Group of bears spotted in trees of Encino neighborhood

CNN Newsource on October 23, 2025

By Dean Fioresi

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    ENCINO, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A group of bears was spotted relaxing in the trees above a neighborhood in Encino on Wednesday afternoon, drawing a small crowd of onlookers.

The bears were first spotted at around noon near Ashley Oaks Drive, close to Balboa and Ventura boulevards. The family of bears, a mother and her three cubs, remained in the neighborhood for hours, with some neighbors telling CBS LA that they were lingering even at around 9 p.m.

Both the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were called to the scene after the bears were first spotted.

SkyCal was overhead as the four bears moved around in the trees later in the afternoon.

There were no reports of direct interaction with any of the residents in the area and DFW said that none of the bears needed to be tranquilized or removed from the area.

Wildlife officials said that they’ve been tracking the mother bear, known to them as Yellow 2291, for years. She was found roaming in Claremont in May last year. he’s been relocated to the Angeles National Forest several times in recent months, but somehow always made it back to the Santa Monica Mountains. They say that she welcomed her three bear cubs in March.

It is reportedly the first time that a bear was ever reported in the city of Encino, residents told CBS LA.

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Brother says truck driver “could have been killed” after collapse of historic bridge

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Mike Hellgren

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    BALTIMORE COUNTY, Maryland (WJZ) — Investigators are working to determine the cause of the collapse of a 145-year-old bridge in Baltimore County on Monday, while the brother of a septic truck driver is relieved there were no injuries.

The historic, one-lane bridge on Carroll Road in Phoenix, Maryland, is used by thousands of vehicles daily, and the structure fell apart as the septic truck drove over it.

“I’m so glad he is alive,” the brother of the septic truck driver told WJZ Investigates.

Sudden bridge collapse

The first calls came in just after 5 p.m. Monday about a bridge failure less than a 10-minute drive from Hunt Valley Town Center.

“Alert rescue boats. Philpot Road and Carroll Road for a bridge collapse with a vehicle on top,” the dispatcher said.

The truck’s windshield was smashed, and pieces of the green metal truss were strewn about. An SUV behind the truck had a dented roof and a smashed windshield.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

“Actually, it was pretty shocking,” said Molly Moroney, who lives a short distance away and drives over the bridge almost every day. “It was worse than I thought it was going to be. A tree had fallen. It was pretty much right after a truck had gone over the bridge. The tree was huge.”

First responders arrived at a stunning scene. The pin-truss bridge had collapsed with a septic truck on top. A large tree also fell into it.

A state environmental team also responded but found no dangers or leaks.

“I just thought about our family and our neighborhood and these little kids and maybe smaller cars or something,” Moroney continued. “I don’t think it would’ve ended well with anything smaller than that big truck.”

Truck driver’s perspective

In several messages, the brother of the septic truck’s driver told WJZ Investigates the truck weighed under the posted weight limit and said the truck was not to blame.

He added that supports on the bridge were “inadequate to support the posted loading maximums.”

He wrote. “My brother is the driver. Luckily, he is OK. He is a local small business owner, always conscientious of posted weight limits and restrictions, and that truck is his pride and joy. …Had the massive tree fallen a split second earlier onto the cab of the truck, my brother could have been killed or seriously injured.”

Police investigation

Baltimore County police are leading the investigation. They told WJZ they are using a team of certified commercial vehicle inspectors

Police said the cause of the collapse has yet to be determined.

Inspection report

The county inspects all bridges more than 20 feet long every two years as mandated by the federal government.

WJZ Investigates looked at those records and found the Carroll Road bridge received a “fair” rating in December 2023.

It was inspected again last year, and that inspection did not show unusual structural issues with the bridge, which was constructed in 1879.

With growth in the area, the single-lane bridge is now seeing an average of more than 2,500 vehicles and more than 120 trucks every day, according to the report, more than three times the traffic 20 years ago.

Moroney said it is critical to her to find out about the bridge’s inspection and maintenance.

“Actually, it’s really important to me just because we have small children who go to school, and we go back and forth over that bridge all the time,” she said. “So, it’s pretty important to find out what went wrong.”

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Tow truck dangles off overpass in dramatic crash

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Doug Myers

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    Texas (KTVT) — A dramatic rescue operation unfolded Wednesday after a tow truck crashed and ended up hanging over an overpass near Highway 121, also known as the Sam Rayburn Tollway, and Hardin Boulevard in McKinney.

Units from the McKinney Fire Department responded along with other emergency personnel. Crews worked to stabilize the vehicle and rescue anyone who may have been trapped.

Tow truck flipped while driver avoided crash

One person was rescued, officials said. He sustained no major injuries, was evaluated at the scene by Medic 11, and declined transport to the hospital.

The tow truck driver told McKinney emergency workers that he didn’t collide with any other vehicles, but flipped and ended up dangling over the overpass while trying to avoid a crash.

All southbound lanes of the Sam Rayburn Tollway at Hardin Boulevard were closed following the crash, according to officials. Two northbound lanes were also shut down due to the incident.

