Author: CNN Newsource

By Amy Nay

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    WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (KSTU) — She’s the calm voice on the other end of a 911 call, helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Now, the community she serves is showing up for her.

Dispatch supervisor Melisa Garcia, who works at Valley Emergency Communications Center, is used to helping others in crisis. Coworkers say she’s the one they rely on when situations get complicated.

“Supervisors take really good care of us,” said Unified Police Sgt. Ed Twohill. “Any special situation, we call them and they handle it.”

But recently, it was Garcia who needed that same support. After going in for a routine mammogram, she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

“It was really shocking,” Garcia said. “I was healthy and didn’t have any symptoms that made me think anything was wrong.”

Now about two-thirds of the way through chemotherapy, Garcia is facing a difficult journey, and one her coworkers say she won’t face alone.

Over the weekend in West Valley City, law enforcement, dispatchers, friends and family came together for a fundraiser to help with medical costs. The event included a car show, silent auction and food — all organized to support Garcia during treatment.

In one of the most emotional moments of the day, loved ones and coworkers shaved their heads in solidarity.

“You’ve just gotta do it,” said Benjamin Vaughan, a fellow VECC employee. “She’s a great human being, and I wanted to be here and support her through this.”

For Garcia, the gesture was deeply personal, tearing up as she laughed and remarked at those who first faced the razor.

“It’s my brother and my dad shaving their heads to support me,” she said. “It was very, very cool to see.”

Garcia has spent 12 years working in emergency communications, helping both the public and law enforcement through high-stress situations.

“When something bad happens, VECC is the one who takes the call and gives it to us,” said Unified Police Detective Angie Holdam. “We’re going to be there for each other.”

That support now extends beyond the job.

“I love working here because we get to help somebody every single day,” Garcia said.

But she admits she’s not used to being the one receiving help.

“All these people did these things who don’t even know me, just to try to help me,” she said.

Still, she’s focused on what’s ahead and the strength she’s found in those around her.

“Everyone has just been there to help me with everything I needed,” Garcia said. “All of us together are going to be stronger, and I’m going to beat it.”

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 WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff

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    MADISON COUNTY, Virginia (WTVR) — A Chesterfield County-based flight crew rescued a hiker who suffered a head injury on Old Rag Mountain in Madison County on Sunday afternoon.

Med-Flight-1, a joint operation between Virginia State Police pilots and Chesterfield County Fire and EMS paramedics, received the call around 11:10 a.m. The crew flew about 80 nautical miles from the Chesterfield County Airport to reach the rescue site.

Wind conditions forced the crew to abort their first attempt to hoist the hiker. They adjusted their altitude and direction for a successful second attempt.

A Chesterfield paramedic lowered to the ground to secure the hiker at 12:15 p.m. The crew then lifted the hiker into the helicopter and flew them to UVA Medical Center for treatment.

The rescue comes just weeks after Med-Flight-1 celebrated its 42nd anniversary on April 1.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 WTVR Web Staff

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    WASHINGTON (WTVR) — Virginia Senator Mark Warner and Lisa Collis are mourning the loss of their daughter Madison.

The 36-year-old died after a “decades-long battle with juvenile diabetes,” the couple said in a statement

“We are heartbroken beyond words by the passing of our beloved daughter,” the statement read. “She filled our lives with love and laughter, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void.”

Warner and Collis said they were are grateful for the loving support of friends and family and asked for privacy as they grieve.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Bob Jones , Mercy Sackor

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    SUGARCREEK, Ohio (WEWS) — A Norton teenager made a discovery at the age of 12 while on a trip that would surprise scientists in the years to come.

Joshua Fetter, 17, was on a family getaway in Sugarcreek in 2021 when he started exploring an open field and a section of land that was under excavation.

He never imagined the science spotlight would be shining so brightly on him because of what he found.

“I’m like holding this big thing, and it’s exciting, and then it’s like, there are more, ya know? So, I started digging them up,” Fetter said.

Archaeologists said he uncovered nine prehistoric stone tools that look like arrowheads and could be about 2,000 years old.

“I mean, the first time I saw them, I honestly was a little creeped out by it. I thought it was like some weird plant,” Fetter said.

Scientists went back to the site and found two more.

“Some of the most significant archaeological finds are made by members of the public who may not exactly know what they found,” said Kent State Professor of Archaeology Metin Eren.

Eren said extensive testing was done on the artifacts over five years.

Conclusion? The artifacts Joshua stumbled upon are likely connected to prehistoric Adena Indian culture.

“And it’s one of the earliest complex societies in North America,” Eren said.

Fetter finds it “really cool” that he made the discovery.

“I definitely enjoy telling new friends and people I know. It’s definitely an interesting story to tell,” he said.

While these appear to be prehistoric stone tools, archaeologists don’t believe they were used as tools at all, but were more likely buried as some kind of ritual to the Earth or to the gods.

