Category: CNN Regional

By Christina Fan, Christine Sloan, Justin Lewis

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    RIDGEFIELD, New Jersey (WCBS) — Windy conditions took down trees around New York City and New Jersey overnight.

One tree was blown over and hit the power lines in Queens. Limbs of another fell onto cars and blocked the street on the Upper West Side.

A tree crashed into a multi-family home in Ridgefield, New Jersey, taking out a chunk of a brick wall and exposing the interior of a second story room.

The family said they were asleep inside when they heard a thunderous boom around 1 a.m. The father said he ran to his son’s bedroom, couldn’t get through the door, called out to him for several minutes in a panic and received no response. He ran outside and started to pray.

“I was asleep, and I just hear a little noise and my son shouting. I was calling. He wasn’t responding. He passed out, so I just ran outside naked, shouting for help. I didn’t take my phone, anything. I asked the neighbor to call for help, so I was just there praying to God for a miracle to happen, and after 30 minutes, he stepped outside,” the father Rubicon Okudzeto said.

“I didn’t know it was a tree, exactly. I just felt like something pressing down on me. And I just knew I was in pain, so I had to get out of there. So I started crouching out, then I went trying to find anyone in the house, but there was no one there. Then I went to my neighbors, knocking on the door, but no one answered. So I went outside and I found my dad over there,” said the son, Gael Okudzeto. “I was just thankful. I am really lucky to survive this, because not everyone would be this lucky.”

The 18-year-old was checked out for bruising to the side of his body. He came home after spending hours in the hospital, but is expected to be OK.

He said all he remembers is a loud noise. He thinks he was unconscious for a few minutes in his room, which he said was filled with debris.

“Everything is destroyed. Like, everything’s covered by the roof. I lost all my clothes,” he said.

Another family downstairs was able to get out without injuries.

Neighbors said they heard a loud thud on Bruce Street, while all of New Jersey was under a wind advisory with gusts reported stronger than 50 miles per hour.

A woman who lives in the building said the ground shook so violently, at first, she thought it was an earthquake, looked online to see if there were reports of one, couldn’t find anything and then went back to sleep. She came outside hours later to walk her dog and realized what happened.

“I texted my neighbors – I’m close with them down here. I haven’t gotten a response, but I think they’re OK, I didn’t see that it hit them — it didn’t hit them directly,” said neighbor Marissa Blanco. “I mean, these winds, these trees, got to be careful.”

While it appeared most of the branches and trunk fell in the direction of the road, there was still noticeable damage to the building. One branch also shattered the rear window of a car.

First responders taped off the apartment complex, and two of the units closest to the tree were evacuated.

Peak wind gusts reached up to 70 mph in parts of the Tri-State Area late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Stony Brook, New York reported the strongest at 70 mph, followed by Bayville, N.Y. at 61 mph and White Plains, N.Y. at 60 mph.

New Jersey’s peak gusts were reported in Bayonne, which saw 57 mph.

Today started off brisk, with wind chills making it feel like the 30s and 40s, especially north and west of the city. This afternoon stays mostly sunny, but blustery, with highs only reaching the low 50s — about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than yesterday.

You’ll want to bundle up tonight, as it could be the coldest night of the season so far in the city, with lows near 40°. Suburbs will dip into the 30s, and some distant spots could even flirt with the 20s. A Frost Advisory has also been issued across our suburbs, so do be mindful of those plants before you turn in.

Tomorrow will be a touch milder under partly to mostly cloudy skies, with highs in the upper 50s. But don’t get too comfortable — showers move in tomorrow night.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday starts with early showers, but clears up nicely by afternoon. Expect highs in the mid 60s. Sunday, however, looks soggy again, with showers likely and highs around 60°.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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 Tania Francois

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — For 33 years, South Florida has come together to make the holidays brighter for families who need a hand. Neighbors 4 Neighbors’ Adopt a Family campaign is back, and this year the Boggs family is hoping for a little help to make their Christmas feel like home.

Meet Yancy and Luna, ages 9 and 10. Their wish lists look a lot like other kids their age.

“I would like some clothes, shoes and a hoverboard,” Yancy said.

Luna, meanwhile, wants “an electric scooter, some clothes, shoes, something for me to play with, and a nail kit”.

The girls live with their father, a single dad doing everything he can to keep his daughters happy, healthy and whole.

