Category: CNN Regional

By Jordan Bontke

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    PHOENIX (KNXV) — A suspect has been charged with arson in connection with a north Phoenix strip center fire that left several business owners without their livelihoods, after investigators used security video, license plate readers, GPS tracking, and a specially trained ATF dog to crack the case.

The fire broke out at a north Phoenix strip center in early February. Among those affected was America Ortiz, owner of Pawdazzle, a dog grooming business that sustained fire and smoke damage in the blaze.

“I’m bummed out, I’m sad. I’m sad because I’m a single mom and I have to support my kids, and that’s all I have,” Ortiz said.

The smoke smell damaged her product inventory and grooming materials, much of which had to be thrown away. Ortiz has gone weeks without operating Pawdazzle, with still weeks to go before she can reopen.

“We’re very sad that we can’t operate right now,” Ortiz said.

While Ortiz works toward reopening, fire investigators brought in a one-of-a-kind resource to help determine how the fire started — a Labrador Retriever named Xanadu.

Xanadu is the only ATF Accelerant Detection K-9 in the entire state of Arizona, we’re told. If she smells an accelerant, she will sit or point with her nose toward the location to help investigators determine how a fire started.

“She’s a state asset that any agency can call upon, and we’ll take her out to run those fire scenes,” an investigator said.

While Xanadu worked on the scene, police reviewed security video from the night of the fire, including footage of a white Prius pulling up to the strip center. Court paperwork shows the car was a rental from a business on Van Buren Street near downtown Phoenix.

A license plate reader — used throughout the Valley — discovered where the Prius was registered: a car rental business for rideshare drivers. The owner told police the car is GPS tracked, and that information led police to find the Prius and the driver, who was charged with arson.

Ortiz said she was relieved to see some justice — and she had a special offer for Xanadu.

“Once we reopen, I just want to say Xanadu will always have free grooming, free nail trims, everything. We are just so proud of him,” Ortiz said.

The arson suspect has pleaded not guilty. A trial is currently set for July.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. ­­­KNXV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Michelle Reyes

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    EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KOAA) — More than 250 inmates across seven wards at the El Paso County Jail in Colorado Springs took part in the Cultivating Change: Agriculture and Mental Health Initiative, a collaboration between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Jail-Based Behavioral Services program and the local Country Style 4-H Club.

The program, launched in recognition of National Agriculture Month, connected incarcerated individuals with 4-H youth through agricultural education, mental health awareness and creative expression.

Workshops were facilitated by a licensed therapist and an agricultural business owner. The workshops incorporated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts to help participants build coping strategies and foster self-reflection.

Seven youth members from the Country Style 4-H Club developed presentations on agriculture’s role in daily life and career pathways across Colorado. The materials also included messages of encouragement delivered to inmates through structured workshops.

“We showed off what we know in agriculture,” said Moriah Hudson, a 17-year-old who has been part of 4-H for five years.

Ten-year-old Carson, another participant, said he and his brothers presented on market goats, one of several topics covered in the program. Other subjects included the following:

horse health sheep cow horses livestock genetic rodeo horsemanship For some inmates, the experience offered a rare connection to life outside.

“It meant a lot because… I grew up in the country,” said one inmate.

The workshops also gave inmates an outlet for mental health challenges.

“I have bipolar depression, it actually took me out of my negative thoughts and took me out of this place, even for a moment it’s a bliss,” said one inmate.

The initiative culminated in murals painted on jail walls, inspired by the agricultural themes introduced by the 4-H students.

“Probably one of the best days I’ve ever had in jail,” one inmate said of the experience.

For those who worked on the murals, the process itself carried meaning.

“Working on this mural, it’s something we had to ask for every day. They don’t just open the door and say get to work,” said one inmate.

Eric Carnell, Detention Support Commander at the El Paso County Jail, said the program was designed to give inmates a constructive way to express themselves.

“If they have something to say, why not give them the correct platform where they can express themselves,” said Carnell.

Carnell also reflected on the broader impact of bringing youth and inmates together.

“Maybe instead of giving a plethora of medication and other things, maybe our children are that inspiration,” said Carnell.

One inmate summed up the lessons left behind on the walls.

“Don’t be afraid to be different. Yeah, you know, it’s okay to be odd like the little sheep right here. Gotta take it one day at a time, just like agriculture,” said the inmate.

The public can now vote for their favorite mural online. Voting opens March 18 at 11 a.m and runs through early next week.

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 KABC Staff

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    COVINA, Calif. (KABC) — A violent multi-vehicle crash near an intersection in Covina early Wednesday morning stemmed from a domestic violence incident, police confirmed.