“This is a lot of work to make these artifacts just to bury them and never use them again,” Eren said.

Because of the unusual find, Joshua is listed as one of several authors on a paper about the artifacts that will be published in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports.

“It’s not something that everybody gets to experience, so it’s a special thing, but being in a paper is pretty exciting,” Fetter said.

In addition, the stone tools will now live at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

“Scientists around the world, archaeologists, scientists can study and learn from Joshua’s discovery,” Eren 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.

By Maya Lockett

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    SANDUSKY, Ohio (WEWS) — A Sandusky Navy veteran said he is owed thousands of dollars from the military, and reached out to News 5 for help.

Erie County Reporter Maya Lockett spoke with the young veteran on Friday.

Nathan Lahr said he has always wanted to serve his country.

“We have a military legacy in my family, and I’ve always had that American Pride,” he said.

In 2014, a few days after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the military. After boot camp and 18 months of Navy nuclear training, he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the U.S.S. Harry Truman. Lahr spent time in the North Sea and the Mediterranean, far away from family and friends.

“I didn’t have much contact with my family, and it took a toll on my mental health. I got to a very dark place, but I decided to do the hardest thing in my life, and I got help,” said Lahr.

Lahr began getting treated for depression and anxiety.

“It seemed the more time I was on the ship, the worse I was getting. So, it was deemed that I wasn’t really going to be good for sea duty and that’s required for the navy. So, they decided it was probably best for me to be discharged,” said Lahr.

In 2019, the Navy gave him 10 days to leave Norfolk and the life he had built.

“I felt like I had failed because I had full intentions of making a full career at being in the Navy,” Lahr said.

Once he returned home, Lahr joined the Military Transition Roundtable, an organization that helps veterans transition back to society.

“When we started to listen to him about his transition issues, we said, ‘What is going on here?'” said Matt Scherer, CEO of the Military Transition Roundtable.

“He didn’t have a completely full DD214, he hadn’t talked to the VA about his benefits, he hadn’t gotten any assistance from the navy because of his discharge from the area and that was the most concerning,” said Scherer.

They also learned the Defense Finance Accounting Services was taking his reenlistment pay over why he was discharged.

“I told them I was discharged for medical purposes, that’s one of the exceptions,” said Lahr.

Lahr said DFAS took a few hundred dollars from his checks, bonuses and federal tax refunds.

“My debt has gotten higher, I’ve been doing my best to manage it, but it has definitely been a challenge,” said Lahr.

With the help of Scherer, Lahr was able to send proof of his medical discharge.

“After that, I got an email one day with a letter attached from an Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy saying that they agreed with me,” said Lahr. “Although on a technicality I could have owed the money because I didn’t go through a medical discharge, they thought it would be cruel to still make me pay.”

In the letter, it stated he did not need to pay and was told he would receive a reimbursement of $29,985. Lahr was supposed to receive the letter in October, but it was sent to the wrong address. After trying to resolve the issue, they told him to expect it on March 1.

“You used to be able to walk up to the DFAS office and speak to someone, but now they depend too much on technology instead of human contact. I think they really are just doing enough to get by and not raising their head to address these issues, it should not (take) six months for him to receive his payment,” said Scherer.

News 5’s Maya Lockett reached out to DFAS for comment, but has not yet heard back.

“Hopefully it comes, obviously DFAS also handles a lot of the active-duty military guys. So, I imagine a veteran is low on the priority list,” said Lahr.

Mentally, Lahr said he is in a better place.

Scherer said he hopes lawmakers will waive garnishment of re-enlistment bonuses based on why they were discharged.

“I’d like to see it consistently applied across the board,” said Scherer.

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 Tony Geftos

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    REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WXYZ) — A heart surgeon has made a major donation to create a safe space for boys surviving childhood trauma in Redford Township, honoring the memory of a 13-year-old patient who died from heart complications.

The donation from Dr. John Dentel establishes “The Den” at MCHS Family of Services off 6 Mile Road. The recreation room serves as a safe space for the 24 boys currently living at the nonprofit facility.

Dentel met Mikey Novak in 2021. Novak was born with congenital heart disease and lived at MCHS, a facility for boys who survived childhood abuse and trauma.

“Knowing everything he had been through and knowing his relationship with adults in general, but just knowing his kind and loving heart just drew us all in to who Mikey is and who Mikey was,” Dentel said.

Dentel first performed a valve replacement surgery on Novak, then placed him on a device to support his heart. Eventually, Dentel performed a heart transplant on the teen.

Getting to the transplant was difficult because Novak did not have a legal guardian.

“So, when we decided to give him a transplant, we weren’t sure if the state was going to allow him to get a transplant because he didn’t have a guardian. So, I actually stepped away during rounds and called my sister and I said, ‘If I adopt this kid, will you come and help me?’” Dentel said.

