Category: CNN Regional

By Dillon Thomas

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    FOR COLLINS, Colorado (KCNC) — A Fort Collins woman says she was forced to pay nearly $900 in utility debt she did not personally incur after discovering two previous owners, since 2015, failed to pay their bills.

Rene Nelson has spent nearly three years buying manufactured homes, often purchasing properties from owners facing foreclosure. She renovates the homes and then resells them for a profit.

When Nelson recently found a buyer for one of her remodeled homes, she expected the sale to proceed without issue.

Instead, Nelson said she learned there was a lien attached to the property for unpaid utility charges dating back to 2015 and 2022. The balance totaled nearly $900.

“Honestly, I thought it was a big misunderstanding or a big mistake,” Nelson said. “There’s got to be some mistake. I didn’t buy the property until 2025.”

Unlike traditional real estate, manufactured homes are often considered personal property when the homeowner owns the structure but rents the land beneath it. Nelson said she purchased the home through a cash transaction and received a bill of sale through the Larimer County DMV, a process commonly used for manufactured homes.

Nelson said she paid all of her own utility bills on time while renovating the home and eventually found a buyer. The issue surfaced only because the buyer chose to use a closing company to complete the transaction.

The closing company discovered the utility lien and flagged it during the sale process.

Nelson said she contacted the City of Fort Collins seeking answers.

“Why would you guys let me start utilities here and not tell me that there is a lien against the property or that there’s any balance due?” Nelson said.

According to the city, responsibility for identifying outstanding utility liens falls on buyers as part of their due diligence before purchasing a property.

“Do you feel like you’re being punished for someone else’s debt?” CBS News Colorado’s Dillon Thomas asked Nelson.

“100%. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense to me that anybody would be responsible for charges that happened before they purchased a home,” Nelson said.

Nelson said many buyers of manufactured homes are working within tight budgets and often do not use closing companies because the transactions typically do not require them.

She worries unexpected costs such as utility liens could create financial hardships for buyers seeking affordable housing options.

“This community, especially, they need affordable housing, and this is a really unfair practice,” Nelson said.

The City of Fort Collins declined an interview request from CBS News Colorado, citing customer confidentiality, but provided a written statement explaining its policies regarding unpaid utility balances.

“Due to confidentiality, the City of Fort Collins is unable to comment on specific customer billing issues. In general, the City recovers unpaid charges for utility services under the Fort Collins code provision 26-718, which holds the property owner responsible for unpaid balances on the property. The lien attaches to the property served by the utilities,” said Nick Combs, spokesperson for Fort Collins Utilities.

Combs said title companies routinely contact the utility provider during property transactions to request closing estimates and identify any outstanding utility obligations.

“Normally when a property is sold, a title company will contact the utility requesting a closing estimate of utilities. At that time, the new property owner (buyer) will discover existing liens, or through their own due diligence, providing an opportunity to have that debt paid by the responsible party,” Combs said.

CBS News Colorado also requested an interview with the city attorney regarding the issue but did not receive a response.

Nelson said she believes the city should either pursue the individuals who originally failed to pay the bills or make utility liens easier for prospective buyers to identify through online records.

For buyers who complete transactions without a title or closing company, Combs recommended contacting Fort Collins Utilities and requesting a “lien letter” before finalizing a purchase.

Combs also addressed how utility responsibilities apply to manufactured homes, where residents own the home itself but rent the land beneath it.

“Utility service is used by the mobile home occupants. Users of the service sign up for accounts for select services. In this case, the mobile home received the electric service, which is then the mobile homeowner’s responsibility, as opposed to the water, wastewater, and stormwater, which is billed to the landowner and is their responsibility,” Combs said.

Combs said the city’s code identifies the property as the location where utility service was delivered.

“As with any property sale, buyers should take necessary steps to ensure clear title, as well as notify the utility of property ownership changes. Ultimately, unpaid utility charges are borne by all utility customers,” Combs said. “If an owner does not check to see if all utility obligations are paid prior to taking possession, then they may take ownership with attached unpaid obligations. This is why the title companies contact us as part of a sale to be sure there are no lingering utility obligations.”

