A couple’s private love letters found at Free Little Library are on way home after some online sleuthing

CNN Newsource on October 26, 2025

By Madeleine Wright

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    Pennsylvania (KYW) — A Delaware County couple’s private love letters are on their way back home, thanks to the kindness of a stranger and some online sleuthing.

Debi Mercuri was walking with her 4-year-old granddaughter, Parker, through Merwood Park in Havertown when they picked up a book from a Little Free Library. It’s a neighborhood box where people take a book, leave a book.

Inside a copy of “From Dude to Dad” were two handwritten love letters between a husband and wife. The husband’s letter ended with the words “Love, Stumps,” signed next to the doodle of a dog. The wife’s letter ended with the words “Love, Mrs. Cianciarulo.”

“Oh my gosh, I held them to my heart right away,” Mercuri said. “Being a hopeless romantic, I thought, oh, these are so beautiful. These are keepsakes. These are absolute keepsakes.”

Mercuri posted a photo of the letters on Facebook, hoping to find the owners.

Before long, Jennifer Cianciarulo from Havertown saw the post and immediately recognized the handwriting. The letters were hers and her husband Dan’s, written years ago during pre-Cana, a Catholic marriage preparation program.

Dan Cianciarulo said the couple donated the book while clearing out their basement, not knowing the letters were still inside. He said it is important to get the letters back.

“I think it would be really fun, and it would be great for us,” Dan said. “It would be fun to share them with our kids too.”

Mercuri plans to return the letters in person, and she’s looking forward to giving the couple a big hug.

“It renews my faith,” Mercuri said. “Fate, I just don’t think there are many coincidences in life.”

Mercuri hopes the experience inspires others to look for ways to connect and to spread kindness in unexpected ways.

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Contractor falls into pool of water above Palisades Nuclear Plant reactor, has to be decontaminated

CNN Newsource on October 26, 2025

By Joseph Buczek

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    Michigan (WWJ) — A contractor at Palisades Nuclear Plant in West Michigan fell into a water-filled reactor cavity Tuesday morning and had to be decontaminated.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Covert, Michigan, plant, when a worker fell into a pool of water that is located above the reactor. The contractor ingested some of the water.

Holtec International, which owns the plant, confirmed that the contractor, who was working inside the containment building, was wearing the required personal protective equipment, including a life vest, which is standard when working near a pool without a barrier.

The worker was pulled from the water and decontaminated by radiation protection personnel. Radiation levels were later detected at 300 counts per minute in their hair, according to officials, and around 4:30 p.m., they left the plant to seek medical attention.

“The worker was promptly assisted from the water, evaluated, monitored, and decontaminated for removable contamination in accordance with established industry standards and safety procedures,” said Nick Culp, senior manager of government affairs and communications for Holtec International. “Radiological assessments are ongoing and are expected to confirm exposure well below regulatory and administrative dose limits. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was properly notified, and a review of human performance factors contributing to the incident is underway.”

The contractor suffered minor injuries from the fall and has since returned to work, Holtec International said.

The incident comes as crews recently received 68 assemblies of new nuclear fuel after the plant earned “operations status” in August from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Located along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Palisades first opened in December 1971 before Entergy closed the plant in May 2022. Holtech International purchased the shuttered plant in June 2022.

The company expects the 800-megawatt plant to serve more than 800,000 homes and businesses once it resumes operation.

While Holtec International has not announced when the plant is expected to restart, the operation effort includes the work of over 600 nuclear professionals supported by more than 1,000 contractors, vendors and suppliers.

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‘The impossible can become possible’ Hope Kittel’s remarkable journey to world champion

CNN Newsource on October 26, 2025

By Mike Curkov

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    CEDARBURG, Wisconsin (WDJT) — CrossFit is a test. A test of strength. A test of will. A chance to find your limit. And for some, there may be no limit. As long as you can adapt.

“The impossible can become possible.” said Hope Kittel from Adapt and Conquer CrossFit in Cedarburg.

In March of 2023, Hope suffered an unknown ‘neurological event’ while in gym class at Cedarburg High School. She was paralyzed from the neck down, she lost her memory, she even lost her voice.

