Category: CNN Regional

By Mike Beaudet

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    CHELSEA, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Thomas Rosa was sitting at home in Chelsea when the call came in: prosecutors would no longer pursue the murder case that had defined most of his adult life.

“I had no words. I just started crying,” Rosa said of learning the charges would be dropped.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday it would not retry Rosa, 64, for the 1985 killing of an 18-year-old nurse’s aide, Gwendolyn Taylor, in Dorchester. The filing ended a decadeslong legal battle. He was released from prison in 2020 after 34 years behind bars.

His case was marked by multiple trials, including a mistrial and an earlier conviction that was overturned before the final verdict that sent him to prison.

A judge vacated his conviction in 2023 after new DNA evidence emerged and concerns were raised about the reliability of eyewitness identifications used at trial. Despite that ruling, prosecutors had planned to retry Rosa, with a new trial scheduled for May.

In a court filing this week, however, the district attorney’s office said it was uncertain it could prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the decision to drop the case. The office declined further comment.

The filing stops short of declaring Rosa innocent, a point emphasized by his attorney, Radha Natarajan of the New England Innocence Project.

“Even though the district attorney’s office does not want to admit that they prosecuted an innocent man … those are things that happened,” Natarajan said.

For Rosa and his family, the decision brought a mix of relief and disbelief after years of legal uncertainty.

“It’s surreal,” his wife Virginia Rosa said. “We’ve waited so long, and it’s finally happened.”

Rosa, who had been living under restrictions following his release, including a nightly curfew and limits on travel, now plans to visit family in Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.

“I’m elated,” Rosa said. “It’s the day I’ve been waiting for.”

The New England Innocence Project said Rosa is the 100th person exonerated in Massachusetts since 1989.

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 Addie Meiners

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    PROSPECT, Kentucky (WLKY) — It’s been almost one year since four homes in the Ken Carla neighborhood started to slowly slide down a hillside into Harrods Creek.

Since then, construction crews have been working nonstop to secure the cliff, adding a retaining wall.

Jody Meiman from Metro Emergency Management explained that the project has required significant effort and almost $3 million, but the hill is now secure.

“The first thing that they wanted to do was come in and actually shore up the houses to make sure that there wasn’t any more sloughing off underneath the houses. So that was phase one of the project. Then they started working on this wall. And then this bench that, you see, is the third phase of the project,” said Meiman.

The wall is structurally complete, reinforced with large nails and a layer of concrete. Meiman noted that the next phase involves cleaning up the “bench,” or the flat part of the hill, which is secured by a seawall.

“Cosmetically, you know, the hope is that it just looks normal. You know, as normal as it can be,” Meiman said.

The project is being funded primarily through the federal government, through the Department of Agriculture. They’ll cover $2,121,000 of the $2,818,000 project. The city of Louisville is responsible for the remaining $697,000, which Meiman believes will have a majority paid for with a state grant of $503,738. So the city will only need to cover $193,262.

Tim Voigt, whose home was initially condemned but later re-secured by the support wall, expressed how relieved he is.

“The whole house shakes when they’re drilling in the seawall, or drilling in the horizontal supports to support the hillside, and I’m happy every time I feel the house shake because it means progress is happening and things were getting more secure and stabilized,” Voigt said.

While the once-quiet neighborhood has had to deal with lots of construction traffic and heavy machinery over the past 11 months, both Voigt and Ruff believe it will all be worth it soon.

“I think it’s going to be a good long-term solution for sure. For all of us, I feel safer having that there,” Ruff said.

“I’ve been told that there’s a guarantee on the project for 80 to 100 years. I don’t intend to be there in 80 years, so my goal is 60 years. As long as it’s there for 60 years, I’m going to be very happy,” said Voigt.

The hope is to have the work completed before summer.

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 Addison Kliewer

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    MCCLAIN COUNTY, Oklahoma (KOCO) — Emergency crews responded to a firetruck that rolled over in McClain County on Friday morning that left two firefighters dead.

The crash happened on East Redbud Road near Southeast 12th Avenue between Goldsby and Washington. The crash shut down Redbud Road.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said they received a call to respond to the crash just after 3 a.m. When troopers arrived on the scene, they found that two firefighters had died in the crash.

OHP identifies firefighters killed in crash The firefighters were identified as volunteer firefighters Todd Pendleton and Bryan Jenkins.

Pendleton spent decades working for The Oklahoman newspaper. Starting in 1986, he eventually worked his way up to becoming the art director.

His talent came to life in newspaper graphics, drawings and digital stories. Those who worked with him remember his kind heart and love for his family.

Pendleton, 62, was a 12-year veteran firefighter. He was a resident of Goldsby.

“We are devastated by the loss of Todd and his colleague, Chief Jenkins,” said Ray Rivera, executive editor of The Oklahoman in an article posted to the news organization’s website. “Todd loved his work as a firefighter, and, as a journalist, he was one of the most talented, kindest people any of us have ever worked with. Our hearts go out to both families.”

Jenkins was an employee of Cleveland County since 1987. He managed the Cleveland County Fairgrounds since 2014.

“He was a public servant full of courage, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to those around him. He was also a dedicated first responder who served with courage and honor,” Cleveland County officials said in a statement. “This tragic loss is deeply felt across the county and community. Our deepest condolences go out to Bryan Jenkins’ family, friends, colleagues, and fellow first responders during this incredibly difficult time. We are also thinking of and praying for the family of the other first responder who lost their life.”

Jenkins, 64, was a 35-year veteran firefighter. He lived in Norman.

Sky 5 also showed a nearby fire that the firetruck was likely responding to. A large structure was burning just a few streets away from the crash.

