Author: CNN Newsource

By Chad Mills

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    CITRUS COUNTY, Florida (WFTS) — Inverness Village 4 in Citrus County was supposed to be a fresh start for families. But years after buying homes in the relatively new subdivision, residents say they are still dealing with crumbling, unpaved roads and no drainage system. Now, some are asking the county to adjust their property taxes until the problems are fixed.

Thursday, seven homeowners appeared before a special magistrate at Citrus County’s Value Adjustment Board to challenge their property tax bills.

Some argued their assessments should be reduced by $109,000, the amount county officials once estimated it would take each homeowner to pay to fix the neighborhood’s failing roads.

Others asked for a full exemption until the roads are repaired.

“If not tax exemption, then reduce the property tax by $109,000,” said homeowner Josie Rivera. “We don’t feel we should pay taxes until this is resolved.”

The Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office acknowledged the poor conditions but pushed back and noted that homes in the subdivision are still selling. Six properties in 2025 alone have sold for an average of nearly $248,000.

Nevertheless, reps from the Property Appraiser’s Office said they applied a 15% downward “external obsolescence” adjustment to account for the neighborhood’s challenges.

“We’re not arguing the fact that the roads are terrible. And the developer and the county has probably dropped the ball on those folks, and we’re as sorry for that as we can possibly be,” said Herb Mack of the Property Appraiser’s Office.

“We’re just doing the job that the state demands of us,” he continued.

For homeowners like Rick and Jessica Biddlecom, the adjustment does not go far enough.

“It hurts so much, you know,” Jessica said. “Our dream turned into a nightmare.”

The special magistrate will review testimony and evidence before issuing a recommendation at a later date.

Until then, residents were encouraged to pay their taxes during November, during the discount period, with any potential relief applied as a credit or refund later.

The hearings are the latest chapter in a years-long struggle over who is responsible for fixing the neighborhood and who should pay for the repairs. Homeowners have been stuck in a stalemate between the Citrus County Government and those who constructed the subdivision.

Over the years, portions of the subdivision’s sandy streets have become nearly impassable.

There have been multiple instances during which delivery trucks, work vehicles and even emergency vehicles became stuck on the sandy roads.

In one case last February, a Citrus County Fire Rescue truck got stuck while leaving a medical call in the neighborhood. While the fire department has four-wheel drive vehicles, the incident highlighted the safety risks for residents who lack similar vehicles.

Homeowners have said they were misled when they purchased property in the subdivision. They believed paved roads and drainage would be installed as part of the development.

In July, the Southwest Florida Water Management District filed a lawsuit against Citrus County and parties connected to the development. The agency claims homes were built without required environmental permits designed to prevent flooding, erosion and other hazards. The lawsuit seeks compliance rather than punishment, emphasizing that the neighborhood must have a functioning drainage system for the health and safety of the public.

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By Sergio Candido

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    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WFOR) — A Florida sheriff’s office is diving into a new kind of innovation — literally. Meet Splash, a 2-year-old otter trained to assist the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in search and rescue missions by detecting human remains underwater.

Traditionally, K-9 units lead investigators to the water’s edge in missing persons cases. But now, the sheriff’s office is taking that next step into the water with Splash, believed to be the first otter in the U.S. trained for recovery missions.

Authorities said Splash uses a unique technique to locate human scent underwater: he releases air bubbles that capture and carry scents to the surface, allowing him to pinpoint areas of interest for divers and investigators.

Law enforcement officers from across Florida watched Splash in action during a recent demonstration, where the otter showed off its remarkable skills. Officials said Splash has already been deployed on more than 20 missions, helping locate four bodies so far.

“We see a lot of innovative technology, but this is really going back to basics: using an animal to do what it does best,” Sheriff John Budensiek said. “He works in his natural environment and detects things that don’t belong there.”

The sheriff’s office said Splash represents a new kind of partnership between humans and animals in public safety, one that blends instinct, training, and trust. And while artificial intelligence continues to expand in policing, Splash proves that sometimes, nature still has the upper hand.

