NYCHA employee killed by falling tree in Brooklyn as nor’easter impacts region

WCBS

By Andrew Ramos

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A NYCHA employee was killed when a tree fell on him in Brooklyn on Saturday.

It happened near a NYCHA complex on Euclid Avenue near Linden Boulevard in East New York. Police say the downed tree hit the 56-year-old man around 3:30 p.m. He was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

NYCHA confirmed the victim worked for the Housing Authority.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the NYCHA community,” NYCHA said in a statement, in part.

In a post on X, Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote, “Tonight, we are mourning the loss of one of our own after NYCHA employee, Leighton Brown, died while at Cypress Hills Houses in Brooklyn. My thoughts are with his entire family as they deal with this unimaginable loss. May he rest in peace, and may his service to our city never be forgotten.”

“I am heartbroken to learn of the devastating loss of a NYCHA employee to this storm,” New York Attorney Letitia James posted on social media. “I am praying for their family and loved ones, and I urge all New Yorkers to stay indoors and stay safe.”

Tenants say the victim was a beloved maintenance supervisor.

“He was a person that would come in without question and do his job, and he did his job very well,” tenant Kevin Duran said.

Also in Brooklyn, fire officials say four people suffered minor injuries when a tree came down on a playground at East 14th Street and Avenue S around 5:30 p.m.

In Queens, a home on 88th Street in Glendale was evacuated as a precaution after a large tree branch fell onto power lines and damaged part of a fence.

“We’ve already called the city, like, three or four times to cut down this tree because this is a street where all the kids go up and down all day. There’s P.S. 113 right there,” one man said. “It took down, like, power cables and internet cables, everything.

“We were lucky because nobody was passing through the sidewalk. Nobody got hurt,” another man said.

These incidents happened as a nor’easter moves toward the Tri-State Area, bringing strong winds and rain to the region.

The New York City Parks Department said by 11 p.m. Saturday, they had received 400 reports of downed trees. Parks officials noted many of those reports may be duplicates, so the actual number of downed trees across the city may be lower.

Parks inspectors and crews are working 12-hour shifts throughout the weekend to address storm damage, officials say.

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.

NYCHA employee killed by falling tree in Brooklyn as nor’easter impacts region

By Andrew Ramos

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A NYCHA employee was killed when a tree fell on him in Brooklyn on Saturday.

It happened near a NYCHA complex on Euclid Avenue near Linden Boulevard in East New York. Police say the downed tree hit the 56-year-old man around 3:30 p.m. He was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

NYCHA confirmed the victim worked for the Housing Authority.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the NYCHA community,” NYCHA said in a statement, in part.

In a post on X, Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote, “Tonight, we are mourning the loss of one of our own after NYCHA employee, Leighton Brown, died while at Cypress Hills Houses in Brooklyn. My thoughts are with his entire family as they deal with this unimaginable loss. May he rest in peace, and may his service to our city never be forgotten.”

“I am heartbroken to learn of the devastating loss of a NYCHA employee to this storm,” New York Attorney Letitia James posted on social media. “I am praying for their family and loved ones, and I urge all New Yorkers to stay indoors and stay safe.”

Tenants say the victim was a beloved maintenance supervisor.

“He was a person that would come in without question and do his job, and he did his job very well,” tenant Kevin Duran said.

Also in Brooklyn, fire officials say four people suffered minor injuries when a tree came down on a playground at East 14th Street and Avenue S around 5:30 p.m.

In Queens, a home on 88th Street in Glendale was evacuated as a precaution after a large tree branch fell onto power lines and damaged part of a fence.

“We’ve already called the city, like, three or four times to cut down this tree because this is a street where all the kids go up and down all day. There’s P.S. 113 right there,” one man said. “It took down, like, power cables and internet cables, everything.

“We were lucky because nobody was passing through the sidewalk. Nobody got hurt,” another man said.

These incidents happened as a nor’easter moves toward the Tri-State Area, bringing strong winds and rain to the region.

The New York City Parks Department said by 11 p.m. Saturday, they had received 400 reports of downed trees. Parks officials noted many of those reports may be duplicates, so the actual number of downed trees across the city may be lower.

Parks inspectors and crews are working 12-hour shifts throughout the weekend to address storm damage, officials say.

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.

6,000-gallon diesel spill at Towson detention center not expected to affect water supply

WJZ

By Bryan Lynn, Drew Aunkst, Adam Thompson

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    TOWSON, Maryland (WJZ) — The Maryland Department of the Environment said it does not expect the drinking water supply at Loch Raven Reservoir to be affected after approximately 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from a generator at the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson into a nearby waterway.

