Author: CNN Newsource

By Frederick Sutton Sinclair, Ryan Hughes

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    TRENTON, New Jersey (KYW) — A fire claimed the lives of two people and damaged two homes in Trenton, New Jersey, on Saturday, police said.

Takeeta DeLee says it has been an emotional two days for her family. Her great aunt recently died, and a day after her funeral they lost her brother, their great uncle.

“He loved his family, friends, he was a loving caring person,” DeLee said. “We grew up with our uncles as dads, they always cared for us.”

DeLee says her great uncle, who she identified as William Laster, lived in the home on the 100 block of South Cook Street in Trenton for more than 20 years.

Investigators say it was around 11:45 a.m. Saturday when a fire started, and by the time firefighters arrived the home was fully engulfed in flames.

“They encountered heavy fire, knocked the fire down, then they proceeded to go inside the building,” said Chief Anthony Ross, Trenton Fire Department.

Once inside, police say they found Laster and his long-time female partner dead on the first floor.

Trenton’s Mayor, Reed Gusciora, was on scene and says an aide in his office is Laster’s nephew.

“It’s really sad just to hear the stories of their upbringing here and what kind of neighborhood it was, and it’s a really close family,” Gusciora said.

Investigators say a young woman, who was also home at the time, was able to escape the flames by jumping from a third-floor window onto a second story roof, and then she jumped to the ground. She was taken to a hospital after sustaining minor injuries, and released a short time later.

DeLee and her cousin, Nibree Laster, say loved ones were already in town after burying Laster’s sister on Friday. Now, they’re trying to come to grips with this latest tragedy.

“We’re trying to put the pieces together, we don’t know what happened, but we want to know we want to know,” Nibree Laster said. “It’s unfortunate that we got to be here a day later after burying my aunt and this again, back at square one.”

Investigators say Laster’s dog also died in the fire.

According to Trenton Police, the American Red Cross is assisting nine people after smoke and flames spread to the twin home next door.

The fire was placed under control at approximately 12:42 p.m. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation.

Authorities ask if anyone has any information about the fire to please contact the Trenton Police Department at 609-989-415.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By John Dias

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    NEW YORK CITY (WCBS, WLNY) — Scientists in New York City are watching closely dozens of brown pelicans that were spotted in Jamaica Bay.

The rare sightings of the southern birds this far north raise the possibility that they may start calling the city home.

“It’s stunning to have them here” Conservation specialist and photographer Benjamin Forbes trekked down to the shorelines at Breezy Point, Queens, on a windy Friday morning in November.

Forbes, with NYC Plover Project, checks on the habitat most weeks, but lately something has been standing out: pelicans, which most people associate with warmer climates.

“It’s stunning to have them here,” he said. “There were a whole bunch of them in groups, fishing, diving in the water. At least 45 pelicans. It was quite incredible.”

Right away, Forbes started snapping photos and videos of the birds.

Experts said the visuals were unlike anything they’ve seen while working with coastal and avian life around New York City. They said the pelicans should have migrated south already and that they’ve never documented this many so late in the season.

“These kinds of numbers, it was very exceptional,” Forbes said.

Experts say you may see pelicans in Southern New Jersey this time of year and into the winter, but even 100 miles makes a big difference for these birds.

“The concern is when they start to displace other species” While the pelican sightings may be a wonderful find, they could serve as a warning about what’s been going on with the environment.

Jose Ramirez-Garofalo, an ecologist at Rutgers University, says the surge in pelicans sends a mixed signal.

“Climate change is here and, unfortunately, climate change is here to stay,” Ramirez-Garofalo said.

While climate change is pushing the southern species further north, it’s also a sign that decades of cleaner water made New York’s coastline healthier. The same improvement is bringing back whales and seals.

“It’s definitely one of the main drivers of these species being able to come here and not only adapt, but to thrive,” Ramirez-Garofalo said.

Ramirez-Garofalo also predicts it could mean some birds won’t migrate at all.

“The concern is when they start to displace other species, and so it’s something we have to prepare for,” he said.