Troopers said it appears that the firetruck was headed eastbound on Redbud before departing the roadway to the right, returning to the roadway and then departing the roadway to the left. The firetruck then struck two trees.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Jenkins was driving the track, and Pendleton was the passenger. They were the only two in the firetruck.

The two volunteer firefighters were part of the Goldsby Fire Department. A deputy from the McClain County Sheriff’s Office said the department is there to support the Goldsby firefighting community in the days following the crash.

Pendleton and Jenkins will be honored by an escort from Oklahoma City to Purcell.

Washington Fire and Rescue invited the community to come together and show their support for the families and the firefighters.

“Community members are encouraged to line the route beginning near Goldsby Church and continuing south toward the Grassroots Feed Store. The escort will then proceed east on Highway 74 toward Purcell,” according to Washington Fire and Rescue.

The procession will start in Goldsby at about 2 p.m.

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 Dacia Johnson

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    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — More than 200 people have been evacuated from an apartment building just west of Orlando after a woman called 911 early Thursday morning when she couldn’t open her front door and heard popping sounds.

William Farhat, the division chief with Orange County Fire Rescue, said when crews arrived, they had to pry the woman’s door open and found structural instabilities in the building.

A portion of the building was evacuated at that time, Farhat said. Other doors also had to be pried open to free residents.

Crews found cracks inside.

The Rialto apartments are located on W. Sand Lake Road in Dr. Phillips. just west of Interstate 4.

The Orangetheory Fitness, which is part of a string of businesses attached to the apartments, said it had to cancel classes this morning for “building damage” in a story on Instagram.

Building inspectors had to be brought in and determined the entire building needed to be evacuated.

Farhat said they are working with VisitOrlando and The Red Cross to find hotel rooms for displaced residents.

It’s unclear if or when residents would be allowed back in. An engineer needs to look at the building, Farhat said.

Residents worried

Residents who live in the apartment building told WESH 2 they were evacuated and not given much information.

One woman said her cat was still in her apartment on the top floor.

Olivia Stephenson said she was told there’s structural damage and a few people needed to be rescued from the building.

Stephenson said she was told it could be hours or never as far as when she can go back in.

Another resident said there is a crack in the ceiling.

Crews break down doors

A woman told WESH 2 fire crews used an ax to pry her door open and free her. She lived below the woman who originally called 911.

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 Sarah Mankowitz

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    FORT MYERS, Florida (WBBH) — Nichole Hall, who lost her leg and part of her hip in a boating accident in 2024, recently met Vicki Nisbet, the emergency dispatcher who answered the 911 call, in an emotional reunion in Lee County.

Nisbet, who works in emergency communications for Lee County Public Safety, recalled the moment she received the call.

“I remember exactly where I was sitting, what I was doing at the time. And it’s nice to be able to hug the person that you helped,” she said.

Reflecting on the significance of the encounter, Nisbet added, “We know we make a difference every day, but to really see it in person and to like, touch and hug the person like that, that just makes all the bad days better.”

Hall expressed her gratitude and the emotional impact of meeting Nisbet.

“I feel like I have to hug you, so a little bit of teary eyes, because it is such an impactful moment to be able to meet anybody who was there. I’m here because of her,” Hall said.

She continued, “I’m so grateful to be alive. And life is so beautiful. And everybody was part of my journey, so I’m just really grateful.”

The reunion allowed both Hall and Nisbet to put a face to the name of someone who had a significant impact on their lives, highlighting the importance of gratitude and human connection.

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 Rachael Lardani

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    LEBANON, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A Lebanon County man is facing charges after he was found inside a stranger’s home and attempted to steal two vehicles, according to the Lebanon City Police Department.

Investigators said they were called to the incident around 5:10 p.m. on March 7 in the 700 block of Locust Street.

According to court documents, the victim came home and found the suspect, identified as Matthew Butler, 37, of Palmyra, lying on her couch.

The victim told police that she did not know Butler, investigators said.

When the victim confronted him, Butler left her home and got into the driver’s seat of her vehicle, which was running at the time, according to the documents.

When he attempted to put the vehicle into gear, police said the victim went outside and Butler got out of her car.

Butler then got into another running vehicle nearby, put it in gear and drove off onto South Eighth Street, according to the documents.

Police said the owner of that vehicle was at the scene and still had her keys at the time.

Suspect located

According to court documents, officers found Butler a few hours later, and the vehicle was recovered from the Aldi parking lot on North 11th Avenue.

Butler was charged with criminal trespassing and theft by unlawful taking.

Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more.

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 Alan Shope, Chloe Godding

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    SHAWNEE, Kansas (KMBC) — This goat may only have two working hooves, but he doesn’t let it slow him down.

“Wheelie Nelson,” a goat in Shawnee, Kansas, has been partially paralyzed since birth. Pulling himself along with his front two legs, he makes his way around his backyard, a little bell signifying that he’s on the move.

But his family wanted to make it easier for him. So they did some research and found a wheelchair made for a dog.

“Once we got him in was the hardest part,” said owner Jordyn Doherty. “After that, he just took off. We almost named him ‘Hot Wheels’ because the second we got him in his wheels, he was gone.”

As Wheelie grew, he quickly got too big for his first set of wheels. As he’s only 3 months old, he’ll continue to grow and need new equipment. Without it, he could get hurt.

“Him dragging on the ground can create a bunch of sores and infections and things,” Doherty said.

That’s why his family started a fundraiser to raise a few hundred dollars for his wheels.

“Just so he can live the best normal life,” she said.

“Wheelie doesn’t know he’s ‘different,'” his family said in the fundraiser. “He just knows he’s loved.”

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.