MDE said the fuel spilled into Long Quarter Branch, prompting its emergency response team to take immediate containment measures.

The agency said there have been no reports of impacts to wildlife or residents in the area. However, people with respiratory conditions are advised to avoid the area because of localized fuel odors.

A Baltimore County spokesperson said the spill was discovered late Saturday. The county is working with Baltimore City, MDE, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies to clean up the spill and assess nearby waterways, including the area around Loch Raven Reservoir.

“Residents near local streams may notice a diesel odor,” said Dakarai Turner, press secretary in the Office of the Baltimore County Executive.

Turner said the leak has been stopped.

MDE said the detention center has hired a contractor to handle the bulk of the cleanup.

“We have now transitioned into an oversight role as the detention center, as the responsible party, has hired a contractor to handle cleanup operations,” MDE said.

Meanwhile, MDE’s Water Supply Program has been in communication with Baltimore City and is monitoring the situation.

As a precaution, the county is asking people and pets to avoid water with an odor or a visible sheen.

MDE’s drinking water assessment Cal Bowman, director of Baltimore County Emergency Management, explained why MDE does not expect the drinking water supply to be impacted.

He said water from Loch Raven Reservoir enters the system through submerged intakes and travels through an underground tunnel to Baltimore City’s Montebello treatment plants.

At the plants, particles are removed and the water is allowed to settle before it passes through filters and is disinfected.

The treated water then travels through the distribution system to homes and businesses.

Bowman said MDE reported that the intakes that send water to Lake Montebello are approximately 31 feet below the surface and more than four miles from where the affected stream enters the reservoir.

Based on its assessment, MDE does not expect the intakes to be directly impacted.

“The depth and the distance alone are not really just a guarantee, and we shouldn’t assume that treatment removes every chemical,” Bowman said. “We will continue to work with MDE and our water system experts to validate any future impact to our drinking water as it develops.”

Some neighbors are still concerned about the quality of the drinking water.

“I do have some concerns,” a neighbor said. “If there’s that much fuel that spilled, how do you possibly contain 100% of it, especially with the rains that came through? That was some fast-moving water at times last night.”

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.

6,000-gallon diesel spill at Towson detention center not expected to affect water supply

By Bryan Lynn, Drew Aunkst, Adam Thompson

Click here for updates on this story

    TOWSON, Maryland (WJZ) — The Maryland Department of the Environment said it does not expect the drinking water supply at Loch Raven Reservoir to be affected after approximately 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from a generator at the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson into a nearby waterway.

MDE said the fuel spilled into Long Quarter Branch, prompting its emergency response team to take immediate containment measures.

The agency said there have been no reports of impacts to wildlife or residents in the area. However, people with respiratory conditions are advised to avoid the area because of localized fuel odors.

A Baltimore County spokesperson said the spill was discovered late Saturday. The county is working with Baltimore City, MDE, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies to clean up the spill and assess nearby waterways, including the area around Loch Raven Reservoir.

“Residents near local streams may notice a diesel odor,” said Dakarai Turner, press secretary in the Office of the Baltimore County Executive.

Turner said the leak has been stopped.

MDE said the detention center has hired a contractor to handle the bulk of the cleanup.

“We have now transitioned into an oversight role as the detention center, as the responsible party, has hired a contractor to handle cleanup operations,” MDE said.

Meanwhile, MDE’s Water Supply Program has been in communication with Baltimore City and is monitoring the situation.

As a precaution, the county is asking people and pets to avoid water with an odor or a visible sheen.

MDE’s drinking water assessment Cal Bowman, director of Baltimore County Emergency Management, explained why MDE does not expect the drinking water supply to be impacted.

He said water from Loch Raven Reservoir enters the system through submerged intakes and travels through an underground tunnel to Baltimore City’s Montebello treatment plants.

At the plants, particles are removed and the water is allowed to settle before it passes through filters and is disinfected.

The treated water then travels through the distribution system to homes and businesses.

Bowman said MDE reported that the intakes that send water to Lake Montebello are approximately 31 feet below the surface and more than four miles from where the affected stream enters the reservoir.

Based on its assessment, MDE does not expect the intakes to be directly impacted.

“The depth and the distance alone are not really just a guarantee, and we shouldn’t assume that treatment removes every chemical,” Bowman said. “We will continue to work with MDE and our water system experts to validate any future impact to our drinking water as it develops.”

