Man celebrates 80th birthday after first responders, bystander saved his life

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Whitney Burney

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    DETROIT (WXYZ) — Leighton Kirkpatrick celebrated his 80th birthday Wednesday in Detroit — surrounded by the first responders who kept him alive after he suffered multiple cardiac arrests on Christmas Eve.

Kirkpatrick, an Oklahoma resident, was visiting his daughter and grandchildren at Campus Martius in Detroit last Christmas Eve when he suddenly collapsed.

“I hit the ground, and after that it’s all a fog,” Kirkpatrick said.

A bystander immediately began performing CPR on Kirkpatrick for 2 minutes until a security officer and an EMT arrived to take over. Responders used an AED to shock him back to life.

Security Officer Dante Davis said his training kicked in when it mattered most.

“When you’re faced with a situation where every second counts, you don’t have time to figure everything out from scratch. You rely on your training, your team mates and the people around you,” Davis said.

Shortly after, one paramedic and three EMTs with Detroit Fire Department arrived on scene. While Kirkpatrick was being transferred to the hospital, he went into cardiac arrest a second time. The Detroit Fire Department team resumed CPR, helping him regain a pulse.

After months of recovery, Kirkpatrick made a special trip back to Detroit to thank his heroes in person. Detroit firefighter and EMT Noah Purdy said seeing Kirkpatrick was an emotional moment for the team.

“Seeing him is indescribable. Again, we so rarely get to see what happens or see the patients not even but 15 minutes after what happens. So to find out last week he was not only doing well, but well enough for us to meet him, you really can’t describe that feeling,” Purdy said.

The reunion carried an extra layer of meaning for EMT Ravion Davis, who shares a birthday with Kirkpatrick.

“Oh yeah, this is awesome. Sharing a birthday and being able to celebrate not only his recovery but a birthday together. It feels really special for me,” Davis said.

The experience inspired Kirkpatrick to purchase and donate five AED units to the city of Detroit.

“Saving a life, life is precious. One doesn’t realize how precious it is until you’re faced with the fact that it may be over. And you won’t be able to kiss your wife good night or say hello to your kids. To save somebody else’s life would be a blessing on top of what I’ve already had,” Kirkpatrick said.

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‘Like a dog, you have to train them:’ Father charged with abusing infant, toddler

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By WLEX Staff

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    WALTON, Kentucky (WLEX) — A Boone County man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he was captured on video abusing his infant daughter and later admitted to suffocating his young son on several occasions.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a report of physical child abuse on Aug. 21 involving a 3-month-old girl. Authorities said an out-of-state family member provided investigators with in-home video showing multiple alleged instances of abuse.

According to the sheriff’s office, 36-year-old Shaun Webb of Walton was charged with 10 counts of criminal abuse, a Class B felony.

Investigators said the incidents occurred Aug. 19 inside Webb’s home. Video footage allegedly shows Webb open-hand slapping his infant daughter in the face while she lay crying on the living room floor.

Authorities also said the footage shows Webb lifting the infant by the back of her head and covering her face for about 19 seconds while her legs flailed. Deputies said Webb was also seen placing his hand over the child’s face multiple times, with each incident lasting between 10 and 13 seconds.

According to investigators, Webb’s 2-year-old son was present during the incidents involving the infant.

During an interview with detectives, Webb admitted to suffocating his son on four occasions before the child was 9 months old, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators said Webb told them children are “like a dog, you have to train them and set boundaries.”

When asked about his daughter’s crying, authorities said Webb stated it “triggers me, like nails on a chalkboard” and said he covered her mouth and nose “not to cause harm, but to deprive her of oxygen.”

Deputies said Webb described the actions as an attempt to “train the behavior.”

Following the interview, Webb was arrested and lodged in the Boone County Jail.

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4 WWII veterans turning 100 need birthday cards from the community

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Carlee Hogsten

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    JESSAMINE COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — Four World War II veterans are celebrating milestone birthdays this year, and Wilmore leaders are asking the community to help honor them with birthday cards.

Thomson-Hood Veterans Center and Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater are collecting cards for the veterans — with a goal of collecting enough to match each veteran’s age. Cards can be sent to Wilmore City Hall at 210 South Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, KY 40390.

“It’s very important to hear their stories. It’s important to honor them. It’s important that they feel appreciated,” Rainwater said.

With only about 500 World War II veterans remaining in Kentucky, each one holds special significance.

“There’s so few of them, and I think there’s still nine in this facility,” Rainwater said.

The first veteran celebrating a 100th birthday is Glenn Cummins, who served in the Philippines during World War II and later as a paratrooper in Japan.

