Category: CNN Regional

By Jordan Cioppa

Click here for updates on this story

    PLUM, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Ron Sakolsky taught at the Plum Borough School District for 28 years. To his students, he’s known as Mr. S.

“I taught seventh-grade world history and eighth-grade civics for three years, and then I was straight seventh-grade world history,” Sakolsky told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 Reporter Jordan Cioppa.

In 1999, Sakolsky’s love for teaching took him out of the halls of what was then A.E. O’Block Junior High and into the classrooms of schools in Luoyang, China. He was one of 14 teachers in the United States to be chosen for a teaching exchange program.

“China made me the person I am today. The Chinese taught me a tremendous amount,” Sakolsky said. “Within two months, they had already shown me that you appreciate the simple things in life – that you don’t have to have a fancy home or lots of money or a fancy car.”

Sakolsky returned to Plum after spending a year abroad, bringing home treasured keepsakes, memories and stories.

“I brought everything back with me, down to the little Baijiu glasses, which is Chinese rice whiskey,” Sakolsky said as he pointed to a corner curio cabinet full of Chinese gifts he received.

The people of China made a lasting impact on Sakolsky, and 27 years later, he learned he did the same for them.

“Two months ago, I start getting all of these emails and text messages. Some from students of mine, some from colleagues of mine,” Sakolsky said.

A video of a woman in China circulated online. She was looking for Sakolsky.

“Hello, Mr. Ronald Sakolsky. If you happen to come across this video, I’d like to sincerely invite you back to China,” the video began.

The woman in the video is Yin Yuzhen.

During his stay in China, Sakolsky was watching TV when a segment on Yin caught his attention. She and her husband were on a mission to plant trees in a desert in Inner Mongolia.

Touched by her story, Sakolsky secured a $5,000 donation for Yin with the help of an organization out of Boston.

The two connected a few months later, on the land that became known as the Sakolsky Forest.

“We’re standing in the middle of nothing, just sand,” Sakolsky said. “The idea was that the trees would keep the sand from blowing into the wind and then literally traveling 100 kilometers to Beijing, and the sand would blow down the streets of Beijing.”

Yin took to social media a couple of months ago in hopes of finding Sakolsky and inviting him back to China.

It turns out his good deed over two decades ago grew into a forest of 50,000 trees.

“This is what’s amazing: there was nothing there when I was there,” Sakolsky said while watching Yin’s video.

Sakolsky and Yin reconnected over the phone recently, but soon they will reunite in person.

Their story went viral in China, and even reached the Chinese ambassador to the U.S.

“The next thing I know, I get invited to Washington, D.C., as his guest of honor. What a thrill,” Sakolsky said.

In June, Ambassador Xie Feng issued Sakolsky a 10-year visa so he can visit China once again.

Eagerly awaiting to see him, Yin shared a video message with Sakolsky on Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.

“Hello, big brother. I saw that you got your visa that day. I’m very happy. I was laughing and crying,” Yin said in Chinese, surrounded by the lush green trees of the Sakolsky Forest. “I just want to see you right away.”

Like the trees, a friendship that sprouted from an act of kindness in 1999 continues to grow in 2026.

“All I wanted to do was thank China for what they had taught me, and changed me, made me a better person, help Miss Yin to beautify China. That’s all I wanted to do,” Sakolsky said. “I just wanted to help. That’s all I did.”

Sakolsky plans to travel to China in late August.

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 Edward Franco

Click here for updates on this story

    LEHIGH ACRES, Florida (WBBH) — A Lehigh Acres woman is facing two felony charges after the Lee County Sheriff’s Office says a homeowner watched her allegedly abuse and sexually assault his dog through a Ring doorbell camera while he was at work.

Angel Bianca Santiago, 36, was arrested Monday and faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty and sexual contact with an animal, according to LCSO.

The dog’s owner, who asked Gulf Coast News not to identify him, said he received a Ring notification while he was at work and immediately opened the live feed from his home.

“It’s pretty traumatic. It was definitely rough seeing my dogs being treated like that,” he said.

The owner said what he saw prompted him to call 911 immediately.

“I didn’t know if the little guy was even going to be alive by the sounds and noises I was hearing on the video,” he said.

According to the arrest report, deputies responded to the home on Leroy Avenue off Leeland Heights Boulevard in Lehigh Acres after the owner reported seeing Santiago physically abusing his dog, Tobey, through the home’s Ring camera.

Investigators say the video showed two of the owner’s dogs, Tobey, a 7- to 8-year-old Catahoula mix, and Meaty, a 7- to 8-year-old Border Collie mix, involved in what appeared to be a fight before Santiago intervened.

