Colorado recalls marijuana vape company’s products sold at more than 400 stores

CNN Newsource on September 27, 2026

By Logan Smith

Click here for updates on this story

    DENVER, Colorado (KCNC) — Colorado public health and marijuana regulation authorities issued on Friday a recall of marijuana vape devices believed to be contaminated with a volatile industrial solvent.

The Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a joint health advisory requesting consumers who purchased Craft vape cartridges and disposable vapes to destroy the product or return them to the place of purchase.

The agencies stated those products were sold between March 27 and September 25 of this year at 405 stores in Colorado.

Anyone experiencing illness or adverse health effects after using the products are asked to seek medical attention immediately. They are also asked to report those effects and any treatment to the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, a subagency of the DOR.

As of Friday, no users of the product had filed any such reports, according to the state agencies.

The particular vape devices were found to have been produced using an ingredient that contained methylene chloride, according to the state agencies. Methylene chloride, also known as Dichloromethane (DCM), is an industrial solvent typically used in adhesives, paint and coating products, pharmaceuticals, metal cleaning, chemical processing, and aerosols. According to a fact sheet from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, usually affects workers using products containing it. Short-term exposure can result in harm to the central nervous system, or neurotoxicity, per the EPA. Effects of longer periods of exposure (chronic) for workers includes liver toxicity, liver cancer, and lung cancer.

“Green Skunk,” “Hawaiian Sour,” “Mango Kush,” “Maui Wowie,” “Diesel Dawg” and “Ghost Haze” are some of the names of the reportedly contaminated batches.

Staycon LLC is responsible for the products sold under the Craft brand. Staycon was created in 2014 and is based in Greenwood Village.

Recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado in 2012. The state’s voters approved the medical sale and use of it in 2000.

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.

Paraguay musicians bring instruments made from trash, message of hope to Bay Area

CNN Newsource on September 26, 2026

By Andrea Nakano

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN FRASCISCO (KPIX) — We’ve all heard the saying, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, a youth orchestra from Paraguay is proof that is truly the case.

The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura takes kids from the slums of the country’s capital and provides them with instruments and opportunity. And the instruments are unlike any other seen on this planet.

Johann Kajatt is one of the musicians from the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura.

“We’re so grateful we can be here because it’s a wonderful experience,” Kajatt said. “Sharing our culture, experiences of our people is something that we love to do.”

They are from an area on the outskirts of Paraguay’s capital, Cateura. It’s home to the area’s landfill where 3000 tons of trash are dumped every day. But that trash has transformed into this.

“Here, for example, we have the back part of the spoon to hold the finger right,” Kajatt said.

They use wine corks, sardine cans and other garbage to make all their instruments, from saxophones to drums and violins.

“The top of the instrument is made of a paint can, the back is a pizza pan or you can make cookies on the sheet,” Luana Rojas said.

They have performed at schools and other venues during their tour of the Bay Area. Favio Chavez was an environmental engineer and is now the director of the orchestra.

“The world sends us garbage and we return music,” Chavez said.

Chavez says many of these students come from the toughest of circumstances, and music gives them the ability to dream and build a future.

“Even in these places, we have to open our eyes and see that even good possibilities and dreams could come out of it,” Chavez said through a translator. “As Favio says, there is no throwaway people, and there is no planet to throw away because there is only one planet.”

Some of these musicians have received scholarships to continue their music careers outside of their home country. It all started by spending months gathering trash and fine-tuning their instruments.

“It is a dream to play the violin,” Rojas said. “From when I was young, I always dreamed about being able to play but because I could not afford the violin, and there is no place for it, being able to join the orchestra enabled me to realize my dream and play the violin.”

While they are entertaining crowds and sharing their love of music, there is another message they are spreading with each note they play.

“If you really want to do something. You have to fight for it,” Kajatt said. “Give all that you have to make it, and remember that it is possible. When you have a dream, you have to know that it is possible. The only limitation is you.”

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.

Suspect bites off part of police dog’s ear during standoff

CNN Newsource on September 26, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

Click here for updates on this story

    REDONDO BEACH, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A Redondo Beach Police dog is recovering after a suspect bit off part of his ear during a SWAT standoff earlier this week.