“I stayed there a year. Where the temperature is 110, and it’s misery,” Cummins said.

Vincent Gualliardo is turning 101. He served four years in the Navy and was sent to Japan after the war.

“The secrets of life is, well, you always try to help the other person,” Gualliardo said.

Ronald Grimes is also turning 100. He volunteered for the Army, knowing he would likely be drafted anyway.

“Well, they were taking everybody if they could breathe,” Grimes said.

While Cummins, Gualliardo and Grimes live at Thomson-Hood, the celebration also extends to Corbin, where 103-year-old Paul Jones is also waiting for cards.

Sam Hutchinson, administrator at Thomson-Hood, said cards will be distributed to each veteran on their birthday.

“Send it to the Wilmore City Hall, and we’re going to disperse those to each veteran on their 100th birthday to make sure that they know that the country still remembers them,” Hutchinson said.

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Milwaukee veterans take flight in World War II-era biplane

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Hannah Hilyard

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Eight Milwaukee-area veterans got the trip of a lifetime in a World War II-era biplane Thusday, thanks to the nonprofit Dream Flights.

One of those veterans: 87-year-old Wisconsin native and Army veteran Bernie Huizenga.

“I’ve been in small planes but never a biplane, never an open cockpit,” he told WISN 12 News. “I’m excited about it, quite interested in seeing this.”

The flight was organized by Dream Flights, a national nonprofit that provides free flights in military planes to veterans as a way to say thank you for their service.

Darryl Fisher, founder, president, and pilot of Dream Flights, described the emotional impact these flights have on veterans.

“Right before your eyes, you’ll see somebody go up at 85 or 90, and then in spirit, they’re in their twenties. It somehow invigorates them and gives them energy that they didn’t have before. And it’s just a beautiful thing,” Fisher said.

Fisher started Dream Flights in 2011, with Milwaukee-based Direct Supply providing the nonprofit’s initial funding.

“This really connects what we believe in, which is not only improving lives of America’s seniors but also getting out in the community and partnering with our customers,” said Matthew Koch of Direct Supply.

Since then, Dream Flights has provided more than 8,500 flights to veterans across the country.

“It never gets old. I have to pinch myself every morning when I get out of bed. I actually get to do this,” Fisher said.

Huizenga was the first veteran to take flight Thursday.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I’m really pleased to, honored to be chosen for this,” Huizenga said.

His smile after the flight said it all.

Dream Flights operates six planes and has nearly 20 pilots offering this opportunity nationwide.

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Wildfire contained after burning almost 1,000 acres near Gracemont: What we know

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Addison Kliewer

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    CADDO COUNTY (KOCO) — Crews across the state worked to extinguish grass fires on Thursday, including a wildfire in Caddo County that burned hundreds of acres.

Gracemont fire A fire originated east of County Street 2690 and north of County Road 1290, and the fire progressed north and east. There were some structures near County Road 1270 that were threatened, but firefighters contained the flames.

Anadarko Fire/EMS said the initial estimate is that around 900 acres burned.

The city manager said this was in Gracemont’s fire district, but Anadarko fire officials helped fight the fire.

Sky 5 was over the scene, where massive flames were seen coming from the rural area.

The flames were moving toward a wooded area, making it difficult to put out the fire.

The fire was near the site of a massive wildfire that burned four homes just days ago in Anadarko.

Payne County fire About 40 acres of land burned after a grass fire broke out in the area of 104th Street and Karsten Creek. Multiple agencies responded to the fire and were able to contain the flames.

No structures were involved in the fire, according to the Payne County emergency manager.

As of 5:30 p.m., crews were extinguishing hotspots in the area.

NE 63rd Street fire A grass fire spread to a shed on Thursday afternoon, destroying the building. The fire sparked near Northeast 63rd Street and Jericho in Oklahoma City.

No one was injured in the fire, according to the Oklahoma City Fire Department

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New filing disputes claim Alex Murdaugh passed polygraph ‘with flying colors’

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Brooke Butler

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    South Carolina (WJCL) — South Carolina prosecutors are pushing back on a claim made by Alex Murdaugh’s defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, who said in court last week that Murdaugh had passed a polygraph test “with flying colors.”

Harpootlian made the statement on Aug. 14 during a discussion of a polygraph given to Eddie Smith by two SLED examiners prior to the first trial for the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. He said, “I will tell you, Mr. Murdaugh passed a polygraph, flying colors. The same polygrapher. So, it may play a role in this trial.”

In a four-page filing, prosecutors asked the court to correct what they called “factually inaccurate statements” made by Harpootlian.

