Category: CNN Regional

By Cecilio Padilla, Carmela Karcher

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    LODI, California (KOVR) — Four people were taken into custody in Lodi on Thursday morning in connection with a string of burglaries across California.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says detectives believe the group is allegedly part of an international Colombian theft ring.

Detectives had been surveilling the group since September after a jewelry store was burglarized in Sacramento County. Calling the break-in one of the “most sophisticated” detectives had seen, the sheriff’s office says the suspects managed to bore a hole through a wall and steal more than $1 million.

Other burglaries in the Bay Area and beyond were also linked to those same suspects.

Early Thursday morning, authorities were alerted about a break-in at a Lodi pawn shop on W. Lodi Avenue. The sheriff’s office says a SWAT team was deployed immediately, with detectives knowing who they were up against.

“Heard about a burglary potentially happening here at this jewelry store. Again, credit to their security system, they had a great one, so they weren’t able to actually make out with a single thing, but our folks were nearby, converged on it,” said Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

One suspect, a female, was arrested immediately, deputies say. Two other suspects were soon arrested.

Deputies say the final suspect was found hiding in a ventilation duct. Gas was eventually deployed, the sheriff’s office says, and that suspect was also taken into custody.

“They actually jammed the internet next door, as well to our business, and so we were out of internet,” said Mikey Manpreet, the owner of Lodi Pawn. “They got to the system. They did, but they weren’t successful because right when they got to it, you know, got a notification.”

The names of the suspects, who the sheriff’s office says are believed to be Colombian nationals, have not been released at this time.

Officials said two suspects have construction and demolition backgrounds, while another is an alarm specialist. Another suspect owns a jewelry store in Colombia with potential ties to the cartel.

Streets in the area were closed through most of the early morning hours. Lodi police say the streets were reopened around 7:30 a.m.

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By KGO Staff

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — University of San Francisco announced Thursday that Athletic Director Larry Williams died during a morning workout on campus. He was 62.

“Our prayers go out to Larry’s wife, Laura, their children, Kristin, Sean, Scott, Eric, and Louis, their families, and his grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers also go to the university’s 250 student-athletes and all of the coaches and staff under Larry’s skillful watch over the past three years,” the university said in a statement.

Williams was named USF’s athletic director in 2022.

He is an eight-year NFL veteran and earned his JD from University of San Diego School of Law while playing with the San Diego Chargers. Williams had also played with the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and the New England Patriots.

USF said it has made counseling resources and University Ministry support services available on campus to support grieving students, faculty and staff.

Stephanie Shrieve-Hawkins, USF’s deputy athletics director for administration and facilities, has been named the interim athletic director.

Williams’ cause of death was not released.

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By Stephanie Sierra and Renee Koury

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    MORAGA, California (KGO) — What began as a kindhearted attempt to rescue a little gopher ended with a huge hospital bill for two Bay Area college students.

The ungrateful gopher bit both of its helpers, but the bites were nowhere near as big as the hospital bill. The students were charged thousands of dollars each for injuries that, in the end, required little more than a Spider-Man Band-Aid.

It all began at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, when a group of students, including Roark Rowland and Ali Darvish, saw a gopher struggling to climb out of its muddy hole.

“I’m trying to help you dude, I’m trying to help you, man!” Roark Rowland says on a video clip. He’s speaking to a gopher, who is stuck in a tangle of roots.

“It was squirming and making noises, its foot got wrapped up and it got stuck,” Rowland told 7 On Your Side.

The gopher kept nipping at Rowland’s hands and eventually bit him. Darvish then bent down to help and it bit his finger too.

“It bit me on the side of my hand, it was a tiny cut,” Rowland said.

At first, the two didn’t worry too much, but then their friends were talking about the possibility of rabies. The campus health clinic was closed along with urgent care, so they debated whether to go to the emergency room.

“We knew about the perils of going to the ER, and how much they charge,” Darvish said.

Which peril was worse? Possible rabies? Or a big hospital bill?

