Category: CNN Regional

By Darren Cunningham

Click here for updates on this story

    PONTIAC, Michigan (WXYZ) — The former safety director of a hyperbaric chamber facility in Troy learned how long he’ll spend in prison for the death of Thomas Cooper.

The 5-year-old was killed when a hyperbaric chamber exploded in January 2025 at the Oxford Center in Troy.

Jeff Mostellar, former safety director of the Oxford Center, was sentenced to 19 months to 15 years in prison. He had pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter.

He’s one of four employees charged. His co-defendants include the CEO, the facility manager, and a chamber operator.

It was found that the facility did not use ‘grounding straps’. The straps are worn by patients to prevent static sparks and eliminate fire hazards by safely releasing static electricity during hyperbaric chamber therapy.

During Mosteller’s sentencing, Cooper’s family wasn’t in attendance and did not issue a victim impact statement. The prosecutor said they simply aren’t in a place to speak on this tragedy. It’s just too painful.

Mosteller also chose not to address the court.

His defense attorney told the judge the facility’s practice of not using grounding straps was put in motion well before Mosteller began working at the location. But she said her client admits he failed to take corrective action.

Defense attorney Alona Sharon said, “He is, your honor, someone who made a horrific mistake in this case that caused a tremendous loss for this family. He understands the devastating nature of what happened and of his mistake and lapse in judgment.”

Judge Kwamé Rowe said, “It was incumbent upon you to say something.”

“I don’t understand that reasoning behind Mr. Mosteller ignoring National Fire Code, ignoring the Seacrest manual and ignoring his own training that he would have received in HBOT,” the judge said.

Assistant Michigan Attorney General Chris Kessel said, “The real-world consequence of that was that a 5-year-old boy whose life hadn’t even started burned alive while his mother watched.”

The legal proceedings are far from over in this tragedy. In addition to the civil case, those three other individuals charged are still awaiting trial.

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 Julia Sandor

Click here for updates on this story

    MIDWAY, Utah (KSTU) — A fall tradition in Midway is on hold this year after a late spring freeze severely impacted apple crops at Wasatch Mountain State Park’s historic Huber Grove orchard.

For generations, families have visited Huber Grove each fall to pick apples from trees that date back to the late 1800s. But this year, park officials say there simply won’t be enough fruit to support the annual Apple Harvest event.

“The grove is known for the homes that used to be here and for the apple orchard,” said Jonathan Hunt, park manager at Wasatch Mountain State Park. “A lot of the trees were here back in the late 1800s. They’re pushing 150 years old, and they’re still producing apples.”

Typically, the orchard’s roughly 80 apple trees produce thousands of apples each season. This year, however, the harvest has been drastically reduced.

“We usually have a good and bad year. This year is bad and worse,” Hunt said.

According to park officials, an unusually warm start to spring caused the trees to bud early. When freezing temperatures returned in April and early May, much of the crop was lost.

“We had a phenomenal early spring,” Hunt explained. “The snow melted in the middle of March. The leaves came out, the buds came out on the trees, and then in April and early May we had a lot of freezing. So we lost the opportunity to grow apples this year.”

The annual Apple Harvest allows visitors to call for a spot and fill a bushel with apples picked directly from the orchard. Because of the poor crop yield, organizers have canceled it for the season.

Even so, local tourism leaders say there are still plenty of reasons for visitors to make the trip to Midway this fall.

“We’ve got Swiss Days just happening in a couple of days, and that’s going to bring quite a few people to town,” said Dallin Koecher, executive director of Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Development. “We’re still attracting visitors to the valley for events. Some of the weather has canceled some things, but there’s still a lot more to do, from golf and the railroad to the crater and all sorts of fun things.”

As summer transitions to fall, the Wasatch Back is already beginning to show signs of changing colors, drawing visitors to enjoy the scenery despite the disappointing apple season.

For many residents and returning visitors, Huber Grove remains a special destination regardless of the harvest.

“A lot of people who pick apples here are repeat customers,” Hunt said. “It’s their family tradition to come pick apples. When we don’t have apples, they just have to change their plans. They’ll still come for a walk and enjoy the fall leaves.”

While the iconic Apple Harvest will take a year off, park officials hope visitors will continue to enjoy the grove, its history and the changing autumn landscape that make Midway a popular destination each fall.

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 Amy Nay

Click here for updates on this story

    SANDY, Utah (KSTU) — At 103 years old, Florence “Floss” Turnbow has learned a thing or two about life.

Her advice for living a long, healthy life?

“Just be good. Don’t be bad. And work.”

Floss celebrated her 103rd birthday Saturday surrounded by family, friends and plenty of people who wanted to honor Sandy City’s oldest resident.

“Say hello!” someone called out as guests greeted Floss.