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By Penny Kmitt

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A man accused of choking his female Uber driver with a wire and stealing her car in Boston was ordered held without bail Friday.

Christopher Dawkins, 24, of Dorchester, was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on several charges, including carjacking, strangulation, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and larceny of a motor vehicle. He hid behind a wall during the hearing as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Boston Police said the Uber driver picked up Dawkins in Cambridge Thursday evening and, a short time later, just after 6:30 p.m., he attacked her when she stopped the car at the intersection of Massachusetts and Columbus avenues in the South End.

“She said that he pulled a wire around her neck and stole her car. She came out screaming and yelling and called the police,” said witness Stergios Sanxaridis, who was working at nearby New York Pizza at that moment. He told WBZ-TV that the woman ran into the shop begging them to call 911 for her.

The driver was taken to the hospital, but she did not appear to be seriously hurt.

“It seemed like she had a mark on her neck,” Sanxaridis said. “It’s very traumatizing.”

Police said the driver’s phone was still in her car, so they were able to track it to Stanwood Street and Blue Hill Avenue. Officers stopped the car and arrested Dawkins. He is due back in court November 13. The Uber driver was granted a restraining order against Dawkins.

Uber says it has banned Dawkins’s account.

“What this driver experienced is terrifying,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “We’ve been in contact with the driver to check on their wellbeing and are thankful to law enforcement for their quick action. We are standing by to assist however we can in their investigation.”

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By Kayla James

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    BAXTER, Iowa (KCCI) — Three former Baxter city officials have been named in a state audit that shows over $90,000 of improper, unreported, or uncollected disbursements and utility bills.

The audit, released Thursday morning by the Iowa State Auditor’s Office, says more money may have been improperly dispersed, but city records were not maintained well enough to determine that.

One of those named is ex-Baxter police Chief William Daggett, who, until Thursday, was working as police chief and interim city administrator in Mitchellville. City officials in Mitchellville confirmed to KCCI that Daggett resigned Thursday morning.

The Baxter investigation claims Daggett collected over $51,000 in improper payroll costs and compensation time payments. Former City Clerk Katie Wilson and former EMS Coordinator Randi Gliem are also named in the audit.

KCCI learned Wilson is Elkhart’s city administrator and reached out to the city. The mayor informed KCCI that the city is aware of the State Auditor’s report that was released today and that, at this time, the city has no comment on the matter regarding the city of Baxter, IA.

Known improper disbursements totaling $75,000 include:

$51,275.62 of improper payroll costs and excess comp time payments, respectively, paid to Daggett $3,509.55 of improper payroll costs and excess comp time payments, respectively, paid to Wilson $1,461.09 of improper payroll costs and excess vacation balance payout, respectively, paid to Gliem $1,776.99 of improper payroll to EMS volunteers $4,050 of improper payments to a former Water Affidavit Operator $10,475.05 of improper disbursements to vendors and cash withdrawals $2,037.66 of improper purchases made with the city’s VISA credit card, late fees, and interest $487.77 of improper disbursements to vendors for police department operations. The report, which you can read here, has been filed with authorities including the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Jasper County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

Mayor Doug Bishop provided the following statement to KCCI: “This is an ongoing criminal investigation being handled by the Auditor, DCI and County Attorney’s office. We will defer all questions to them. The City of Baxter will have no further comments at this time.”

Baxter City Administrator Lucas Battani declined to comment on the investigation.

KCCI did reach out to the Jasper County Attorney’s office and was told the county attorney was not in. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation tells KCCI it is aware of the auditor report, but cannot comment on active investigations.

Mitchellville is also the subject of an audit that was requested by the former city administrator, who was later fired over alleged personnel issues.

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the audit in a news release Thursday morning but said, due to the ongoing investigation and related legal considerations, officials would not provide any additional information or comments.

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By Anahita Jafary

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    MANTECA, California (KCRA) — Roxanne Helus, a daycare owner in Manteca, has been charged with second-degree murder after 5-month-old Christian Olvera died in her care, allegedly while she was intoxicated, as Christian’s family seeks justice for the infant.

