Category: CNN Regional

By London Pidel

Click here for updates on this story

    SYKESVILLE, Maryland (WBAL) — Allen Brougham is proving that age is just a number.

The Maryland man kicked off his 20th season as a youth baseball umpire in Sykesville.

Brougham, 85, has spent two decades calling games across Carroll County.

While he spends much of his time training and mentoring young umpires, he still steps in to call games, bringing steady experience and a love of the game to every field.

“It’s a lot of fun out here. Working with the kids, knowing that you’re doing something special for the kids. I just love it. It’s hard to explain, I just like it,” Brougham said.

Brougham started with the program in 2007. He learned about it at his retirement home in Sykesville, and loved it so much he decided to stay.

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 Mike Moses

Click here for updates on this story

    BETHLEHEM, N.H. (WMUR) — A Bethlehem woman is home after rowing 3,200 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

For 65 days, Renee Blacken was alone in the Atlantic Ocean.

“It’s wild, and in some ways, I am still like, how did I do that?” Blacken said.

She had no safety net or chase boat, rowing in open water as part of the Atlantic Dash.

“When it came down to it, it was me in the boat, learning to trust myself, learning to trust the equipment that I had,” she said.

Blacken had no face-to-face contact for more than two months, aside from occasional sightings of dolphins, fish or birds.

She said one of the most memorable moments of her voyage was when the Queen Victoria cruise ship passed by.

“They sounded all of their horns and whistles. They made an announcement from the bridge about me, about Outdoor Adventuring for Good. Had the passengers come up onto the deck. So that was like, that was a pretty cool human experience out there,” she said.

Blacken raised nearly $20,000 during her journey for the nonprofit Outdoor Adventuring for Good, which supports trauma recovery programs.

“Basically, providing support to programs that give people agency on their own healing journeys,” she said.

She also made history by becoming the first woman to row solo in the Atlantic Dash and the first American to compete in the event. She’s the fourth American woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

“I think part of my work out there was learning to be proud of myself for what I was able to do,” Blacken said.

When she finally reached land, Blacken said it wasn’t just a relief but also gave her confidence to rely on herself when it mattered 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.

By Erin Christy

Click here for updates on this story

    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — There is a growing effort underway to help rape victims have a voice in Tulsa County. A group of attorneys is offering free legal services in response to a recent court case.

Wesley Cole took a plea deal in Tulsa County. He was originally charged with raping multiple women, but the charges were reduced. He will likely get probation and will not have to register as a sex offender.

Rachel Farrar says the women did not agree to the plea deal, but she was surprised by the reaction of the defeat.

“They had been repeatedly telling me that doesn’t matter, and what does matter is that somebody fought for them.”

That, coupled with what she feels is the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office being soft on rape cases, gave her an idea: free legal services for sexual assault victims in Tulsa County. She has already gathered 10 volunteers and is flooded with calls for help.

“It’s overwhelming, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, I did not expect there to be such a ground swell of people being interested,” she said.

Farrar believes that prosecutors’ caseloads are often heavy, leaving less time to explain the process to victims.

And while district attorneys’ offices often have in-house victim advocates, they do not help with plea negotiations, and she says their objectivity is not as reliable as that of a third party.

“Having independent counsel would be really helpful because they can get the advocacy they are seeking,” she said.

While Farrar may not have the manpower to help everyone she wishes, she hopes the effort lets victims know that prosecutors represent the state and that an attorney can also be there to represent them.

Wesley Cole maintains his innocence.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler sent this statement:

“Our office has been at the forefront of providing specialized services in conjunction with local community partners like Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Call Rape, the Child Advocacy Network, Family and Children Services, and the Family Safety Center. Our prosecutors have received numerous awards for their expertise in handling cases in which a victim has experienced trauma. Each year, our victim advocates are required to receive a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education for providing these specialized services. Further, we are a Marsy’s Law (Victim’s Rights) state, and we abide by the Constitutional rights afforded to victims. As their advocates in the courtroom, we ensure their voices are heard, especially when a victim impact statement is made to the court.