The Redondo Beach Police Department said the suspect, who was a wanted felon, barricaded himself inside a home and refused to surrender when officers and the K9, named Wouter, responded to the scene in Wilmington.

“Wouter was deployed to assist officers, and during apprehension, the suspect bit Wouter and tore off a portion of his ear,” Redondo Beach PD wrote in a post on Facebook.

Officers said Wouter still helped officers safely apprehend the suspect despite his injury. They took Wouter to ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital for treatment after the whole ordeal. While he’s sidelined for a bit and has to wear a cone for a bit, Wouter appeared to still have a smile on his face.

“Wishing our bestest boy a speedy recovery, and want him to get all the scratchies and treats!” Redondo Beach PD wrote. “Shout out to our amazing Redondo Beach K9 Team for their incredible work!”

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.

Colorado police officer, K-9 continue recovery after life-changing, line-of-duty stabbing

CNN Newsource on September 26, 2026

By Tori Mason

Click here for updates on this story

    AURORA, Colorado (KCNC) — It’s been five months since an Aurora police officer and his K-9 partner were stabbed, and their recovery is far from over. The career the officer once envisioned finishing alongside his dog has changed permanently.

Officer Mark Moore has undergone about five surgeries since he was attacked on April 9 while responding to a mental health call. His most recent procedure was Wednesday, when doctors attempted to place a cochlear implant to address hearing loss caused by his injuries.

Moore suffered a severed temporal artery, facial fractures, damage to his jaw and other serious injuries when he was stabbed while responding to an apartment complex on East Stanford Circle in Aurora.

His K-9 partner, Cyrus, was also hurt in the stabbing.

Police said officers and a crisis response team had been trying to de-escalate a situation involving a man experiencing a mental health crisis before the man ran from the apartment armed with a knife. Moore shot and killed the man during the attack.

Moore believes his partner helped save his life.

“Cyrus is the one that got the guy’s attention,” Moore said. “That got him slowed down from going around the corner.”

Moore said the months since have brought physical and emotional challenges he did not expect.

“I still have a hard time realizing that those were the injuries that I had,” Moore said. “Things are different. Things are just different.”

Moore said previous injuries had allowed him to return to work relatively quickly. This recovery has been different. He intends to return to the Aurora Police Department; although, he does not yet know what his new assignment will be. What he does know is that he will not return as a K-9 officer.

“I’ll never run code to another call. I’ll never get to go out with Cyrus and have him do his job, and that’s what really bothers me the most,” Moore said.

Moore had hoped to remain in the K-9 unit until he was ready to leave on his own terms.

“You never know when your last call is going to be. You never know when your last code run is going to be,” Moore said. “I just didn’t realize that was going to be my last call.”

Cyrus’ working days are also coming to an end. Moore said the dog is dealing with spinal problems and remains on medication. He plans to officially adopt Cyrus from the city of Aurora for $1 once his retirement is finalized.

The two have spent years working together. Moore said Cyrus would routinely put a paw on the center divider of their police vehicle so the two could hold hands.

After the stabbing, Moore wondered whether that tradition would carry over to his personal vehicle.

“Sure enough, he put his paw up there, and we held hands,” Moore said.

Moore and his family are now receiving support from the MC-1 Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit that assists first responders who survive serious line-of-duty injuries.

The foundation was created following the 2014 line-of-duty death of sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Baldwin in Jefferson County, who was killed while riding his police motorcycle. MC-1 takes its name from Baldwin’s radio call sign.

Foundation president Mark Miller said the organization eventually realized that, while families of first responders killed in the line of duty often have several organizations offering assistance, seriously injured survivors can face a different set of challenges for months or years.

“We, as a community, kind of forget about our survivors,” Miller said.

Miller said injured first responders can lose income from overtime and off-duty work while they recover, on top of the physical and emotional toll of a long-term injury.

MC-1 says it has provided more than $500,000 to 65 first responders across Colorado during its 13-year history. The organization is run entirely by volunteers.

Moore said accepting help did not come naturally.

“As officers, we’re pretty prideful, and we don’t want a lot of help, and we don’t realize the help that we need,” he said.