The crash involving five vehicles was reported just before 5:50am at Hollenbeck Avenue and Cypress Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Covina police later confirmed to Eyewitness News that it happened as a husband was chasing his wife at a high rate of speed. He eventually crashed into the other cars.

A view from AIR7 showed the widespread wreckage across the street as firefighters rushed to treat and transport several people. Most of the cars sustained significant damage. One of those cars was overturned.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said four people were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. At least one person who was trapped in one of the cars had to be extricated. Several ambulances were seen at the scene.

It’s unclear if the wife was one of the people injured in the crash. Her husband, however, fled the scene was later found hiding at a nearby home before he was taken into custody.

Additional details were not available.

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 Matteo Iadonisi

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    WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WPVI) — It was a miracle when Wendell Sweeney walked away from a life-changing accident.

Now, he walks with a new purpose: to deliver comfort and joy to patients with the help of his ‘Welcome Wagon.’

Sweeney is a member of the Guest Services team at Jefferson Health Washington Township. His primary job consists of greeting guests and checking them in at the Silvestri Tower.

But Sweeney also got tapped to pioneer a new patient care cart program as well. It became known as ‘Wendell’s Welcome Wagon.’

He keeps it stocked with hygiene products, crossword puzzles, custom activity books, TV guides, and more. The items are donated from co-workers, patients, and Sweeney himself. Everything is free of charge.

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 Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — A college student who survived a fiery crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck in the San Francisco Bay Area has sued the automaker, alleging the vehicle’s design trapped the occupants inside.

Attorneys representing Jordan Miller, who survived the solo vehicle crash, filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court this week. The lawsuit accuses the automaker of negligence, design defect, failure to warn and failure to recall.

On the morning of Nov. 27, 2024, the driver of the Cybertruck carrying four college students slammed into a tree in the community of Piedmont, catching fire. Attorneys said a friend who was driving behind them saw the crash and ran to the truck.

“He reached for the doors. There were no handles. He pressed the electronic buttons. Nothing happened. He grabbed a tree branch and swung it at the window again and again, but the reinforced glass held,” the attorneys said a statement.

The friend was eventually able to break the glass and pulled Miller to safety. Miller suffered numerous injuries, including burns to his airways to his airways and lungs and four fractured vertebrae, attorneys said.

Three others, identified as Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson and Krysta Tsukahara, died at the scene. All four inside the pickup had graduated from Piedmont High School in 2023.

“A friend was right there within seconds,” said attorney Annie Wu. “Jordan was trapped in a burning vehicle when he didn’t have to be. That is a design problem.”

CBS News Bay Area has reached out to Tesla for comment.

The families of Tsukahara and Nelson have filed separate lawsuits in the case.

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 Christie Ileto

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    PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — In a neighborhood long defined by resilience, a teen-run thrift shop in Kensington is showing that style – and second chances – never go out of fashion.

At FAB FITS, everything on the racks is free, but the real value comes from the jobs and life skills the young employees gain behind the counter.

The shop, located on Atlantic Street and operated by the nonprofit FAB Youth Philly, is staffed by teens who help their peers pick out secondhand clothing, including everyday wear and even formal outfits.

Sixteen-year-old Keoni Halo said the mission is simple.

“The clothes are donated and bought for the less fortunate and re-donated,” he said. Helping others, he added, “feels so good. It’s like – it’s like hope. It’s like helping someone in need.”

For some shoppers, the store offers more than a wardrobe refresh.

“You never know what someone’s going through,” said 19-year-old Elishama Johnson of Nicetown. “Maybe they have one pair of something they like, and they want another pair. This is great for that.”

Founder Rebecca Fabiano said the idea grew from years of listening to teens describe what they needed.

“The idea came from years of listening to young people tell us what they need,” she said. “Teens said I would shop in a place like this if it existed.”

Since opening last month, foot traffic has been steady. The nonprofit is grant-funded and focuses on workforce development, paying teens at least $15 an hour while they build résumés and job skills.

“They’re working, learning workforce skills or developing their resume, and they’re doing something that they feel proud about,” Fabiano said.

Downstairs, a sewing room gives teens the chance to learn how to upcycle clothing. For employee Destiny Providence, the work is about more than fashion.

“It brings comfort. Like, I like the fact that we can help other people. People come here to feel comfortable,” she said.

Whether teens leave with a new outfit or a new sense of purpose, FAB FITS aims to hand out something deeper than clothing – confidence.

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.