Category: CNN Regional

By Debbie Worthen

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSL) — A Tooele family said this week has been nothing short of miraculous after doctors gave their 20‑year‑old daughter less than a 2% chance of surviving a traumatic fall on Easter Sunday.

Erin Plumb was sitting on the tailgate of her family’s truck when she somehow fell as they were backing out of a neighbor’s driveway. The impact left her with a severe head injury, and she was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Now, her family is holding on to hope — and to what they describe as a series of miracles.

“Just total disbelief, just shock — this cannot be real,” said her mother, Heather Plumb. “It’s impossible to explain the horror.”

Erin Plumb is now in a medically induced coma. Doctors told the family she likely wouldn’t survive the first night. But Erin Plumb, they said, has always been a fighter.

“Everybody loves her. She is genuinely just the sweetest, most caring, empathetic person I know,” Heather Plumb said. “She’s spicy, she’s spunky, she loves hockey.”

She’s also tough — a black belt in Taekwondo — and her family believes that grit is helping her battle through the most difficult challenge of her life.

In just four days, she has undergone multiple surgeries, including two procedures to remove parts of her skull to relieve swelling. Through it all, the Plumb family said they’ve felt the strength of prayers from friends, neighbors, and even strangers.

They’ve counted three miracles so far.

“Our first one was that she made it to the hospital alive,” her mother said. “The second was she made it through surgery. The third was she made it through the night.”

Now, the community is stepping in to show support. Neighbors have begun lighting their homes in purple — her favorite color — as a sign of solidarity with the family.

“It’s really been the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do,” Heather Plumb said.

Erin Plumb is a devoted hockey fan, and her family said that if she wasn’t in the hospital, she would have been downtown this week cheering on the Mammoth. They’re holding on to the hope that next season, she’ll be back in the stands — loud, spunky, and cheering once again.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. ­­­KSL verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Leticia Juarez

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    RANCHO CUCAMONGA, California (KABC) — A chaotic scene unfolded outside the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse when federal agents detained multiple men Thursday morning.

Witnesses said one man was in the courthouse parking lot with his son just before 9:30 a.m. when federal agents surrounded and detained him. Two more men were later taken into custody after leaving the courthouse.

The arrests were caught on camera.

Immigrant rights advocates say similar enforcement operations are on the rise.

“This is a state courthouse, as you know, immigration proceedings do not happen at state courthouses but we’re seeing this increasing and really alarming trend of arrests happening either right outside the steps like we’ve seen today or nearby the courthouse,” said Hector Pereyra of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice.

The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice said Thursday’s arrests bring the total number of people taken into custody at or near the courthouse to 33 since last year.

“It’s kind of arrest now and ask questions later, a practice that they are engaging in right now which is incredibly unlawful,” Pereyra said.

Advocates also warned enforcement actions near courthouses can create fear and raise safety concerns as families, attorneys and members of the public regularly pass through the area.

“The arrests that are happening here could lead to that escalation of violence because federal agents are being trained to escalate not deescalate,” Pereyra said. “It puts everyone at the courthouse in harm’s way.”

ABC7 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security with questions about Thursday’s detentions, including the legal basis for the arrests and whether agents were conducting enforcement operations at the courthouse throughout the day, but did not receive a response.

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 Jaelen Gilkey

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    Florida (WFOR) — More South Florida residents are trading traditional workouts for mixed martial arts, focusing on self-defense and total fitness, a training shift that is gaining major momentum.

Over the last two decades, mixed martial arts has exploded in popularity, evolving from a niche sport into a global phenomenon. It is now considered a mainstream sport, much like football, baseball, or basketball, and can be seen on major news networks and platforms like Paramount+, according to Alex Calienes, owner of Ground Game Theory.

As the sport continues to grow, so does the number of everyday people stepping into the gym, often not to fight, but to feel better.

For Roy Martinez, who has been training in MMA for 4.5 years, the practice is a critical stress reliever.

“All I’m trying to do is get touches to the body, touches to the head,” Martinez said. “I think it’s a great way to relieve stress. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve been doing it so long. After a long day, I get to blow some steam off. So that, I think, is fantastic”.

The training offers more than just self-defense; it is a full-body workout, a mental reset, and, for many, a daily escape.

One gym-goer noted that the experience is highly engaging. “It’s just super fun. I see myself getting better every week, every month, every year. I just gotta keep showing up,” the person said. “And when I don’t show up, I feel like something is missing in my life. I get anxiety… I come here, I pull up, I get to work—and everything goes away”.