Moore will be the beneficiary of the MC-1 Foundation’s 13th annual Honor Run motorcycle fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The ride begins at Columbine High School in Littleton. Onsite registration opens at 8 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 9:15 a.m. The first motorcycles are scheduled to leave at 10 a.m.

Riders will finish at Main Event in Thornton.

Registration costs $40 for a single rider and $50 for a rider with a passenger. People who do not ride motorcycles can also donate directly through the MC-1 Foundation.

“I want Mark to see that there’s a large part of the community that does support him and that wants to come out and help and do something,” Miller said.

For Moore, that continued support has become an important part of a recovery he never expected to face.

“We’re all human,” he said. “The help that we get just with the text messages or the phone calls is the thing that really helps us out the most.”

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.

Speech therapist boosts young clients’ confidence through free haircuts

CNN Newsource on September 26, 2026

By Kendrick Henderson

Click here for updates on this story

    DAWSONVILLE, Georgia (WUPA) — A haircut can go a long way toward boosting confidence, but for people with sensory needs, the cut itself can be challenging.

A Dawsonville speech therapist is using fun, hands-on lessons to help children and young adults feel more comfortable.

What looks like a simple haircut lines up with many goals at Prosper Therapy Services in Dawsonville.

“I consider it like art, so it’s an enjoyable experience to provide something for people that have difficulty with them,” said Kevin Simmons. He’s a certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in speech services — helping children and young adults who live with sensory needs.

One of the ways he helps is through free haircuts.

On the day CBS News Atlanta visited, Simmons had Liam in the chair. He has been cutting his hair for years.

“I’m showing him the tools so that way he’s comfortable knowing what’s approaching his head. We did the countdown technique, taking a lot of breaks. And now, as you see, he’s very motivated by music. So we have music going on and his favorite cartoons,” Simmons explained.

Simmons’ work has taken him across Georgia and throughout the South. His specialty is making house calls.

“I love doing home haircuts because they’re naturally in their home environment. They have someone, mom or dad, caregiver in their space,” he said. “And so when we start with that natural component, it’s already off on a good start.”

The approach is different for each child.

“It may be doing a scissor haircut, meaning I just use scissors and a comb and water, and that may just be for one child,” Simmons said. “On the other hand, it may just be clippers. They may be scared of scissors. So I’m always asking questions.”

Simmons says some of the biggest wins come in baby steps.

“Even if I don’t get the haircut done — there’s been multiple times where we haven’t gotten the haircut — but I tell families this is a win. They met someone new. They saw the clippers. I’m always counting wins,” he said. “So sometimes it’s just silence, sometimes there’s happy tears, but at the end of the day, it just makes me happy because we’re making artwork.”

Once the hair is brushed away and the cape comes off, Simmons hopes his clients leave knowing this is about more than a haircut.

“There’s loud sounds. There is the physical with hair touching you, but I want something to feel comfortable and safe to know that they can do it again and make it enjoyable,” he said.

A 20-minute haircut building confidence that lasts much longer.

You can help sponsor a sensory-friendly haircut by donating toward supplies and travel expenses.

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.

Oceans Calling Festival canceled due to impacts of nor’easter

CNN Newsource on September 26, 2026

By Renee Anderson, Bryan Lynn, Caroline Foreback

Click here for updates on this story

    OCEAN CITY, Maryland (WJZ) — Maryland’s Oceans Calling Festival announced on Friday it has canceled all days of the music event due to coastal flooding impacting the site in Ocean City.

The full cancellation of the festival came one day after organizers announced they were canceling the first day of the event due to weather concerns.

In a statement issued on Friday, festival organizers said, “The National Weather Service is reporting a stronger and more updated westward track of the Nor’easter storm system. Tides, floods, and high winds have prevented us from safely continuing the build of Oceans Calling Festival.”

“Following the advice of the National Weather Service, and in cooperation with local public officials, we must make the difficult decision to cancel Oceans Calling 2026,” it added.

The cancellation comes as a powerful nor’easter develops off the East Coast. Maryland’s eastern seaboard is expected to see coastal flooding and beach erosion from the storm, as well as gusty winds and some rain showers into the weekend.