For now, this flock of pelicans remains an unexpected snapshot of New York’s changing ecosystem.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Alyssa Dzikowski

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — The Miami Beach Police Department has released footage of a 2024 incident that left a man seriously injured after he was run over by a truck on the beach.

According to the police department, the incident happened on the beach near 4th Street in November 2024.

In a newly released video, a 59-year-old man is seen lying on the beach when a truck driven by an ocean rescue worker runs him over. The man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries; however, police said, he was released later that same day.

CBS News Miami is working to gather information on what happened to the ocean rescue worker involved in the incident and if there are any pending charges.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Andie Bernhardt

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    KENOSHA, Wisconsin (WDJT) — A scary situation on the soccer field at UW-Parkside, as a referee collapsed mid-game.

“It was a blessing,” said referee Olu Waseyiafuwape. “I really do appreciate God putting those people there.”

On Sept. 14, the UW Men’s Soccer team had their eyes set on their first win of the season, when all of a sudden, in the middle of the second half, the unexpected happened.

“At first, I thought he was tripping over, I didn’t think much of it. But then he hit the ground quite hard and didn’t move,” said Jaime Le Comte, a senior on UW-Parkside’s Men’s Soccer team. “My initial instinct was to get to him as quick as I can.”

Comte was the first one at Waseyiafuwape’s side after he collapsed on the field.

“I got to the referee and turned him over onto his side, and I suddenly froze because I didn’t realize, I didn’t know what to do,” said Comte. “I didn’t know what was happening and it was really scary,”

Comte yelled for help immediately. That’s when Parkside’s assistant athletic trainer, Kaela Johnson, was able to step in and discovered he was experiencing a cardiac event.

“It’s unfortunate what happened, but glad we were right place, right time and were able to use the skills that we have,” said Johnson. “I feel like we are pretty unique to have the lifesaving measure skills that we have.”

Jumping into action, Johnson says she and a nurse who was in the crowd were able to provide chest compressions and use an AED to stabilize him.

“I didn’t know what happened until the EMT in the back of the truck told me, ‘Hey dude, you just flatlined,’ and I’m like, ”Wait, what?'” said Waseyiafuwape. “There was no way.”

An athlete his whole life, Waseyiafuwape says he couldn’t believe it happened and is thankful for everyone who stepped up and saved his life.

“I’m doing well,” said Waseyiafuwape. “I’m thanking God every day for this second opportunity in life. I’m recovering.”

Waseyiafuwape says he’s okay and hopes to one day be back on the field as a referee, but for now he’s focusing on taking care of his health.

Comte says after witnessing the incident unfold, he immediately took a first aid and CPR class so if there’s a next time, he’s prepared, and he recommends others do the same.

One month after jumping into action to save a referee’s life in the middle of a UW-Parkside Soccer game, those who stepped in to help are being recognized for their heroism.

“For the guys on the team it was certainly quite an experience, so it’s just nice that we all could pitch in on that day and do the right thing,” said Jaime Le Comte, a UW-Parkside Men’s Soccer player.

“I just did what I would hope everyone would do around that situation,” said Comte. “Obviously, I saw him go down in front of me and I just sort of blacked out and my instincts took over.”

Comte was the first one at Waseyiafuwape’s side calling out for help. That’s when the team’s assistant athletic trainer, Kaela Johnson jumped into action to perform life saving measures.

“The day was kind of a whirlwind in the end of it, but everyone came together, just working as a team doing their individual roles to help save the ref’s life,” said Johnson.

The American Heart Association acknowledged their bravery with Heartsaver Hero Awards, saying their preparedness saved Waseyiafuwape’s life.

“They jumped in.” said Katie Connolly, the executive director of the American Heart Association. “They did CPR, they got an AED, called 911, all the correct steps in the chain of survival. The national average is that you have a 10% chance of survival when you go into cardiac arrest and once CPR started immediately, it can double, if not triple the person’s chance of survival.”

Comte says it’s a moment the team will never forget. He says it inspired him to become CPR certified, so if there’s a next time, he’s ready.

