Category: CNN Regional

By Gina Tomlinson

Click here for updates on this story

    FORT MYERS, Fla. (WBBH) — Whether you’re mad about it or excited to see it, this new attraction has definitely brought the wild inside Edison Mall in Fort Myers.

Inside the Fort Myers shopping center, a new business called Exotic Animal Playground is offering visitors a chance to get up close with animals most people only see in zoos …. lemurs, otters, foxes, and even a spider monkey.

The business, which opened just over five weeks ago, lets guests book short, hands-on sessions with exotic animals. Owners Kayla and Kyle Kocon say the goal is to educate people about wildlife in a fun and personal way.

“They’re all baby animals, so they like the attention,” Kayla said. “It actually helps them with the socializing.”

Kocon says the animals are rescues or can’t live in the wild anymore. She says they spend their nights at a private sanctuary the couple runs and are only brought to the mall for limited sessions during the day.

“The animals don’t live here at the mall,” she said. “If they don’t want to come here that day, I don’t force them. They have their getaway areas, and they know when they need a break.”

Inside the storefront, visitors can see signs reminding guests to respect the animals’ space. Kocon says the facility is inspected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that the business’s permits hang right in the lobby.

Under Florida law, businesses are allowed to exhibit exotic animals as long as they have the proper state permits and meet housing and safety requirements. The city of Fort Myers and FWC say the business has all the paperwork. But even though it’s legal, not everyone agrees it’s right.

Animal advocacy group PETA says mall-based animal encounters like this are stressful and unsafe for the animals involved.

“There are plenty of ways to educate people on how amazing animals can be without keeping them confined in shopping malls,” said Cydnee Bence, with PETA’s Captive Animal Law Enforcement Division. “Animals are not playground equipment. They’re subjected to bright lights, loud noises, and constant handling, which can cause stress and injuries.”

The new attraction has sparked plenty of discussion. Some shoppers are excited to see it. Others are uneasy.

“I’m not for it at all,” said Fort Myers resident Mark Matlock. “They’re exotic animals. They shouldn’t be allowed.”

But others say they see no harm in it.

“It sounds pretty cool,” said Ricky Baker, another Fort Myers resident. “My grandson’s visiting in February, and I’ll take him there.”

Kocon says she understands the criticism but hopes people will see the operation firsthand before judging.

“I like seeing people’s faces when they leave,” she said. “They walk away with a new respect for the animals.”

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 WGAL Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    TOWNSHIP OF HANOVER, Pa. (WGAL) — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating an incident in Dauphin County where a crossbow bolt was fired through a home window, piercing an interior door in West Hanover Township.

This occurred on Saturday, Oct. 4, at a residence near Allentown Boulevard.

Around 4:30 p.m., the state game warden reported that someone was driving a dark-colored Ford pickup truck parked in the Comfort Inn parking lot.

Two individuals dressed in camouflage exited the vehicle and entered a nearby field. About three hours later, they returned to the truck and left.

During this time, a crossbow bolt, identified as a carbon arrow, was shot through a window of a neighboring home and became lodged in an interior door.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Southeast Region or the Operation Game Thief hotline.

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 David Collins

Click here for updates on this story

    PHOENIX, Md. (WBAL) — Concerns arose this week over bridge safety in Baltimore County after a small bridge collapsed amid a crash.

WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates spoke with a county official, examined bridge inspection information and visited several bridges in person to get further insight on Baltimore County’s approach to bridge maintenance.

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates that its crews inspect the county’s bridges on two-year cycles.

Carroll Road bridge collapse: The aftermath The Carroll Road bridge that collapsed Monday amid a septic truck crash is one of some 717 structures Baltimore County maintains, 85 of which are at least 100 years old.

No one was injured in Monday’s collapse in Phoenix, and crews brought in a crane Tuesday to remove the wreckage.

A team of DPWT engineers and contractors converged Wednesday at the collapsed bridge to brainstorm how to remove the septic truck and other debris. They also need to figure out the extent of damage to the bridge.

