Author: CNN Newsource

By Jamie Azulay

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    NORWAY, Maine (WMTW) — Darleen Walker collects donations at her Norway home to fill cheer baskets, a gift box stuffed with food, self-care, and items personally selected to match the recipient’s interests. Walker has gifted 140 baskets since she started making them in December 2023.

Walker was inspired by a friend who was battling cancer. She gave her a plant and shared some nail polish, and when that friend passed away, Walker wanted to continue sharing joy with others facing a hard time.

“I started thinking about what to give for a person that has cancer and stuff that makes them happy,” she said. Walker has grown her operation into a Facebook group that has more than 700 people.

Walker’s friend Linda Gordon helps moderate the group known as ‘Caring Hearts Cheer Baskets.’

“If I can give a helping hand, I’ll do that,” Gordon said.

Walker refers to her and the other group members as angels. They contribute handmade, monetary, and new or gently used donations. One member helps Walker edit angel wings or animals onto photographs.

“I always let them know it’s all because of them,” Walker said.

While she’s grateful for the support, she said her basement is filling up fast. She joked about needing to take over the garage.

“This area is very lucky to have Darlene doing this,” Gordon said. “She started it. She’s the sweetest person. She’s got a big heart, and it’s a reward just to spend time with her.”

But the biggest reward, Gordon said, is seeing the reactions when people get their cheer basket. Last month, she joined Walker and other members of the group to make deliveries and sing Christmas carols.

“The look on his face when we brought in a basket and put it in his hands, and then he started looking through the basket, and that smile, the hug is so rewarding,” Gordon said.

She and Walker hope to see the group grow and even more people get baskets in the new year.

“The world right now is a little rough, so doing this and making people smile and getting as many people as we can involved – that’s what it’s all about,” Gordon said.

Walker has ambitions to see members of the Facebook group start making their own baskets in other parts of the country.

“I’m hoping someday that these groups go all over the country everywhere, and everyone starts showing their love and care,” she said.

Walker leaves a collection bin and a locked mailbox by her side door year-round. Right now, the group has a specific need for gift cards.

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 Imani Clement, Ted Wayman

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    EVERETT, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A driver was thrown from a car after a rollover crash on a residential street in Everett, Massachusetts, Sunday morning.

The crash happened at around 7:30 a.m. on Glendale Street. Several buildings were hit and sustained damage from the crash.

Ring camera video showed the moment the car, a white sedan, was driving down Glendale Street before it hit a speed bump and spun out of control.

The car jumped the curb, hit a street sign and bounced off the corner of a home, and sent debris flying before it came to a rest on the front yard of a nearby home and sidewalk.

The impact from the car hitting the home sent sparks flying briefly into the air as the vehicle hit the home’s meter.

The driver was thrown out of the car’s driver-side window before he quickly recovered, stood to his feet and looked around.

The impact on the meter took out power in parts of the neighborhood and left over 10 people displaced and looking for temporary housing.

Inspectional services told residents that the stairs in two of the homes were deemed structurally unsafe. A third home impacted was also ruled unsafe due to damage from the crash.

No one, including the driver, was injured in the crash.

Perush Gernug lives in one of the homes that was damaged in the crash.

“I was sleeping right up there and heard a noise. Hit something and felt violently shook the whole house,” Gerung said. “I can’t believe someone survived it. The guy jumped out of the car as it finalized its movement across the street.”

The driver stayed at the scene and was given a citation, Everett police said. A complaint will be filed for motor vehicle infractions.

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 Dacia Johnson, David Jones

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    ORANGE COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — An arrest has been made in connection with the January 2024 death of 30-year-old Porshe Nikita Shanee Streeter.

It happened at an apartment on Woodhill Park Drive in Orange County, according to the sheriff’s office.

Saun Landis Rainge Jr., 32, was taken into custody and faces a first-degree murder charge.

OCSO said Rainge and Streeter had known each other since high school and had three children together ages 10, 2, and 1.