Rather than separating the dogs, detectives allege Santiago reportedly grabbed Tobey by the tail while he was on the ground and repeatedly punched him. The arrest report states Santiago then was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the dog while restraining him, kicked him in the head multiple times and stomped on his head before the video ended.

The sheriff’s office says Tobey could be seen whining, wincing, trying to pull away and showing visible signs of pain, fear and distress throughout the incident.

Animal Cruelty investigators later examined Tobey and observed an abrasion on the right side of his face. Deputies said both Tobey and Meaty were taken to Lee County Domestic Animal Services for veterinary evaluations.

“They’re like my kids, you know? They’re my little ones,” the owner said.

According to the arrest report, detectives attempted to interview Santiago, but she was uncooperative before being transported to the hospital after complaining of chest pains. After she was medically cleared, she was booked into the Lee County Jail.

Neighbors told Gulf Coast News they’ve had repeated issues at the home over the years, while the dog’s owner said he hopes Santiago is held accountable.

“I hope justice is served and she does time and is not able to come back,” he said.

This is not Santiago’s first arrest. She has a lengthy criminal history, including a 2022 arrest for misusing 911, during which she reportedly threatened to kill puppies.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the Ring camera video. Gulf Coast News has requested a copy.

Count on Gulf Coast News for any updates to this investigation.

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 Dacia Johnson

Click here for updates on this story

    BREVARD COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — One of three police officers involved in the altercation that left a 15-year-old with a broken arm has resigned.

A resignation letter for William Markle says he has “thoroughly considered this decision and believe it to be in my best interest to pursue new career opportunities.”

The incident involving Markle happened in June when Melbourne police mistakenly took down 15-year-old Judah Everage, and broke his arm while searching for a different teen.

Police were looking for a 16-year-old described as white and wearing black clothing after his parents expressed concern for his safety. However, officers confronted Judah, who was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

According to a case report, Melbourne police said Judah did not comply with commands to lie on the ground and put his hands behind his back, and they claimed he resisted. Body-camera footage shows Judah on his knees with his hands in the air before an officer took him to the ground and handcuffed him in the area of Eden Park Drive, south of Wickham Park.

Judah’s mother, Angela Sparks, told WESH 2 her son was confused and tried to explain he was not the person they were looking for.

“He’s telling them, ‘I’m not who you’re looking for’ (…) he’s also telling them, ‘My arm, my arm. You’re breaking my arm,’” Sparks said.

Moments earlier, body-camera footage showed an officer speaking with the mother of the teen they were searching for, who had called for help and said her son needed to be evaluated under the Baker Act. Sparks said Judah was simply walking home after trying to assist the police.

Another officer, whose body camera recorded the earlier interaction, arrived at the scene to find two other officers pinning Judah down. The footage shows Judah trying to explain the situation, saying, “I know Armani, I can explain. I know his mom. I was just in the car with her. I can explain. You were there.”

Markle’s resignation letter goes on to say:

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Melbourne Police Department for the invaluable experiences and knowledge I have gained throughout my tenure. The department has provided me with an excellent platform to grow both professionally and personally, and I will forever cherish the memories I have made here.”

Personnel files WESH 2 obtained copies of the personnel files for all the officers involved.

Markle had two notable complaints: one for failing to turn on his body camera and issuing an incorrect trespass order. He also had another complaint related to a domestic incident.

An internal report found that a citizen reported officer Markle for “aggressive and unprofessional behavior” during an encounter in a Planet Fitness parking lot. Markle issued the man a trespass order for sleeping in his car in the parking lot. When questioned by his superior, he cited the “public camping” order. The report from Melbourne police said it “raises concern” that the ordinance may have been “incorrectly applied.” His body camera was also turned off during the encounter. He told the department that he didn’t know it was off. He added that is the one part of the call he would have handled differently.

In a separate incident from May of last year, Markle received a complaint from an ex in a previous relationship. The complaint alleged Markle “entered an apartment complex where he previously resided, knocked loudly on the door while covering the door’s peephole and continued to contact/harass [the victim] after they made it clear of intentions to discontinue the relationship.”

Markle was reprimanded.

Officer Dylan Joseph had two notable complaints: one for a minor crash in a city vehicle where he was at fault, another for not turning on his body camera during a shots-fired call.

In an internal email from a sergeant at Melbourne police, it said, “it was determined that your failure to initiate your camera and capture the incident created an evidentiary gap during a critical portion of the incident.” He was one of three other officers who received verbal counseling as a result. It’s important to note that he did turn on his body camera eventually, just not during his initial reaction with witnesses on the scene.

The third officer, Thomas Alabise, has one incident of note. He was involved in a minor crash in a city vehicle where he was at fault.