“Hello!” she responded, laughing.

Friends and family call her Floss, a woman who has spent much of her life making things for the people she loves.

She is a seasoned quilter who has made more than 6,000 quilts over the years. Some of her masterpieces were on display at Saturday’s celebration, while her quilting even inspired the custom cookies made for the occasion.

Her family says that kind of hard work is part of what makes Floss who she is.

Three of her five sons and both of her twin daughters were there to celebrate her milestone birthday.

“My mom worked hard throughout her life,” daughter Marva Turnbow Anderson said through tears. “We love her!”

Her daughter Marsha Harmon says that work ethic has been passed down through the generations.

“She’s given us such a good work ethic throughout our lives, and we’re so blessed to have her still living,” Harmon said.

Her oldest son, Lynn, says his mother’s advice can be summed up simply: “She says hard work. She says just keep going. Keep swinging.”

Floss spent most of her life in the tiny Uintah Basin town of Tabiona, where she and her husband, Leo, raised their family. She was widowed in 1999.

In recent years, she moved to Sandy, where she now lives at Crescent Living Center near 110th South.

And her family says she continues to make an impression on everyone around her.

“I’m just glad she’s still here,” her son Jerry Turnbow said.

“Beautiful,” another family member said when asked to use one word to describe his mom.

The celebration included music from her great-nieces, who serenaded her with a special performance.

Mayor Monica Zoltanski also stopped by to honor Floss, presenting her with an America 250 coin and pin and a special gift.

“You’ve been alive for more than a third of our country’s history,” Zoltanski told her.

The mayor says having someone like Floss in the community is a reminder that Sandy is so much more than meets the eye.

“We are more than our places or businesses. It’s more about the people,” Zoltanski said.

And after 103 years, Floss says one of the best parts of reaching this milestone was seeing people she hadn’t seen in years.

“I think it’s beautiful — for people to come that I haven’t seen for ages. So it’s been lovely,” she said.

So naturally, the mayor wanted to know the secret to making it to 103.

“So, 103 — healthy, happy. I want to get all the advice and tips I can,” Zoltanski said.

Floss laughed at the question.

“Advice? Just be good! Don’t be bad!” she said. “And work. You’ve gotta work.”

Wise words from a woman who has certainly done her share.

Here’s to many more, Floss, and happy birthday!

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 Jason Rantala

Click here for updates on this story

    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Workers at the Minnesota State Fair removed a piece of crop art protesting President Trump over the weekend.

A spokesperson for the fair says the person who made the art asked to have it taken down.

The piece that was removed read “8647.”

The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes “86” as “slang meaning ‘to throw out’ or ‘get rid of,'” and Mr. Trump is the country’s 47th president.

Tyler Breuch watched the exhibit supervisor take down the “8647” crop art piece. He says according to that supervisor, the artist had received death threats over the work and had to leave the state.

“Over this piece, which just seems ludicrous that someone who misunderstands slang is threatening to kill somebody over dried beans,” said Breuch.

For Brenda Butler, a first-time artist, crop art is political.

“My piece is RBJ up on the wall, between Renee Good and AOC,” said Butler. “We’ve had a very political year. We Minnesotans are really proud of ourselves and the political action that we’ve had going on.”

Donni Torres, attending the fair from Deephaven, Minnesota, says the fair owes its visitors an explanation for the now missing art.

“Both sides are expressed here,” Torres said. “I think they should have put up a sign that said ‘removed at the artist’s request.'”

The Department of Justice indicted former FBI director James Comey for posting a picture on social media with “8647” made out of seashells. They claim it was a threat to kill the president. That case is set for trial this fall.

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 Stephen Cohn

Click here for updates on this story

    FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wisconsin (WISN) — Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s detectives re-arrested Benjamin Larson on Monday, just days after police investigating a stalking case in the town of Taycheedah uncovered human remains, skulls, and a shrine to Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein in Larson’s basement.

WISN 12 News has learned Larson was booked on three counts of receiving stolen property and one count of felony bail jumping. He has not yet been charged in Fond du Lac County.

According to a Dane County criminal stalking complaint by a Madison woman, officers in Larson’s house discovered a padlocked plywood room containing a bed and walls covered with “multiple framed images of nude females, skulls and skeletons.” The complaint also stated that shelves in the room held “five human skulls and one partial skull along with two large bones in the shape of a cross.”

He is not expected to appear in court until Wednesday.

Larson was free on $15,000 bail related to the stalking charge before being re-arrested on Monday.

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 Brady Halbleib

Click here for updates on this story

    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — An open-water swimmer says a routine morning swim in Lake Tahoe turned into a frightening encounter when an otter attacked her underwater.

Lynnette Bellin said she was swimming near Hidden Beach in Incline Village when something suddenly grabbed her leg and pulled her underwater.