“I think it’s kind of a hard thing to describe,” said Hope through a whisper. “Because I could somewhere consciously understand that I was losing everything.”

Her memories from before still haven’t come back.

“That was terrifying to not be able to recognize my family members or my friends.” she said. “That was definitely hard for my parents and my sister to have me not be able to recognize them or find comfort in anyone. It was so lonely.”

As she put it in an Instagram post one year later, ‘It was the scariest thing, to live the life of a person I don’t even remember.’

It was her family that gave her the name ‘Hope.’ And her family and friends that never gave it, or her, up.

“For awhile I thought it was really annoying because people were like, your name’s so fitting,” said Kittel. “Because this wasn’t some prophecy that I’m fulfilling.”

Eventually she came around to its deeper meaning.

“The longer that I think about it, it’s kind of crazy.” she said, “I think Hope, when you’re laying in that hospital bed is all you have. Even I would say, the mental struggle, I lost hope at times. But I think it’s something that the people around you can hold for you. That belief. You can borrow their belief. Borrow their strength. Borrow their hope.”

Hope wasn’t down for long. She started fighting her way back. Little by little. She worked her way out of the hospital.

“A lot of times, they’re quick to say, you’ll never walk again, you’ll never use your hands again, you’ll never have this function or speak again but screw that, honestly. Screw the labels that are put on you.” said Hope.

She worked through nine weeks of intensive rehab at the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Michigan and with the neurological unit at Marquette.

She made immense improvements.

But her life changed again when she met Jason Olejniczak and Tom Miazga at Adapt and Conquer CrossFit and United Training Foundation.

“I mean Hope’s a survivor, a battler, a warrior.” said Olejniczak, founder of United Training Foundation which helps cover the costs for adaptive athletes to train. “All of the competitive adjectives, she’s got them.”

“I knew from the get-go that there was a bull-headedness about her that she was never going to quit.” said Miazga, the now 9-time consecutive ‘Fittest Seated Man on Earth.’

“She was never going to stop until she achieved the goals that she herself set for herself.” he said.

One of her first major goals was to walk across the stage at graduation. Which she did with Olejniczak helping to move each leg, one step at a time.

“He was like, we’ll find a way.” Hope said. “I kept that a secret from my family and friends so it was a complete and total surprise to them. I did it, not only for myself but for everyone who has been a part of this journey.

hen she found a new goal. A new ‘impossible.’

“Watching him [Tom] compete for his 8th title,” she said. “Seeing someone I’ve seen work so hard. His grit. His determination. Maybe I could do that too.”

Tom is now the 9-time defending ‘Fittest Seated Man on Earth.’ He earned that title this past September at the 2025 World Adaptive CrossFit Games in Las Vegas, a three-day competition with nearly 300 athletes from 29 countries. There are seven events across different classifications of ability and points awarded based on how you place in each event.

The 2025 games were also Hope’s first time competing. She won every single event.

“It’s pretty safe to say that she dominated the entire weekend which is a lot of fun.” said Jason.

“I did have this confidence kind of instilled especially from Tom and Jason. Just. ‘I got this.” Hope said. “Do everything that I can. Put it all out there, every time.”

19-year old Hope Kittel can now call herself the ‘Fittest Seated Woman on Earth.’

Not a bad way to be able to introduce yourself and a heck of an introduction to the world of adaptive competition.

“To see that many people doing such impressive work on this world stage was remarkable and inspirational.” she said.

Hope is coming to terms with the fact that she’s the inspiration now.

“It’s been a hard thing to hold onto,” said Hope. “but I think that constant reminder of ‘That is my name.’ That is who I am. And at times I think that I can be that Hope for other people.”

“I think that is where I find pride is being able to invite people into spaces where they can be supported and loved the same way that I was.” she said. “And if I can give that Hope and that love to other people. Then I can…that’s a proud name that I can hold.”