Two of the three officers are still on the job.

The Melbourne Police Department has stated it is conducting a full review of the incident. A spokesperson said no one was available for an interview.

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 Jose Fabian

Click here for updates on this story

    California (KPIX) — One person died and three were missing in the San Francisco Bay on Tuesday after a boat with 20 people on board sank near Alcatraz Island, authorities said.

The San Francisco Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to a call at about 3:30 p.m. of a boat fire between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said a police marine unit arrived first and saw a man in the water in “severe distress” and brought him onto their boat, where they began CPR. He was then taken to Gas House Cove, where he was declared dead.

Crispen said 19 people were initially believed to be on the boat, but witness accounts put the number at 20.

Thirteen passengers were brought safely to shore, while three were taken to a hospital and were in stable condition. Crispen said most of their injuries were impact injuries from jumping into the water.

Three people remain missing, the fire chief said.

San Francisco Fire Lt. Mariano Elias said the boat, named Volare, was based out of Stockton and was a 50-foot cabin cruiser. It was not immediately clear what caused the boat to sink about 600 yards from Alcatraz.

“The information we have is that it left from St. Francis Yacht Club, and the initial report was a vessel on fire. Upon arrival, our members did not evidence any fire. The reports we’ve had from witnesses is that there was rough seas and apparently the vessel began to take on water and was turned over in the bay,” Crispen said.

Crews had 11 vessels involved in the effort to find the missing boaters, Crispen said, and they planned to continue their search through the night.

“I want to make sure that every family member out there and everybody knows that we are in an active search,” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said. “This is an all-hands-on-deck search and, hopefully, rescue.”

Crispen said all the people on board are adults, and most of them are family members.

“Our understanding was there was some sort of memorial service they were engaging in. That’s why they were using this particular vessel,” Crispen said.

Officials set up a family reunification center at Fort Mason, which is west of Fisherman’s Wharf, and the 13 taken safely to shore were at the center.

Crispen said the initial rescue also involved the Oakland Police Department’s marine unit and private vessels in addition to the Coast Guard.

Anyone who believes a family member may have been on the boat and is looking for more information should call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

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 Dillon Thomas

Click here for updates on this story

    Colorado (KCNC) — The Northern Colorado town of Timnath is encouraging anglers to head to Timnath Reservoir this summer after officials warned that falling water levels are expected to lead to a significant fish kill later this season.

Beginning July 13, anyone with a valid Colorado fishing license can catch and keep as many fish as they want from the reservoir under an emergency public salvage authorization issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The temporary measure removes normal bag and possession limits in an effort to reduce the number of fish that would otherwise die as water levels continue to decline, according to the town.

For fisherman Charles Evenson, the changing conditions were obvious during a recent trip to the reservoir with his two sons.

“It’s a great day right now. Breeze is nice,” Evenson said.

Evenson said spending time outdoors with his children was the main goal.

“Today, out here with the kids, trying to get them a little time out on the lake, enjoying some nature,” Evenson said. “Water levels are pretty low, as we can see today, but they are really low. It’s representing pretty much all of Northern Colorado water levels. We’re in a major drought.”

Town officials say shrinking water levels are expected due to the purpose the reservoir serves to farmers.

“This is an agricultural reservoir, and so the ditch company naturally is obligated to release the water when the farmers downstream call for it,” said Tom Casal, parks and recreation director for the town of Timnath.

Casal said the town partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to create the temporary salvage fishing opportunity before conditions worsen.

“We’re wanting people to harvest the usable fish here for good use instead of going to waste and just dying in the field,” Casal said.

According to the town of Timnath, reducing the number of fish left in the reservoir could lessen the impacts of a large fish kill, helping protect water quality, reduce nuisance conditions and minimize impacts to visitors, wildlife and reservoir operations.

“Hopefully, we can make the best out of the situation that we have handed to us,” Evenson said.

The town of Timnath expects the reservoir to reach its lowest water levels sometime in September. Fishing is allowed daily from 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., or dusk, whichever comes first. While the emergency authorization remains in effect, anglers with a valid Colorado fishing license may keep all fish they legally catch. The temporary fishing opportunity will continue until Colorado Parks and Wildlife determines it is no longer needed.

And, if the fishing is successful, Evenson already knows what his family will be having for dinner.

“If we catch something decent, yeah. Maybe we’ll have a good fish fry tonight,” Evenson 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 Olivia Young

Click here for updates on this story

    Colorado (KCNC) — A school in Douglas County will be the first in Colorado to install a drone active shooter suppression system.

