Category: CNN Regional

By Logan Hall

Click here for updates on this story

    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A piece of family history has found its way home after decades of being lost. The Purple Heart awarded to Sgt. Thomas Lynch for his service in World War I was returned Tuesday to his grandson, Thomas Brigham, during a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House.

Purple Heart found in safety deposit box The medal was recovered by the state’s Unclaimed Property Division after being discovered in an old safety deposit box.

“Something about this being long lost and here it is – reappeared,” said Brigham.

Brigham said his family believed the medal had been stolen and never expected to see it again.

“My siblings are thrilled, my sister and three brothers, it just kind of reconnects that history of military service and now it’s coming back,” he said.

State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, who presented the medal, said returning the honor to Lynch’s family was a meaningful moment. “It gave me the chills to know that we have found people who deserve these medals and that we are able to honor the families who are so committed to people throughout our country,” Goldberg said.

The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are killed or severely wounded in combat. Lynch, who served in the Massachusetts National Guard, was wounded in battle while fighting overseas during World War I.

Brigham said recovering the medal has sparked new interest in his grandfather’s legacy.

“It brought his memory to the forefront. He talked about getting gassed in France and being in the trenches, as if that’s just what they did. It was what was expected of them,” Brigham said.

Brigham plans to frame the medal as a tribute to his grandfather’s service and sacrifice.

Please note: 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 Kaicey Baylor

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — As football season kicks off, phase two of the Baltimore Ravens’ three-year renovation at M&T Bank Stadium is nearly complete.

The $450 million project is aimed at enhancing the game day experience for fans.

From expanded food options to high-tech displays, the improvements will be noticeable during every home game.

Upgraded entertainment spaces

Construction outside the stadium is wrapping up on a new retail and hospitality village that will be open year-round.

Inside the stadium, fans will see large new video displays, including one that spans 216 feet.

A walk-through drink market with self-serve food and beverage coolers has been added behind Gate A. The goal is to reduce wait times.

The Ravens have also introduced three new club memberships: The Trust, The Raven and Champions Club. Each offers a different lounge experience.

The Champions Club was inspired by the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory, according to Brad Downs, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Baltimore Ravens.

The club areas are multi-purpose and can be used for non-game day events.

The Legends Suites lead straight to the field.

“These suites are supported by seats on the outside. So, you have 16 seats per suite. 12 of those are heated,” said Rich Tamayo, Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations and Guest Experience.

Throughout the new spaces, the Ravens paid tribute to their former players and the infamous poem by Edgar Allen Poe.

Outside, the Flock Shop, filled with Ravens gear, is almost finished. You’ll also find a Tailgate and Concert venue, which, when completed, will include a stage and indoor sports bar.

“Bringing some of that great Ravens traditional tailgate right onto the premises with the plaza. It’s also delivering on what fans told us they wanted,” said Baltimore Ravens President Sashi Brown.

The full renovation project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Menu upgrades

The team partnered with Hospitality Evermore to refresh the stadium’s Flock Friendly Fare menu. The updated menu includes 11 items priced under $5, including a BBQ sandwich, nachos, pretzels and hot dogs.

“It’s been in existence since 2018, I believe,” said Jessica Gomes, vice president of hospitality strategy at Hospitality Evermore. “That’s something that we’re just developing on. Honestly, if you look at the stadiums and the surrounding environments, we want to make sure that our fans can come in and enjoy themselves but also feel like they’re able to get a good price.”

Please note: 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 Juli McDonald

Click here for updates on this story

    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Quincy police say a pair of criminals orchestrated a scheme to steal cars from pizza shop employees who were delivering food. The most recent incident targeted Mama Bear’s Kitchen in Quincy this weekend.

A team of two keeps Mama Bear’s preparing and delivering orders until 3 a.m. After a busy Sunday this past weekend, driver Paul Bates was delivering an order to Southern Artery around 11 o’clock.

“As I turned around, there were two hooded people, all dressed in black, black COVID surgical masks on and everything. I swore at them and asked what they were doing, and they jumped right in the vehicle and off they went,” Bates recalled.

Those suspects had called in the fake order.

Investigators say the same thing happened to a different pizza place over Labor Day weekend. On August 31, around 8:30 p.m. on Berlin Street, a man wearing dark clothing and a mask acted as a decoy by occupying the driver on the porch of the delivery location. While the driver was distracted, a second person entered the vehicle and drove away. The first man then ran off.

“You’re not here to make millions but to make a buck and live and survive,” Mama Bear’s owner Noemi LeBron said. “It causes anxiety. Now you always have to watch your back.”

Bates had the car’s key fob in his pocket, so after a long joy ride on a full tank of gas, the car was found a day later dumped at the mall.

Quincy police are reminding business owners and all drivers to stay alert, lock cars, and limit how much cash you carry. At Mama Bear’s Kitchen, they’ve borrowed a car to make deliveries until they know their own is safe to drive.