The state said Murdaugh never took a SLED-administered polygraph, either about the murders or any other subject. Prosecutors also said the two SLED examiners who tested Smith never examined Murdaugh, despite Harpootlian’s suggestion that Murdaugh had been tested by the “same polygrapher.”

However, prosecutors revealed Murdaugh did take a polygraph administered by the FBI in October 2023, several months after his first murder trial. According to the state, that test was not related to the murders. Instead, it focused on financial matters, including whether Murdaugh had hidden assets and whether he had told another attorney he was stealing money.

Prosecutors said Murdaugh failed that FBI test.

The Attorney General’s Office said it was not involved in or aware of the FBI polygraph when it was administered. Prosecutors said the FBI provided them with the results for the first time Wednesday, Aug. 19.

The state emphasized that even though Murdaugh took that FBI test, it does not support Harpootlian’s claim that Murdaugh passed a government-administered polygraph, much less one concerning the murders.

A judge has already ruled that polygraph results will not be admissible at trial. The ruling also bars evidence about whether a defendant was willing to take a polygraph or refused to take one.

In a response filed by Murdaugh’s defense on Thursday, Harpootlian acknowledged that his statement in court was incorrect.

“I realize I mistakenly conflated several facts and my statement was incorrect,” Harpootlian wrote.

He apologized to the court and the state for any confusion he may have caused, but said he could not disclose further details about any polygraph testing involving Murdaugh.

Harpootlian also argued that his incorrect statement did not affect the judge’s ruling because the court had already decided that polygraph evidence would not be allowed at trial.

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Massachusetts woman sentenced for selling body parts stolen from Harvard morgue

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Nicole Poitras

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    CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WMUR) — A Massachusetts woman will spend two years in prison for selling body parts stolen from the morgue at Harvard Medical School.

Investigators say Katrina Maclean, who owns Kat’s Creepy Creations in Peabody, bought some of the stolen body parts before selling and shipping them to others.

Back in 2023, Cedric and Denise Lodge of Goffstown were also charged in connection with the scheme. They were sentenced to prison last December.

Cedric is the former manager of the Harvard Medical School Morgue. He is spending eight years in prison.

Denise pleaded guilty to selling the remains to buyers across the country and was sentenced to one year and one day.

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Two North Carolina girls abducted in separate towns found safe in Georgia after multistate search, Sheriff’s Office says

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Michael Pardee

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    YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. (WXII) — Two children who authorities said were abducted in separate North Carolina communities have been found safe in Georgia, and a 21-year-old South Carolina man is facing extradition back to North Carolina.

The Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified Aug. 18 about the abduction of a 15-year-old girl from the Rockford community.

Driver Arrested Deputies and detectives began investigating and identified a suspect vehicle with help from a neighbor. Investigators later identified the suspect as Seth Zachary Tallmadge, 21, of South Carolina.

China Grove Abduction Authorities then learned Tallmadge was also suspected in the simultaneous abduction of an 11-year-old girl from China Grove.

According to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, deputies there received information from the Georgia State Patrol that a possible kidnapping suspect was headed toward Bulloch County from North Carolina.

Flock Camera Locates Vehicle Deputies were given the tag number associated with the suspect vehicle and used the Flock Safety camera system to locate the vehicle and determine its direction of travel.

Bulloch County deputies and investigators then stopped the vehicle on Highway 67 near Josh Deal Road.

Authorities said all occupants were safely detained while investigators contacted the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office and China Grove Police Department.

Investigators confirmed that the two girls, ages 11 and 15, had been reported kidnapped and that Tallmadge was the suspect in both cases.

Tallmadge was eventually located and taken into custody in Bulloch County, Georgia, by the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol. He was arrested on a kidnapping warrant issued in Yadkin County.

Both children were safely reunited with their families.

Tallmadge is now facing extradition back to North Carolina and is expected to face charges related to the abduction investigations in Yadkin County, as well as charges in Rowan County. He will appear at a hearing in Bulloch County to determine his return to North Carolina.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

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Mom helped son clean up after he allegedly stabbed 18-year-old PennWest California girlfriend, police say

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Raquel Ciampi, Jordan Cioppa

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    CALIFORNIA, Pa. (WTAE) — A mother and son are facing charges in connection to the death of an 18-year-old PennWest California student, Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday.

Authorities say Karoline Heintz was found dead inside her parked vehicle near the California Borough Library around 12:24 a.m. on Thursday.

Royce Moser, 18, is charged with criminal homicide, and his mother, Rachel Moser, is charged with hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and obstruction, Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said at a news conference.

Both suspects were taken outside separately in handcuffs and placed into police vehicles at the PSP station in Washington on Thursday night.

Royce Moser did not comment as he was being taken away by state troopers.