Some neighbors are still concerned about the quality of the drinking water.

“I do have some concerns,” a neighbor said. “If there’s that much fuel that spilled, how do you possibly contain 100% of it, especially with the rains that came through? That was some fast-moving water at times last night.”

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.

Atlanta’s Tiny Doors give viewers whimsical glimpse at city’s history and culture

By Kaley Fedko

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — They are only a few inches tall, but they have become part of Atlanta’s landscape.

Karen Anderson Singer, the artist behind Tiny Doors ATL, told CBS News Atlanta that each one is designed to help people connect with the city and leave room for their own interpretation.

“We know doors are entrances, and I like to think of it as an entrance to your imagination,” said Singer.

The doors are placed throughout the city, with some outliers in Kennesaw, Buckhead, and Decatur.

Over time, they have become part of people’s own Atlanta.

“It’s just cool to me to see that everyone has their own different story and way that they have interacted with it, even if they just see one every day on their run. That’s a lot of presence in their life,” said Singer.

Her latest project brought that idea to downtown Atlanta.

She created five Tiny Doors ahead of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, welcoming thousands of people to Atlanta.

For these, she used the past to inspire what people see today.

“With this Tiny Doors of Downtown project, I was able to look into the history of what used to be there,” she said. “I’m looking at Hotel Row, which currently has a bunch of new, fresh, cool businesses, but creating images of the old hotels that used to be there to try to highlight the past and bring it into the present at the same time.”

The details may come from Atlanta’s history, but what happens beyond the doors, she leaves entirely up to you.

“I think about this time that some kids stopped me on the Beltline and they were a little upset. They were like, ‘Why doesn’t the Tiny Door open?’ And I was like, ‘Well, if it did open, and what you saw behind here was something that I painted on the cement, would that be better than your imagination?’ And they were like, ‘Oh no.’ It’s like your imagination is infinite.”

The door stays closed because what’s on the other side can be different for every person who stops to imagine it.

Singer said all of her Tiny Doors are commissioned.

The newest ones stretch from Mitchell Street to State Farm Arena as part of the Tiny Doors of Downtown project.

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.

Atlanta’s Tiny Doors give viewers whimsical glimpse at city’s history and culture

WUPA

By Kaley Fedko

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — They are only a few inches tall, but they have become part of Atlanta’s landscape.

Karen Anderson Singer, the artist behind Tiny Doors ATL, told CBS News Atlanta that each one is designed to help people connect with the city and leave room for their own interpretation.

“We know doors are entrances, and I like to think of it as an entrance to your imagination,” said Singer.

The doors are placed throughout the city, with some outliers in Kennesaw, Buckhead, and Decatur.

Over time, they have become part of people’s own Atlanta.

“It’s just cool to me to see that everyone has their own different story and way that they have interacted with it, even if they just see one every day on their run. That’s a lot of presence in their life,” said Singer.

Her latest project brought that idea to downtown Atlanta.

She created five Tiny Doors ahead of the FIFA Men’s World Cup, welcoming thousands of people to Atlanta.

For these, she used the past to inspire what people see today.

“With this Tiny Doors of Downtown project, I was able to look into the history of what used to be there,” she said. “I’m looking at Hotel Row, which currently has a bunch of new, fresh, cool businesses, but creating images of the old hotels that used to be there to try to highlight the past and bring it into the present at the same time.”

The details may come from Atlanta’s history, but what happens beyond the doors, she leaves entirely up to you.

“I think about this time that some kids stopped me on the Beltline and they were a little upset. They were like, ‘Why doesn’t the Tiny Door open?’ And I was like, ‘Well, if it did open, and what you saw behind here was something that I painted on the cement, would that be better than your imagination?’ And they were like, ‘Oh no.’ It’s like your imagination is infinite.”

The door stays closed because what’s on the other side can be different for every person who stops to imagine it.

Singer said all of her Tiny Doors are commissioned.

The newest ones stretch from Mitchell Street to State Farm Arena as part of the Tiny Doors of Downtown project.

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.

Thousands participate in annual Susan G. Komen ‘More Than Pink’ Walk

By Andie Bernhardt

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Breast cancer impacts hundreds of thousands of women and thousands of men each year.

Survivors, those still battling cancer, and supporters came together for the annual Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk at Henry Maier Festival Park.

“The energy is here is just so powerful and palpable,” said Liz Gabriel, a breast cancer survivor.

From above you could see thousands of people walking together in solidarity Sunday.