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Tourism in western North Carolina reaches peak levels since Helene

CNN Newsource on October 26, 2025

By Rian Stockett

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — It’s peak tourism season here in western North Carolina, and Explore Asheville says tourism over the last few weeks is the highest it’s been since Helene.

“I think I can speak for everyone in this area that we’re lucky and blessed to have a fantastic October,” said Bruce O’Connell, the Owner of Pisgah Inn.

A great year, that’s how O’Connell is describing the current season, despite sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway being closed for most of the year.

“I think just getting the roads clear, and government doing its part, and the parks service. I think the Blue Ridge being open and being a beautiful fall season, I think it’s brought everybody here,” said Susan Jowers, a Brevard resident visiting the Pisgah Inn.

The last time News 13 spoke with O’Connell was a month ago, when stretches of the parkway were reopened, and he said that he anticipated this year being an off-season.

O’Connell said this year, being an off-season has changed, as two weeks ago, the Pisgah Inn surpassed the amount of guests it saw in 2024.

“Not back so to what it was before Helene, but it’s trending in the right direction, and I think that’s just more businesses coming back and then more people outside the area knowing that they’re back,” said Sean Trickett, an Asheville resident.

O’Connell attributes the success of this season to the weather, saying that while October is their most important month, the weather in October can change quickly.

“There could be rock slides, there could be snowfall, there could be ice, they could close the parkway at a moment’s notice, close the tunnels, this year that hasn’t happened. We’ve been open straight through,” O’Connell said.

Explore Asheville says indicators from the last three weeks have been the strongest for out-of-town guests to our area since the storm.

“The signs are really positive this fall, we’re hearing from local businesses that sales are up about 20% the past few weeks,” said Dodie Stephens, the Vice President of Marketing at Explore Asheville.

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Stockton’s Filipino American National Historical Society unites community with the past

CNN Newsource on October 25, 2025

By Charlie Lapastora, Irene Gonzalez

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    SACRAMENTO (KOVR) — It is Filipino American Heritage Month, and CBS Sacramento is celebrating the rich culture and prominent leaders.

In downtown Stockton, the Filipino American National Historical Society remains a pillar in the community.

“The museum is here to kind of let them recognize and discover themselves, and discover the strength that their parents, parents’ parents, all the way down to the time that we first came here,” said Erwin Mina, the museum’s board president.

Among the many historical artifacts are items and photographs of the late labor leader Larry Itliong.

Through his work, Itliong led the 1965 Delano Grape Strike that sparked the farm labor movement.

Itliong’s leadership would be pivotal in forming the United Farm Workers, along with Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

It’s one of many historical events defining what it means to be Filipino.

“We are stewards of the land and stewards of culture,” Mina said. “Ours isn’t about conquest. Ours is about copwah, mahneehan, where a community is uplifting an individual and an individual in turn uplifts the community.”

It’s places like this where so many Filipino elders, affectionately known as manongs and manangs, want to ensure the next generation understands their own history.

“It’s really helped me to learn about myself and I want other people to have that experience also,” said June Bond, a retired educator at the Stockton Unified School District.

Bond is the vice president of the museum and a long-time educator. She says her motivation comes from the elders who paved the way.

“They took their dreams and put them on my shoulders,” Bond said. “The question was never, ‘Are you going to college?’ The question was, ‘What college are you going to?'”

Even though she’s retired, Bond is constantly teaching others about culture and unity.

“It’s about caring about others and making sure that everybody is pulled upward, along the way,” Bond said.

For the first time ever, Stockton’s Filipino history will be on display in our nation’s capital.

“What’s so exciting for us, those of us here in this area, is the story centers around Little Manila in Stockton,” Bond said.

A few years ago, 26 steamer trunks were discovered at a lodge in Stockton that once housed Filipino farmworkers.

“What’s going to be exhibited in the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington, D.C., are three of the trunks that have belongings of this generation of Filipinos,” said Marissa Aroy, an award-winning documentarian and filmmaker.

Aroy’s documentary, “The Delano Manongs,” will be featured alongside the exhibit, showcasing items from those time capsules.

“Their letters, their photographs, their really cool suits, everything from the farm tools that they used,” Aroy said.