“[I] raise them by myself. I had to get out and get some help for them,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the sisters stay focused at school.

“We are really good kids and we don’t like to be mean to people. I think we deserve it because we do good things and not bad things,” they said. “A, B honor roll and we’re gonna be thankful.”

The family has been through a lot. For a time, they moved from hotel to hotel. Their father is grateful for the community groups that stepped in and helped.

“I lived hotel to hotel for a while. Picket Fences helped me out and Broward Solutions helped me out,” Dad said. “It’s another year and I didn’t want to put them through the same things again. Something has to change for the better.”

Now they are in a new apartment. What they want most is a first good Christmas in a place that finally feels like home. The girls are also thinking about Dad.

“I want him to get some new clothes and some shoes” said Luna while Yancy added, “I want him to care for himself a little bit.”

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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.

WFOR

By Tania Francois

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI (WFOR) — For 33 years, South Florida has come together to make the holidays brighter for families who need a hand. Neighbors 4 Neighbors’ Adopt a Family campaign is back, and this year the Boggs family is hoping for a little help to make their Christmas feel like home.

Meet Yancy and Luna, ages 9 and 10. Their wish lists look a lot like other kids their age.

“I would like some clothes, shoes and a hoverboard,” Yancy said.

Luna, meanwhile, wants “an electric scooter, some clothes, shoes, something for me to play with, and a nail kit”.

The girls live with their father, a single dad doing everything he can to keep his daughters happy, healthy and whole.

“[I] raise them by myself. I had to get out and get some help for them,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the sisters stay focused at school.

“We are really good kids and we don’t like to be mean to people. I think we deserve it because we do good things and not bad things,” they said. “A, B honor roll and we’re gonna be thankful.”

The family has been through a lot. For a time, they moved from hotel to hotel. Their father is grateful for the community groups that stepped in and helped.

“I lived hotel to hotel for a while. Picket Fences helped me out and Broward Solutions helped me out,” Dad said. “It’s another year and I didn’t want to put them through the same things again. Something has to change for the better.”

Now they are in a new apartment. What they want most is a first good Christmas in a place that finally feels like home. The girls are also thinking about Dad.

“I want him to get some new clothes and some shoes” said Luna while Yancy added, “I want him to care for himself a little bit.”

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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 Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — An East Boston corner grocery store is generating donations after a tongue in cheek sign out front of the store voiced their displeasure for the loss of SNAP benefits and spoke of their support for those impacted. The sign includes a certain, crass four-letter word that serves as both a punchline and a rallying cry.

The sign reads, “Did your SNAP benefits get taken away? We think that is extremely (expletive) up. Please take what you need.”

“Sure does! It has been getting a lot of photos and attention, but that’s my personality right there,” said Alexis Cervasio, owner of EBO & Co Groceries on Meridian Street in East Boston.

Cervasio not only owns the corner spot but leads a secret supper club. Between her store and the club, they started with a $250 run to Market Basket, so they could put the food and sign out in front of her store.

“Then people started to match us. You just have to get it started, and the people make it happen. I knew we could count on our following,” said Cervasio. “We aren’t looking for people to show us their card, but people feel compelled, and I am like, ‘Put it away! Take what you need.'”

Cervasio says even people who receive SNAP benefits have been donating to the cause if they feel like they can get by with what they have.

“I have been in tears all week. It’s been an emotional week here,” said Cervasio. “We had a father come in here yesterday, he’s like, ‘I’m a single father with two kids, I work at the airport. I am not getting paid right now, plus I’m not getting my SNAP benefits.’ He is like ‘so this is awesome.'”

They are still accepting donations of food at EBO but also are accepting monetary donations that they will use to buy food. Her grocery store carries a wide range of items that includes a fresh fruit and vegetable stand, fine wines, oysters, caviar and boutique foods. She has been going to major grocery stores to get more canned goods and non-perishables that her store may not supply.

“I filled up four baskets yesterday at Market Basket, so that was about $1,000, and it was gone by the end of the day,” said Cervasio.

EBO’s fresh fruit and vegetable stand is offering deals like six oranges for $1 or three avocados for $5.

“Our fruit stand is probably one of the most approachable on this side of the harbor,” said Cervasio. “It’s nice that we have a balance for both.”