“These people are my sisters,” said Gabriel. “I’ve never met them before, but they’re like my sisters. These are the people that know. You don’t have to explain anything to them, they get it immediately, there’s an immediate bond.”

As you come closer to the event, you can hear stories of empowerment and resilience.

“They found a 2-inch tumor in my breast, and it turned my world upside down, but I’m on the other side of it now and obviously these people have changed my life,” said Gabriel.

Gabriel is one of the hundreds of breast cancer survivors who participated in the annual walk.

“It’s so powerful,” said Gabriel. “The type of cancer I had, I had HER2 positive breast cancer and 20 years ago that would have been a death sentence. The fact that we can raise money for research and improve the lives of women is unbelievable.

Together, the group raised more than half a million dollars towards the fight against breast cancer.

CBS 58 evening anchor Natalie Shepherd emceed the event, as around 5,000 people filled the grounds, spreading a message of hope.

“The walk means so much to so many,” said Nikki Panico, the executive director of Susan G. Komen Wisconsin. “We celebrate survivorship, we honor those still in the fight and we take a moment and pause to remember those that should be walking with us today.”

Reminding people that they are never alone in the fight.

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.

‘I can get back to normalcy’: North Carolina man gets new home after Helene

By Marc Liverman

Click here for updates on this story

    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — On Friday, Sept. 25, a Leicester man is spending his first night in a brand-new home after Helene destroyed his previous house, leaving him unsure where to turn.

Denny Fultz’s home was severely damaged when floodwater and debris came rushing down his driveway during the storm.

“All I could hear was roaring and rumbling and there was this water like a river coming straight down my driveway into my house,” Fultz said. “It knocked a bunch of trees down. I couldn’t get out.”

The destruction left Fultz facing an uncertain future.

“I was just thinking, ‘What am I going to do first, what am I going to do now?’” he said. “It was one of those shocking moments when you didn’t know where to start.”

Almost two years after Helene hit, Fultz has a new place to call home through Renew NC, a program designed to help people whose homes were severely damaged by Helene and could not be safely rebuilt or occupied.

Fultz said he learned about the program after seeing an advertisement on Facebook.

“I just so happened to look at my Facebook one day and there was an ad in there for Renew NC,” he said. “I went in, they told me everything I needed and the process was smooth.”

Then, Fultz welcomed North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein inside for a tour.

As Stein walked through the house, he admired the new space, including the large laundry room, closets and other features.

“This is just absolutely beautiful!” Stein said.

Fultz said moving into a new home means much more than just a roof over his head.

“They always say there’s nothing like home and now I can get back to normalcy,” he said. About 300 homes have been completed through the program so far, with more than 150 additional homes under construction, according to Stein.

As for Fultz, the next chapter is about enjoying the simple things.

“I’m hanging out on my back porch, playing my guitar,” he 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.

Miniature therapy horses Jolene and Ladybug bring big smiles to North Carolina seniors

By WLOS Staff

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — They may only stand a few feet tall, but Ladybug and Jolene made a big impression during a visit to CarePartners PACE in Asheville.

The two miniature therapy horses from the Free Rein Center for Therapeutic Riding and Education in Brevard visited the CarePartners PACE Day Center, where participants could pet and interact with the horses.

The visit was part of CarePartners PACE’s celebration of Healthy Aging Month and National PACE Month.

Participants also enjoyed music, games, snow cones and time together during the celebration.

The horses’ visit on Sept. 25 had a fitting soundtrack.

A provided video showed a participant singing Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” adding a little extra fun to the day.

CarePartners PACE says the event was meant to highlight the importance of staying active, socially connected and engaged in meaningful experiences as people age.

CarePartners Health Services is a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare. PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. The program helps older adults remain in their homes and communities while receiving coordinated medical care and other support. Services can include medical care, therapy, meals, transportation, social services and recreational activities, coordinated through the program.

For the participants who met Ladybug and Jolene, the visit offered an opportunity to get outside their usual routine, spend time together and enjoy some four-legged company.

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.

Louisiana authorities recover submerged vehicle from Bayou Pierre

By KTBS News Staff

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    NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana (KTBS) — Emergency crews have recovered a vehicle submerged in Bayou Pierre off Louisiana Highway 1 following a multi-agency operation Sunday afternoon.

Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with sheriff’s divers, divers from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection Districts No. 6 and No. 9, and a local towing service began recovery efforts around 12 p.m., according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.

The operation follows a weeklong investigation after deputies received information that a vehicle might be submerged in the water. Crews using sonar equipment and dive teams confirmed the vehicle was beneath the surface on Saturday.

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.