The festival site already saw flooding and beach erosion beginning on Thursday.

In nearby Bethany Beach, officials announced on social media that all beaches are closed until Monday because of the high tides and flood risk. The town said it will reassess beach conditions on Monday and decide at that time how to proceed.

The social media post urged visitors to “stay safe and protect your family,” warning people not to attempt to walk or drive through flood waters.

The state’s Department of Emergency Management raised its activation level to “enhanced” on Friday, as it monitors potential impacts from the storm.

Oceans Calling ticket refunds Among the artists who were scheduled to perform at the festival were Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Ludacris, Twenty One Pilots, Gwen Stefani, Mumford & Sons, Matchbox Twenty and O.A.R.

With the weekend of music now called off, tens of thousands of festival goers are left disappointed.

“We were kind of prepared for the worst, hoping for the best kind of thing,” said one festival goer from Annapolis.

“I literally just started crying,” said another from New York.

A bartender, named Jake, said he traveled all the way from Michigan to work the festival. He said the last-minute cancellation means a “very substantial” loss of income.

“If it’s safety precaution reasons why we’re not doing this, you’ve got to just roll with the punches,” he said, adding, “It’s very disappointing to not be able to hear the artists that were supposed to be here.”

Organizers say all ticket types purchased directly through Front Gate Tickets will be fully and automatically refunded in as little as 30 days to the original method of payment.

“Thank you to the Oceans Calling fans. We know how far you have travelled, and the time and energy you have put into being here,” the latest statement said. “If you are in town already and staying through the weekend; please enjoy Ocean City and be safe.”

Nor’easter also impacting boaters in Annapolis The developing nor’easter will stay safely off of Maryland’s coast, but some impacts are still likely due to its size and intensity.

Coastal flood warnings are in effect for many areas of central and southern Chesapeake Bay, as well as the back bays near Ocean City and for the Ocean City inlet. Up to 2.5 feet of water above dry ground is expected during the early morning high tides.

A coastal flood warning is also in effect for Anne Arundel County, where officials in Annapolis handed out free sandbags Wednesday. The waters around the city were under a small craft advisory through at least Friday morning.

Tom Vanderpool and his dog, Foxy, have been boating from Canada down to the Bahamas, but their voyage is now interrupted as the developing nor’easter forces them inland.

“I’ve gone about 5,000 miles,” said Vanderpool. “Trying to find some place that’s a safe shelter.”

He said he’ll stay docked at Ego Alley for the week to avoid the dangerous conditions at sea.

“The waves are 15 feet out in the ocean right now. They’re 5 to 7 feet out in the bay,” he said.

Even safely docked, he’s still feeling the impact.

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.

Judge Shawn Thierry Takes the Bench as Harris County’s Inaugural 515th District Court Judge

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2026

By Francis Page Jr, Burt Levine

Click here for updates on this story

    September 25, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — From the Texas House to the Harris County courthouse, Shawn Thierry’s latest public-service chapter now comes with a black robe, a new courtroom and a newly created judicial district.

On Friday, September 25, 2026, Thierry participated in the ceremonial oath of office and investiture as judge of Harris County’s 515th Judicial District Court. The 4 p.m. ceremony was held in the Ceremonial Courtroom on the 17th floor of the Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline in downtown Houston.

The Honorable Bruce Bain, judge of the 165th District Court, administered the oath of office. The Honorable Michael Landrum, judge of the new 514th District Court, presided and later adjourned the proceedings. In one of the afternoon’s most personal moments, Klaire Bijou Marie Thierry joined Judge Thierry’s mother, Joyce Marie Thierry, a longtime educator, in the enrobing of the judge — a meaningful family touch amid the formal traditions of the judiciary.

The program reflected a broad cross-section of Houston’s civic, legal, faith and educational communities. Father Jaison George Mangalath, SVD, of St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church delivered the invocation. State Rep. Mano DeAyala led the United States Pledge of Allegiance, while State Rep. Valoree Swanson led the Texas pledge. Soloist Erica Young provided a vocal selection.