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 Cecilio Padilla, Steve Large, Lyanne Wang

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    SACRAMENTO COUNTY, California (KOVR) — Video released Monday shows Sacramento County deputies using a drone to disarm a suspect during a recent standoff – an operation the sheriff’s office described as a “nationwide first.”

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened June 18, when law enforcement officers surrounded a home on Goya Parkway in the south Sacramento area while searching for a wanted parolee-at-large.

Deputies said the suspect had reportedly been seen earlier with a firearm and was not responding to negotiators.

After the suspect continued hiding inside the home, deputies deployed a standard drone, used for all interior searches and barricaded subjects, and found him in the corner of a garage.

Deputy Tom Lee, Lead Pilot of the Sheriff’s Craft Observation Utilizing Technology (SCOUT) team, operated the drone.

“It was of those [moments] where someone thought outside a box and it ended up working out wonderfully because in that enclosed space, we didn’t want to send anybody in there, put them in any danger. That’s what the drones are there for, to save lives,” Lee said.

In the video, the suspect can be seen holding a knife. Deputies said he appeared to be either playing dead or lying in wait.

To safely disarm him, deputies attached a strong magnet to the drone and flew it toward the suspect’s hand. The video shows the drone taking the knife from the suspect.

Deputies then took the suspect into custody safely.

Lee says the SCOUT team’s next step is to develop a system for the drone to not only grab but let go of things.

“This can help us deliver objects to people, whether it be some sort of life-saving device or a phone, or even something critical, like if someone needs help and needs, say, more ammunition,” he said.

The drone was not the only piece of new technology deployed during the standoff. For the first time, deputies also implemented on-scene a robotic dog named Buster, which helped clear debris in the garage.

“They both play off each other’s strengths. In very small areas, Buster can crawl over things, and around things, and it’s got a more articulating arm that can grab stuff,” Lee said. “So if my drone was unable to get the knife out of his hand, Buster would be the next option to come in there and possibly grab it.”

While the SCOUT team expresses excitement over the successful disarmament last week, it acknowledges that its technology still has significant development ahead before more advanced applications become possible.

“I know that drones have come a long way in the past 10 years, but in this case, we’re still not there yet for some sort of cyborg,” Lee said.

Authorities have not released the suspect’s name.

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 Liz Crawford, Will Kenworthy

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    DOWNINGTOWN, Pennsylvania (KYW) — During a recent walk in her community, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Mayor Erica Deuso just couldn’t resist greeting her four-legged constituents.

In November, with little political experience, she was elected mayor of Downingtown, becoming Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor.

“I love this town. I love the people,” Deuso said.

Located roughly 40 miles from Philadelphia, the Chester County borough is home to about 9,000 people. Deuso moved here about twenty years ago and said she loved it so much, she wanted to play a bigger role in its future.

“I decided to run for mayor because this town has given so much to me,” she said.

Back in 2009, when Deuso started her transition, she says she was met with kindness and understanding.

“My neighbors were so great to me, my entire community who knew about it were rallying around me,” she said.

Fast forward more than 15 years, she ran for mayor and won, earning 64% of the vote.

Deuso said she put the work in when she campaigned, door-knocking at more than 2,000 homes to hear what people really cared about.

“We learned what people really cared about in this town. And the one thing that people didn’t care about was my gender identity,” she said.

Instead, she said, people were most concerned about traffic and housing affordability.

Deuso says she’s proud to lead Downingtown and be a voice for all who live here — and maybe even inspire newcomers to put down some roots.

“We’re all neighbors here. It’s not like somebody is going to, you know, unfortunately, steal your parking spot after you’ve shoveled it out,” she said.

With a subtle jab at city life there, Deuso is making history in a community that doesn’t even seem to notice.

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 Madeline Bartos

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — Body cam footage shows a Ross Township police officer catching a panicked fawn that was trapped after falling over a retaining wall.

