Author: CNN Newsource

By Alyssa Munoz

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    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) — In Albuquerque’s South Valley, Soilutions, a local company, is celebrating 30 years of business by recycling landscape and food waste into compost, soil, and mulch, keeping hundreds of thousands of pounds of food out of landfills each week.

The company receives about 500,000 pounds of food waste weekly, with most of the finished product remaining in New Mexico. Their goal is to keep organics out of landfills, reduce methane gas, and return nutrients to local soil.

They have partnered with about seven local businesses, including M’Tucci’s, and aim to collaborate with 30 by the end of the year.

“I always wanted to make a difference with sustainability in this industry, the restaurant industry. I think we’re all just really proud that we get a chance to make sure the model works and then we would love to encourage other restaurants and companies all over New Mexico to do the same thing,” said Howie Kibel, brand manager at M’Tucci’s.

In 2024, the company also partnered with recycling company Denali, which helps recycle unsold grocery food from big corporations like Walmart across the state and West Texas. Dawn Dewey, president and owner of Soilutions, said, “We actually have a really cutting-edge technology of food waste recycling called a D packaging machine. So, we can bring food in that’s in packaging still, we run it through this special piece of equipment, and it separates the food from the packaging, which really just enables us to scale the amount of food that can be recycled.”

Homeowners can drop off yard waste for free and order compost and soil for delivery through their website. The company is located on Bates Road near Second Street and Broadway.

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 Cecil Hannibal

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    YUBA COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) — A major pipe rupture at the New Colgate Powerhouse in Dobbins, Yuba County, has caused a mudslide, evacuations, and left a road completely washed out, leaving truck driver Cesar Garcia unable to work for almost two weeks as his rig remains trapped.

“My truck, trailer, and my equipment was at the bottom of the mountain when it happened,” Garcia said.

Garcia was picking up a load when the pipe rupture forced him to evacuate, leaving behind his truck and his only source of income.

“The fact that I can’t work and I’m just using my savings, it’s really putting a strain on our family right now,” he said.

Over the past two weeks, Garcia has contacted various agencies and companies involved, losing nearly $15,000 in potential earnings as bills pile up and his savings dwindle.

Willie Whittlesey from the Yuba Water Agency said, “This is an absolutely unfortunate situation, and we have spoken to Cesar about this situation.”

He explained that Garcia’s truck appears to be in fine condition, but the road is completely washed out, making it impossible to drive the truck out.

“We don’t have an exact time, we know that the contractor is going to start tomorrow…we don’t have an exact time of reopening the road,” Whittlesey said. “We feel bad for Cesar, and this incident has impacted all of us, and I feel terrible that he hasn’t been able to work, and if I could go down there and drive his truck out personally, I would.”

As contractors work to repair the road, Garcia said, “Bills are coming in, and I’m really struggling right now…I really am.”

He remains stuck in limbo, waiting to get his truck back.

“At this point, I don’t really know what else to do,” Garcia 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 Maricela De La Cruz

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    SACRAMENTO (KCRA) — Local leaders, lawmakers, and immigrant advocates rallied in downtown Sacramento, demanding the return of a Natomas woman they say was wrongfully deported after a scheduled green card appointment.

Janet Gallegos, Maria’s niece, described her as an inspiring woman and said her aunt has been “Doing everything right, coming in for her appointments as a DACA recipient and petitioning for her green card on behalf of my cousin… she is a manager at her hotel who serves Sacramento residents. They have a contract with the city to shelter homeless people. She is not a criminal. Do you call that a criminal? Because I don’t.”

Family members say Maria has lived in the U.S. since she was 15 years old and was a

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient navigating the immigration process, which advocates say has become concerning for immigrant communities.

“This is incredibly nerve-wracking and anxiety-inducing for our community in Sacramento. We have individuals who are following the process,” Jessie Mabry from Opening Doors said. “They are following the steps. They are coming to their ICE check-ins. They are coming to their immigration court hearings. They are doing their appointments with USCIS. They are following the rules, and then, in an instant, the rules are changed.”

Her relatives describe the unexpected arrest and detention at the John Moss Federal Building as traumatic, alleging she was denied critical medical care while in custody.

Janet Gallegos said, “They fed her frozen wrapped burritos and toilet paper as she told me. They grabbed all her belongings and put her in potato sacks. She is a diabetic, so my cousin brought her her medicine, but they did not give her the medicine. They humiliated her, saying her medicine as a diabetic is Ozempic, and they said that it is for obese people, not for diabetics, and she was without her medicine for more than 48 hours.”

The family is now seeking legal assistance, hoping to bring Maria back to Sacramento, the place they say she calls home.