Victims certainly have every right to employ the services of an attorney. However, there is a difference between what the interests are in a criminal case – which is the protection of the community, and in a civil case – which may involve monetary damages. The interests of a civil attorney is very different than the interests of a criminal prosecutor. The DA’s office does not sue people for monetary damages. We hold law violators accountable for their actions based upon the law and the evidence. The in-put and cooperation of a victim is very important to us. Each case is different, and each victim’s interest in the outcome may be different. Some victims are willing to cooperate. Many are reluctant to, or refuse to testify. We use our knowledge and skill, accumulated over decades of experience, to help shepherd each victim on his or her own path through the criminal justice system. This job is not easy, but our office has been consistently recognized for outstanding advocacy for victims over the last 12 years.”

Victims looking to reach Farrar are instructed to call (918) 550-3889.

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 Jamie Weiss

Click here for updates on this story

    OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (KMBC) — Seniors at Village Shalom, a continuing care community in Overland Park, Kansas, are encouraged to find a routine or a hobby to give them purpose. For Jean Schultz, that means going swimming three times per week.

Every Friday, you’ll find Jean wheeling down toward the pool, but on this Friday, her trip to the water was more than exercise. It was a celebration of turning 103.

“And a half,” Schultz quipped. “And that’s for fun.”

While it might seem silly to Schultz, the community at Village Shalom finds it inspiring.

“Because after 100, every day, every month matters,” said Simon Abrahms, president of Village Shalom. “So let’s celebrate what we can.”

Jean is mostly blind, deaf and confined to a wheelchair. But to aid in her longevity, she took up swimming at the age of 100. The staff at Village Shalom said her weekly routine in the pool may be what saved her life last year.

“Last year, she got really sick and ended up in the hospital,” said Valeriya Somova, Village Shalom’s wellness coordinator. “We really thought that [we were] going to be losing her. She worked so hard [to] come back and the only thing she was saying was, ‘I just want to get into that water.’ And that’s exactly what happened.”

While Schultz’s half-birthday isn’t until April 11, the celebrations started on April 10.

Surrounded by friends and family, Jean was able to get back to where she belonged — kicking and floating in the water.

“I can’t say it feels like childhood because I really don’t remember how childhood felt, but there’s a sense of freedom and accomplishment,” Schultz said. “I can walk in the water.”

The timing of Schultz’s celebration is also special, lining up with a year of honoring sports and resilience in the KC metro.

“Here we are in the Summer of Champions with the FIFA World Cup and the Maccabi Games here in Kansas City,” Abrahms said. “We don’t want to miss this celebration of Jean being one of our ‘Everyday Champions.’ It’s someone who has a as they move into the latter part of their life. They still have a ver for life. They want every day to be significant. They still have a lot to give. So I think especially after 100, that’s what an everyday champion means.”

Schultz was quick to add, “I’m not a champion. I’m just an old lady who’s here. I’m lucky to be here.”

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 Chantelle Navarro

Click here for updates on this story

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — A bystander is still recovering weeks after he was caught in the middle of a police chase that turned into a deadly shooting in Oklahoma City.

“It just seems like no one wants to help me. Like no one wants to. I’m basically forgotten,” said Denny MedicineBird, the bystander injured in the chase.

He was the person in between the commotion near Interstate 44 and Southwest 59th Street on Friday, March 27. He was minding his own business when he suddenly saw police lights.

“I was just sitting there thinking, ‘Oh, there’s probably a wreck up ahead or something in the ditch,'” MedicineBird said.

But he was wrong. A few moments later, he saw more police.

“That’s when I saw the truck,” MedicineBird said.

Investigators said 72-year-old Sandra Strampher-Perry was behind the wheel, and all of those police officers were behind her, trying to get her stopped.

“My first instinct was, ‘Holy crap, I better get out of the way.’ So, I moved to the right, and she wasn’t stopping,” MedicineBird said.

Then, the lights got closer.

“I was screaming, ‘No, no, no!'” MedicineBird said.

Then, police said Strampher-Perry slammed into him.

“I’ve never felt so helpless, and I guess, on the impact, I remember my eyes shutting. (I) kind of didn’t know where I was for a second,” MedicineBird said.

Strampher-Perry was on the run from police after showing up armed at someone’s home in a Deer Creek neighborhood. She took off, leading law enforcement on the chase that ended in southwest Oklahoma City.

MedicineBird said gunshots came quickly after the crash.

“The cops were basically using my front vehicle as a shield,” MedicineBird said. “Somehow I kicked the door open and fell through the airbags and fell to the ground, and they were still shooting what seemed like a long time, but I’m sure it was just seconds. But I fell to the ground, and one of the officers at the back of my vehicle.”

He said even officers were surprised he made it out alive.