“Something grabbed my leg and pulled me under,” Bellin said. “And it was so powerful I thought it was a human.”

The attack happened around 8 a.m. as Bellin was swimming in an area she regularly visits.

“I turned around and I saw this otter, and it immediately started lunging at me and biting and scratching,” Bellin said.

Bellin fought back with her hands and feet while trying to reach a nearby set of rocks.

“It was very painful,” she said. “Yeah, it was just ruthless. It just kept coming after me.”

The first rocks Bellin reached were too slippery for her to climb onto. She yelled for help but said no one responded.

She eventually made it to another set of rocks and was able to pull herself out of the water.

But the otter remained nearby.

“Once I got out and he stopped pursuing me, he kept circling the area,” Bellin said. “I could hear his heavy breathing. It was very menacing.”

Bellin eventually made her way back to the beach, where first responders treated her before she was taken to the hospital.

She received nearly 40 stitches and began a series of rabies vaccinations.

Experts say otter attacks are extremely rare Megan Isadore, executive director of the River Otter Ecology Project, said encounters between people and river otters rarely become violent.

“We don’t always expect an attack when it happens,” Isadore said.

She said one possible explanation is that Bellin may have unknowingly gotten too close to a mother otter and her young.

“They don’t know what we’re doing. They don’t know why we’re there,” Isadore said. “They can be frightened of us. They’re usually not after us.”

Bellin said she doesn’t blame the otter for what happened, but the experience has made her reconsider where she swims.

“It’s very disconcerting, but also I love Tahoe too much,” she said.

There’s also an unusual connection between Bellin and the animal that attacked her.

She’s an infant swim instructor and often uses a small otter toy while teaching children.

After the attack, she said she may be ready to retire the toy from her classes.

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 Laurie Perez

Click here for updates on this story

    LOS ANGELES, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A new digital archive from Loyola Marymount University is retelling the stories of the thousands of Angelenos who lost their Chavez Ravine homes to make way for Dodger Stadium.

It’s been more than 70 years since Carol Jacques’ family lived in the area, and she still dreams of her childhood home. It once stood in the Palo Verde neighborhood, before they became some of the many who were pushed out for the development of the stadium in the 1950s.

“It was like living in a park, and it was pitch black, and we could see the stars, and the crickets would sing us to sleep,” Jacques said. “What we had, I think, that was very special that a lot of people don’t write about. We had a main street. We had a huge church that had a rectory for the priests, a place for the nuns, a place to have a lot of things.”

Jacques says that she and her family would walk up the hill after church to stop at the tienditas to pick up any necessities along the way.

“There was also kind of a camaraderie, because people would be watering or on their front porch and they’d say, ‘Buenos dias,'” Jacques recalled.

Now, her family’s story is just one of the many captured by LMU’s online archive that features interviews, photos and other documents from the largely Mexican-American community displaced by eminent domain so the ballpark could be developed.

The stories have been told before, but one large change is that they’re told directly by community members, and their stories and memories are protected by copyright, so no one else can profit like what’s happened in the past.

“Many people came, wrote stories about us, and then some of them came back and wanted to sell us books after we invited them in and introduced them to our neighbors,” Jacques said. “They were selling what we had given them.”

LMU Professor Priscilla Leiva co-founded the archive with Jacques, calling it a community-curated collection.

“It’s not about an academic or an archivist coming in and telling the story for them. They are the ones telling us what the captions on these photos should be; they are the ones giving us the information,” Leiva said.

So far, there are more than 200 pieces included in the collection. They said it’s just a fraction of what they’ve collected over the last 11 years. Leiva said that their research has revealed much more about the history of Chavez Ravine, beyond the removal of thousands of people, and just as important.

“This is a community of people who showed up in LA in the 1910s and 20s, literally built their own houses with permits, created thriving communities, weathered the Great Depression, served in the war, and then even after the removal, people like Carol became activists, other people became other types of change makers in the city,” Leiva said.

Jacques said that her family’s proud, but painful story is one of endurance that’s more relevant than ever.

“We have stories about how, you know, things were going on right here that were really very ugly, that people survived,” she said. “So, I think it’s important that we learn that. But I think it’s also really important that we learn from history, because a lot of these things are happening again.”

She said that while she doesn’t hold any resentment towards the Dodgers, with both of her sons being huge fans of the Boys in Blue, Jacques does wish for some sort of acknowledgement for the sacrifices that were made and the part they all played in bringing the team to Los Angeles.

“I think that the Dodgers are part of Los Angeles. We’re part of Los Angeles. It’s all a Los Angeles story,” Jacques said. “I wish that they would recognize the fact that we shared the land at one time, at least some recognition that we were there, because we are part of their story and they are part of our story.”

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.