Houston Bar Association President Gregory Ulmer welcomed Thierry on behalf of the bar. Remarks were also offered by former Texas Southern University Board of Regents Chairman Brandon Simmons and current Regent Dr. Richard Johnson III. Reverend Willie Davis, Houston City Council Member At-Large Position 2, delivered the benediction. A reception was scheduled immediately following the ceremony.

photo Judge Shawn Thierry Takes the Bench as Harris County’s Inaugural 515th District Court Judge – joined by Reverend Willie Davis and Amy Peck on the left

The investiture was ceremonial, but Thierry’s service on the bench officially began September 1. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed her August 25 to a term scheduled to expire December 31, 2028, or until a successor is duly elected and qualified. Thierry is the inaugural judge of the 515th District Court, giving her a role in establishing the administration and working culture of a court that did not exist before this month.

The Texas Legislature created the 513th, 514th and 515th judicial districts in Harris County effective September 1, with each court directed by state law to give preference to civil cases. Two additional Harris County districts, the 516th and 517th, take effect October 1. Together, the additions expand judicial capacity for a county whose civil courts handle disputes involving contracts, property, businesses, personal injuries and other matters affecting residents and the regional economy.

Thierry brings nearly three decades of legal experience to the bench. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Management from Howard University and her Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She previously represented Texas House District 146 for four terms and, before her judicial appointment, served as executive director of Policy in the Office of General Counsel at Texas Southern University. Abbott also appointed her to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board in 2025.

A judgeship carries a different public responsibility from legislative office. Inside the courtroom, the governing standards are law, evidence, procedure, due process and equal treatment before the court. Public confidence depends on those principles being applied consistently, regardless of politics or personality.

Thierry’s September 25 investiture therefore marked more than a ceremonial change of title. It formally introduced the first judge of the 515th District Court and placed another piece of Harris County’s expanding judicial system into operation.

The invitation stated that it was not printed or mailed at taxpayer expense, while the ceremony program likewise noted that the event was not paid for at taxpayer expense.

For Houston Style Magazine readers of Harris County, a new court now has its first judge. For Shawn Thierry, the next chapter will be written not through legislation, but through rulings, procedure and the daily work of administering justice.

More Information on Harris County Judges

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
3465287733

NYC’s Global Citizen Festival 2026 canceled due to nor’easter

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2026

By Jesse Zanger

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WCBS) — The 2026 Global Citizen Festival that was set to take over the Great Lawn in New York City’s Central Park Saturday has been canceled.

Organizers said the expected rain and wind from this weekend’s nor’easter prompted them to put the kibosh on the star-studded event.

“Forecasts predict dangerous conditions and circumstances in which we cannot safely bring tens of thousands of Global Citizens, artists, crew, vendors, partners, and staff onto the Great Lawn, let alone all of the equipment required. Safety has to come first. This is the first time in 14 years we’ve had to cancel. We have spent this week working through countless contingencies, which were ultimately not possible, and cancelling is a decision we have not taken lightly,” organizers said in a statement announcing the cancellation.

Typically, lightning is the top concern that prompts shows to be canceled. While lightning isn’t a particular concern with this weekend’s nor’easter, the soaking rains and high winds – and damage those things could bring to the Great Lawn – are factors.

In 2023, the Great Lawn suffered serious damage after the Global Citizen Festival concert went ahead during a torrential downpour.

Thousands of people had been expected to pack the park for the live festival, which brings some of the biggest names in music together in a bid to help end poverty and promote social justice. Performers slated for this year included Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and TXT (TOMORROW X TOGETHER). Hugh Jackman was set to return as host, and “CBS Mornings” host Gayle King, along with actress Rachel Brosnahan, was set to make an appearance.

Tickets to the event were free, but those free tickets needed to be earned through taking actions that support the nonprofit’s mission. Otherwise, general admission and VIP tickets were purchasable. Organizers said those who purchased tickets will be refunded automatically. Donations for tickets can also be refunded.

“Together, we have invested time, energy, and hope into the movement. You took action to earn your tickets. You made plans, booked travel, and in many cases came to New York from across the country and around the world to be with us in Central Park, and we are sincerely grateful for your commitment to our mission,” Global Citizen said in a statement. “We will be back in Central Park next year. We can’t wait for you to be there with us.”