“This museum is not our museum, it’s yours and everybody else’s,” Erwin said.

The Filipino American National Historical Society is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And the Filipino exhibit titled, “How Can You Forget Me” will run Nov. 20 through Nov. 28 at the Smithsonian American History Museum.

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Southern California pastor sentenced for sexually assaulting young girls

CNN Newsource on October 25, 2025

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A Santa Ana pastor has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting three young girls.

Carlos Ramirez Valdez, 61, was convicted of 14 counts related to the child sexual abuse cases that happened while he was the leader of Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church between 2012 and 2019. He became a pastor at another Santa Ana church after the assaults.

“Churches should be safe sanctuaries, not hunting grounds for child molesters,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. “These young girls were subjected to unimaginable abuse by someone in a position of trust. The sexual exploitation of children will never be acceptable, and predators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Valdez allegedly sexually assaulted three girls, between the ages of 4 and 10, who attended masses at Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church.

Prosecutors said he sexually assaulted one of the girls over a seven-year period, beginning when she was four years old. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said she reported the abuse to a school counselor. In 2017, Valdez also repeatedly sexually abused a 7-year-old girl over an eight-month period.

The third case happened between 2014 and 2015. The girl told the Garden Grove Police Department that he sexually assaulted her while he drove her home from church.

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A Colorado widow who built a ranch for first responders is now honoring them with a new beer

CNN Newsource on October 25, 2025

By Michael Abeyta

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — After her husband Chris Avery was killed in a car crash caused by robbers fleeing a crime scene, Kathryn Severns Avery decided to give back in his memory by starting Restoration Ranch: a wilderness retreat for first responders with the help of a Denver college.

Since their opening a couple of years ago, they have grown quickly

“We now have two full-time ranch managers who have just elevated what the property is. We have four miles of groomed hiking trails that are soon to be converted into wellness trails,” said Severns Avery. “We’re on track this year to have almost a thousand visitors come to the ranch. So, we’re pretty busy and we’re already accepting reservations for 2026.”

It costs $500 a day to keep the ranch open, which has presented some challenges for Severns Avery.

“I haven’t won the lottery yet,” she said with a laugh.

In brainstorming ideas to raise funds, she thought she would like to like to create a signature beer to sell, which would honor her husband, a beer lover, and the first responders she serves.

After a false start, she got connected with the brewery operations program at MSU Denver somewhat by accident.

“One of our board members invited me to come to the MSU’s School of Hospitality Gala, and one of the items that was up for auction was make-your-own-beer. So, I bid on it. I was the only person who bid on it. So, for $400, I got to work with a world-class brewmaster and create ‘Lights and Sirens Lager,'” said Severns Avery.

MSU Brewing Professor Bernardo Alatorre says this was a great experience for his students because they got to learn how to work with a client from creation to delivery.

“I mean, it’s a big commitment for us to get the beer right. And we did,” Alatorre said.

And given its purpose, he and his students say Lights and Sirens Lager was a project they were happy to help with.

“Knowing that there is a greater purpose, it’s not only serving education, but also helping first responders to get a much-needed break is even more rewarding,” said student and brewery intern Kevin Wachtler.

If you want to get a taste of this special brew, you can on Tuesday, Oct. 28, when they release it at four different Denver metro area locations, but you’d better show up early because they plan on selling out very quickly.

Lights and Sirens Lager will be released on Oct. 28 between 5 and 8 p.m. at these locations:

Old 121 Brewhouse: 105 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood, CO The Varsity Inn: 7500 University Blvd. Centennial, CO The Lucky Mutt: 5500 S. Simms St. Littleton, CO Billy Birch: 11915 Holly St. Thornton, CO

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Police investigate whether north Minneapolis fire, shootings were connected

CNN Newsource on October 25, 2025

By Reg Chapman

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — Investigators are working to determine if two shootings that happened a block away from a fire they’re calling “suspicious” are connected.

The fire happened late Thursday on the 3200 block of Penn Avenue and prompted a large response, including the crime lab.