They went to the ER a couple miles away, at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. After a long wait, they were told there is almost no chance of getting rabies from gophers. No need for shots and they each got a Spider-Man bandage.

A huge relief, until they got the bill.

“They gave us this bill for $1,200 and we said, ‘We got a Spider-Man Band-Aid for $1,200. You’re not serious right now, are you?” Rowland said. “And they were like, ‘No, no, no, no, this is just your bill for showing up,’ and I was really shocked. Was like, ‘What do you mean? I didn’t even get a Band-Aid yet, or water. Like I just came here to talk to you guys.'”

“‘Yeah I’m sorry that’s just how it is, we have to charge you for that,'” Darvish recalled.

The ER bill came to $2,054 each. Their co-pay was $1,256 each.

But before leaving, a staffer told Rowland he was due for a tetanus booster. Rowland said the staff member assured him he could get it at no cost under his insurance.

“I asked multiple times. I said, ‘Are you sure I won’t be charged more for this?’ She said I have hit my deductible and I will not be charged any more,” Rowland said.

So he took the shot and three months later, it came back to bite him.

Rowland got a revised bill for $5,200 — more than double the original estimate. His co-pay had nearly tripled, to $3,500.

It turns out the hospital charged him $1,400 for that tetanus booster he thought would be free.

“I never thought helping a gopher would cost me three grand,” Rowland said.

7 On Your Side asked John Muir Hospital why the bill went up, and why he was charged for the booster.

John Muir Hospital sent a statement that said in part:

“Mr. Rowland’s services were documented and billed in accordance with the care provided. While good faith estimates are offered at the time of registration, final charges are determined only after all care has been completed.

We have not been able to verify the advice about ‘receiving a tetanus shot covered by insurance’ provided by the billing representative. However… the estimate should have been revised to include the tetanus shot so Mr. Rowland could have made an informed decision. We apologize to Mr. Rowland for this interaction and error.

We are using this as a learning opportunity for our billing staff and as a reminder about roles and responsibilities. We are also reviewing the practice of providing estimates in the Emergency Room while continuing to educate patients regarding out-of-pocket (co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance), when appropriate.”

The hospital agreed to reduce Rowland’s bill back down to the original $1,200 estimate, saving him about $2,300.

7 On Your Side reached Rowland in Japan, where he has a job teaching English, and told him the news.

“Oh, that’s incredible! Oh my gosh… That’s really, really, really, really, really awesome,” Rowland said.

In spite of the ordeal, he says he’d still help that nippy gopher.

“It probably thought I was trying to kill it or eat it… it went back in its hole and I hope it’s doing well,” he said.

John Muir Hospital tells us it’s using this case as “a learning opportunity for its billing staff.” The hospital is reviewing procedures for providing emergency room estimates and informing patients about their out of pocket costs.

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By Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — The Kansas City Council on Thursday approved plans to build a $22 million temporary jail, marking the city’s first locally operated detention facility since 2009.

City officials said the modular facility will help handle public safety needs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and reduce dependence on out-of-county jails.

For over a decade, Kansas City police have transported people in custody to detention centers in Johnson and Vernon counties.

“The City Council’s support demonstrates courage and commitment to making Kansas City safer for all,” said City Manager Mario Vasquez. “Neighborhoods, business owners, and community groups have consistently asked for this service. I’m proud of my staff and their ability to deliver a practical and responsible solution.”

The modular facility will include 100 beds.

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By Erica Goldhawk

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    SACRAMENTO (KCRA) — A family member of the nurse who died after a REACH medical helicopter crashed on Highway 50 in Sacramento is urging people to honor her legacy by helping others.

Susan “Suzie” Smith died last week from injuries sustained in the Oct. 6 crash. Her son Gabriel Smith recalled to Chico’s Action News Now that the family’s home “was always filled with raucous laughter and an endless supply of fresh faces.”

Smith was known for her dedication to helping others, and she did not want to retire because of the impact she was making, he said.