“Our engineers are at the scene assessing the situation, determining with contractors what the best course of action will be in the short-term and long-term,” DPWT spokesman Ron Snyder told WBAL-TV 11 News.

According to public records obtained by WBAL-TV 11 News, inspectors downgraded the condition of the Carroll Road bridge in 2023 from satisfactory to fair, noting decaying timber and loose bolts. County officials have said none of the defects in the report were deemed significant enough to warrant immediate response.

The Baltimore County-maintained structure, which dates back to 1879, was one of Maryland’s remaining historic metal truss bridges. While it had a 51,000-pound weight limit, officials have said it’s too early to determine whether weight was a factor in the collapse.

Septic truck driver: ‘It was like a bad dream’ Baltimore County police conducted a separate investigation into the crash itself and found the truck was not in violation for crossing the bridge, and no citations were issued.

WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates spoke with the driver of the septic truck, John Cossentino, who said he believes the construction of the bridge was not adequate for the structure’s certification.

“I have been cleared of all fault,” Cossentino told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates. “They weighed every single ounce of my truck and every single ounce of the load that I was carrying. I was 10,000 pounds under the certified limit.”

“Glass was shattering on me, a big beam on the bridge came down on me; it was like a bad dream.”

Cossentino told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates what led to the crash.

“The bridge had collapsed first, which had triggered the tree to fall. There is a cattle fence, there was two big metal wires connecting the two trees together. When the bridge went down, the side of the bridge fell on this big metal cord. A cattle fence that was probably installed over 100 years ago. It’s like an elevator shaft cable, very thick. When the bridge collapsed, it triggered the tree to fall,” Cossentino told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates. “Glass was shattering on me, a big beam on the bridge came down on me; it was like a bad dream.”

DPWT: Entire bridge inventory inspected very 2 years WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates found the median age of major bridges longer than 20 feet is 50 years. Last year, DPWT completed 72 bridge repairs at a cost of $3.3 million.

“In the last calendar year, we inspected over 100 structures, and we make sure the entire inventory is inspected at least every two years,” Snyder told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Among the county’s bridges is the 1930s-era wooden Mantua Mill Road bridge over Deadman Run. The bridge is classified as a high priority to replace the deck; the structure itself is in satisfactory condition, according to public records.

The Sparks Road bridge, built in 1888 and reconstructed in 1990, is one of the county’s 14 truss bridges. Public records warn that further development in the area could impact the traffic needs of the bridge.

“The definitions you see in the report don’t necessarily mean those structures are not safe to cross. If they are not, our inspectors always err on the side of caution,” Snyder told WBAL-TV 11 News. “In between inspections, if we find something that is concerning, we will follow up with additional inspections. And, if something becomes a critical need to repair, we obviously take any measure that we can to ensure the safety of those that cross the bridge.”

Baltimore County’s inspection practices follow federal and state requirements.

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 Joseph Buczek, Jordan Burrows

Click here for updates on this story

    MACOMB COUNTY, Michigan (WWJ) — A smudge of bird poop and brake dust on an SUV helped investigators track down an Eastpointe man accused of shooting a prominent Macomb County businessman.

Jasan Delanta Martin, 32, is accused of shooting Eddie Jawad at his Macomb Township home on the morning of Oct. 14. Macomb County prosecutors allege Martin parked a Ford Escape near Jawad’s home, walked through a neighboring backyard, scaled a wall, entered Jawad’s property, and then hid underneath a parked vehicle in Jawad’s driveway.

Prosecutors allege that as Jawad drove out of his garage, Martin came out from hiding and fired multiple gunshots at Jawad. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Jawad was shot in the right leg and grazed in the left leg. Martin then left on foot, retracing his route and driving away.

Wickersham says Martin allegedly swapped out the Escape’s registered license plate for a stolen plate.

The owner of the Escape was initially taken into custody on Oct. 17, but was released, Wickersham said, as the owner had no known relationship with Martin.