Their relationship was described as “toxic” with reports of domestic abuse and infidelity, an arrest affidavit says.

OCSO said Streeter was living at the apartment with the three kids and Rainge would occasionally sleep over.

On Jan. 13, 2024, Rainge called 911 to say he came to the apartment to check on his family when a person walked in and shot him and “his lady,” the affidavit says.

When first responders arrived, they removed all three children from the home.

Rainge was sitting on the floor with a gunshot wound to his arm, OCSO said.

The door to the master bedroom was damaged, OCSO said. It appeared someone had kicked the door in.

The master bedroom is where police found Streeter on the floor unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. She was shot 10 times, deputies said.

Rainge told deputies he thought Streeter was OK because he was just talking to her.

OCSO, however, said that seemed unlikely because Streeter had dried blood on her.

During the investigation, Streeter’s friend contacted police and shared photos saying Rainge had beaten Streeter a few days before she was killed. Another person confirmed the incident, court docs show.

Rainge told deputies several times that an intruder was the one who shot Streeter.

But after a long investigation and obtaining hours of surveillance video, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said it was Rainge who committed premeditated murder and killed Streeter while she was in bed with her kids.

A second suspect seen on camera with Rainge, Benjamin Garmon Jr., is accused of conspiring to murder Streeter and helped “carried out the murder while making it appear as a home invasion.”

Garmon was seen running from the apartment after gunshots were fired, OCSO said. Detectives believe Rainge had Garmon shoot him to make the home invasion look real.

A cousin described Streeter as a good mom who worked from home as a hairdresser.

OCSO said investigators believe Rainge wanted Streeter dead because she wouldn’t give him custody of the kids and was hiding money from him.

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 Britt Leoni

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    FORT MYERS, Florida (WBBH) — Fort Myers’ Page Field is a spot where many pilots have dreamt of the thrill of their first flight. Jabari Brown is one of those dreamers.

When Jabari first decided to become a pilot, he expected to put in his 1,500 hours of flight training.

“It’s not hard, but it’s a lot. There are so many things to know,” Jabari said.

What he didn’t expect was a chance to compete against 99 other pilots vying to win every pilot’s ultimate prize, a life-changing $2 million jet.

In a viral video by YouTube creator Mr. Beast, Jabari took part in five thrill-seeking pilot games meant to test mental and physical strength.

He joined a team to pull a 40,000-pound plane across a tarmac. He withstood 60-mile-per-hour wind jet blasts. He made it to the top three contestants after staying awake for over 24 hours.

In the end, in a split second, his life changed for good.

At just 20 years old, Jabari is one huge step closer to his dream.

“I genuinely feel like it was my destiny. It’s not an accident,” Jabari said.

Jabari proves that we have the audacity to dream, it’s tenacity and faith that carry us exactly where we’re meant to go.

“Walk by faith and not by sight. You have to believe,” Jabari 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 Olivia Tyler

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    AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — During the first semester of her senior year at Ames High School, Katelyn Okerlund took a class about sustainable growing practices and the science of food systems.

At the same time, in the fall of 2025, a federal government shutdown forced millions of Americans to rely on food banks, and as more families began turning to the Ames Community School District’s food pantry, Okerlund was inspired to take action.

She created grab-and-go meal kits for families in need. Since October, she and volunteers have assembled about 50 taco bowl kits, along with other options such as chili, chicken noodle soup, and even birthday cake kits.

“We looked for things that are completely shelf stable and high in protein,” Okerlund said. “Things that’ll be filling and that everyone should like.”

Each meal kit includes cooking instructions to make preparation easier for families. Okerlund said the simplicity helps families spend more time together in the evenings instead of worrying about what to cook.

The kits are made at the HOPE Pantry located inside the Ames Center, which serves Ames High School, Northwood Preschool, and Fellows, Meeker and Sawyer elementary schools. The pantry has operated in the building for about a year and now serves as a meal-kit hub for two other district pantries. It partners with the Food Bank of Iowa and is open to any family with children enrolled in the district.