“I don’t remember who they were, who he was. I just remember him saying, ‘Dude, how are you still alive?’ And I said, ‘I have no idea,'” MedicineBird said. “‘OK, well we’re glad you’re still alive.'”

He was in the hospital all night.

“My artery and my neck is damaged. Lots of pain. Still tingling in my feet, my hands. Had to walk really slow because it hurts to walk,” MedicineBird said. “I’m grateful that I have a really close relationship with our creator because without him, I wouldn’t be here. I pray every day.”

Even though he is alive, he is left with a harsh reality moving forward. Mentally, he is struggling because he is a veteran with PTSD, and he is also facing financial setbacks.

“In this case, the woman passed away, so her estate would be responsible ultimately. But there would presumably be no insurance coverage available for this bystander because the woman was engaged in an intentional criminal act at the time,” personal injury attorney Jason Waddell said.

Most insurance companies in Oklahoma have what is called “Criminal Acts Exclusion,” meaning they aren’t responsible for paying people like MedicineBird.

“You would have to prove that the officer or the City of Oklahoma City Police Department actually did something wrong, which caused the damages to the bystander and allowing us all to continue fighting,” Waddell said.

If MedicineBird’s attorney did that, he could get a payout of $75,000 for property expenses and $375,000 for medical expenses. But that is the cap.

Again, he could only receive that money if he could prove law enforcement was somehow in the wrong.

“As lawyers that do this type of work, personal injury work, we come across many instances on a repetitive basis where we have to give people very terrible news that there either isn’t insurance available to cover them for their losses or the person that hit them (has) a small minimum policy that will not fully compensate them for the injuries,” Waddell said.

If officers aren’t found at fault, it’s all on MedicineBird.

“My life will be impacted until I die,” MedicineBird said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help MedicineBird with his expenses.

KOCO has also requested body camera and 911 calls to learn more about what happened that day, but those won’t be released until the investigation is closed.

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 Daisy Kershaw

Click here for updates on this story

    CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WLWT) — A Clermont County veteran known for waving at school buses as they drive by his home got a special birthday surprise.

To mark his 95th birthday, the community organized a parade of school buses just for him.

For two decades, Bob Jones has been putting smiles on students’ faces as they head to school.

Last week, that parade of school buses put a big smile on Jones’ face.

“I wave at the kids and bus drivers, and they wave back. A lot of people in the cars wave, and the kids roll the windows down and then holler, ‘Mr. Bob.’ Some of them says, ‘I love you,'” Jones said.

Neighbors say everyone who meets Jones loves him.

“My sister drives for a bus. And this is the second or third generation of students that are coming by, and that, we’ll say hi to him as they go past,” said Shelly Tipton.

She said he’s a role model for students.

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 Maria Wilson

Click here for updates on this story

    HOOKSETT, N.H. (WMUR) — A body was recovered from the Merrimack River in Hooksett on Sunday after an hourslong search that began Saturday night.

Officials said the search started just after 7 p.m. Saturday after a man was reported to have accidentally fallen into the river from the railroad truck bridge near Riverside Street and Main Street.

According to New Hampshire State Police, a witness saw the man struggling to stay above water before he became submerged.

New Hampshire Fish and Game, Hooksett police and fire departments, and state police responded to the scene.

News 9 crews on scene Saturday saw multiple boats, along with drones and first responders searching the banks and water with flashlights. Parts of the railroad tracks were also taped off.

The search was suspended overnight before resuming early Sunday. Around 9:15 a.m., state police said the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team located and recovered the body.

The man was identified as 25-year-old Jeremiah Willey of Allenstown.

Christian Hall, a friend of Willey, helped search for him Sunday.

“I know he was out with his friend Nick, and they were drinking, and then, he went underneath this bridge to go to the bathroom, and I guess he lost his balance and fell in,” Hall said. “Then Nick went back to my car, which was parked at Robie’s County Store, and by the time Nick got back under the bridge, he was already underneath that one over there.”

Hall described Willey as quiet and fun to be around.

“He was a fun person. Pretty quiet guy to randoms. Didn’t really like too many people. He always liked to keep a small crowd,” he said.

Neighbors in Hooksett said the Merrimack River current is very strong.

State police said Willey’s death does not appear to be suspicious and remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper First Class Christopher Prenaveau at 603-223-8620.

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 Maddy Terril

Click here for updates on this story

    WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — A Wichita man is preparing to run in the Boston Marathon next week, marking a milestone that connects his journey to his late father’s legacy.