The Ross Township Police Department shared the video on Facebook on Monday, applauding Sergeant Chuberko and Officer Roy for rescuing the deer.

Police said the fawn had gone over the side of a retaining wall at the high school. The video shows the panicked deer backing itself into a corner, slamming itself against the building and retaining wall. Crying, the deer makes a break for it, scampering past Sergeant Chuberko and right into the arms of Officer Roy.

The fawn jumps at Officer Roy, who scoops the baby deer up, catching it in the crook of his arm.

“Nathan, you’re the man,” Sergeant Chuberko says as onlookers cheer.

“Officer Roy showed the agility, sharp reflexes, and fearlessness of a FIFA World Cup Goaltender with this save!!” the Ross Township Police Department wrote on Facebook.

The video has been viewed on Facebook more than 20,000 times, racking up hundreds of likes. Commenters commended Officer Roy’s catch, with one person writing, “he must have kids.”

The Pennsylvania Game Commission says this is the time of year when humans encounter newborn and young wildlife. If you find baby wildlife that appears to be abandoned, it’s most likely that their parents are off foraging for food and they’ll return. Unless the wildlife is clearly in distress like this fawn, it’s best to leave it alone, the Game Commission says.

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 Adam Rife

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    WHITEFISH BAY, Wisconsin (WDJT) — An hours-long standoff in Whitefish Bay ended peacefully Monday night, June 22.

The person was inside a home on N. Berkeley Boulevard just south of E. Hampton Road. Bystanders told our CBS 58 crews it started around 6 p.m.

Tension started to build at 9:30 p.m. After several rounds of negotiations, police approached the home at about 9:50 p.m. Flashbangs were fired and yelling was heard. Moments later, paramedics were escorted to the home, and a male was wheeled on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

No gunshots were fired throughout the incident, according to several people at the scene.

Our crews heard negotiators use a megaphone to tell the person, “You’re safe, we won’t hurt you. We don’t want to hurt you.” They also said, “Put down the sharp object,” and “Come talk to me.”

After the situation was resolved, the negotiator said through the megaphone, “Good job, I’m very proud of you.”

Law enforcement from the Whitefish Bay Police Department, Shorewood Police Department, and Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office were on scene.

Whitefish Bay PD has yet to share information on what happened.

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 Montse Ricossa

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    MEQUON, Wisconsin (WDJT) — An investigation is underway and activists are asking for justice after a police officer fired 16 shots at two dogs, killing one. CBS 58 obtained body camera video of the shooting, and we want to warn you, you may find it disturbing.

“It was shocking. I mean, it was horrific and brutal,” said Danielle Dietz, who along with Alicia Hegedus, rescued one of the dogs shot by former Thiensville Police Officer Richard McCormick.

On April 23, around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of N. Cedarburg Road and Highland Road, Mequon police responded to a call of two abandoned pitbulls. When they weren’t able to get the two dogs into their squad car, the officers agreed they’d try again later. In body camera footage, you hear them say they’re doing so “since it’s night and they’re not bothering anyone, no one’s in danger. It’s not like people are walking around.”

However, two hours later, Thiensville Officer Richard McCormick, in his police report said, while he was out of his jurisdiction, “In good faith, and consistent with my responsibilities as a police officer, I believed I should notify Mequon PD and attempt to safely contain the dogs so they would not pose a danger to motorists or pedestrians.”

Later though, he wrote, “Fearing I could be seriously injured; I fired several rounds directly at the black dog to stop the threat.”

While the dogs ran away, former Officer McCormick reloaded his gun. Eventually, Mequon police arrived, and he joked about the situation with them, saying he “picked up 15 casings, just in case you guys needed to know that,” with a chuckle at the end.

The other dog, now named Ranger, ran into the woods. That’s where he’d stay for 17 days until Hegedus and Dietz could trap him. “He was emaciated, he had a wound to his hip, which caused maybe some nerve damage that resulted in him dragging his paw,” said Hegedus.