“From that situation, we just hope that student athletes, anyone involved in any facet of life go and get some CPR training because it’s so simple,” said Comte. “It’s so quick. I did mine in 15 minutes and now I could hope to save a life and play a part.”

Waseyiafuwape continues to recover and says he’s focusing on his healing and taking things one day at a time, while spending time with his loved ones.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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By Christa Swanson

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    SAGUACHE COUNTY, Colorado (KCNC) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking for help to identify a suspect who illegally killed a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Saguache County.

According to CPW, the sheep was shot once in the abdomen and left to rot 200 yards off CR 38FF in the Cabin Draw area along Middle Creek. District wildlife managers received a report alerting them to the poaching on Nov. 11. They determined the sheep was killed earlier that day.

“This bighorn was shot and left there with nothing removed from it,” said District Wildlife Manager William Miedema. “There is a single bighorn ram hunting license available in S-10 and neighboring S-55, but my legal hunter for this area had already harvested a ram this year, and the season dates were Sept. 2 through Oct. 2.”

CPW said that, in Colorado, illegal take of a bighorn sheep is a felony and is punishable with up to a $100,000 fine. It can also result in a lifetime suspension of hunting and fishing privileges. Miedema said that the sheep had a half-curl to its horns, which could result in additional fines in excess of $25,000.

Miedema asked anyone with information on who is responsible to contact him at (719) 850-6364 or make an anonymous report to Operation Game Thief.

“This is wanton waste. If somebody saw something or has any information that could help in this investigation, please reach out to help us protect our wildlife resources in our state,” Miedema requested.

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By Frederick Sutton Sinclair

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    BUCKS COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Check your tickets — one lucky Pennsylvania Lottery player is sitting on a winning ticket worth thousands of dollars, but the prize is about to expire.

The Pennsylvania Lottery said a Pennsylvania Lottery New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket worth $100,000 was sold at a grocery store in Bucks County on Jan. 4, 2025 and must be claimed no later than Jan. 4, 2026, or the prize will be forfeited.

The winning ticket, numbered 00399216, was purchased at the Weis Markets at 73 Old Dublin Pike in Doylestown Township.

To claim the prize, the winner must file a claim with the PA Lottery by mail or at one of the Lottery’s seven area offices. The claim must be made no later than 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2026. The Lottery’s area offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and appointments are recommended.

The Lottery says Unclaimed lottery prizes are placed in the Lottery Fund, which supports programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians.

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By WDJT Staff

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    CASCADE, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Earlier Friday, Nov. 14, the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office responded to several reports about an explosion on Trio Lane around 1 p.m. Upon arrival, they found that an excavation crew ruptured a main natural gas line causing an explosion in the Town of Mitchell that could be heard and felt from miles away.

Four people were taken to the hospital with injuries and about 60 homes within 700 feet of the explosion had to be evacuated.

Cascade resident Vu Vang lives near where the explosion took place and was home when all of a sudden, he heard a loud boom.

“I looked up in front of the house, and I was like ‘oh my gosh there’s a huge black cloud,” said Vang, who provided video of the smoke from the explosion.

Wally Froh, a resident who has lived in the area for around 20 years, says when he heard he had to evacuate his home he immediately went to help his neighbor.

“I messaged my neighbor across the road and he’s disabled,” said Froh. “So, I had to go over there and open up the garage door for him and let him get his car out so he can leave.”

Froh told CBS 58 that the smell of gas was so strong that it made him feel sick, “I didn’t really think of it until I went outside and smelt the gas smell. I mean it was so strong it gave me a headache, and I could taste it in my mouth. I mean, I’ve never had a gas smell that strong.”

As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, law officials stated that the area has been safe to approach and continue an investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office state that 17 fire departments responded to the area and two homes were damaged.

The fire department is currently assessing gas levels of the homes in the area and providing ventilation.

Residents are slowly being allowed back into their homes and Trio Lane will remain closed as the investigation continues.

No further information is available at this time.

The American Red Cross of Wisconsin has set up a shelter for those displaced by the Trio Lane explosion at the Cascade Fire Department at 801 Madison Ave., in Cascade.

If you or someone has been impacted by the gas explosion you can contact 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance.

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