“On Monday, we had to bury Christian, and I think that was the hardest part and knowing that it’s it’s the end,” said Janessa Valdivia, Christian’s cousin.

Today, Helus walked into court with a straight face.

“What we saw today was that this defendant got taken into custody on a charge of second degree murder and this is just a tragedy. It was completely avoidable. Cristian Olvera was a young infant that didn’t have a chance to start his life,” San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Morgan Hendley said.

Christian’s family came to court together, wearing matching shirts with his photo on them.

“I don’t think anybody is ever looking forward to this moment, but this is a moment that we have to live in and this is something that we’re just praying that, you know, we’ll get justice for baby Christian,” Valdivia said.

Helus’s attorney, Eugene Kilbride, spoke for her in court and afterwards.

“You know what? It’s really going to come down to the elements of second degree murder. There’s a willful element and, based on what I know, I just don’t see that there was willful conduct. I know it’s a terrible and tragic incident and I do want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family,” Kilbride said.

For now, Christian’s family says this feels like a step towards justice. “

We are making sure that everybody is aware of the situation that whether it’s Roxanne Helus or somebody else, that you are making sure who is watching your child,” Valdivia said.

Helus’s next court date will be Dec. 4 at 8:30 a.m. for a further arraignment. KCRA Investigates found two previous complaints against Helus to be true, including providing care without a license in 2023 and allowing other adults to watch children in her care in 2024.

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By Vanessa Gongora

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    TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A Celebration of Life was held Thursday night to honor the four University of Arizona students that were tragically killed last month while crossing Tucson streets.

On Oct. 26, Peter Wanjohi was hit and later died while crossing Kino Parkway.

Then on Oct. 30, Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos and Katya Castillo-Mendoza were hit while crossing at Euclid and 2nd. Troetel and Santos died that night. Castillo-Mendoza was taken off life support the morning of Nov. 1.

The Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) and other organizations the victims were a part of helped set up the event.

Wanjohi, Troetel, Santos and Castillo-Mendoza each made their mark on so many lives and it showed — as tears fell with each memory and story that was shared.

You can hear the the heartbreak in Santos’ mom’s voice as she was giving her speech, not only about her son, but also Troetel and Castillo-Mendoza.

“Josiah and Sophia didn’t just live, they did life. They sang, they dreamed, they loved, they created” she said. “And in doing that, they changed all of us. And Katya, her compassion, her friendship, her laughter carried that same spark. Together they remind us that even when life feels unbearably fragile, life is absolutely eternal.”

Santos and Troetel were a couple and they were a perfect match, according to their friends and family.

Drizella Sandoval Diaz was a friend of Troetel’s from work. She said she’ll never forget when she first met Santos last year at Troetel’s birthday party.

“He had a shirt on and it said Sophia’s number one fan and it had pictures of her all over and I think it was the funniest and most like ‘them’ thing to do,” Sandoval Diaz said.

She describes Troetel as someone who was bubbly and just a bright light.

“She was the sun. She was brightness. I never saw her angry. When I did, she had a smile on her face and that was just so her,” Sandoval Diaz said.

Ryan Fisher, has known Wanjohi since elementary school where they played soccer together in Nebraska and says this is a big loss.

“He was a great competitor. He was always one of the best players on the field. But also as a friend, he had the biggest smile always and that’s what everyone was saying about him. He’s always smiling, never in a bad mood,” Fisher said.

About 500 candles glistened throughout the evening as each person spoke and as they watched a slideshow of great memories that will forever be cherished.

People even took the time to write messages on each of their banners, many saying, you will be missed.

It was also revealed that Wanjohi and Castillo-Mendoza’s organs were donated.

Wanjohi’s family was unable to make the vigil because his services are this weekend.

ASUA student body president Adriana Grijalva says the athletic director has really shown up to honor the four Wildcats.

“All the football players will be wearing all four of their initials at Saturday’s homecoming game, but one thing we were able to get for Peter is his last name dedicated into a soccer jersey for his family,” Grijalva said.

In the face of unimaginable loss, the Wildcat family came together — not just to mourn, but to celebrate lives that will never be forgotten.

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