Author: CNN Newsource

By Matt Leonard, Gail Paschall-Brown

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    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — A nonprofit organization is pushing for the closure of the Epic Universe rollercoaster Stardust Racers after a guest died on the ride in September 2025.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding the coaster on Sept. 17 before being declared dead later that evening at a local hospital. Now, the nonprofit organization Juneteenth Project Coalition is petitioning for the coaster — which only opened in May 2025, alongside the rest of the new Epic Universe theme park — to be shut down.

“It’s a death trap. It is a death trap, and I’m a disabled American veteran. I have been in a wheelchair,” Tina Wilson, the organization’s founder, said. “But for them to reopen the ride, it’s just a slap in the face.”

Universal Orlando reopened the ride on Saturday, Oct. 4, a little more than two weeks after Rodriguez Zavala’s death. The reopening was met by disappointment and frustration from the victim’s family and attorney Ben Crump.

“Once we get a fair amount of signatures, if I have to get my bullhorn and go and stand out in front of Universal Studios until they shut that ride down, I will because it’s not fair,” Wilson said.

In its own investigation into the ride, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said, “Following the incident, Universal contacted the department as required by Florida Law and voluntarily invited the department to observe all testing and inspections, which exceeded state requirements.”

“Did you lose a family member on that ride? That’s what I’m asking the CEO and the Department of Agriculture, did you lose a family member?” Wilson said. “How would you feel if two weeks after that individual passed and it’s business as usual?”

President and COO of Universal Orlando Karen Irwin said that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended and that equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride, and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.

“So, you could not wait, you’re going to make money anyway. You’re Universal, you’re a big corporation. It’s very insensitive. Shut down the ride until the investigation and the family has some kind of closure. It’s only been two weeks,” Wilson said.

Wilson and the Juneteenth Project Coalition previously petitioned and protested the Orlando FreeFall drop tower after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death from the ICON Park ride in 2022.

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By Jenyne Donaldson

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — A South Baltimore coffee shop does more than specialize in lattes, honey, candles, mugs and self-care, body and handmade products.

Hon’s Honey Marketplace in Brooklyn and all its products are handcrafted and whipped up by women survivors of abuse, addiction, poverty, trafficking and other trauma who are rebuilding their lives one step at a time. Employees call the experience working at Hon’s life-changing.

“The main thing is it’s a safe place for women,” said Kathy Kempa, who is a manager of infused honey at Hon’s and works in production, making infused honey.

Kempa is recovering from substance abuse and now has a job, a car, an apartment and a new outlook on life.

“I have a car because of them through the car match program. I’m on my way to being a homeowner because of them, and (it’s) just giving me an opportunity to work to help provide for my family. I’ve also become a peer recovery specialist, so I can also help them and guide them in the right direction of where they can go for rehab or recovery or just to come in and start the classes,” Kempa said. “It’s so many different areas to help women get back into society, to help them, just to help them get their life, to get their peace of mind back. It’s amazing.”

Curtis Bay-based “Drink at the Well” is the umbrella nonprofit organization under which Hon’s Honey operates. Abigail Erickson, the marketplace manager, called Curtis Bay the forgotten neighborhood of Baltimore.

“There’s real trauma and real poverty and real, like, severely marginalized people, groups here are that are simply just not being recognized,” Erickson told 11 News.

Latoya Cabos, a barista at Hon’s, said her life has transformed in the six years she has been a part of the well.

“They gave me the opportunity of having a job, they provided child care for me, because I didn’t have child care, so I was able to work,” Cabos told 11 News.

For more information about the coffee shop and how you can help support them, visit the following website.

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By Carson Zorn

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    FORT MYERS, Florida (WBBH) — A vehicle caught fire while inside a car wash station at an Iona Jiffy Lube on Monday morning.

A Gulf Coast News reporter spoke to an Iona fire chief on the scene at the Jiffy Lube on San Carlos Boulevard.

According to the fire chief, the incident was a vehicle fire with minor damage to the walls next to it. The rest of the building has no damage.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

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By Tim Fang

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    California (KPIX) — Seven people, six of whom are under the age of 18, were arrested following a smash-and-grab burglary at a shopping mall in the Bay Area over the weekend, police said.

According to the Concord Police Department, officers were called to the Sun Valley Mall around 3:50 a.m. Sunday after security reported a burglary in progress. Police said a “large group” of suspects had forced entry into the mall through glass doors.

A photo shared by officers showed a shattered glass door on the floor of the mall.

When officers arrived, they found suspects leaving the mall. Four of the suspects got into a vehicle and led officers on a brief pursuit.

Police said the driver lost control and crashed the vehicle before fleeing on foot. The three people left behind in the vehicle were taken into custody.

The driver was found a short distance away, police said, hiding in bushes. He was taken into custody.

No injuries from the crash were reported.

Three suspects who were left behind at the mall were also taken into custody. According to police, one of the suspects was found with a firearm with modifications that made it an assault weapon.

In a statement Sunday, police said there are no outstanding suspects and that those arrested are facing an “extensive list” of charges.

The six juvenile suspects, whose names are not being released due to their ages, were booked into the Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall. Police said the youths are residents of San Pablo and Richmond.

Police identified the adult suspect as 18-year-old Marcos Ramirez-Castro of Richmond. Ramirez-Castro was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.

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By Wakisha Bailey, Alan Wheeler

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Patrick and Carol Cassidy have cheered through wins, losses and now, another playoff run. For these two, their love story started more than 50 years ago, with a little help from the Phillies and a ballpark that no longer stands.

The Cassidys walk hand in hand into every Phillies game. They’ve been season ticket holders for decades, but their connection to the team runs much deeper than fandom.

“If it weren’t for the Phils, or for my dad being the director of operations for the Phils, this would never have been,” Patrick Cassidy said.

Long before Citizens Bank Park, the Cassidys were spending their nights at Veterans Stadium. Patrick Cassidy’s father worked as the team’s director of operations, and Patrick joined him fresh out of college.

“I would do just about everything – from counting tickets to helping with giveaways,” Patrick Cassidy said.

That job turned out to be life-changing.

It was the early 1970s, and team owner Bill Giles was trying to bring fans back to the ballpark. His idea: the Hot Pants Patrol, a group of usherettes who greeted fans and brought fun back to the stands.

One of those usherettes was a young woman named Carol Ann Zacny.

“There were a lot of pretty girls, but she was a step above all of them,” Patrick Cassidy said. “All I could say to myself was, ‘wow.'”

Carol became one of the most recognizable faces at the Vet, even voted Ms. Schmidt by 80,000 fans.

“I could not believe I’m getting paid like $9 for a game and then I’m coming to see the Phillies every night,” Carol said while laughing.

Her section? Gate B, which is where she met Patrick Cassidy.

“He was a very nice-looking young man — blonde hair, blue eyes, tall and very handsome,” Carol said.

The two began dating, and soon their love story became as timeless as their team.

The couple married, raised three boys and built a life filled with baseball memories. Their son Ryan now runs the local apparel company Philly Goat, where one of the designs pays tribute to his mom’s Hot Pants Patrol days.

“There’s just a special something about fans and the team,” Patrick Cassidy said. “That relationship has always been so very strong.”

Now, as grandparents, they share those stories with a new generation — tales of Gate B, the Phillies and a love that’s lasted through every season.

“I wish we could go back just to enjoy it all over again,” Carol Cassidy said. “When he walks into the room, my heart still skips a beat.”

“That’s your heart giving out,” Patrick Cassidy said.

The couple rarely misses a game. Every once in a while, Carol Cassidy gives up her seat so one of their sons can join dad. But for her, Patrick will always be the MVP.

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