Okerlund spends about four hours each week volunteering at the pantry and hopes the program will continue after she graduates.

“I don’t want it to end when I leave Ames High School,” she said. “If there is a junior who’s interested, I hope they’ll come talk to me.”

As graduation approaches, Okerlund is focused on expanding the program by developing new recipes and listening to feedback from families about what foods they want most.

For those interested in getting involved or those who may need the pantry’s assistance, contact the Ames Community School District Family Resource Support Advocate, Jacque Burkhart, at jacque.burkhart@ames.k12.ia.us.

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 Olivia Hickey

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    CHICKASHA, Oklahoma (KOCO) — Volunteers with a Texas nonprofit organization found the 12-year-old Oklahoma boy at the center of a “suspicious disappearance” after he was reported missing on Jan. 2.

On Sunday, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced that Ryan “RJ” Davis had been found and was safe after he had been missing for nine days. Davis was shaken and terrified when he was found Sunday in Caddo County.

The news that the 12-year-old boy had been found sent a wave of relief through Chickasha. OSBI officials said Davis was found inside a shelter of sorts near Cement, not far from where he lived with his parents.

After being found, Davis was taken to the Quality Inn in Chickasha, which is where he was last spotted before his disappearance on Jan. 2. Community members applauded his departure to an area hospital while first responders covered him with a sheet.

Davis came forward with his hands up to Luke van Ryn and Thomas Gentile, who are with the United Cajun Navy, on Sunday.

“He was apologetic, terrified, super scared, like he was gonna be in trouble,” Gentile said. “We reassured him this wasn’t his fault. He’s safe, and we gave him a big hug.”

“We had to get a tissue. I had to wipe his tears,” van Ryn added.

The two drove up from Texas as volunteers with the United Cajun Navy, a nonprofit dedicated to life-saving rescue operations and humanitarian assistance. Being fathers, they say the mission hit home.

“To say we’re excited is an understatement,” Shaun Schraeder, the incident commander with the United Cajun Navy, said. “We’ve been on plenty of these where it’s the other way. So, when you get to bring one home, it’s pretty rewarding. It’s quite the high.”

Chickasha Police Chief Goebel Music got emotional when talking about the community effort – online and on the ground – that went into getting Davis to safety.

“Our community, regardless of socioeconomics, regardless of race, creed, regardless, came together because a 12-year-old needed help. And that’s important,” Music said. “I’ve never seen nor ever heard of these three men. Somebody somewhere contacted them somehow. They came and aided our community. That’s what’s important. It means a lot.”

OSBI officials said Davis is doing well. He will be in state custody, and the agency said they will work to ensure the 12-year-old boy won’t return to the property or his parents, who remain in jail on multiple child abuse complaints.

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 Zitlali Solache

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    RIVIERA BEACH, Florida (WPTV) — A paraglider miraculously survived a 500-foot fall into the waters off Ocean Reef Park in Riviera Beach, thanks to quick-thinking lifeguards and a helpful bystander.

WPTV reporter Zitlali Solache spoke with Sarah Williamson, a lifeguard with Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue who helped with the rescue.

On Friday, Williamson was scanning the waters when she noticed the motorized paraglider moving unusually.

“I noticed the paraglider kind of going in an interesting pattern,” Williamson said.

The paraglider lost control after hitting a wind gust, prompting Williamson to spring into action.

“I just started running, and I radioed my other partner,” she said. “We grabbed our rescue tube and our rescue board and paddled out in tandem.”

Williamson and her partner, John Swendel, swam toward the paraglider, who had fallen about 500 feet from the air into the water.

Cellphone video recorded by a witness captured the dramatic fall.

“When I heard the number (that the paraglider fell from), I was quite blown away,” Williamson said. “Five hundred feet is an incredible thing to survive.”

A nearby snorkeler dove underwater and helped free the man from the paraglider lines.

“(The snorkeler) was a godsend because we did not have a mask, and he was able to get underwater and free the man while we secured him,” Williamson said.