“That’s part of the business. The show must go on. Just keep on going, just pray, and hopefully it doesn’t happen again,” LeBron said.

Please note: 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 Michael Cusanelli

Click here for updates on this story

    BURLINGTON, Vermont (WPTZ) — An eye-popping policy in Burlington may soon be outlawed after city leaders moved to officially ban public nudity late last week.

While public nudity was previously allowed in the Queen City, anyone caught walking around without clothes in public may now be forced to pay hundreds of dollars in fines thanks to a new ordinance.

That ordinance unanimously passed on Friday during a committee meeting. That ordinance must now be considered by the full city council before it goes into effect.

If passed, anyone who is caught while nude in Burlington could be fined $100, with a second offense costing $200. A third offense carries a $500 fine.

These fines can be dropped if the offender completes a program through the Community Justice Center.

The rule does not apply to children under five years old.

The ordinance also makes clear exceptions, including for certain events and permitted performances.

An old ordinance permitted public nudity, provided a person left their dwelling in that state. The ordinance, however, prohibited disrobing in public.

There have been multiple instances of people walking naked through the streets of Burlington over the years, particularly during the summer months.

Several downtown businesses recently voiced their disdain for those who choose to be nude in Burlington, saying it is bad for businesses during the busy summer tourism season. Residents have also complained. Those complaints prompted city councilors to take action and consider a change to the longstanding ordinance.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that Burlington City Council must issue final approval before the ordinance goes into effect.

Please note: 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 Malcolm Shields

Click here for updates on this story

    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WPBF) — A woman on the Treasure Coast was arrested on fraud allegations.

Meghan R. Pagano, 38, was arrested Sept. 1 in Martin County and charged with practice of medicine without an active license and criminal use of personal ID information.

Court documents note that on April 22, an official with the Florida Department of Health contacted a detective with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a complaint about Pagano.

The complainant told the detective in a May meeting that they were informed that Pagano was using the complainant’s name and medical license on social media to administer Botox, fillers and other cosmetic procedures.

The complainant was concerned that their name was being used in association with medical procedures they were not performing.

It is believed Pagano had been doing the procedures for more than a year.

In July, the detective received another complaint about Pagano practicing medicine without a license.

The second complainant provided photos taken from Pagano’s Instagram account showing Pagano doing medical procedures.

The second complainant told the detective that they knew Pagano personally and that Pagano did not have the proper licensing to do the procedures posted on the social media account.

As of Monday, Sept. 8, the Instagram and Facebook accounts associated with Pagano are no longer active, but a website related to her company, Treasure Coast Aesthetic & Wellness Center, is active.

Court documents note that the detective was able to find the Instagram account, and on the account, it listed the name of the first complainant in the bio.

An Instagram video dated Jan. 5 showed an individual later identified as Pagano using a small needle to take multiple vials of blood from a person’s arm.

The video then shows the vial being mixed with other substances and filled into multiple syringes. Pagano is seen injecting the liquid filled syringes into the head of an unknown person.

Another video on July 19 allegedly shows Pagano inject a substance into a large lump/cyst. A scalpel is then used to cut into the flesh, cutting out a large cyst while the individual is bleeding.

A hand is seen using the scalpel to cut the cyst from the skin. The wound is stitched closed.

Law enforcement also confirmed that Pagano never held a license to perform the procedures shown on the Instagram account.

Law enforcement was able to determine that Pagano held a license for massaging or treating the face or scalp with oils, creams, lotions or other preparations along with permanent removal of hair using equipment.

On Thursday, Sept. 4, Pagano entered a not guilty plea. She is out of the Martin County Jail on $20,000 bond.

WPBF 25 News is awaiting a response from Pagano’s attorney about the charges.

Please note: 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 Tony Atkins

Click here for updates on this story

    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — A 70-year-old Orlando woman says she had to fight off a pit bull to save her dog during a sudden attack outside a grocery store.

Shirley Pasamanick told WESH 2 she was leaving the store on Sept. 1 when a pit bull bolted toward her 14-year-old dog, Sparky, and latched onto him.

“It just out of nowhere bolted at us,” Pasamanick said. “And I did everything I could. We ended up on the ground.”

Surveillance video shows Pasamanick, who weighs about 90 pounds, using her cane and her hands in an effort to pry the dog off. When that didn’t work, she said, she resorted to biting the pit bull on the back of its neck.

“I couldn’t open his mouth,” Pasamanick said. “So … I bit him. I had to! I’m 91 pounds! I have no strength!”

The tactic worked long enough for a man — who Pasamanick says deputies are trying to identify — to pull the pit bull away. The man then walked off with the dog on a leash.

Sparky survived the attack but is still shaken, Pasamanick said. She credits the senior dog with giving her strength and purpose.

“Really, he’s the reason some days I get up,” she said. “You gotta take care of your dog.”

Please note: 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.