Beyond self-defense and mental health, the physical challenge is immense. “It’s a great cardiovascular workout,” a participant said. “Some of the most in-shape people in the world are MMA fighters. It’s definitely something that will challenge you”.

Ultimately, the focus is not just about throwing punches—it’s about finding balance inside and outside the cage.

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 Tara Lynch

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — An alleged serial dine-and-dasher is back out on the streets after being arrested for targeting several Baltimore and Harford County restaurants.

Business owners are sounding the alarm and posting on social media to prevent others from being victims of this crime.

A Facebook post from Massoni’s Italian Restaurant in Perry Hall took off and prevented some businesses from becoming victims, too.

In court documents, the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office identified the suspect as Randy Micheal Nelson, 57, of Montgomery County.

WJZ has reached out to Nelson’s attorney for comment.

Targeted by alleged dine-and-dasher The owner of Massoni’s said Nelson targeted her business Wednesday afternoon, and said after being cut off from drinking, he left her business without paying the bill.

Nicole Massoni, the owner of Massoni’s Italian Restaurant, said she posted on social media to alert other businesses. That’s when her phone started ringing and she realized she was not alone.

“I would just like to know why he felt so entitled. We’re a small business and every dollar counts,” Nicole Massoni, owner of Massoni’s Italian Restaurant, said. “The fact that he felt so entitled to walk out without paying for anything is what really got to me.”

It was a typical Wednesday afternoon at the Perry Hall restaurant before it turned bizarre.

The restaurant said Nelson ordered several beers in short succession and was cut off from drinking by the bartender. After being cut off, Nelson allegedly left the restaurant without paying his bill, and it was caught on security video.

Multiple dine-and-dash allegations Massoni then took to social media, posting to warn other businesses.

That’s when she says her phone didn’t stop ringing and the comments started pouring in, saying Nelson had allegedly targeted restaurants up and down Belair Road. Silver Spring Mining Company and Looney’s Pub saw the post and tossed him out.

“Guess he didn’t think this area stuck together the way we do. For sure, they had our backs and that means a lot,” Massoni said.

According to court documents, Nelson was later arrested after another alleged dine-and-dash at nearby El Salto. He was also charged with theft at Grain Wine and Spirits.

He is currently not facing charges in the alleged theft at Massoni’s Italian Restaurant.

He was released on bond, according to court records.

Last month, Nelson was allegedly spotted again on a security camera at Towne Grill & Pub in Joppatowne, leaving the restaurant without paying. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office said charges are pending in that case.

The sheriff’s office added that he is facing charges after an alleged dine-and-dash at Island Spice Grille and Lounge in Edgewood.

He is also facing an allegation of disorderly conduct from a disturbance at a nearby hotel that same week.

He was released on his own recognizance, according to court records.

“I think that he is dangerous and that something needs to happen. There needs to be some sort of consequence or punishment because he will just continue to do this,” Massoni added.

Massoni said the restaurant received another message on Thursday that the same suspect may be trying to now target businesses in Timonium.

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 Lauren Linder

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    Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A patient attacked a doctor and two security guards at Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital over the weekend, the Carroll Township Police Department said.

Court records show police were called to the hospital around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, when 60-year-old Victor Tyree, a patient, “had become violent after being [asked] not to live stream in the emergency room area due to other patients being present.” Officers describe on surveillance video that they saw him “striking security and medical staff shortly after” by “punching, pushing and grabbing.”

Carroll Township Police Chief John Korcek told KDKA, thankfully, none needed medical treatment, and Tyree is facing several charges, including aggravated assault.

Korcek said Tyree was initially taken to the hospital by another police department after causing a disturbance while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and then saying he was having a medical issue.

This kind of case is what Korcek calls a frequent occurrence, taking up 85 percent of the department’s call volume, although not always with assaults on health care workers, but sometimes resulting in assaults on his own officers. Tyree remains in Washington County Jail on $25,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for April 15.

A spokesperson for Penn Highlands Healthcare released the following statement to KDKA that said, in part:

“At Penn Highlands Healthcare, we have zero tolerance for any form of physical or verbal aggression, harassment or abuse toward our staff, patients, or visitors. We strongly believe that violence in healthcare settings is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

The attack is the latest assault on health care workers in the area. Andy Kordistos of Donora hears about the increasing violence and abuse against medical professionals from his daughter, who’s a nurse in New York.