Alexa Herrera contributed to this report.

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.

DNA testing leads to life sentence for suspect in rape cold case, DA says

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2026

By Dan Raby

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA (WUPA) — A Decatur man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty this week to a rape charge in connection with the assault of a woman in her apartment 36 years ago.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said that 67-year-old Moses Robinson’s identity remained a mystery for decades until the work of the Georgia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Task Force (GASAKI) helped connect him with the crime.

According to officials, the attack happened on Jan. 13, 1990, at the Misty Waters Apartment complex. Prosecutors say the victim was lying in bed early that morning when a man kicked her back door, walked into her bedroom, and pulled her into the living room.

After telling her he had a knife, Robinson pinned the victim to the ground and sexually assaulted her, officials say. He then stayed in the apartment for two hours talking to the victim before fleeing.

The victim contacted police and went to Grady Memorial Hospital for a sexual assault exam. The evidence gathered in that sexual test kit remained untested for years because the Georgia Bureau of Investigation didn’t have a suspect at the time. That changed when GASAKI was formed in an effort to test kits from crimes that had never been solved.

Authorities say a DNA test connected the kit to Robinson. A DeKalb County grand jury indicted the Decatur man in August 2025. He was arrested that same month and has been in the DeKalb County Jail without bond ever since.

After Robinson pleaded guilty on Tuesday, a judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 14 years.

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.

Why Florida officials say you should never put a stranded sea turtle hatchling back in the ocean

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2026

By Sergio Candido

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI (WFOR) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is warning beachgoers not to put stranded sea turtle hatchlings back into the ocean as storms and rough surf can wash the young turtles ashore during nesting season.

In guidance issued Friday, the FWC said high winds and waves from storms on and offshore can affect sea turtles, hatchlings and their nests. Hatchlings may be found tangled in seaweed along the shoreline or in unusual places such as swimming pools and yards.

Anyone who finds one of these stranded “washback” hatchlings should not pick it up or return it to the water, according to the FWC. Instead, people should immediately call the agency’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) for instructions.

Hatchlings that are actively crawling toward the ocean should be left alone and do not need assistance, the agency said.

All sea turtles are protected as threatened or endangered species and stranded hatchlings can require specialized care, FWC said.

Florida law also protects sea turtles and their hatchlings from being disturbed or possessed without authorization. Under the state’s Marine Turtle Protection Act, illegally taking, disturbing, molesting or harassing a marine turtle, as well as possessing a marine turtle or hatchling, is a third-degree felony.

A third-degree felony in Florida is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Why do sea turtle hatchlings wash ashore? After emerging from their nests, hatchlings travel across the sand and into the ocean, beginning a journey of several miles to reach floating vegetation that provides food and shelter.

The young turtles can end up in floating patches of sargassum, which can be pushed back toward shore by storm-driven currents and winds. When that happens, the sargassum can carry posthatchling sea turtles with it, leaving the turtles stranded onshore, FWC said.

What should you do if you find sea turtle eggs? Storms and high waves can also uncover sea turtle eggs or sweep them from their nests.

The FWC is asking people who encounter exposed eggs to leave them where they are. According to the agency, eggs rarely survive after being swept from a nest by rough surf.

Storms, however, do not necessarily spell disaster for an entire sea turtle nesting season.

Female sea turtles deposit eggs in several nests throughout the season, increasing the likelihood that some will successfully incubate even when hurricanes or tropical storms affect Florida’s coastline.

The FWC said that even during years when Florida experienced direct impacts from multiple storms, hatching and emergence success rates remained within the normal range.

Florida sea turtle nesting season continues through October Sea turtle nesting season continues through October in Florida, and wildlife officials are reminding residents and visitors to keep beaches “clear, clean and dark.”

Beachgoers can help by taking chairs, umbrellas and other equipment with them when they leave, filling in holes dug in the sand and properly disposing of trash. Fishing line should also be recycled or discarded appropriately.

Lights on or near the beach should be turned off at night because artificial lighting can interfere with nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.

Anyone who encounters a stranded, injured, trapped or dead sea turtle or hatchling should also report it to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

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.