“It’s a blessing and everyone should be grateful for it,” said Bernice Gordon, a woman who has been without her SNAP benefits and came by to look at the donations. “Everyone is trying to help out because nowadays everyone needs to stick with each other.”

Gordon spoke with WBZ then chose not to take anything from the table, saying off camera, “I only take what I need, and someone may need it more.”

“When I heard, it might get shut down, I started preparing my family. We look out for each other,” said Gordon. “Every day is a good day if you can eat something and wake up.”

Cervasio can be contacted via the store’s Instagram @ebo.grocery.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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.

WBZ

By Mike Sullivan

Click here for updates on this story

    BOSTON (WBZ) — An East Boston corner grocery store is generating donations after a tongue in cheek sign out front of the store voiced their displeasure for the loss of SNAP benefits and spoke of their support for those impacted. The sign includes a certain, crass four-letter word that serves as both a punchline and a rallying cry.

The sign reads, “Did your SNAP benefits get taken away? We think that is extremely (expletive) up. Please take what you need.”

“Sure does! It has been getting a lot of photos and attention, but that’s my personality right there,” said Alexis Cervasio, owner of EBO & Co Groceries on Meridian Street in East Boston.

Cervasio not only owns the corner spot but leads a secret supper club. Between her store and the club, they started with a $250 run to Market Basket, so they could put the food and sign out in front of her store.

“Then people started to match us. You just have to get it started, and the people make it happen. I knew we could count on our following,” said Cervasio. “We aren’t looking for people to show us their card, but people feel compelled, and I am like, ‘Put it away! Take what you need.'”

Cervasio says even people who receive SNAP benefits have been donating to the cause if they feel like they can get by with what they have.

“I have been in tears all week. It’s been an emotional week here,” said Cervasio. “We had a father come in here yesterday, he’s like, ‘I’m a single father with two kids, I work at the airport. I am not getting paid right now, plus I’m not getting my SNAP benefits.’ He is like ‘so this is awesome.'”

They are still accepting donations of food at EBO but also are accepting monetary donations that they will use to buy food. Her grocery store carries a wide range of items that includes a fresh fruit and vegetable stand, fine wines, oysters, caviar and boutique foods. She has been going to major grocery stores to get more canned goods and non-perishables that her store may not supply.

“I filled up four baskets yesterday at Market Basket, so that was about $1,000, and it was gone by the end of the day,” said Cervasio.

EBO’s fresh fruit and vegetable stand is offering deals like six oranges for $1 or three avocados for $5.

“Our fruit stand is probably one of the most approachable on this side of the harbor,” said Cervasio. “It’s nice that we have a balance for both.”

“It’s a blessing and everyone should be grateful for it,” said Bernice Gordon, a woman who has been without her SNAP benefits and came by to look at the donations. “Everyone is trying to help out because nowadays everyone needs to stick with each other.”

Gordon spoke with WBZ then chose not to take anything from the table, saying off camera, “I only take what I need, and someone may need it more.”

“When I heard, it might get shut down, I started preparing my family. We look out for each other,” said Gordon. “Every day is a good day if you can eat something and wake up.”

Cervasio can be contacted via the store’s Instagram @ebo.grocery.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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 WLS Staff

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    BATAVIA, Ill. (WLS) — A west suburban chiropractor is accused of secretly recording nude videos of over 180 of his patients, ranging from young children to adults, officials said.

David Hanson, the 43-year-old owner of Hanson Family Chiropractic in Batavia, is facing multiple felony charges, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

The suspect was arrested Wednesday night after a warrant search at his home and his chiropractic office, 1928 W. Wilson St. in Batavia, officials said. The investigation was conducted by the Batavia Police Department and the Child Exploitation Unit of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“Many of the recordings appear to be taken from a red light room used for red light and near-infrared light therapy. Hanson made the video recordings using hidden cameras secretly placed throughout his chiropractic office,” a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office read in part. “Hanson was also found to be possessing and disseminating multiple videos containing child sexual abuse material that were unrelated to his chiropractic practice.”

Hanson is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 10.

The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said Hanson is facing the following charges: Producing Child Pornography, Class X felony (5 counts) Disseminating Child Pornography, Class X felony (3 counts) Possessing Child Pornography, Class 2 felony (6 counts) Unauthorized Video Recording of a Minor Through/Under the Clothes, Class 3 felony (3 counts)

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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.