“She has seen some things where nurses have gotten attacked or mistreated,” Kordistos said. “It’s wrong. If you’re sick and you’re in the hospital, you shouldn’t be in there being mean and grouchy and wanting to fight with somebody.”

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 WABC Web Staff

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    TOMS RIVER, New Jersey (WABC) — “Wood” you believe this story?

Police in New Jersey captured a fuzzy fugitive on Easter Sunday that had been “terrorizing” residents in Toms River.

A patrolman was able to wrangle the angry beaver into the back of the police car and relocate him to a nearby body of water.

There is no word on how exactly he was terrorizing the residents of Toms River, but he should now be gnawing on logs instead of people’s nerves.

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 WABC News Staff

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    PERTH AMBOY, New Jersey (WABC) — A family is picking up the pieces and assessing the damage after their jewelry store was robbed in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

NewsCopter 7 was over the scene at SD Jewelry on Madison Avenue on Wednesday, where authorities say the wild incident played out.

Robbers were caught on camera smashing the front window of the shop with a sledgehammer and were seen carrying garbage bags full of jewelry as they escaped to a waiting car.

Screams could be heard from the mother and daughter who own the store in video obtained by Eyewitness News.

Jessie Sanchez is a close friend who owns a salon across the street.

As the robbers tried to make it into their getaway car, there was one thing they did not account for; they weren’t getting away without a fight.

“She fought with them like a man,” Sanchez said. “She’s a brave woman. Stephanie is a brave woman, but I feel so sad for her mother. Her mother fell away. She fell. It was too much.”

The mother suffered bruises to her arm and leg.

The two fearless women tried to pull the robbers out of the getaway BMW as they hit reverse, sideswiping a parked car. The mother and daughter kept hanging on even as the robbers peeled off, leaving the mother on the ground.

The frightened daughter said she did all she could to stop the robbery. She said she sacrificed a lot to get the store up and running.

“I fought with them, look here, I’m cut, because I fought back, I said to my mom ‘they’re not going to take all my effort,’ you don’t know how many people are on the internet, calling me name but I would work Uber until 4, 5 a.m. so that I could save up money to start a business,” she said.

The mother said she was still very upset.

“To come and take that from her, but what’s important is that we’re alive and that I thank God for that but I want them caught,” she said.

The robbers were as bold as they come. Not only did they hit SD Jewelry in broad daylight, but they did it right under the cops’ noses. There is a police substation right across the street.

They say no weapons were pulled out, and no one was seriously injured. It’s estimated they got away with $1 million in merchandise.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Perth Amboy Police Department at 732-324-3800.

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 Aaron Parseghian, Neal Riley

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    Massachusetts (WBZ) — Alpha-gal syndrome, the tick-borne illness that causes people to develop a serious allergy to meat and dairy, is “an emerging public health concern in Massachusetts,” the state epidemiologist says.

Dr. Catherine Brown with the Department of Public Health says the Lone Star tick, which is most commonly associated with the disease, has historically been found in the south. But climate change and changes in landscape use have resulted in the species moving north, she said.

“And we now know that there are some established populations on the Islands and then also in Barnstable County,” Dr. Brown said. “Unfortunately, the species is also starting to make inroads into the rest of the state as well.”

Alpha-gal syndrome Last summer, a tick researcher said cases of alpha-gal syndrome were “exploding” on Martha’s Vineyard, with more than 500 positive tests in 2024. Dr. Brown said it’s the tick’s saliva that can trigger the allergy.

“Individuals who have their immune system activated after a tick bite can end up having allergic reactions when they have a steak dinner or they have ice cream for dessert,” she said.

The Centers for Disease Control says the allergy can be life-threatening, but those who have it can experience different symptoms every time they are exposed to meat or dairy. It’s estimated that as many as 450,000 people are affected by the condition.

This year the state has started tracking cases of alpha-gal syndrome as a reportable condition. Dr. Brown said she’s heard “increased rumblings” from local boards of health about new cases of the illness.

“We want to have that information so that we can actually help educate ourselves, healthcare providers and the public about this new concern,” she said.

Tick prevention Is tick season starting off worse than usual in Massachusetts? Dr. Brown said it’s challenging to track tick population levels.

“Ticks are a problem in Massachusetts every single year. And so if there are a few more this year or a few less the next year, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “There’s still a lot of them.”

Dr. Brown encourages pet owners to check with their veterinarians about the best tick prevention for their type of animal. She also says anyone who’s been outside in an area where ticks are present should think about doing a tick check, showering, and putting their clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 or 15 minutes.