Attempts to reach ICE for comment have not been successful, but advocates say they will continue pressing federal officials until she’s allowed to return home.

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By Peyton Headlee

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    OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. (KCRA) — Two skiers are credited with saving another skier’s life after they found him buried in deep snow at Palisades Tahoe last week.

Carson Schmidt and his friend were on their first run of the day after making a seven hour drive up from Sacramento through snowy conditions and road closures. He said they were between KT and Olympic Lady when they noticed two skis sticking out of the snow, in what he described as whiteout conditions.

“For whatever reason we just stop below, and I see ski tips and next thing you know, you just kind of go into go mode and just dig him out til you can find his face,” Schmidt said. “He was in total shock, like all he wanted to find was his wife.”

Schmidt said the man was blue when they got him out and didn’t know how long he had been buried, but he was able to ski away.

“Deep snow, it’s the great equalizer,” Schmidt said, noting that the terrain is pretty advanced, and the deep snow only emphasized that.

He hopes this can serve as a reminder to anyone heading out to be safe on the slopes.

“Everybody needs to be aware when you go out in that deep of snow. You need to ski with a partner, and you need to be trained. You need to have beacon, shovel, probe. You need to have all the right stuff,” he said.

Schmidt said the man they rescued was in total shock, so they didn’t catch his name or the story of how he ended up there, but he is glad the man is alright.

Palisades Tahoe released the following statement below that thanked Schmidt for his “quick thinking and heroism.”

“On Wednesday, February 18th, the snow was exceptionally deep. We want to thank Carson Schmidt for his quick thinking and heroism in looking out for others while skiing at our resort.

Deep storm days are incredible, but they also come with some added risk. Carson said it best in his post: always ride with a buddy. When conditions are this deep, it doesn’t take an avalanche or a tree well for someone to become buried. Snow immersion can happen even in open terrain.

Our ski patrol team is constantly monitoring and patrolling the mountain, working to keep terrain as safe as possible. But on deep days especially, it’s crucial that everyone takes responsibility for looking out for one another.

Please ride with a buddy, stay within sight of your group, and make smart decisions. It could save someone’s life.”

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By Felix Cortez

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    PESCADERO, Calif. (KSBW) — Researchers have confirmed the first cases of avian flu in California marine mammals, specifically elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County, prompting the cancellation of tours to the seals.

The park’s biggest attraction, the elephant seals, is now off-limits to all visitors after seven pups tested positive for the avian flu. Park rangers decided to cancel all tours and access to the elephant seals.

“During the breeding season, we have about 30,000 people who come to check out the animals,” a park docent, Tom Halderman, said.

The decision to cancel tours was made due to safety concerns.

“There’s a high likelihood that it’s unsafe for people to be out here because we have this avian influenza highly pathogenic that is a concern. And so it’s a concern with our animals, with our birds, but also with the general public. So, you know, we just can’t take the chance, period,” Halderman said.

During a virtual news conference on Wednesday, researchers confirmed the early stages of a bird flu outbreak among the large mammals at Año Nuevo.

While only seven pups have tested positive, another 30 elephant seals have been found dead, and more than two dozen are showing signs associated with avian flu.

“The neurological signs reported include tremors, whole body shaking, and convulsions and seizure activity have also been reported,” Megan Moriarty, a UCSC researcher, said.

Approximately 3,000 elephant seals descend on Ano Nuevo during the breeding season, which runs through the end of March. A similar outbreak killed more than 17,000 elephant seals two years ago in Argentina.

A team of researchers is now closely monitoring the situation, hoping the outbreak doesn’t spread.

“There are some antibodies they have just as you might have to the flu when you get the flu every year so our hope is these animals may be able to fight off the virus and it won’t have a huge mortality event,” Deborah Fauquier, a veterinary medical officer for NOAA, said.

The park remains open to visitors, but all tours to the elephant seals have been canceled through the end of next month, affecting more than 4,300 ticket holders.

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By Peyton Spellacy

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    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) — The Democratic Party of New Mexico’s headquarters was burglarized after someone smashed in the front door around 5 a.m. Feb. 19.

According to APD crime maps, it is the second break-in to happen on the block this month. An investigation remains underway, and it is still unknown whether the incident was politically motivated.

Sara Attleson, chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, said, “We don’t know if it was politically motivated. We don’t know if it was someone intentionally came in or if it was just someone at random.”

However, the party believes it was targeted.

Video from nearby businesses shows the burglar walking toward the headquarters with a bag in hand and walking a bicycle just before the break-in. APD have not made any arrests. The suspect got away with a laptop, headphones and campaign material.

Attleson said, “The team member whose laptop it belonged to, we don’t know what exactly was on that.”

