material charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

“Chacon is no more than a common thief who used an uncommon method to steal,“ said District Attorney George Brauchler in a statement Monday. “I will continue to say it until either our jail is full, or thieves stay out of our jurisdiction: commit a crime here, and expect incarceration. I commend the court for giving the kind of sentence that will let other thieves know…stay out of Douglas County or lose your freedom for a long time.”

Please note: 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.

Humans flying in Bakersfield: Jet suit takes flight

By Madi Vollmer

Click here for updates on this story

    BAKERSFIELD, California (KERO) — Im Madi Vollmer, Have you ever seen somebody fly? Well, I have — and it’s happening right here in Bakersfield.

I went out to Meadows Field Airport to watch humans fly — and I know that sounds crazy, but it was actually pretty incredible. Who would’ve thought this kind of technology was taking off right in our own backyard?

Gravity Industries hosted a jet suit flight demonstration here in Bakersfield. The company says this city is the ideal base for their operations — thanks to available space, room for noise, easy access to fuel — and even military training happening on site.

Richrd Browning is the founder and chief test pilot for Gravity Industries and he says, “The military application — the easiest way to describe it — is being able to take small, probably special forces teams, lift them and move them anywhere within a few-mile radius. Over minefields, over wire, over water, over mud, at night, in bad weather — to deliver an objective or find a casualty, and then self-extract without having to rely on a helicopter.”

The company was launched in 2017 and created the world’s first human-powered jet suit — turning science fiction into reality.

Paul Jones is the lead flight instructor and site operator and he says, “It’s a really weird connection between this kind of sci-fi world and real life — and we’re just trying to make that childhood dream come true and bring it to everyone.”

Paul Jones isn’t just the lead flight instructor — he’s also the site operator. He admits learning to fly the jet suit was tough at first, but says once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot like riding a bike or a skateboard — just a whole lot louder… and way off the ground.

“I fortunately get to do this quite a lot — which is pretty nice — but every time, it hits differently. It’s just the most insane feeling when you’re effortlessly flying around in the sky… it’s pretty surreal.” Jones said.

The company says they are making the impossible possible — one flight at a time.

Please note: 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.

Family shaken after shooting at their home

By Veronica Morley

Click here for updates on this story

    BAKERSFIELD, California (KERO) — A Bakersfield Sikh family is speaking out after their home was riddled with bullets in what police believe appeared to be a targeted shooting earlier this month.

Jaswinder Kaur said the shooting happened around 2 a.m. on Sept. 7 in a typically quiet southwest Bakersfield neighborhood. Surveillance video from a neighbor shows a car driving down the street, then a person walking toward the house before opening fire.

“Somebody come like randomly to shoot on our home,” Kaur said. “Now I already change that garage, but like they are like six hole in my garage, and my car is broken.”

At least six bullets hit the home, some tearing through walls into the family’s laundry room and landing near a gas tank. Kaur said the damage to her car and home is extensive, estimating repairs and losses at more than $13,000.

“That one is $1,600, and my car is total loss,” she said. “I think 13,000 for a total loss. But I’m just like a thing, my kids are safe.”

No one in the family was injured, but Kaur said the emotional toll has been severe. Her 12-year-old son has struggled to return to school since the shooting.

“Very bad. He never go to school,” she said. “I know how can I push to school but he goes, ‘No, I don’t wanna go. Maybe somebody gonna shoot me.'”

Kaur said she believes the shooter may have known her family, noting that a similar car has since driven by their home.

“We don’t have any, like this kind of enemy, they gonna kill us,” she said. “I just, just scared, you know?”

Bakersfield police said they do not believe the shooting was random, but no suspect information has been released. The investigation remains ongoing.

Kaur said she hopes someone recognizes the suspect or the vehicle from surveillance video and comes forward.

“I know, like that time I just like overthinking, ‘Oh yeah, maybe against somebody shoot me,’” she said. “But still. You know, like, then just like a point to my kids.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

Please note: 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.

Denver Broncos Orange Zone fan one of most faithful at 108 years old

By Michelle Griego

Click here for updates on this story

    Colorado (KCNC) — Bettye Garrett has been a Denver Broncos fan since the beginning. And that’s a lot of commitment, considering that she celebrated her 108th birthday this year.

Reaching 108 years old is so special that her celebration had to be special. That meant a trip to Broncos Training Camp to mark the occasion.

“I had a ball. The minute I got out of the car, there was a whole line of people all saying, ‘Happy Birthday!'” said Garrett.

At training camp, player after player shook her hand and signed her football, including her favorite player, Peyton Manning.

“Yeah, he shook my hand and the mascot kinda gave me a smooch,” said Garrett. “When I got home, I was sore from having smiled so much!”

Garrett has been a Broncos fan since she went to her first game in 1970.

When CBS Colorado’s Michelle Griego asked her, “What was that first game like that you went to in the 70s?” Garrett responded, “I have no idea!” as she laughed. “I’m quite sure the tickets were only $7.50.”

Garrett’s husband played football for the University of Colorado, so when the Broncos joined the NFL in 1970, the couple became instant fans.

“When we went to the games a couple times, actually, we took sleeping bags when it was so cold,” said Garrett. “But I had a block of wood like that size that I would put my feet on. My feet never got cold.”

Even in the cold, she said they rarely missed games. After her husband died in 1980, Garrett continued to go to the games with her four sons.

The last game she attended was five years ago, when she was 103 years old. She said her favorite games are always against division rivals.

When Griego asked her what she thought of the Raiders, Garrett replied, “Not much.” And the Chiefs? “Oh, bless…”

Garrett still dresses up for every game and watches on the big screen at her assisted living center.

“Last year, there was one game I completely forgot. I’ve never done that before and I’ll never do it again,” said Garrett.

Never missing a Broncos game and staying active may be her secret to longevity, “I’ve had a lot of fun in my life and I’ve always liked sports.”

Please note: 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.