While they wait for Ranger to get better, Dietz wonders why Officer McCormick intervened, saying, “The animal retreated. It was writhing in pain across the stream, howling, and then you make a conscious decision to reload your gun and continue firing at the dog?” The women argue the dogs barking did not mean they were being aggressive, simply defensive. They went on to say Mequon officers were originally in the right to leave the dogs alone while they awaited the adequate resources to help the dogs. Hegedus and Dietz hope to be a resource in the future.

The good news is Ranger has been at the Wisconsin Humane Society getting numerous surgeries, slowly getting better. Hegedus and Dietz are planning to adopt him together. They hope he’ll be able to come to a loving home by the end of the week.

As for former Officer McCormick, he was placed on administrative duty and resigned before an investigation was completed. A criminal investigation is being led by the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

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 J.D. Miles

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    PLANO, Texas (KTVT) — Veterans don’t stop being heroes after they leave the armed services.

A group of them in Plano is coming to the aid of an elderly widow of an Air Force pilot, after she says she was ripped off by a contractor for $70,000.

Since her husband Nick, a decorated Air Force pilot who served in Vietnam, died in 2011, his widow, Mary Beth Maier, has been able to manage their Plano home exceptionally well for a woman now in her 90s.

Everything except their nearly 60-year-old swimming pool.

“We had a problem with the pool leak,” Maier said. “So I was looking for someone to renovate and repair and made a bad decision.”

She says she hired an independent contractor who agreed to redo the pool for $35,000, which, within weeks, was raised to $70,000.

“I started checking the books and all the invoices and started adding up stuff,” her son, Robert Maier, said. “And no progress in three months, and found out he was a bad guy and a convicted felon.”

“He did a terrible job,” she said. “It was substandard, it wouldn’t even probably pass inspection … It was just devastating.”

When Ryan Wade Hoffman, with Veteran’s Pool Company, heard about what happened, he was at her house the very next day.

“When I saw this scenario and then got the backstory of it, there was just no way that I could walk away,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman offered to renovate the pool and surrounding area at no charge to the veteran’s widow. He hopes to have the project finished in a few months and has acquired help from a dozen other companies that all believe it’s a fitting tribute to the late veteran.

“I had a spouse who was home alone a lot, and I would hate for someone to be taking advantage of her while I was gone,” said Hoffman.

“They came to my rescue,” Mary Beth Maier said. “Ryan Hoffman and a wonderful pool company.”

The 94-year-old, who’s temporarily in a physical rehab facility, got to thank the pool company owner in person on Monday and says she can’t wait to come home and step into her backyard.

“Oh yes, I’m looking forward to that, and I hope it’s going to be pretty soon,” she said. “And I think it will be.”

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 John Lauritsen

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — A St. Cloud couple both recently turned 99 years old. And they just marked another, even rarer milestone: 80 years of marriage.

Betty and Kermit Eastman celebrated their oak anniversary on June 6, joining a remarkably small group. On average, only one U.S. couple each year reaches the 80-year mark. Globally, it is estimated that only one in 6 million couples live long enough to celebrate eight decades together.

Their story began in Thief River Falls, where Betty moved into the neighborhood and caught Kermit’s attention.

“I remember one time her dad said to her, ‘I wonder what that Eastman boy is doing walking up and down the sidewalk,'” Kermit said.

Betty remembered what first stood out about him.

“He had a lawnmowing business when he was really young,” she said.

Before the couple could build much of a life together, Kermit left high school to join the Navy during World War II. His ship, the U.S.S. Mullany, was struck by a Japanese kamikaze pilot.

“We were hit by a suicide plane,” Kermit said. “We lost quite a few guys. About 20, I think.”

After returning from the war, the two married, and both went back to finish high school.

“My senior year, well, I was married,” Kermit said.

They also attended prom together as a married couple.

After college, they settled in St. Cloud, where Kermit worked as a superintendent. They raised two children and now have five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. The couple celebrated their anniversary at their daughter’s house with their entire family.

After eight decades, both said the formula is straightforward.

“Just don’t keep secrets and be honest,” Betty said.

“Tell it like it is,” Kermit said. “Just live every day. Every day is a gift.”

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.