Video on social media shows police rushing in before firefighters arrived to pull people out to safety. Fire crews came on scene to heavy smoke and fire coming from the first floor apartment.

“They rescued about four people last night,” said property owner Omar Robe.

One of the tenants says he and his friend barely made it out with their lives.

“They had been working all day at some other apartments that we own, and then they came home tired, and they were sleeping,” said Robe. “Then all of a sudden after sleeping for about an hour, they just woke up because the building was burning down.”

Members of the Red Cross are helping four residents, as the home is now considered uninhabitable.

According to police, one person said they were walking near the 3200 block of Penn Avenue and heard a gunshot, before realizing they were hit. Law enforcement say an argument may have happened before the shootoing.

The victim drove themselves to the hospital with survivable injures. A second person was taken to the same hospital after he was shot on the 3300 block of Penn Avenue.

Investigators are working to see if there is any connection between the shootings and the fire.

People ran into the apartments and took TVs, valuables and clothes from the units that were not burned. A fund has been set up to help those displaced by the fire.

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Dramatic video shows Fort Worth officers and bystanders lifting SUV to rescue baby trapped underneath after crash

CNN Newsource on October 25, 2025

By Doug Myers, Amelia Mugavero

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    TEXAS (KTVT) — Dramatic video released Friday by Fort Worth police shows the moment officers and bystanders lifted an SUV to rescue a 1-year-old girl trapped underneath — a heart-stopping rescue followed by life-saving efforts that helped the child survive.

The incident happened the morning of Thursday, Oct. 23, at Eastchase Parkway and I-30, in East Fort Worth.

Moments before the rescue, the child and her mother had been ejected in a violent crash.

During the rescue, onlookers pointed, shouted, and scrambled beneath the wreckage. It’s unclear exactly who said what, but everyone on the scene appeared actively involved.

One voice cried out: “I think the baby’s under.”

Officers and civilians began pushing the vehicle. Urgent commands echoed: “Keep moving. Keep moving.”

They lifted the SUV and found the child.

“She has a pulse. Is she breathing, though?” one person asked.

An officer began chest compressions.

“There it is. Keep working.”

“Come on, momma.”

Signs of life emerged — a hum, then a cry.

“There you go, momma.”

“Cry, please.”

The baby was alive.

Training meets instinct As they worked to rescue the child, their training guided their actions in a high-pressure moment.

“You don’t feel the relief right then and there,” said Officer Buddy Calzada, a spokesperson for Fort Worth police. “You feel the relief moments later, after your adrenaline is all worked up. You do what the police department has trained you to do.”

A chief’s decision to share heroism The dramatic bodycam footage was posted to social media shortly after the incident. Calzada said it was a direct call from the department’s new chief, Eddie Garcia.

“He said these officers are heroes. The community needs to know how amazing the Fort Worth Police Department is, and he wanted to get it out immediately,” Calzada said.

A message from the chief Chief Garcia also posted to X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Our prayers are with this little angel as a full recovery is expected. Not quite sure a better example of PROTECT and SERVE, exists.”

A department’s mission, reflected in action For Calzada, the video is more than just a viral moment — it’s a reflection of the department’s values.

“It says on our vehicles that we’re dedicated to protect,” Calzada said. “You know, we give you service with respect. And nothing says that more than the video…”

Ongoing investigation The baby is now stable in the hospital. Her mother remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Investigators are still working to determine whether the child was properly restrained in a car seat.

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Chicago’s Leo High School choir being honored with welcome home celebration

CNN Newsource on October 25, 2025

By Elyssa Kaufman

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — Chicago’s beloved Leo High School choir is being honored with a welcome home celebration after its run on “America’s Got Talent.”

After an incredible run made possible by voters throughout the country, the Leo High School choir made the top five of this season’s “America’s Got Talent.”

The celebration will be held in Merionetter Park on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. There will be behind-the-scenes footage of the AGT journey, alumni, and special guests.

The choir first caught the attention of CBS News Chicago’s Audrina Sinclair more than a year ago, and since then, the group of young men has captured the hearts of Chicago, as well as the show’s judges and voters across the country.

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