“I want people to go and be outside and enjoy what the state has to offer,” Dr. Brown said. “Just make sure that you’re thinking about tick repellents and tick checks while you do it.”

What homeowners can do to prevent ticks Insect control companies say calls are already coming in. Jonnie Larson of Green Mosquito said demand has surged once the calendar flipped into March.

“That’s when they call, once they see [ticks] on their dogs,” Larson said. “Over the last 10 years, I’d say last year, and this year are the most tick calls I’ve ever gotten.”

Larson demonstrated treatment methods at a home in Lexington, targeting areas where ticks thrive, including rock walls, leaf litter, brush and wooded spaces. Treatments ranged from natural cedarwood oil to other potent solutions, offering homeowners added peace of mind.

“I have customers telling me of more and more diseases they learn about, that they’re concerned about. The main one obviously is Lyme disease,” Larson said. “It’s been around for a long time, and a lot of people have had it in New England. And a lot of my customers, that why they subscribe to the service, because they’ve either had it before or they just have heard nightmares about it.”

Larson says homeowners should also take steps to clean up their yards and create a less welcoming space for the pesky insects.

“Create a barrier where the woods and brush meet your lawn, rake it back. Rake it out good, get it down to the dirt, and then put like a three-foot barrier of mulch,” he recommended.

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 Matthew Rodriguez

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    RIVERSIDE, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A SWAT deputy in Riverside County was caught scrolling on what appeared to be a dating app during a standoff with an armed suspect on Wednesday.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement released on Thursday that it is investigating the incident.

“This behavior does not reflect the standards, expectations, or policies of our department,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote. “We have initiated an internal investigation and will take appropriate action based on the findings. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to professionalism and holding our employees accountable.”

The hours-long standoff happened after an armed pursuit suspect crashed into a wall near a Jurupa Valley school. Aerial footage captured by CBS LA showed the deputy scrolling through his phone while taking cover behind an armored vehicle parked a few feet from the suspect’s car.

The suspect, who was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher during the standoff, refused to surrender after deputies deployed pepper balls and robots. After several hours, deputies approached the suspect and pulled his body out of the car. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect had “injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Riverside County Fire Department paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. Authorities have not identified him.

The standoff happened after the suspect led deputies on a stop-and-start pursuit for a few hours. After stopping at an intersection near Jurupa Valley High School, the driver sped away as a deputy closely followed. The deputy attempted to use a pursuit-ending tool called a Grappler, but it appeared to cause the suspect to lose control of the car, which then slammed into a brick wall.

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 Brandon Truitt

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    WOBURN, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A Woburn, Massachusetts man and his 10-year-old Labrador named Larry are recovering after they were attacked by a Rottweiler. Tom Sheehan and Larry were walking Monday morning when he said the other dog came out of nowhere.

Sheehan is crediting city employees for saving their lives. “If they hadn’t come, there’s no way I would have been able to protect him,” Sheehan said.

The duo was on their usual morning walk to Dunkin’ Monday morning when Sheehan said the Rottweiler bolted across the street and started attacking them.

“I was on my own. I didn’t have anything to fight the dog with,” Sheehan said. “I had his collar in my hand, but he was powerful.”

The dog was clasping onto Larry’s neck. Sheehan had nothing to fight back with, but just in the nick of time, a Woburn DPW truck drove by and pulled over.

“The two guys got out and just got in the middle of the fray. They were armed with a broom and a rake that happened to be in the truck,” Sheehan said.

The two workers helped Sheehan free Larry from the dog’s grip before the animal turned on them. “At one stage I was finally able to get into their truck and call 911, but the dog tried to get in the truck and bite me and Larry inside the truck,” Sheehan said.

More than five minutes into the attack, that Rottweiler ran away. Tom, Larry and one of the DPW workers went to the hospital. Sheehan had half a dozen bites and needed 18 stitches. Larry was pretty banged up too but is on the mend.

WBZ-TV tried to reach those two DPW employees. One is still recovering, the other, we’re told, is back on the job. But Sheehan says without their courage to pull over and help, this would have ended differently.

“Oh, it was game over. In retrospect Larry would have perished. Larry would have perished if those guys didn’t show up and I think I would have been a lot worse off fighting the dog,” Sheehan said. “They are not first responders by true definition, but they were true heroes. They really were.”

Sheehan says the city has custody of that Rottweiler. It’s unclear if the owners of that dog will face charges.

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.