Novak’s biological grandmother was able to adopt him instead. However, months after the heart transplant, the 13-year-old experienced complications and did not survive.

Dentel, who is now based in Florida, never forgot about his patient in metro Detroit. MCHS Family of Services President and CEO Kevin Roach said the deep connection between the surgeon and the boy surprised him a little bit.

Dentel decided to honor Novak’s memory by funding the new space at MCHS.

“He always referred to me as The Bear, to kind of overlook him, and him The Cub because he was like a son to me. So, that’s where the name came from. The Den is a place for safety. It’s a place for everyone to get energy, to transform, to unite,” Dentel said.

“At the end of the day, it’s a recreation space for our young people. For them to play games, for them to hang out, for them to have that space that they can come to and just be boys,” Roach said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Kim Hudson

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    MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated the anniversary of a program that’s fighting homelessness with free hotel rooms.

Heather Kemps opened a door, knowing it was more than a hotel room for her. It was a space full of hope for her and her husband, Dave Zapalac, who was ill.

“My husband was in a wheelchair, and he was busting his butt to push himself in the wheelchair.”

Kemps said he did this while the couple was homeless.

“We couldn’t keep a place to live. We were living in a hotel paying for it from the skin of my teeth because my husband lost his benefits.”

That eventually drove the couple to a tent in the woods of Pottstown. But thanks to the Emergency Hotel Program, which opened in April 2025 through Opportunity House and the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, she found free shelter in a safe clean hotel.

“When we got in here, it calmed down,” she remembered. “And, it was good.”

The same was true for Michael Trump. The program even let him move in with his two dogs as he fought to get sober from a heroin addiction. However, Michael said staff gave much more than shelter.

“She took me to get a new ID in Reading, because my ID was expired and I needed a new ID, so she took me up there also.”

It all started with a Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting in January 2025.

“What we’re doing in Pottstown, is not just about housing,” said Commissioner Thomas DiBello.

He worked with board chair Jamila Winder and board member Neil Makhija on the nearly $2 million investment.

“We’ve probably had over 250 individuals that are either here now or have already come through this facility,” DiBello explained. “So, the program’s working.”

That success is bittersweet for Kemps. Her husband died after a stroke in August 2025. So in March, she moved on, alone, from the hotel. Still, she is finding peace in her new home.

“My family comes over and hangs out plays board games, and beats me,” she laughed.

Michael moved into a new home, too.

“And I’ll tell you what. A second room is a blessing,” he said. “I really appreciate everything they did for me here.”

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 Peter Maxwell

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    ST. CLAIR SHORES, Michigan (WXYZ) — Brian Bulgarelli has been waiting for a kidney transplant for three years, and his perfect match is his wife, Catherine Bulgarelli.

On April 27, the couple will undergo major surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Catherine Bulgarelli is donating her kidney to her husband to save his life.

“I should be scared probably, but I am not,” Brian Bulgarelli said.

“I just want to see him back to his normal self,” Catherine Bulgarelli said.

For the last 10 years, Brian Bulgarelli has battled chronic kidney disease caused by membranous nephropathy. He is now on the verge of kidney failure, requiring nightly at-home dialysis just to keep going.

“I don’t feel good. There’s toxins in my body, I am tired, my breath stinks and it’s a challenge. When I come home from work, I am ready for bed,” Brian Bulgarelli said. “As we’ve equated it before, it starts to feel like a piano hanging over your head and the strings are popping, but you never know when that piano is going to fall.”

Brian Bulgarelli has been on a living organ donor transplant list for three years. The couple took to social media to find a match.

“It’s been a real challenge. I have B positive blood type which, is semi-rare. So the average wait time is for a B positive recipient is about six years,” Brian Bulgarelli said.

Catherine Bulgarelli stepped up to take the donation survey. She discovered she is a universal donor and a perfect match for her husband.

“Obviously, I was very excited and nervous and then we had to decide what should we do? Should I do it? Or should we wait to see if somebody else is a match,” Catherine Bulgarelli said.

The couple decided not to wait.

“How could I not do it? He’s my best friend, my partner in life, the father of my child,” Catherine Bulgarelli said.

The road ahead will involve both of them facing recovery at the same time.

“We’re going to need somebody here every day, not all day, but every day for sure,” Catherine Bulgarelli said.

According to Gift of Life Michigan, 2,000 people in the state are in need of a kidney transplant, and finding a perfect match can be challenging. I spoke with the organization about the couple’s situation.

“It’s very rare for that spouse to be a match,” Patrick Wells-O’Brien said.

As the couple prepares for their journey, they hope their story raises awareness about organ donation.

“You can save somebody’s life,” Catherine Bulgarelli said.

The Bulgarelli family has set up a GoFundMe page. If you wish to donate, visit the page.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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.