Multiple agencies, including Riviera Beach Fire Department, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Riviera Beach Police Department, responded to the call. The paraglider was brought back to shore with only cuts and scrapes. He was wearing a helmet during the incident.

“Once I got out there and I saw that he was above water, not drowning, and alive, I was so proud to like just get out there and bring him back in because it could be so much worse,” Williamson said.

The rescued man was full of adrenaline and in shock from the experience, according to Williamson.

She said the incident serves as a reminder for people to stay visible when participating in water activities because seconds matter in emergencies.

“Fly near a lifeguard, swim near a lifeguard,” Williamson said. “Always be near safety.”

The name of the paraglider has not been 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.

By Christina Fan, Aziza Shuler

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — The largest nurses strike in New York City history has begun after negotiators for five major hospitals and the state nurses union failed to agree to a new contract by Monday’s deadline.

The New York State Nurses Association said nearly 15,000 nurses are now walking off their jobs at five privately-run hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West and NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan, and Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx.

NYSNA said nurses at Mount Sinai started the strike at 6 a.m., while nurses at the remaining hospitals started picketing an hour later.

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the strike amid worries it could jeopardize critical care for thousands of patients in the city.

Montefiore said it was preparing for the strike to last multiple weeks.

A Mount Sinai spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, NYSNA decided to move forward with its strike while refusing to move on from its extreme economic demands, which we cannot agree to, but we are ready with 1,400 qualified and specialized nurses – and prepared to continue to provide safe patient care for as long as this strike lasts.”

The union said it will provide an update on the strike during a news conference at 10 a.m. Monday.

Both sides bargained throughout the weekend, but were unable to make a deal.

NYSNA has accused Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian of putting profits over safe patient care.

The union said the wealthiest hospital systems in the city are refusing to compromise on issues like pay raises, safe staffing levels, full health care coverage, pensions and workplace protections against violence.

Cecilia Barreto, a registered nurse picketing outside Mount Sinai West, said striking was a last resort.

“I have been here to two years and I’ve made such great bonds with the nurses here, and I know that there are nurses who have battled cancer and depend on their health care. So we need to make sure that the health care we receive stays intact because their lives depend on it,” Barreto said.

“Instead of guaranteeing health care for nurses, these wealthy hospitals are pushing to cut health benefits for nurses who put their own health on the line to care for New Yorkers,” Nancy Hagans, president of NYSNA, said on Saturday.

An earlier statement from Montefiore called some of the demands “reckless and irresponsible.”

The hospitals all called the strike “reckless” in a joint statement accusing the nurses of abandoning patients.

“NYSNA leadership has chosen to abandon patients in their time of need, but Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian will not. Their decision to walk out on our patients can only be described as reckless,” the hospitals said.

Some hospitals in the area were able to reach a deal with NYSNA, including all of Northwell Health facilities in Nassau County, while others previously pulled back their strike notices.

Gov. Hochul last week signed executive orders to ensure the State Department of Health has staff at the impacted hospitals for the duration of the New York City nurses strike, ensuring patient safety and continuity of care.

Montefiore said that emergency rooms will remain open.

Hospital officials said no one should delay treatment or put off appointments, but patients should be alert for any direct updates from their health care providers.

NYSNA also said patients should continue to seek care, with leaders at a news conference Sunday saying going to get care is not crossing a strike line.

The bottom line for patients is that the hospitals will remain open and care will continue during the strike.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the impending strike Sunday night in a post on X. It read:

The safety and wellbeing of this city is my top priority and ensuring New Yorkers have the care they need is critical, especially during flu season.

The city’s Emergency Management team, FDNY, health department, public hospital system, and my senior leadership team are in constant communication and closely monitoring the situation. We are prepared for any and all scenarios, including a strike.

No New Yorker should have to fear losing access to health care — and no nurse should be asked to accept less pay, fewer benefits or less dignity for doing lifesaving work. Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable.

I’m relieved that most hospitals have reached an agreement and urge the remaining parties to stay at the table and reach a deal that both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.

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.