She said the APD is tracking the serial numbers of the stolen items in an effort to crack the case.

Attleson added, “We have been vandalized at least two, two times before in the past.”

She also referenced vandalism at the party’s Lea County office a few months ago.

Attleson said the first thing she thought of when she heard about the burglary was the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters arson attack nearly a year ago. That suspect, Jamison Wagner, is facing up to 40 years in prison.

“That was the first thing, in all honesty, that came to my mind. Throughout the country, my fellow state chair are experiencing political vandalism and political violence,” Attleson said.

Attleson said the silver lining has been the support from fellow Democrats across the state, who have donated money and office supplies to help replace what was lost.

KOAT reached out to the APD for more information on where the investigation stands but has not yet received a response.

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By Michelle Bandur

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    YUBA COUNTY (KCRA) — A 59-year-old security guard at the New Colgate Powerhouse in Yuba County miraculously survived after being swept away by a burst pipe earlier this month.

“God had him the whole time, and he made it through,” said his wife, Kathy.

Kathy said on Friday, Feb. 13, she couldn’t get ahold of Howard that afternoon, as he always lets her know when he’s headed home from work.

Howard works as a security guard for the New Colgate Powerhouse and was standing outside the building when he and other employees heard the rumble of the wall of water.

Kathy had a bad feeling but kept thinking he was in a bad cell service area and would be home soon.

She said Howard’s boss called, told her about the burst pipe, and said her husband was missing.

Kathy recounted the terrifying incident, explaining that Howard was missing for over three hours.

“He heard, like, rumbling, and he thought it was an earthquake. And he went out to see and he seen the wires, the power lines moving, like they do in an earthquake,” she said.

“He looked up and the gush of water was already coming.”

Kathy said Howard fell 35 feet into the Yuba River, where he was caught in the cold water, caught in churning water as if he was in a washing machine.

“He got swept to a big rock in the middle of the river. And then he prayed, ‘God save me,'” she said. “And about that time, another water shot him across to the riverbank.”

Kathy said he watched Cal Fire rescue his coworkers and tried to wave at them. She said drones couldn’t pick up his body heat because he was suffering from hypothermia.

They finally spotted him from the helicopter and saved him.

Howard nearly drowned and was unresponsive for eight minutes before medics resuscitated him. Kathy described his injuries, a collapsed lung, broken collarbone, ribs, knee, and deep cuts.

“I call it rock rash. You know how people get road rash? He has rock rash from head to toe,” she said. “He’s alive. And that’s all that really matters to me. He can be broken into all the pieces he wants to be, but he’s here.”

She said when he woke up after three days, he wanted to talk to her, but he was intubated.

He wrote her a note with a heart, expressing his love for her.

“I love you because all I told you the whole time, I love you, I love you out there. You got this,” she said.

Kathy and Howard later watched the video from LiveCopter 3, which captured the water and mudslide. Kathy said she gets the same uneasy feeling she had that day when watching it, knowing her husband was caught in that water.

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By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area posted video of a rescue of a family from a burning apartment building over the weekend, in which a toddler and dog were thrown off a balcony to waiting police officers below.

According to the Milpitas Police Department, dispatchers received a call around 3:15 p.m. Saturday from residents who were trapped inside their apartment on South Park Victoria Drive.

Two officers arrived on scene in less than two minutes and found the doors to the apartments were blocked by heavy fire. As the fire grew, the officers worked on a plan to rescue the family, who were on the balcony.

Police said the officers guided the parents through the rescue, telling them to drop their 3-year-old daughter to officers waiting on the ground.

“I got her, I got her. Drop her,” one of the officers was heard saying in a video posted by police.

The video then shows the girl being caught by an officer and taken to safety. Moments later, video shows an officer catching the family dog after the pet was thrown from the balcony.

Firefighters arrived and were able to evacuate the remaining occupants of the apartment, police said. No serious injuries were reported.

“We are incredibly thankful for the calm and courage shown by the residents during such a terrifying moment, and for the seamless teamwork between our dispatchers, officers, and fire personnel,” police said in a statement Tuesday.

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By Jordan Ryan

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — An Oklahoma Department of Corrections fugitive was captured, and another person was arrested Thursday morning at an Oklahoma City motel.

Around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, law enforcement arrested the escaped fugitive and a woman at a Super 8 Motel near Southeast 44th Street and Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City.

Police told KOCO 5 that they were helping the ODOC arrest a fugitive who reportedly rented a U-Haul van during their escape. Authorities later found the van parked in the motel’s parking lot.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections identified the fugitive as Kyle Vacin, who is serving a seven-year sentence for eluding a police officer out of Tulsa County. He had walked away from the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy.

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