Her body was returned to Palo Cedro on Sunday, where thousands lined roadways to honor her.

Gabriel Smith said the hospital gave him a printout of his mother’s heartbeat monitor, which he keeps in his pocket to keep her close.

He said he hopes people will honor his mother by helping others.

“I just wanted to, like, try to get the message out. I wanted people to, if there is anything to come of this, just, like, volunteer, like, donate, like, give back to your communities and lift up people in need, because that’s what she would want,” he said.

A celebration of life for Suzie Smith is scheduled for Nov. 15 at the Redding Civic Auditorium.

Two other people are recovering from injuries after the crash, pilot Chad Millward and paramedic Margaret Davis.

Millward’s son reported that his father is still in the hospital but is making good progress, while Davis’s son said she is doing well and they hope she will transition to a rehab center soon.

Both families expressed gratitude for the UC Davis Medical Center staff’s hard work.

The cause of the helicopter crash is still under investigation.

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By Emily Sanderson

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Joe Burrow made an appearance on the sideline for the Bengal’s primetime matchup against the Steelers Thursday.

Burrow, who’s recovering from a turf toe injury, was seen cheering on his team as they went on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Burrow not only surprised fans by his return to the sideline, but with his new hairstyle.

The star quarterback has made headlines for his hairstyle choices in years past, sporting bleached blonde hair, a buzzcut, among others, when making his return to training camps.

This time, the quarterback appeared to do the opposite, sporting a longer hairstyle that got many fans talking.

The hairstyle, of course, made waves on social media, with many commenting on the long hair, comparing the quarterback to popular TV show stars and memes.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Bengals’ franchise player is “on track” to return from injury in mid-December.

“He is on track, doing well, has had no setbacks,” Rapoport said on the pregame show of Thursday night’s game on Amazon Prime. “If this continues in this direction, he should be back on the field mid-December, and has told people close to him that he absolutely intends to be back.”

Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and underwent successful surgery in late September.

It was believed Burrow was set to face a three-month recovery, with many pegging December as the time Cincinnati’s QB1 could return to the field.

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By KCCI Staff

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A Des Moines man already facing charges for allegedly hiding a camera in a portable toilet during an event at Water Works Park now faces nearly 90 more for a similar incident in Marshall County.

Video above: Man hid camera inside porta-potty toilet at Des Moines event; similar case reported at cross country meet

Tyler Pavlick, 32, is accused of capturing visual and audio footage of people using the toilet inside a porta-potty during a middle school and high school cross country meet in September. West Marshall schools hosted the meet Sept. 23 at Lincoln Valley Golf Course near State Center, where seventh- through 12th-grade athletes from 10 schools competed.

Those schools are:

Ankeny Christian Academy

Lynnville-Sully

Colo-Nesco

East Buchanan

South Hamilton

Collins-Maxwell

Nevada

West Marshall

Baxter

Colfax Mingo

According to court documents, “(Pavlick) knowingly and unlawfully installed a video camera inside the toilet bowl tank of a portable toilet that was installed on the cross-country course for participants and spectators.”

Authorities say the camera was in operation for about 1 hour at the meet, from 3:39 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. when it was discovered and removed. Investigators say there are audio and video depictions of dozens of people (both children and adults) “in states of nudity that include standard ways a person utilizes the restroom.”

In total, Pavlick has been charged with 36 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and 52 counts of invasion of privacy in Marshall County.

Marshall County authorities ask anyone who used the porta-potty near the starting line at the cross country meet to contact them through marshallcountysheriff.com/crime_tips.

He has also been charged with seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of invasion of privacy from a similar case in Des Moines. Police say he hid a camera in a porta-potty Saturday, Oct. 4, during the Harvest & Handmade event at Water Works Park.

If you attended the Harvest & Handmade event and believe you may have been recorded while using a portable toilet, you’re encouraged to contact Des Moines police at FCS@DMGOV.org. Authorities say evidence shows the device was in place for about six hours, beginning just before 10 a.m.

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