“We were able to compare between the two vehicles — one with the bad license plate, one with the good license plate — to solidify that we had the right vehicle; that being the amount of brake dust on the wheels. There was a specific smudge on this vehicle in the same location, and it was actually bird poop in the exact same location on both vehicles,” said Wickersham.

Martin was arrested Sunday at a Warren home.

Wickersham says the investigation included local, state and federal resources, as well as surveillance footage and the execution of 23 search warrants. Investigators do not yet know the motive behind the shooting, Wickersham said.

“We have the ability. We have the determination to find out who you are, so don’t come to Macomb County to commit your crimes,” Wickersham said.

Martin was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on one count of assault with intent to murder, three counts of felony firearms, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Macomb County prosecutors say Martin is a fourth-offense habitual offender, meaning he is subject to life in prison if convicted of any of the primary felonies.

“While the investigation into this matter is still ongoing, I would like to commend law enforcement on the team effort used to apprehend Jasan Martin and bring him to justice,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in a statement. “The allegations against Martin are both shocking and appalling. The idea that someone would attempt to kill a man in his own driveway, in broad daylight, is beyond comprehension. As Macomb County Prosecutor, I take my duties with the highest seriousness, and my office will prosecute this case with the full force and gravity it deserves.”

Martin was given a $100,000 bond and remains in custody at the Macomb County Jail. If he can post bond, Martin is required to wear a GPS tether. He cannot have contact with Jawad.

Martin is due back in court on Nov. 3 for a probable cause conference. A preliminary examination is set for Nov. 10.

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.

WWJ

By Joseph Buczek, Jordan Burrows

Click here for updates on this story

    MACOMB COUNTY, Michigan (WWJ) — A smudge of bird poop and brake dust on an SUV helped investigators track down an Eastpointe man accused of shooting a prominent Macomb County businessman.

Jasan Delanta Martin, 32, is accused of shooting Eddie Jawad at his Macomb Township home on the morning of Oct. 14. Macomb County prosecutors allege Martin parked a Ford Escape near Jawad’s home, walked through a neighboring backyard, scaled a wall, entered Jawad’s property, and then hid underneath a parked vehicle in Jawad’s driveway.

Prosecutors allege that as Jawad drove out of his garage, Martin came out from hiding and fired multiple gunshots at Jawad. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Jawad was shot in the right leg and grazed in the left leg. Martin then left on foot, retracing his route and driving away.

Wickersham says Martin allegedly swapped out the Escape’s registered license plate for a stolen plate.

The owner of the Escape was initially taken into custody on Oct. 17, but was released, Wickersham said, as the owner had no known relationship with Martin.

“We were able to compare between the two vehicles — one with the bad license plate, one with the good license plate — to solidify that we had the right vehicle; that being the amount of brake dust on the wheels. There was a specific smudge on this vehicle in the same location, and it was actually bird poop in the exact same location on both vehicles,” said Wickersham.

Martin was arrested Sunday at a Warren home.

Wickersham says the investigation included local, state and federal resources, as well as surveillance footage and the execution of 23 search warrants. Investigators do not yet know the motive behind the shooting, Wickersham said.

“We have the ability. We have the determination to find out who you are, so don’t come to Macomb County to commit your crimes,” Wickersham said.

Martin was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on one count of assault with intent to murder, three counts of felony firearms, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Macomb County prosecutors say Martin is a fourth-offense habitual offender, meaning he is subject to life in prison if convicted of any of the primary felonies.

“While the investigation into this matter is still ongoing, I would like to commend law enforcement on the team effort used to apprehend Jasan Martin and bring him to justice,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in a statement. “The allegations against Martin are both shocking and appalling. The idea that someone would attempt to kill a man in his own driveway, in broad daylight, is beyond comprehension. As Macomb County Prosecutor, I take my duties with the highest seriousness, and my office will prosecute this case with the full force and gravity it deserves.”

Martin was given a $100,000 bond and remains in custody at the Macomb County Jail. If he can post bond, Martin is required to wear a GPS tether. He cannot have contact with Jawad.

Martin is due back in court on Nov. 3 for a probable cause conference. A preliminary examination is set for Nov. 10.

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.