Drivers urged to seek detours

Authorities are urging drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Man finds couple holding hands after fatal Burnt Store Road crash

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Blaine Montgomery

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    CAPE CORAL, Florida (WBBH) — Burnt Store Road has reopened after a deadly crash claimed three lives near Sand Road — but for one Cape Coral resident who rushed to help, the emotional impact is lasting.

Bryan Greenwell, who lives nearby, heard what he thought was a car hitting his house late Monday night. Stepping outside, he noticed an unusual silence on the typically busy two-lane road. That’s when he knew something was wrong.

Driving toward the quiet, Greenwell found a horrific crash involving three vehicles near Janis Road. He ran to check on the victims — and what he saw will stay with him forever.

Inside one car, a husband and wife sat motionless. The vehicle was nearly on its side. Greenwell says the woman appeared to be reaching for her husband, and he was holding her hand — a final embrace in their last moments.

Cape Coral Police identified the couple as Norma Jean Ralston and Gary Galiher. Also killed in the crash was 48-year-old Laura Beasley, a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Greenwell says the tragedy left him shaken, but that moment of connection between the couple — even in death — offered a small sense of peace.

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Father arrested after 2-year-old son was swept away by floodwaters in Barstow last month

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Leticia Juarez

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    BARSTOW, Calif. (KABC) — A 26-year-old father faces several charges after his 2-year-old son died in floodwaters in the Barstow area last month.

What started as a tragedy with the drowning of Brandon Padilla-Aguilera’s 2-year-old son has now turned into a criminal case.

A photo released by the Barstow Police Department shows Padilla-Aguilera with his hands cuffed behind his back as he’s led out of his home by police.

The 26-year-old was initially charged with murder in the death of his 2-year-old son, Xavier Padilla-Aguilera. The tragedy unfolded back on Sept. 18 and was captured on cellphone video as Padilla-Aguilera attempted to drive through rushing floodwaters along West Main Street.

His vehicle was swept away, and while he managed to escape with his son, the two became separated in the current. The boy’s body was later found following an extensive search.

A memorial now stands at the site where Xavier went into the water.

The Barstow Police Department did not provide details about what led to the arrest, but in a statement, said, “Over the course of the month-long investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses and gathered evidence. Based on evidence obtained, detectives secured an arrest warrant for him.”

They did not provide any further comment about what evidence they obtained.

During Padilla-Aguilera’s arraignment in a Victorville courtroom, the murder charge was dropped. Instead, the San Bernardino County District Attorney filed lesser charges, including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death.

“After our office reviewed the evidence and facts submitted, we determined that the appropriate charges that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt are the ones filed,” the DA’s office said in a statement.

Through his court-appointed attorney, Padilla-Aguilera pleaded not guilty.

He’s due back in court next week. He’s currently being held on a $200,000 bond.

Eyewitness News reporter Leticia Juarez tried to speak to the family of Padilla-Aguilera, but they said they had no comment.

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Modesto teachers say classroom chaos, violence reaching “breaking point”

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Nina Burns

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    Sacramento (KOVR) — Modesto City Schools teachers say classroom destruction and violent student behavior are reaching a breaking point, and they’re calling on district leaders to take action.

Photos shared with the Modesto Teachers Association show overturned desks, ripped bulletin boards and supplies scattered across the floor. Educators say they’re often forced to evacuate students during outbursts and wait for help to arrive.

Jennifer McGrath, president of the Modesto Teachers Association, said the problems stem from changes made after the pandemic.

“When COVID hit and the students were isolated, coming back to school was not easy, and the district had to do a lot of quick fixes to get these kids to come back,” McGrath said.

Teachers say those “quick fixes” included new behavioral policies known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS, a program to keep kids in school by promoting positive behavior instead of suspending them.

McGrath said the policy is being misapplied.

“What’s been happening is they get counseled, and then they would come back with a bag of chips, or they would come back with a juice box or a prize,” she said. “That’s rewarding them for their bad behavior.”

During Monday night’s board meeting, several teachers described being kicked, bitten and cursed at, while others spoke about students destroying classrooms and frightening their classmates.

McGrath said the issue has been building for years and that teachers want the district to restore clear rules and consistent consequences.

“If there’s no consistency and there’s no reinforcement, then your classroom becomes chaos,” she said. “Some things have to change so that we can start educating again.”

In a statement, Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago said the district values its teachers and is working with them to find solutions.

“Our discussions with the Modesto Teachers Association have been productive and focused on supporting students and the educators who serve them every day,” Buitrago said. “We have heard our teachers’ concerns about student behavior, and we want our community to know we are listening. Districts across our state and country are facing similar challenges, and we are working together to strengthen support for both students and staff.”

Buitrago said the district’s Be The Change initiative encourages students, families and staff to model respect, kindness and accountability.

“Families are our partners in this effort, and we ask for their continued support by talking with children about expectations, monitoring social media use, and reinforcing positive behavior at home,” she said.