“My son took a life” Rachel Moser said, “I’m sorry,” as she covered her face with her hands. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Jordan Cioppa said, “Tell us why you’re sorry.” Rachel Moser said, “That my son took a life.”

Victim was a recent high school graduate in Washington County According to Peters Township School District, Heintz was attending PennWest California after signing a National Letter of Intent for soccer.

Heintz was a recent graduate of Peters Township High School who was set to begin classes at PennWest as a freshman.

According to officials, Heintz had been with family earlier on Wednesday and was returning to campus housing at Pennsylvania Western University California.

When Heintz did not check in with her family, they tracked her location to her vehicle on Wood Street in California and called 911.

Police say that was when they found her dead inside the back hatch of the vehicle. Sources close to the investigation told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that Heintz had been stabbed.

“We knew right away that this was a very serious case, but an isolated one,” Gagliardi said.

According to a criminal complaint, Heintz left her family’s home in Peters Township around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

The victim’s father told police he tracked her location and noticed she stopped at her boyfriend’s house in North Strabane Township.

That’s where investigators say Royce told them the couple got into a discussion in the victim’s car.

“Towards the end of that conversation between boyfriend-girlfriend, he goes inside and grabs a large knife from the kitchen, comes back out, and proceeds to stab her in the chest area,” Gagliardi said.

“Demon took over” The criminal complaint said Royce allegedly told police he was angered by something the victim said and claimed he had a “demon take over” him before he stabbed Heintz.

Gagliardi said Royce put the victim in the back hatch of her Jeep Cherokee before driving the vehicle to his mom’s house in Beallsville Borough.

In an interview with police, Royce said his mom offered to help clean the car with disinfectant spray. She also allegedly gave her son latex gloves.

“They try to clean clothes, they try to clean the car up, they try to get rid of any blood stains possible,” Gagliardi said.

According to state police, the mother and son drove separately to California Borough, where they dumped the Jeep.

Rachel, according to the complaint, allegedly told Royce to “take a bath and then shower,” upon returning to her house.

The complaint later states that Rachel put the knife used to kill Heintz in a garbage bag and put her son’s clothes into the washing machine.

Statement from PennWest California “PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident, which occurred off campus, and PennWest University police are cooperating fully with the investigation.”

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Three charged after 6-year-old mauled by two dogs in Lebanon County, police say

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Rachael Lardani

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    SOUTH LEBANON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WGAL) — Three people are facing charges after a 6-year-old girl was mauled by two dogs in Lebanon County, according to detectives.

Police said the girl was attacked by the dogs at a home in the 800 block of South 14th Avenue in South Lebanon Township on Monday, Aug. 10.

According to detectives, the following three people were charged:

Rebecca Hresko, 31 Debra Hresko, 61 Andrew Hresko, 70 Investigators said all three individuals live at the home and were present or on the property when the attack happened.

Child’s ear bitten off, police say According to the affidavit, the girl was attacked by two dogs, named “Chip” and Zeus.” She suffered injuries to her upper body and torso, and the lower portion of her ear was bitten off, officials said. She was transported to Hershey Medical Center.

Police said the missing portion of the child’s ear was found inside the home and taken to the hospital so medical staff could attempt to reattach it.

Child not related to suspects, police say According to detectives, the girl is not related to any of the suspects and was being supervised by Rebecca at the time. Police said Rebecca picked up the girl that morning and was supposed to take her to Hersheypark.

The girl’s mother told investigators that she knew Rebecca had to stop at her house to pick up some things but did not know her child would be there for an extended time, according to the affidavit. Police said the mother stated that she warned Rebecca not to allow the girl near the dogs.

Before the attack “Rebecca gave statements to Ofc. McCarrick on scene stating she was inside the address with the victim child, and the dogs were outside of the address,” the affidavit stated. “She saw the dogs anxiously watching the victim child through a glass door as the victim child was running around inside and the dogs became increasingly excited. She closed a set of blinds covering the glass door in attempts to settle the dogs down. She, at one point, cracked open the mentioned door with the glass window when ‘Chip’ and ‘Zeus’ rushed through attacking the victim child.”

According to police, investigators reviewed surveillance footage in the home that showed the dogs acting aggressively toward the girl. Detectives said the footage appeared to be before the attack because the child was not visibly injured or crying.

Rebecca, Debra and Andrew were all charged with recklessly endangering another person, according to police. Rebecca was also charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.

Same dogs attacked baby in 2024 According to police, the same two dogs had attacked and severely injured a 22-month-old boy at the same home in September 2024. He was transported to Hershey Medical Center to be treated.

Authorities said the investigation ended in that case after the mother declined to continue working with law enforcement.

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