Shayne Yonce will compete in the 130th running of the historic race, widely known as the world’s oldest annual marathon.

Qualifying alone is considered a major achievement, but for Yonce, the moment carries deeper meaning. His father ran the Boston Marathon in 1976, and this year’s race falls exactly 50 years later.

Yonce began running after years of focusing on work and family while neglecting his health. In 2019, he committed to lifestyle changes, using fitness tracking as motivation.

On January 1, 2019, he committed to closing the rings on his Apple Watch daily, and ever since, he has kept that streak going.

Eventually, he lost more than 100 pounds through endurance activities like biking, swimming, and running.

Running became more than exercise; it became a way to feel connected to his father. That connection inspired a goal: to qualify for Boston and follow in his father’s footsteps.

While planning his attempt, Yonce realized the 2026 race would align with the 50th anniversary of his father’s run. He chose to qualify at his father’s favorite marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska, and made it with just 61 seconds to spare to have a Boston qualifying time. The race also fell on his father’s birthday.

Now, after years of preparation, Yonce will take on the Boston Marathon course, carrying both personal accomplishment and family history with him.

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 Frankie McLister

Click here for updates on this story

    MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minnesota (WCCO) — Since Operation Metro Surge started, there have been many stories of Minnesotans stepping up to help their neighbors. A Twin Cities man told WCCO what drove him to go all the way to Texas to help total strangers.

“We did it. It’s what was required,” a Twin Cities husband told WCCO. He didn’t want to share his name because he says what he and his friends did wasn’t about them.

WCCO decided to refer to him as Joe.

“It was me and two other drivers,” he said. “We flew to Texas first and then drove up from there.”

It was a nearly 24-hour journey to bring back a Venezuelan woman and her mom, who entered the U.S. legally as refugees in 2023. The two were detained for over a week this past winter.

“They took us to Houston handcuffed at the hands, waists and feet,” the woman told the Associated Press.

“These folks did everything right. Did everything by the book,” Joe said.

Driven by the sentiment, Joe, who is bilingual himself, and his friends felt like they should help when hearing about their case from a mutual friend.

He said they bought their own flights to Texas and rented a car to bring the two back to Minnesota, and that the duo weren’t released with their IDs and had fears of coming back via air.

“We just mentioned, ‘Hey, we’re here. We’re the guys you were told about. Come with us,'” Joe said.

The motorists then hit the road, rotating who was behind the wheel as they headed back up north.

“We chatted a bit. They wanted to tell their stories. We didn’t want to pressure them,” Joe added.

It’s an experience both parties say will stick with them forever.

“What we went through is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” the woman told the Associated Press.

“These are small acts of kindness that many people do together, and they come together and accumulate to do good,” Joe 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 Briseida Holguin

Click here for updates on this story

    MESQUITE, Texas (KTVT) — Residents in Mesquite are calling on the city to do something about an increase in feral hog sightings.

“All of this damage that you’re looking at was done by feral hogs within the last six weeks,” said Ted Faulkner.

Falkner has lived in Mesquite’s Falcons Lair neighborhood for 17 years, and the entire time, he’s dealt with feral hogs.

“The first two months I was here, it caused me to change my flowerbed into a rock garden. After that, it was dormant for maybe a year or two,” said Faulkner.

As of late, he says they’ve been coming around more frequently. He shared several videos with CBS News Texas of hogs running through the neighborhood at night. In one video, you can see a pack of about six, at times, he’s seen up to 10 roaming around.

“I’ve warned people in the neighborhood, ‘do not walk out here after dark because you might encounter the hogs, they become frightened, and they might attack.’ That’s the biggest concern is public safety,” said Faulkner.

The other issue is the damage they cause.

“They could probably get a part-time job working for an excavation company… We’re talking about several thousand dollars of damage,” said Faulkner.

Faulkner believes the hogs live in the wooded area across from his house. His suggestion is to fence it off, preventing the hogs from coming into the neighborhood.

“I’ve talked with the animal control and with the city manager’s office. I made three different reports. The assistant city manager is saying they have contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife to see if they can get some assistance, because Mesquite doesn’t have the capability to trap these hogs,” said Faulkner.

The city says residents are encouraged to report feral hog sightings, but says animal services is unable to trap or remove them.

“How much does it take before someone comes up with a way to control them?” said Faulkner.

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.