The superintendent added that younger students, overstimulation from social media and lingering effects of remote learning have made classroom behavior more difficult to manage.

“We face unique challenges that require more support from families, namely the expansion of Transitional Kinder programming for students who are entering our school communities at younger ages than ever before, the increasing overstimulation from social media, and the difficulty children are having adapting to school environments,” Buitrago said. “Taking these current conditions into account, I cannot stress how urgently we need families right now. Together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.”

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Man hospitalized after stabbing at Ventura County youth football game

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Dean Fioresi

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    Ventura County (KCAL, KCBS ) — Ventura County authorities are investigating a stabbing at a youth football game that left one man hospitalized over the weekend.

They were called to the Adolfo Camarillo High School campus, in the 4400 block of Mission Oaks Boulevard, at around 6 p.m. after learning of the incident, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

“Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from a stab wound,” the release said.

The victim, who was only identified as a 27-year-old man, was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Detectives did not provide details on the circumstances leading up to the stabbing, and it’s unclear if the suspect and victim knew one another.

There was no information provided on the suspect, and deputies did not report any arrests being made in connection with the stabbing.

As they continue to investigate the incident, detectives ask anyone who may have more information or who witnessed the incident to contact them.

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Man indicted for allegations of stealing over $450k in Covid-19 relief funds in Hawaii

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By KITV Staff

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    HONOLULU (KITV) — A man was indicted by a federal grand jury over allegations of stealing over $450,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

The defendant, Justin Likout, is in federal custody for a total of 24 counts in connection to bank and wire fraud, money laundering and theft.

Likout pleaded not guilty on Monday, Oct. 20, to stealing nearly half a million dollars in pandemic-relief funds.

According to court documents, he used several companies he created in 2018 to make legitimate-looking business accounts in order to get funds. Those companies include No Ka Oi Tours Oahu, No Ka Oi Oahu and Hale Me Ke Malama LLC.

Likout is being held without bail and his trial is set for Dec. 22, 2025.

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Four newborn puppies found abandoned in box along Maryland walking trail

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Christian Olaniran

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    HARTFORD COUNTY, Maryland (WJZ) — Four newborn puppies were found abandoned in a box along a walking trail in Harford County early Saturday morning, according to the Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC). While all the puppies ultimately received care, only three of the four puppies survived.

A passerby discovered the puppies in a box off Route 7 and Creswell Road in Belcamp, near the Riverside Apartments on Oct.18, when morning temperatures were in the low 50s, the organization said.

The HSHC described the puppies as “only a day or two old and completely defenseless.”

Without their mother or human intervention, the puppies had no chance of survival on their own, the organization said.

The person who found the puppies rushed them to the Humane Society, where staff immediately administered care and warmed the pups in an incubator. A team member took the litter home overnight and bottle-fed them every couple of hours.

By Sunday, one of the puppies, the smallest of the litter, passed away, the HSHC said. The three remaining puppies are stable and thriving in their foster home.

“Newborn puppies like these need their mother,” Amanda Hickman, executive director at HSHC, said in a statement. “We’re so grateful that someone found them when they did. Just a few more hours in the cold could have been tragic.”

She added that there are always humane alternatives to abandonment.

“If you find yourself with a litter you can’t care for, please call us,” said Hickman. “We’re here to help, with no judgement and no shaming. We have a pet food pantry, we have affordable vaccine clinics, we have resources, so no pet parent should feel their only choice is abandonment,” Hickman said.

To explore the foster program or to contribute to the care of these puppies and others like them, you can visit the HSHC website.

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Polk County leader hopeful for partnership with Linn, Johnson County for water quality funding

CNN Newsource on October 22, 2025

By Abigail Kurten

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Polk County Board Chair Matt McCoy says accurate water quality data isn’t just important; it’s essential.

That’s why Polk County pledged to allocate $200,000 to Iowa’s Water Quality Information System (IWQIS) Tuesday morning.

“To interrupt that data would be detrimental to the center for the research and for the science,” McCoy said.

IWQIS lost a large amount of funding in 2023 when Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law diverting $500,000 from the system. Since then, it’s survived on grassroots funding that’s set to expire next year. Polk County’s contribution isn’t coming from the county’s general fund, however.

$90,000 is coming from leftover funding from the Central Iowa Source Water Resource Assessment from earlier this year. The other $110,000 comes from leftover American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funding. While this covers a significant portion of the $500,000 it takes to keep all 80 water monitors running, it’s not a permanent solution.

“Next year, it’ll be harder to maintain,” McCoy said. “But at least we know that it’s a budget item now.”

McCoy went on to say he hopes other large counties, like Linn and Johnson County, will help keep the system running with their own contributions. He also hopes to work with lawmakers to restore the diverted funding.

“Hopefully, in the effort to balance the state budget and work with our partners, they’ll see the value in this and work together,” he said.

In an email to KCCI, Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green told KCCI that IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering, the organization behind the water quality monitor, will present to the board next month. Though due to a “difficult budget situation,” it’s unclear whether Johnson County will be able to contribute a significant amount of funding.

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