John Adams Academy is a public charter school currently being built in Sterling Ranch. The school is preparing to open to students this August. It will be the first school to open in the growing community, and the first school in Colorado to use drones to protect students from active threats.

Tuesday, county leaders were expected to approve $200,000 in security funding for the school. They didn’t end up voting on the funding, but the drones will still be taking to the halls of John Adams Academy.

“We were looking for technology that could enhance the response time for our first responders and give real-time critical information in the case of an incident,” said Sarah Kiesewetter, headmaster at John Adams Academy Douglas County. “It’s enhancing response time, and it’s enhancing real-time information for our first responders. So we have a multi-tiered approach to school security.”

Texas-based tech company Campus Guardian Angel places drones in schools that can launch within seconds of a confirmed threat. They’re flown remotely and give responders a live look. They can even spray pepper gel or fly at and pummel an attacker.

“What about a drone spewing these pellets and hurting a kid?” Douglas County parent Jennifer Iversen asked. “It brings in so many ethical and legal issues that I just think it’s a really bad idea.”

“This is a new use of drones because they’re actually using it as an attack, right?” said Highlands Ranch neighbor Julie Ort. “The potential for that to go wrong is so high, especially in a school like John Adams Academy, where they are saying that they are going to have armed teachers. So the idea that somebody in Austin is going to be the first responder to a school shooting, and doesn’t have the awareness of what happens if we need to call this off, what happens if those drones are actually interfering with our law enforcement? There’s big issues that we really need to explore.”

Iversen and Ort came to the meeting to speak about the funding during public comment, but weren’t able to address the issue since it was removed from the consent agenda.

“This company has the drones in other schools, but they don’t have any data about their use,” said Ort. “I think that that technology is unproven, and I think school security is really important, and we shouldn’t be using our kids as test sites.”

The technology is being tested in about 10 schools in the southern U.S. Campus Guardian Angel says there have been no attempted shootings at those schools, so the technology has not stopped any real-world threats yet.

“It’s innovative technology. We might be the first school in Colorado that’s looking at it, but we certainly won’t be the last. What we’re looking at is just any tool that we have in our toolbox that can help us if there were ever a critical incident in school,” Kiesewetter said.

As a public charter, John Adams Academy is funded by public tax dollars. It asked the county for $200,000 for “physical school security improvements,” the details of which were redacted.

“If this was privately funded, then we don’t get a decision in that. But they’re using taxpayer money, and I don’t think that that should just be rubber stamped or given willy-nilly,” Iversen said.

On Tuesday, Douglas County commissioners were set to approve the funding using the remaining funds from a school safety grant created after the 2019 STEM School shooting. But the item was removed from the consent agenda and tabled to allow discussions about an SRO to continue.

“Excited to have that conversation. I know you shared with me in some briefings around school safety that that would be your highest and best goal is to have an actual physical SRO. We want to make sure that you have that same opportunity that every other school has been provided,” said Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon.

The school hopes to have both the drone program and an SRO. They will also have “armed staff.”

“Our school is just at both ends. Every tool that we have in our toolbox, whether that’s advanced technology, mental health supports, SROs, they’re definitely part of the equation as well,” said Kiesewetter.

John Adams Academy’s founder told CBS Colorado they can afford Campus Guardian Angel without the county’s funding, and the technology is expected to be installed in August. She would not confirm how much the partnership with Campus Guardian Angel costs.

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 Dean Fioresi

Click here for updates on this story

    California (KCAL, KCBS) — Nearly 50 years after he was killed in a crash in Riverside County, authorities have finally identified the 18-year-old man with the help of advances in forensic technology.

In a news release, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office deputies said that the crash happened back on June 2, 1978, when the driver of a Volkswagen Beetle with four other teenage passengers lost control, crossed over the center divider of Arlington Avenue in Riverside and collided with an SUV.

“The driver of the Volkswagen was the only survivor of that vehicle and told investigators at the time that he had met the male passenger only the day before, knowing little about him,” the release said.

The three other victims, who weren’t named in the release, were identified at the time, but no one was able to provide information on the fifth victim’s identity.

“Despite years of investigative efforts, the victim remained unidentified until now, nearly 50 years after his death,” the release said.

With the help of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains grant program, Riverside Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau personnel were able to perform an exhumation, which allowed them to identify the victim through forensic genetic genealogy work by the nonprofit forensic investigative firm GenGenies.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Mark Alan Smith.

“On behalf of his sister, Pam Bright and family, we extend our sincere appreciation to GenGenies and the Department of Justice’s Missing Persons DNA Program, whose expertise and commitment contributed to this outcome,” the release said. “Together, these efforts have finally given Mark Smith’s family the closure they have long awaited.”

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.